Who better to define the success of the hit show, “The Simpsons” than Supervising Director himself, David Silverman, whose seminar “History of Animation” brought audiences roaring with laughter at the USU Performing Arts Center March 2.

“You guys like it, right? It’s funny.”

Silverman presented an overview with a “Simpsons” DVD presentation of some of the earliest episodes, which brought thunderous applause and shouts of excitement.

“Simpsons” fans were exposed to a behind-the-scene looks at the creative process behind America’s favorite yellow family.

“The behind-the-scenes was fascinating.” Ryan Rosenberg, second year film major, said.

Watching scenes from Silverman’s favorite episodes such as “Krusty Gets Cancelled” and “Homie the Clown” quickly transformed a room of serious college students into frivolous devoted fans.

One scene showed Homer Simpson going towards Marge’s pie on the stove and instead bumping his head into the cabinet, reacting with a “doh!”

“The Simpsons” first appeared on the Tracey Ulman Show in 1987. Silverman was there every step of the way.

“It’s very creative, but very tedious.” Silverman said.

He said one episode today takes about nine months to develop.

Designing consists of two months of writing, about six weeks of story boarding and eight to ten weeks of final animation.

The audience received a special treat when Silverman demonstrated his talent on the spot, by sketching some of the characters, which were later given away to people who could answer challenging trivia questions

Ben Nolen, graduate and former business major, enjoyed learning about the history of the popular Fox TV show.

“It was very insightful and entertaining,” he said.

Mandy Hall, third year biology major, found the outtakes and deleted scenes hilarious.

“It’s too bad the deleted scenes were not in the original episodes,” she said.

Silverman wanted to be a cartoonist since he was five years old. His dedication and passion to animation brings clear evidence to the show’s longevity.

“It’s about something” Silverman said “From the writing point it keeps moving along and the jokes keep building.”

Nia Guleyoncan be contacted at ane@sundial.csun.edu