Best American TV Show

different walks of life

I think "The Simpsons" was so successful because it's funny to people from all different walks of life.

We say that people come from 'different walks of life' when they come from different backgrounds and histories. Everyone has a different experience in life, and that unique experience is his 'walk.' Notice the following:

1. We come from very different walks of life, but somehow we became best friends.
   
2. The best part of international travel is meeting people from different walks of life.
   

incredibly basic

The lines and the colors of that show is incredibly basic, yet so strong and powerful.

Something that is 'incredibly basic' is not complicated at all. There are many new shows that have special effects and computer animation, but the Simpsons just uses a fundamental way to show the story. Notice the following:

1. I am looking for an incredibly basic camera.
   
2. Although the school is incredibly basic, I think the students get a good education.
   

visually stimulating

It really doesn't have to be visually stimulating for it to work.

When something 'stimulates' you, it makes one of your senses excited. Something that is 'visually stimulating' is interesting to look at or watch. In this case, a visually stimulating television program would have all kinds of special effects. Notice the following:

1. Her dress is a little too visually stimulating for me.
   
2. When you work in advertising, your job is to create visually stimulating signs.
   

sophisticated

It also doesn't have to be sophisticated to be funny.

Here, 'sophisticated' is like 'complex' or 'detailed.' Notice the following:

1. I was surprised how sophisticated the city was.
   
2. The first few weeks they will be training you on how to use this sophisticated machines.
   

beer belly

Marge's hair and Homer's crazy beer belly are just so funny.

Beer has a lot of calories in it, so when people drink a lot of beer, they sometimes get a big fat stomach, which is called a 'beer belly.' Notice the following:

1. She got kind a beer belly when she went away to college.
   
2. Most guys his age have a bit of a beer belly.