"The Simpsons" was made by Matt Groening. He got the idea for the show in the lobby of James L. Brooks's office. Brooks was the producer of "The Tracey Ullman Show". Brooks wanted to make short films with Groening during comedy sketches in the show. Groening wanted to make his comic strip "Life in Hell" as short films. If he did this, he would have to give up his publication rights for "Life in Hell". He did not want to, so he made the Simpson family.