The Simpsons relies on the use of citationalism for many reasons, and those lacking familiarity with popular culture might be led to interpret the series differently than who have a better knowledge of popular culture. Popular culture is everywhere, say Maasik and Solomon: "From the way we entertain ourselves to the goods and services we produce and consume, we are enveloped in a popular cultural environment that we cannot live without or escape, even if we wanted to. ”, (7). The Simpsons uses popular culture as the basis for the series' references. Other aspects that drive the series are the characters and the plots of the series (Matheson 289-290). Viewers lacking knowledge would form an opinion about The Simpsons as a family comedy with characters that are neither brilliant nor interesting. In order to set the tone and fully develop the characters, citationalism is absolutely essential. Therefore, those unfamiliar with popular culture will not fully understand the series and the use of its characters; Matheson further says, “they will be reluctant to admit that they are missing something important” (291). Any viewer can agree that the show is family friendly as it is about a family of five; whether all viewers can agree that the show's humor is funny or