• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, 10 hours ago

“The Simpsons” does it again!

This revered animated series that premiered in 1989 shows no sign of slowing down or otherwise drifting into mediocrity as it enters its 38th season this Sunday on Fox.

On the contrary, the season-premiere episode, titled “The Children’s Book Job,” ranks up there with the finest of the hundreds of “Simpsons” that have been produced over its long history. For the record, this episode is No. 810.

As always, the show is packed with pop-culture references and send-ups, starting with the subject of children’s books.

In this instance, the episode’s title refers to a “The Plucky Little Goat,” a fictional beloved children’s book that has captivated children and their parents since it was published 30 years ago.

In the show, the book’s reclusive British author, Constance Clavinger, agrees to come out of her seclusion for a public reading of what could be a long-awaited “Plucky Goat” sequel.

And the place where she has agreed to make her first public appearance in 30 years is the Springfield Elementary grammar school.

What’s so great about this episode? Let’s start with the guest-star who provides the voice of this high-strung author: Emma Thompson.

Thompson, 67, gives a voice performance that is one for the ages. They should teach it in voice-performance school (if there is such a place).

The main storyline is Homer’s attempt to pick up this hard-partying author at Springfield Airport and deliver her to the school auditorium in time for her appearance.

Their adventures together revive memories of the 1982 movie “My Favorite Year,” in which a production assistant (Mark Linn-Baker) is assigned to get a drunken star (Peter O’Toole) to the studio in time for a live TV show in 1954.

Speaking of movies, if you listen carefully when watching the “Simpsons” season premiere, you will hear Mayor Quimby utter a phrase that fans of a certain mafia movie will recognize.

Other modern-day touchstones include Homer’s addiction to idiotic games on his cellphone, plus references to a famous Emma Thompson movie role, the Bridget Jones books, stores at outlet malls with names such as Less-Coste and Bed, Bath and Bankruptcy and, as seen in the photo above, an old AMC Gremlin.

In addition, “Saturday Night Live” star Colin Jost turns up for a voice cameo playing himself as the author of his own self-styled children’s book.

It is a great pleasure to usher in the 38th season of “The Simpsons,” which for nearly four decades has been a great constant in our changing world.

The 38th season premiere of “The Simpsons” airs Sunday, September 27, at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox.