Join (L-R) Maggie, Marge, Lisa, Homer and Bart Simpson for the 21st season premiere episode "Homer The Whopper," of "The Simpsons" airing Sunday, Sept. 27 (8:00 - 8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. THE SIMPSONS ™ and © 2009 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©2009 FOX BROADCASTING Image courtesy of Fox.

Talk to The Simpsons Executive Producer, Al Jean, and you’ll understand how the series has lasted over 20 years.

But, for all the high ratings and rabid fans there are also critics who think nothing of speaking their minds about what they believe is wrong with the animated show.

And that just does not sit well with Jean.  He says that people who say the writers have lost interest ought to spend a week in the production rooms listening to the writers rack their brains for solid storylines and are more dedicated than ever to please viewers.

Season 21 of The Simpsons begins airing Sunday night, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

Click onto media bar for Executive Producer Al Jean’s thoughts on why The Simpsons has kept its core audience and for the inside struggles writers have delivering a top product each week.