The humor is essentially dark for a cartoon and sophisticated. But at the same time, being a cartoon gives the writers more freedom than in a normal sitcom. It always pushes the line that, despite human failings, the Simpsons are really decent people.
“Hollywood is a cross between a health farm, a recreation center and an insane asylum. It's a company town, and I happen to like the company!”
“New York is an exciting town where something is happening all the time, most unsolved.”