Ep 11. Behind the Laughter

Behind the Laughter is the twenty-first episode of the eleventh season of The Simpsons. This episode presents itself as a parody of VH1's Behind the Music and tells the story of how The Simpsons TV show came to be.

The episode starts with the Simpson family arriving on set. The narrator introduces them as the most famous family in the world, and proceeds to tell their story. The episode switches back and forth between the show's current time and reenactments of past events.

The story begins with the show's creation in the 1980s by campy sitcom producer Gabe Kaplan. We see a young Simpsons family in their early days with a crude drawing of Homer and Marge on a yellow notepad. The show was initially intended to be a series of one-minute shorts, but was eventually expanded to a half-hour sitcom.

The episode then highlights some of the early struggles of the show to find its footing. Matt Groening, creator of the show, is shown to be in constant conflict with the show's producers, who want The Simpsons to be more commercial and less subversive. Some of the more controversial moments on the show, such as Marge's objection to cartoon violence and Bart's disrespect towards authority, are shown to be a result of this conflict.

As the show finds its voice and becomes a cultural phenomenon, the episode follows the cast and crew as they come to grips with their newfound fame. We see the animated Simpsons family doing various real-life activities, such as filming at Hollywood parties and recording voiceovers for episodes. However, their personal lives begin to suffer as they become more successful.

The episode does a great job of highlighting some of the most memorable moments in Simpsons history, including Marge's Playboy shoot and Homer's chili cook-off disaster. These moments are presented in a mock-serious tone, as if they were actual tragic events in the lives of the cast and crew.

The Simpsons: 20 Best Episodes Ever - Anniversary Collection season 1 episode 11, Behind the Laughter, is a hilarious and unique take on the making of The Simpsons. Fans of the show will love seeing the behind-the-scenes drama and how the show became the pop culture icon it is today. The episode also serves as a commentary on the nature of fame, and how the pursuit of success often comes at a cost. Overall, this is one of the best episodes of The Simpsons ever made, and a must-watch for any fan of the show.