This special "behind-the-scenes" look at the ups and downs of "the first family of american laughter" spoofs VH-1's documentary series, Behind the Music. A narrator tells us that the enormous success of The Simpsons cloaked the family’s own private hell. As the story unfolds, we learn how Homer produced a demo tape using his home as a studio and his family as actors. At first, the major networks would not entertain the notion of a series based on the concept, primarily because Homer couldn t get past the studio guards. But thanks to Marge s hair stylist, who just happened to be the president of the Fox network, Homer landed a thirteen-episode commitment. The show, of course, turned into an enormous hit, and merchandise tie-ins soon followed.

At first, the members of the family embraced their fame, and grew convinced that the good times would never end. The Simpsons moved out of their old house and into MC Hammer’s vacant mansion. A hit record soon followed, and Simpsons Boogie, Lovel to Love Your Lovin’ and Simpsons’ Christmas Boogie swept the Grammies. But the narrator warns that the family’s happiness was not to last.

As Behind the Laughter continues, interviews with Moe, Lenny and Carl shed light on how The Simpsons mismanaged their enormous fortune, spending money as if there was no tomorrow. But money wasn’t the only problem. During the filming of Bart the Daredevil, Homer injured himself while performing a stunt. He soon became addicted to painkillers, which allowed him to continue performing the punishing physical comedy that made him a household name.

While making an appearance on The Wil Shriner Show, however, Homer’s dependency came to light. But despite these setbacks, the family’s popularity continued to skyrocket. They were even given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But when an anonymous tipster (who turned out to be Apu) alerted the government that the Simpsons were tax cheats, the bottom fell out. The family lost everything, and the behind-the-scenes chaos spilled over to the series, which resorted to increasingly outlandish plots. Things took an especially tragic turn for Bart when he created havoc on a jetliner.

While he was in rehab, Bart’s role was taken over by his good friend, Richie Rich. While performing live at the Iowa State Fair, the family members became involving in a bitter argument, much to the dismay of their devoted fans. After the debacle at the state fair, the Simpsons stopped speaking. The series was placed on hiatus, and the family members went their separate ways. Lisa even authored a tell-all book, in which she claimed she was secretly given anti-growth hormones.

With the Simpsons empire now in ruins, all seemed lost. But help came in the form of Willie Nelson, who dreamed up a bogus award show to reunite the family. As Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart are called to the stage, they all realize they were duped. Nelson and the crowd encourage the Simpsons to put the past behind them. Overcome with the outpouring of love, the Simpsons embrace. The narrator intones that the family will continue entertaining us for years to come.