The Simpsons

The Simpsons
Created by Matt Groening
Fox, 1989-present

The long-running FOX sitcom, the network's signature show, revolves around a dysfunctional family in the fictional town of Springfield. Nuclear power plant worker Homer struggles through life with his wife Marge and children Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The landmark series hits 25 this year.

http://variety.com/1989/tv/news/tv-review-the-simpsons-premieres-on-fox-1201349114/

A Variety review from 1989 briefly writes up a summary of the show's first episode, a Christmas special. Tony Scott' review is alarmingly brief, merely only says that "New series should fit well into the Fox lineup if the characters and situations sustain the level of this initial effort." and that the show has a charm to it that's successful.

http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/the-simpsons-classic-the-simpsons-roasting-on-an-o-41827

AV Club's review by Nathan Rabin is more reflective, 20 years after the fact. Rabin takes a tone of laid-back, he is clearly a fan of the show and combines fanboy-like praise with realistic points looking back on it not only as an episode, but a piece of history. Clearly designed for fans and nostalgics.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/02/the-simpsons-flashback-simpsons-roasting-on-an-open-fire-review

Robert Canning at IGN is a mixture of both criticism and fanboyism. He is clearly a fan of the series and what it has become but at the same time acknowledges that the series, while this first episode is a good episode, it's not the best the series has done and has gotten better over time. He's tough but still a fair fan.