Today, Disney+ announced that May the 12th Be With You, a new promotional short from The Simpsons, will launch on May 10, exclusively on Disney+.
In the upcoming short, it’s Mother’s Day, and Marge Simpson joins the moms of Disney+ on a special holiday outing that turns into an epic galactic adventure filled with heroes, villains, and a surprising old friend.
May the 12th Be With You is the latest in a collection of shorts from The Simpsons created exclusively for Disney+. All of the shorts and more can be found in The Simpsons collection on the streaming service.
The collection includes the shorts Maggie Simpson in Rogue Not Quite One (2024 Webby Winner), The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in Feliz Navidad, Welcome to the Club, When Billie Met Lisa (Emmy® nominated), Maggie Simpson in The Force Awakens from Its Nap (Emmy nominated), The Good, The Bart, and The Loki,...
In the upcoming short, it’s Mother’s Day, and Marge Simpson joins the moms of Disney+ on a special holiday outing that turns into an epic galactic adventure filled with heroes, villains, and a surprising old friend.
May the 12th Be With You is the latest in a collection of shorts from The Simpsons created exclusively for Disney+. All of the shorts and more can be found in The Simpsons collection on the streaming service.
The collection includes the shorts Maggie Simpson in Rogue Not Quite One (2024 Webby Winner), The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in Feliz Navidad, Welcome to the Club, When Billie Met Lisa (Emmy® nominated), Maggie Simpson in The Force Awakens from Its Nap (Emmy nominated), The Good, The Bart, and The Loki,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
The smug, arrogant Comic Book Guy (Hank Azaria), proprietor of the Android's Dungeon, first appeared in the "The Simpsons" episode "Three Men and a Comic Book". In the episode, he sold a rare and expensive copy of "Radioactive Man" #1 to the young collectors Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Milhouse (Pamela Hayden), and Martin (Russi Taylor). The comic cost $100 -- a fortune to the three young boys -- and they had to pool their money to make the sacred purchase.
The trio, however, never decided who would serve as the comic book's official caretaker, and they immediately became suspicious that one of them was angling to steal it from the other two. A "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" drama slowly unfolds. The Comic Book Guy, having seen the boys' folly beforehand, became a Mephistophelean figure, cackling at his customers' hubris.
In every one of Comic Book Guy's subsequent appearances, he would be grumpy,...
The trio, however, never decided who would serve as the comic book's official caretaker, and they immediately became suspicious that one of them was angling to steal it from the other two. A "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" drama slowly unfolds. The Comic Book Guy, having seen the boys' folly beforehand, became a Mephistophelean figure, cackling at his customers' hubris.
In every one of Comic Book Guy's subsequent appearances, he would be grumpy,...
- 4/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Not many animated series have made as huge an impact as The Simpsons did on the world. Ever since its release, the series has had a massive fan following. In fact, the series apparently became so popular in its release year that it started receiving reviews from the First Lady of the United States of America back in the day.
The Simpsons
Barbara Bush opens up about The Simpsons
The Simpsons will arguably go down in history as one of the greatest animated series of all time. The series was created by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon back in 1989 and revolves around the story of a dysfunctional family that burlesques a lot of things including society, politics, popular pop culture, and more.
SUGGESTEDLatest Fortnite Leak Opens the Door for The Simpsons to Make An Appearance Finally
However, despite being a success in the early 90s, the First...
The Simpsons
Barbara Bush opens up about The Simpsons
The Simpsons will arguably go down in history as one of the greatest animated series of all time. The series was created by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon back in 1989 and revolves around the story of a dysfunctional family that burlesques a lot of things including society, politics, popular pop culture, and more.
SUGGESTEDLatest Fortnite Leak Opens the Door for The Simpsons to Make An Appearance Finally
However, despite being a success in the early 90s, the First...
- 4/4/2024
- by Shikhar Tiwari
- FandomWire
Matt Groening’s long-running animated sitcom The Simpsons is known for its satirical humor, social commentary, and memorable characters. Initially premiered in 1989, it follows the lives of the dysfunctional Simpson family in the fictional town of Springfield. While the series remains an iconic part of Television history and has since become a cultural phenomenon, it has faced its share of controversy and critique.
The Simpsons
And the same was the case for the episode titled Blame It on Lisa, which follows the family on a trip to Brazil to visit an orphan whom Lisa is sponsoring. However, the series depicts the Simpson family encountering various misadventures in Rio, leading to criticism for a skewed and inaccurate depiction of Brazil.
The Simpsons Episode That Incited Outrage Across the Entire Nation of Brazil
The Season 13 episode of The Simpsons, Blame It on Lisa follows the Simpson family traveling to Brazil after they...
The Simpsons
And the same was the case for the episode titled Blame It on Lisa, which follows the family on a trip to Brazil to visit an orphan whom Lisa is sponsoring. However, the series depicts the Simpson family encountering various misadventures in Rio, leading to criticism for a skewed and inaccurate depiction of Brazil.
The Simpsons Episode That Incited Outrage Across the Entire Nation of Brazil
The Season 13 episode of The Simpsons, Blame It on Lisa follows the Simpson family traveling to Brazil after they...
- 4/4/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
In 1977, aspiring cartoonist Matt Groening moved from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a writer. Like most people who move to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a writer, he took on some of the most menial jobs imaginable. Groening worked in a sewage treatment plant, as a dishwasher, and as a waiter. All the while, Groening worked on what would become his signature creation, the "Life in Hell" comic strip.
Groening would leave "Life in Hell" comics in a small corner of Licorice Pizza, the celebrated Los Angeles record store where he occasionally worked. It was an embittered strip about modern life, a harsh critique of life, love, school, and work. Groening attacked everything the establishment celebrated as normal and good, finding nothing but misery in the real world.
"Life in Hell" was picked up by Wet Magazine and, later the Los Angeles Reader.
Groening would leave "Life in Hell" comics in a small corner of Licorice Pizza, the celebrated Los Angeles record store where he occasionally worked. It was an embittered strip about modern life, a harsh critique of life, love, school, and work. Groening attacked everything the establishment celebrated as normal and good, finding nothing but misery in the real world.
"Life in Hell" was picked up by Wet Magazine and, later the Los Angeles Reader.
- 3/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "The Simpsons" episode "Flaming Moe's, the put-upon bartender Moe Szyslak (Hank Azaria) finds his bar struggling to stay afloat in the wake of increased job satisfaction and family bliss in the city. Homer (Dan Castellaneta) suggests Moe try a new cocktail. Homer then reveals the recipe for a cough syrup-infused drink — the Flaming Homer — that becomes more flavorful after you set it on fire. Moe mixes one and it's an instant hit. Moe also instantly claims credit for inventing the drink, much to Homer's consternation.
The redubbed Flaming Moe is a huge success, and Moe's dive bar quickly grow into a massive event space where Aerosmith performs. Eventually Homer, fed up with not receiving any credit or money, reveals the secret ingredients and Moe's quickly returns to being a dive.
This episode, written by Robert Cohen, was inspired by a similar "rivalry" between "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and...
The redubbed Flaming Moe is a huge success, and Moe's dive bar quickly grow into a massive event space where Aerosmith performs. Eventually Homer, fed up with not receiving any credit or money, reveals the secret ingredients and Moe's quickly returns to being a dive.
This episode, written by Robert Cohen, was inspired by a similar "rivalry" between "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and...
- 3/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Seven times in its history, "Futurama" has presented anthology episodes that exist outside of the show's normal continuity. Sometimes these episodes will be bookended with recognizable in-continuity material that binds the disparate anthology segments together, but just as often they are offered without context. In "Anthology of Interest II", the Professor (Billy West) reveals that he has repaired his What-If Machine, a prognosticating TV screen that displays short films as answers to what-if questions. The What-if Machine was also responsible for the segments seen in "Anthology of Interest I."
The alcoholic robot Bender (John Dimaggio) steps forward and reveals that he has always wondered what it would be like to be a human. The Professor puts that question to the What-If Machine, and out pops the hypothetical short "I, Meatbag." Within "I, Meatbag," the Professor uses a scientific process he calls reverse-fossilization to instantly turn Bender into a flesh-and-blood person.
The alcoholic robot Bender (John Dimaggio) steps forward and reveals that he has always wondered what it would be like to be a human. The Professor puts that question to the What-If Machine, and out pops the hypothetical short "I, Meatbag." Within "I, Meatbag," the Professor uses a scientific process he calls reverse-fossilization to instantly turn Bender into a flesh-and-blood person.
- 3/18/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the 1993 "The Simpsons" episode "Marge vs. the Monorail," the corrupt nuclear power plant owner Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) is busted by the Epa for stuffing glowing toxic waste into trees at the local park (the trees sprout tentacles and the squirrels gain eyeball lasers). As punishment, Mr. Burns is fined $3 million, which he happens to have in his wallet. Springfield, suddenly flush with cash, has a town meeting debating what to spend it on. Marge Simpson (Julie Kavner) proposes that they use the money to fix up pothole-strewn Main Street, but a mysterious flim-flam man named Lyle Lanley (Phil Hartman) interrupts her. Using a broad smile and heaps of smarmy charm -- and a "Music Man"-style musical number -- Lanley convinces Springfield to spend the money on a monorail that he will build himself.
Clearly, Lanley is a con man who sells shoddy monorails to unsuspecting cities and...
Clearly, Lanley is a con man who sells shoddy monorails to unsuspecting cities and...
- 2/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Refresh for updates: Hollywood writers, actors and producers were quick to pay tribute to Norman Lear today as news of his death spread through the artistic community.
“He was the kindest and gentlest man,” Jennifer Aniston wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “When you were in his presence, you were the only one in the room. He made everyone feel this.”
“Goodnight Norman,” tweeted Jon Stewart. “Love you. Thanks for raising me.”
In a statement provided to Deadline, George Clooney wrote, “It’s hard to reconcile that at 101 years old, Norman Lear is gone too soon. The entire world of reason just lost its greatest advocate and our family lost a dear friend. A giant walked in his shoes.”
Steven Canals, the co-creator of Pose – the type of groundbreaking series that can trace its lineage directly to Lear’s trendsetting ’70s shows – wrote, “I never introduced myself to Norman Lear,...
“He was the kindest and gentlest man,” Jennifer Aniston wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “When you were in his presence, you were the only one in the room. He made everyone feel this.”
“Goodnight Norman,” tweeted Jon Stewart. “Love you. Thanks for raising me.”
In a statement provided to Deadline, George Clooney wrote, “It’s hard to reconcile that at 101 years old, Norman Lear is gone too soon. The entire world of reason just lost its greatest advocate and our family lost a dear friend. A giant walked in his shoes.”
Steven Canals, the co-creator of Pose – the type of groundbreaking series that can trace its lineage directly to Lear’s trendsetting ’70s shows – wrote, “I never introduced myself to Norman Lear,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In the world of "Futurama," no one is allowed to utter the words "Star Trek" without facing arrest and severe legal penalties. It seems that by the year 3000, Trekkies had gone from being a loose-knit group of geeks to being a full-blown religion. After years of a Trekkie religion, schisms began to form in the church, leading to inevitable and prolonged Holy Wars. To solve the problem once and for all, humanity agreed to load every episode of the original series onto a rocket and launch them into deep space where they would never darken humanity's doorstep again. The severed heads of William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, DeForest Kelley, and George Takei -- all of them kept alive in jars -- were also loaded onto a rocket and sent into space. Leonard Nimoy's head stayed on Earth and took a job in the local Head Museum. James Doohan's fate was not shared,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Simpsons Movie is an animated comedy film based on the animated sitcom The Simpsons by American cartoonist, Matthew Groening. The movie featured the cast from the sitcom’s regular cast including Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, and Pamela Hayden. The Simpsons Movie which was released in 2007 had its screenplays rewritten many times. The movie’s script was revised over 100 times, by a team of 11 writers including James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Mike Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder and Jon Vitti. The...
- 10/23/2023
- by Nkem
- TVovermind.com
Fox’s extended trailer for The Simpsons season 35 requires multiple viewing as it teases so much of what’s in store. The minute-long trailer was released in advance of the upcoming season 35 premiere which airs on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 8pm Et/Pt.
Season 35 kicks off with an episode titled “Homer’s Crossing,” which finds Homer volunteering as a school crossing guard after feeling worthless at work. Because Homer’s involved, drama ensues when his safety squad receives too much funding and the crossing guards become a force to be feared.
A scene from ‘The Simpsons’ season 35 premiere (Photo © 2023 by 20th Television)
Fox also released this description of the new season of television’s longest-running primetime scripted series:
“The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. The Emmy Award-, Annie Award-, and Peabody Award-winning animated...
Season 35 kicks off with an episode titled “Homer’s Crossing,” which finds Homer volunteering as a school crossing guard after feeling worthless at work. Because Homer’s involved, drama ensues when his safety squad receives too much funding and the crossing guards become a force to be feared.
A scene from ‘The Simpsons’ season 35 premiere (Photo © 2023 by 20th Television)
Fox also released this description of the new season of television’s longest-running primetime scripted series:
“The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. The Emmy Award-, Annie Award-, and Peabody Award-winning animated...
- 9/11/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty, S7. Adult Swim.
Weekly Commentary: Netflix’s “Entergalactic,” the animated accompaniment to Kid Cudi’s album is competing against long-standing series such as “Bob’s Burgers,” “Rick and Morty” and “The Simpsons.” The streamer pulled off a surprise win last year with “Arcane,...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty, S7. Adult Swim.
Weekly Commentary: Netflix’s “Entergalactic,” the animated accompaniment to Kid Cudi’s album is competing against long-standing series such as “Bob’s Burgers,” “Rick and Morty” and “The Simpsons.” The streamer pulled off a surprise win last year with “Arcane,...
- 8/28/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The effect of The Simpsons on pop culture can’t be overstated. In the early nineties, the show tapped into the cultural zeitgeist in a way few others had before. Indeed, no other cartoon show could reasonably emulate it- but Hollywood couldn’t help but try. Capitol Critters, Family Dog, and Fish Police were just a few of the shows that tried to be “the new Simpsons.” Still, the only one that really came close was ABC’s The Critic, starring the voice of Jon Lovitz as Jay Sherman, perhaps the world’s least-loved film critic and the subject of this Gone But Not Forgotten episode.
Unlike other wannabe animated hits, The Critic could boast a legit connection to The Simpsons, with it also being a production of James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films. At the same time, creators Al Jean and Mike Reiss had been showrunners on The Simpsons during...
Unlike other wannabe animated hits, The Critic could boast a legit connection to The Simpsons, with it also being a production of James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films. At the same time, creators Al Jean and Mike Reiss had been showrunners on The Simpsons during...
- 7/10/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Did The Simpsons “predict” the OceanGate Titanic submersible tragedy?
The animated series has been surprisingly prophetic when it comes to past historical events, from the global pandemic and “invasion” of murder hornets to the election of President Donald Trump and Lady Gaga’s high-flying Super Bowl performance. It appears the show may have also “predicted” the disappearance of the OceanGate submersible, which lost contact Sunday while descending to the site of the Titanic wreckage with five on board.
Amid news of the OceanGate tragedy, a 2006 episode of The Simpsons, titled “Homer’s Paternity Coot,” resurfaced on social media, presenting striking similarities to current events. In the episode, Homer Simpson embarks on a deep-sea expedition to search for long-lost treasure with his biological father in tiny submersibles. After searching for a while, they come across an abandoned ship site that’s filled with treasure.
But soon, things get hairy for the...
The animated series has been surprisingly prophetic when it comes to past historical events, from the global pandemic and “invasion” of murder hornets to the election of President Donald Trump and Lady Gaga’s high-flying Super Bowl performance. It appears the show may have also “predicted” the disappearance of the OceanGate submersible, which lost contact Sunday while descending to the site of the Titanic wreckage with five on board.
Amid news of the OceanGate tragedy, a 2006 episode of The Simpsons, titled “Homer’s Paternity Coot,” resurfaced on social media, presenting striking similarities to current events. In the episode, Homer Simpson embarks on a deep-sea expedition to search for long-lost treasure with his biological father in tiny submersibles. After searching for a while, they come across an abandoned ship site that’s filled with treasure.
But soon, things get hairy for the...
- 6/23/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
“The Simpsons” occupies a unique perch in the history of global television. At 36 seasons and 750-plus episodes and counting, the Fox animated franchise been a steady engine of employment for writers, producers, directors, actors and other Hollywood artisans for more than a generation.
The show’s legacy was saluted Friday morning with a “Simpsons”-themed Writers Guild of America picket gathering outside Fox Studios that drew dozens of staffers past and present. In the context of labor battles over the future of TV, “The Simpsons” is seen as an example of the kind of employment and the kind of series that is disappearing in the new era.
“Seeing this turnout certainly makes you feel grateful to be part of this creative community making an almost 40-year-old cartoon,” said Matt Selman, longtime “Simpsons” executive producer who organized Friday’s picket along with fellow executive producer Al Jean. The WGA has been...
The show’s legacy was saluted Friday morning with a “Simpsons”-themed Writers Guild of America picket gathering outside Fox Studios that drew dozens of staffers past and present. In the context of labor battles over the future of TV, “The Simpsons” is seen as an example of the kind of employment and the kind of series that is disappearing in the new era.
“Seeing this turnout certainly makes you feel grateful to be part of this creative community making an almost 40-year-old cartoon,” said Matt Selman, longtime “Simpsons” executive producer who organized Friday’s picket along with fellow executive producer Al Jean. The WGA has been...
- 6/10/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
What was it that Homer once said? “Lisa, if you don’t like your job you don’t strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.”
But that’s not the WGA way. So Friday, the creative team behind The Simpsons (present and past!) hit the picket line at Fox and even treated fellow strikers to specially-designed placards from the man himself — Matt Groening. Also joining the line were beloved scribes James L. Brooks, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Dana Gould and Conan O’Brien, among others.
In a tweet, Tyler Ruggeri wrote, “The Simpsons picket at Fox was by far our biggest and best day on the lot.” Groening, meanwhile, cooked up a few custom signs that had Bart saying “Steamed hams? More like steamed writers” and Lisa saying “Lisa needs residuals.”
When he wasn’t autographing his custom placards, Groening carried...
But that’s not the WGA way. So Friday, the creative team behind The Simpsons (present and past!) hit the picket line at Fox and even treated fellow strikers to specially-designed placards from the man himself — Matt Groening. Also joining the line were beloved scribes James L. Brooks, Al Jean, Matt Selman, Dana Gould and Conan O’Brien, among others.
In a tweet, Tyler Ruggeri wrote, “The Simpsons picket at Fox was by far our biggest and best day on the lot.” Groening, meanwhile, cooked up a few custom signs that had Bart saying “Steamed hams? More like steamed writers” and Lisa saying “Lisa needs residuals.”
When he wasn’t autographing his custom placards, Groening carried...
- 6/10/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with latest: Day 1 of the Writers Guild strike hit Los Angeles and New York with full force Tuesday, with 10 picket lines in front of Hollywood studio lots and another in Manhattan outside Peacock’s NewFronts presentation.
Keep checking back as we update from on the ground.
At Amazon Studios‘ home at Culver Studios, writer-creator Damon Lindelof was on hand, carrying a sign that read “Alexa Will Not Replace Us” – a nod to the AI portion of the negotiations between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Related: WGA Strike Photos: Stars, Writers, Showrunners & Their Supporters On The Picket Line
“I think that from a from a perspective of the writer, we just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page — that AI is...
Keep checking back as we update from on the ground.
At Amazon Studios‘ home at Culver Studios, writer-creator Damon Lindelof was on hand, carrying a sign that read “Alexa Will Not Replace Us” – a nod to the AI portion of the negotiations between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Related: WGA Strike Photos: Stars, Writers, Showrunners & Their Supporters On The Picket Line
“I think that from a from a perspective of the writer, we just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page — that AI is...
- 5/2/2023
- by Dade Hayes, Katie Campione, Lynette Rice, Dominic Patten, Matt Grobar, Peter White, Rosy Cordero, Anthony D'Alessandro and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The ‘90s were the decade of The Simpsons, sorry Seinfeld. The family was introduced in 1987 through a series of short clips in between skits on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, overstayed their welcome and were spun off. The series debuted on Dec. 17, 1989 with a holiday special, “Simpsons Roasting on An Open Fire,” before hopping on the rotisserie of regular rotation on Jan. 14, 1990 with “Bart the Genius,” directed by David Silverman, and written by Jon Vitti.
The half-hour animated series was created by Matt Groening, who came up with it as a last-second pitch to foil his own plan to animate his comic strip Life in Hell. The Simpsons was produced by TV legend James L. Brooks, who drove The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, and Sam Simon, who wrote for Taxi and Cheers.
The voice talent continued over from the shorts. Dan Castellaneta performed the voices of Homer Simpson,...
The half-hour animated series was created by Matt Groening, who came up with it as a last-second pitch to foil his own plan to animate his comic strip Life in Hell. The Simpsons was produced by TV legend James L. Brooks, who drove The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, and Sam Simon, who wrote for Taxi and Cheers.
The voice talent continued over from the shorts. Dan Castellaneta performed the voices of Homer Simpson,...
- 4/23/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
There is conventional wisdom that The Simpsons had a golden age. There’s no doubt seasons 3 through 9 were impeccable, but that doesn’t mean the next two decades were bad. The Simpsons necessarily experimented with its own format and evolved with the world. If you’ve spent the last 20 years lamenting that The Simpsons changed, you’re missing out on a lot of great comedy.
Kirk speaks out… against history | 20th Television
Fortunately, Showbiz Cheat Sheet has followed every episode of The Simpsons since 1989. As such, we can articulate exactly what the later seasons added to the show’s comedy tool belt, and how it still matches the heights they achieved in the ‘90s.
The Golden Age seasons of ‘The Simpsons’
When The Simpsons got their own show after Tracey Ullman Show shorts, it wasn’t instant inspiration. The first season was ostensibly an animated family sitcom, emphasizing Bart’s...
Kirk speaks out… against history | 20th Television
Fortunately, Showbiz Cheat Sheet has followed every episode of The Simpsons since 1989. As such, we can articulate exactly what the later seasons added to the show’s comedy tool belt, and how it still matches the heights they achieved in the ‘90s.
The Golden Age seasons of ‘The Simpsons’
When The Simpsons got their own show after Tracey Ullman Show shorts, it wasn’t instant inspiration. The first season was ostensibly an animated family sitcom, emphasizing Bart’s...
- 3/21/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Simpsons fans have praised the return of a first-season character after 33 years, but complained about an apparent error in the series’ continuity.
Sunday night’s (19 March) episode of the long-running cartoon saw actor and filmmaker Albert Brooks return in the role of bowling expert Jacques.
The character first appeared back in the season one episode “Life On the Fast Lane” in 1990.
Fans of the series enthused about Brooks’s performance on social media, with radio host Bret Saunders writing: “Nice to hear the voice of Albert Brooks on The Simpsons again tonight. The funniest, the best.”
However, many others commented that the episode created a frustrating new continuity error for the show.
During Jacques’ first appearance, Marge Simpson was seen considering a romantic affair – before ultimately deciding to remain loyal to Homer.
Though Homer was oblivious to this in the episode, he was later informed of this during the...
Sunday night’s (19 March) episode of the long-running cartoon saw actor and filmmaker Albert Brooks return in the role of bowling expert Jacques.
The character first appeared back in the season one episode “Life On the Fast Lane” in 1990.
Fans of the series enthused about Brooks’s performance on social media, with radio host Bret Saunders writing: “Nice to hear the voice of Albert Brooks on The Simpsons again tonight. The funniest, the best.”
However, many others commented that the episode created a frustrating new continuity error for the show.
During Jacques’ first appearance, Marge Simpson was seen considering a romantic affair – before ultimately deciding to remain loyal to Homer.
Though Homer was oblivious to this in the episode, he was later informed of this during the...
- 3/20/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
The Simpsons is set to bring back a notorious early character – 33 years after his last appearance.
Season one of the long-running cartoon introduced a character called Jacques, in the 1990 episode “Life On the Fast Lane”.
Voiced by the comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks, Jacques was a French bowling instructor who captures the attention of Marge Simpson.
Ultimately, however, Marge decides against accepting Jacques’ romantic advances, and remains with Homer.
On Sunday (19 March), the character is set to return in a season 34 episode titled “Pin Girl”.
The official synopsis for the episode reads: “A mysterious figure from Marge’s past returns to coach her for a bowling tournament.”
Showrunner Al Jean confirmed on social media that the “mysterious figure” will, in fact, be Jacques, voiced again by Brooks.
While this will represent the first time Brooks has returned to the role, the Modern Romance filmmaker has voiced a number of other...
Season one of the long-running cartoon introduced a character called Jacques, in the 1990 episode “Life On the Fast Lane”.
Voiced by the comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks, Jacques was a French bowling instructor who captures the attention of Marge Simpson.
Ultimately, however, Marge decides against accepting Jacques’ romantic advances, and remains with Homer.
On Sunday (19 March), the character is set to return in a season 34 episode titled “Pin Girl”.
The official synopsis for the episode reads: “A mysterious figure from Marge’s past returns to coach her for a bowling tournament.”
Showrunner Al Jean confirmed on social media that the “mysterious figure” will, in fact, be Jacques, voiced again by Brooks.
While this will represent the first time Brooks has returned to the role, the Modern Romance filmmaker has voiced a number of other...
- 3/15/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
If you’re just starting The Simpsons now, you have 742 episodes to get through. Make that 743 as of tonight. Fortunately, they’re all available on Disney+, or airing randomly on weeknights in syndication. Let’s say you have seen all 700+ episodes and you’re looking for something else to watch. Here are six other animated shows that might scratch that itch if you liked The Simpsons.
Bart and Homer Simpson | 20th Television ‘Futurama’ is great if you like ‘The Simpsons’ and sci-fi
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening created this animated series with David X. Cohen, who’s also written for The Simpsons for decades. Set in the year 3000, It applies the irreverence of The Simpsons to science-fiction concepts like space travel, time travel, aliens, robots, mutants and more.
The characters are unmistakably Groening. They’re not yellow, but they have The Simpsons’ overbite. 10 seasons of Futurama are streaming on Hulu,...
Bart and Homer Simpson | 20th Television ‘Futurama’ is great if you like ‘The Simpsons’ and sci-fi
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening created this animated series with David X. Cohen, who’s also written for The Simpsons for decades. Set in the year 3000, It applies the irreverence of The Simpsons to science-fiction concepts like space travel, time travel, aliens, robots, mutants and more.
The characters are unmistakably Groening. They’re not yellow, but they have The Simpsons’ overbite. 10 seasons of Futurama are streaming on Hulu,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Back when "The Simpsons" was still good, celebrated theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking guest starred as himself in the season 10 episode, "They Saved Lisa's Brain." That 1999 appearance was the first of three guest roles on the show, and demonstrated what showrunner Al Jean described to The Hollywood Reporter as the late cosmologist's "tremendous sense of humor."
And while the appearance showed that Hawking didn't take himself too seriously, the writers on the show certainly did. Jean went on to explain how the esteemed physicist "was certainly a hero to all of us," and how the writers admired the work he'd done to "popularize science for people who may not have been interested in it," especially since they themselves had tried to do the same with their show.
And of all the writers in the history of "The Simpsons," none represented that passion for math and science more than David X. Cohen.
And while the appearance showed that Hawking didn't take himself too seriously, the writers on the show certainly did. Jean went on to explain how the esteemed physicist "was certainly a hero to all of us," and how the writers admired the work he'd done to "popularize science for people who may not have been interested in it," especially since they themselves had tried to do the same with their show.
And of all the writers in the history of "The Simpsons," none represented that passion for math and science more than David X. Cohen.
- 2/25/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Fox Entertainment has renewed its blockbuster Animation Domination slate of “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers” for an additional two seasons, president of scripted programming Michael Thorn announced.
The early renewals of the trio, hailing from Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, means that the long-running series will continue through the 2024-25 broadcast cycle. The stalwart Fox shows guarantee Seasons 14 and 15 for “Bob’s Burgers,” Seasons 22 and 23 for “Family Guy” and Seasons 35 and 36 for “The Simpsons,” which has now surpassed its own record for the longest-running scripted series in television history.
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“With this trio of renewals, we celebrate excellence in animation on Fox, our wonderful, long-time partnership with 20th Television and the brilliant creators and incredible voices behind these forever favorites,” Thorn said in a statement. “Three-plus decades of ‘The Simpsons,’ more than two decades of Family Guy...
The early renewals of the trio, hailing from Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, means that the long-running series will continue through the 2024-25 broadcast cycle. The stalwart Fox shows guarantee Seasons 14 and 15 for “Bob’s Burgers,” Seasons 22 and 23 for “Family Guy” and Seasons 35 and 36 for “The Simpsons,” which has now surpassed its own record for the longest-running scripted series in television history.
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Noah Centineo’s ‘The Recruit’ Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix
“With this trio of renewals, we celebrate excellence in animation on Fox, our wonderful, long-time partnership with 20th Television and the brilliant creators and incredible voices behind these forever favorites,” Thorn said in a statement. “Three-plus decades of ‘The Simpsons,’ more than two decades of Family Guy...
- 1/26/2023
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
The Simpsons has been on for over 30 years and continues to add to its canon of episodes. In all that time, it’s surprising they’ve never tried a spinoff, although they made fun of spinoffs in the classic episode “The Simpsons Spin Off Showcase.” There were plans for a Krusty the Clown spinoff, but two versions of it fizzled out.
Marge Simpson and Krusty the Clown | 20th Television.
Simpsons writer Mike Reiss was a guest on the Hollywood & Levine podcast on June 2, 2021. Reiss revealed the plans for two Krusty the Clown spinoffs, and where some of those ideas ended up instead.
‘The Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening pitched a Krusty the Clown spinoff
Reiss has been a producer on The Simpsons since the beginning and wrote many episodes in the ‘90s. Al Jean was showrunner for most of that time, so it was on the two of them to fulfill Groening’s wishes.
Marge Simpson and Krusty the Clown | 20th Television.
Simpsons writer Mike Reiss was a guest on the Hollywood & Levine podcast on June 2, 2021. Reiss revealed the plans for two Krusty the Clown spinoffs, and where some of those ideas ended up instead.
‘The Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening pitched a Krusty the Clown spinoff
Reiss has been a producer on The Simpsons since the beginning and wrote many episodes in the ‘90s. Al Jean was showrunner for most of that time, so it was on the two of them to fulfill Groening’s wishes.
- 1/26/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: "The Simpsons
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: We all know "The Simpsons," arguably the greatest American animated show of all time, and one of the best American sitcoms ever. Virtually every modern adult animated show made in the U.S. owes something to this series, which not only is a masterclass in comedy writing, and in how to build a believable and lived-in world with colorful characters, but also a masterclass in using diverse camera angles and interesting filmmaking in animation.
Of course, after four decades, the quality is bound to vary a bit. The accepted consensus is that "The Simpsons" stopped being good or important after its initial 10 seasons, with viewership declining and its cultural relevancy going down too.
The Series: "The Simpsons
Where You Can Stream It: Disney+
The Pitch: We all know "The Simpsons," arguably the greatest American animated show of all time, and one of the best American sitcoms ever. Virtually every modern adult animated show made in the U.S. owes something to this series, which not only is a masterclass in comedy writing, and in how to build a believable and lived-in world with colorful characters, but also a masterclass in using diverse camera angles and interesting filmmaking in animation.
Of course, after four decades, the quality is bound to vary a bit. The accepted consensus is that "The Simpsons" stopped being good or important after its initial 10 seasons, with viewership declining and its cultural relevancy going down too.
- 1/22/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
Chris Ledesma, who served as the beloved music editor of The Simpsons on every one of its first 734 episodes, from the Fox animated series’ premiere in 1989 through a 34th-season installment in November, has died. He was 64.
Ledesma died Dec. 16 in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for the show told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was revealed.
Ledesma had been hired to fill in as a music editor on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, where The Simpsons began as a series of shorts playing in and out of commercials. He then started on the spinoff on Nov. 22, 1989.
“I was skeptical of turning the little 30- and 60-second featurettes on Tracey into a full-fledged, half-hour show,” he wrote on his blog in 2011. “All that went out the window as soon as I saw the first two shows.”
Ledesma noted on Twitter in September...
Chris Ledesma, who served as the beloved music editor of The Simpsons on every one of its first 734 episodes, from the Fox animated series’ premiere in 1989 through a 34th-season installment in November, has died. He was 64.
Ledesma died Dec. 16 in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for the show told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was revealed.
Ledesma had been hired to fill in as a music editor on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, where The Simpsons began as a series of shorts playing in and out of commercials. He then started on the spinoff on Nov. 22, 1989.
“I was skeptical of turning the little 30- and 60-second featurettes on Tracey into a full-fledged, half-hour show,” he wrote on his blog in 2011. “All that went out the window as soon as I saw the first two shows.”
Ledesma noted on Twitter in September...
- 1/4/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Once again, The Simpsons has proved prescient, as the long-running animated series correctly predicted that Donald Trump would run for president in 2024, back in 2015. After Trump announced he would be running for office for a third time on Tuesday (November 15) night, The Simpsons producer Al Jean took to Twitter to share an image from a 2015 episode of the multi-time Emmy-winning series. In the picture, Homer is seen flying through the air as a “Trump 2024” campaign sign stands in the background. “As predicted in 2015,” Jean wrote alongside the image, which comes from a short that was released on YouTube, titled “Trumptastic Voyage.” The mini-episode sees Homer embark on “an extraordinary journey” after “a close encounter with Donald Trump’s hairpiece.” .@TheSimpsons As predicted in 2015 pic.twitter.com/BQEbCXAyy2 — Al Jean (@AlJean) November 16, 2022 This isn’t the first time The Simpsons has predicted the future and not the first time it’s made a prediction regarding Trump.
- 11/16/2022
- TV Insider
The Simpsons producer has revealed the series predicted Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential run.
On Tuesday (15 November), Trump, who was US president from 2017 to 2021, launched his new campaign despite losing the election to Joe Biden in 2024.
“In order to make America great and glorious again I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” the former president said.
In the wake of the announcement, Simpsons producer Al Jean reminded fans that the sitcom somehow guessd these turn of events.
On Twitter, Jean shared a still from a 2015 short that was released on YouTube, titled “Trumptastic Journey”.
The mini episode saw Homer sent on “an extraordinary journey” following “a close encounter” with the former president’s hairpiece.
At one stage, Homer is seen flying over a presidential campaign sign emblazoned with the words: “Trump 2024.”
The Simpsons has “predicted the future” several times in the past, with fans regularly highlighting...
On Tuesday (15 November), Trump, who was US president from 2017 to 2021, launched his new campaign despite losing the election to Joe Biden in 2024.
“In order to make America great and glorious again I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” the former president said.
In the wake of the announcement, Simpsons producer Al Jean reminded fans that the sitcom somehow guessd these turn of events.
On Twitter, Jean shared a still from a 2015 short that was released on YouTube, titled “Trumptastic Journey”.
The mini episode saw Homer sent on “an extraordinary journey” following “a close encounter” with the former president’s hairpiece.
At one stage, Homer is seen flying over a presidential campaign sign emblazoned with the words: “Trump 2024.”
The Simpsons has “predicted the future” several times in the past, with fans regularly highlighting...
- 11/16/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
The producer of The Simpsons has called Boris Johnson a “character right for satire”.
Since its debut in 1989, the long-running animated series – created by Matt Groening – has parodied many famous faces, including Donald Trump, Paul McCartney, and Tony Blair.
Al Jean, one of the show’s writers and executive producers, told Pa that they would have liked to feature the former prime minister in the series but that it was “too late” following his resignation.
Johnson resigned in July, bringing an acrimonious end to his nearly three-year premiership.
Jean said: “He was definitely a character right for satire but we had our own issues in America”.
He said he remains surprised by the number of celebrities who have agreed to feature on the series.
Jean added, however, that there are still a few famous people who have eluded him so far.
“Many of the ones that I’d say would...
Since its debut in 1989, the long-running animated series – created by Matt Groening – has parodied many famous faces, including Donald Trump, Paul McCartney, and Tony Blair.
Al Jean, one of the show’s writers and executive producers, told Pa that they would have liked to feature the former prime minister in the series but that it was “too late” following his resignation.
Johnson resigned in July, bringing an acrimonious end to his nearly three-year premiership.
Jean said: “He was definitely a character right for satire but we had our own issues in America”.
He said he remains surprised by the number of celebrities who have agreed to feature on the series.
Jean added, however, that there are still a few famous people who have eluded him so far.
“Many of the ones that I’d say would...
- 10/2/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
“The Simpsons” returns for its 34th season on Sunday with an episode loosely inspired by the Netflix docuseries “Don’t F**k with Cats.” Variety has a first look at the episode; scroll down to watch!
That series, which won an Emmy in 2020 for outstanding writing for a nonfiction program, centered on a group of amateur internet sleuths who launch a manhunt to find a suspect accused of animal cruelty — and worse. In “The Simpsons” premiere, “Habeus Tortoise,” Homer visits the zoo and discovers that its 150-year-old tortoise has gone missing. He then becomes part of an internet group determined to find the truth behind the animal’s disappearance.
“It’s about how about internet sleuths and how people find community in internet causes and mysteries,” said “The Simpsons” executive producer Matt Selman. “Homer is feeling kind of stupid and dumb after humiliating himself. He goes to the zoo to cheer himself up,...
That series, which won an Emmy in 2020 for outstanding writing for a nonfiction program, centered on a group of amateur internet sleuths who launch a manhunt to find a suspect accused of animal cruelty — and worse. In “The Simpsons” premiere, “Habeus Tortoise,” Homer visits the zoo and discovers that its 150-year-old tortoise has gone missing. He then becomes part of an internet group determined to find the truth behind the animal’s disappearance.
“It’s about how about internet sleuths and how people find community in internet causes and mysteries,” said “The Simpsons” executive producer Matt Selman. “Homer is feeling kind of stupid and dumb after humiliating himself. He goes to the zoo to cheer himself up,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Disney's D23 Expo is taking over the weekend, and /Film's Dalin Rowell is there on the ground today reporting back on the latest and greatest news from the animation giant's lineup of shows and movies. The latest comes from the panel from the long-running Fox series "The Simpsons," which also included a faux announcement for the Simpson Cinematic Universe. Despite the extensive Marvel parody, the rest of the panel makes it sound like "The Simpsons" may still be sticking with the small screen for a while longer.
In a wide-ranging discussion that also included insights into the show's future guest stars and a super-sized Treehouse of Horror special, the team declined to confirm whether or not more "Simpsons" movies are on the horizon. The topic came up when actor Yeardley Smith, who plays Lisa and moderated the panel, asked writer Tim Long how it feels to watch old episodes of the show.
In a wide-ranging discussion that also included insights into the show's future guest stars and a super-sized Treehouse of Horror special, the team declined to confirm whether or not more "Simpsons" movies are on the horizon. The topic came up when actor Yeardley Smith, who plays Lisa and moderated the panel, asked writer Tim Long how it feels to watch old episodes of the show.
- 9/9/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Lisa Simpson discovers that villains really do have more fun in the new Simpsons animated short, “Welcome to the Club” on Disney+, which sees her hanging out with “Little Mermaid” baddie Ursula and Loki.
Tom Hiddleston, who previously appeared in the Simpsons/Marvel crossover short, “The Good, the Bart, and the Loki,” returns to voice the mischievous trickster god in the new four-minute short. Voice artist Dawn Lewis takes over the role of Ursula from Pat Carroll, who died earlier this year.
Ahead of the short film’s premiere on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 12:01 a.m. Pt, TheWrap spoke with “The Simpsons” writer/producer Al Jean, who joked he’s dying to do a NatGeo crossover. And since he’s a big fan of “Bluey,” it might not be a stretch to see Simpsons’ pooch Santa’s Little Helper hanging out with our favorite animated heelers.
Also Read:
Longest Running...
Tom Hiddleston, who previously appeared in the Simpsons/Marvel crossover short, “The Good, the Bart, and the Loki,” returns to voice the mischievous trickster god in the new four-minute short. Voice artist Dawn Lewis takes over the role of Ursula from Pat Carroll, who died earlier this year.
Ahead of the short film’s premiere on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 12:01 a.m. Pt, TheWrap spoke with “The Simpsons” writer/producer Al Jean, who joked he’s dying to do a NatGeo crossover. And since he’s a big fan of “Bluey,” it might not be a stretch to see Simpsons’ pooch Santa’s Little Helper hanging out with our favorite animated heelers.
Also Read:
Longest Running...
- 9/7/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
In a season 8 episode of "The Simpsons," Bart and Lisa get to be part of a focus group for their favorite cartoon, "The Itchy and Scratchy Show." The people running the focus group are desperate to figure out why the show's ratings are going down even though kids still seem to like the recent episodes, and Lisa (the closest thing to the show's voice of reason) helpfully explains: "There's not really anything wrong with 'The Itchy and Scratchy Show,' it's as good as ever. But after so many years, the characters just can't have the same impact they once had."
If it wasn't clear already, this is the moment signaling that the characters aren't really talking about "Itchy and Scratchy," but about "The Simpsons" itself. Season 8 seems like an early season of the show today, but that's definitely not how it seemed at the time. Current co-showrunner Al Jean,...
If it wasn't clear already, this is the moment signaling that the characters aren't really talking about "Itchy and Scratchy," but about "The Simpsons" itself. Season 8 seems like an early season of the show today, but that's definitely not how it seemed at the time. Current co-showrunner Al Jean,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
When you've been on the air for as long as "The Simpsons" has, it's funny to think about all of the ways in which the family has remained the same age while the world around them continues to evolve. The animated sitcom is just about to enter its 34th season, which means that the series has somehow managed to come up with fresh story ideas for over three decades since its 1989 premiere. It's wild to consider the amount of history "The Simpsons" have lived through, and there's one event in particular that stood a chance of affecting the series in a major way.
The merger between Disney and 20th Century Fox, which has now been rebranded as 20th Century Studios, was three and a half years ago, and it reshaped the face of the film and TV industry. And it's easy to imagine that it could've also reshaped "The Simpsons,...
The merger between Disney and 20th Century Fox, which has now been rebranded as 20th Century Studios, was three and a half years ago, and it reshaped the face of the film and TV industry. And it's easy to imagine that it could've also reshaped "The Simpsons,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
When a show like "The Simpsons" has been around for as long as it has, it becomes a fascinating time capsule in addition to fulfilling its weekly sitcom obligations. For over three decades, the animated family has remained the same age, while the world around them has evolved to reflect the times. If the Simpsons themselves aren't going to change, it makes sense for everything else to evolve - even if the concept of a lower-middle class family keeping up with a house that size in the modern economy has since become a fantasy since the '90s.
One of the biggest changes to the show, however, came in 2009 when "The Simpsons" upgraded to high definition presentation in the middle of their 20th season with the episode "Take My Life, Please." It seems like a natural progression, as most other animated programs would eventually make the same leap, but during...
One of the biggest changes to the show, however, came in 2009 when "The Simpsons" upgraded to high definition presentation in the middle of their 20th season with the episode "Take My Life, Please." It seems like a natural progression, as most other animated programs would eventually make the same leap, but during...
- 8/29/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
As one of the longest-running American sitcoms, there is no corner of the entertainment industry where "The Simpsons" hasn't entrenched its mark. Even during the series' early years, you would have a better chance of escaping a grizzly bear on its home turf than someone wearing an "eat my shorts" or "don't have a cow, man" T-shirt. The dysfunctional animated family is an exemplary fixture of adult animation that has endured for well over three decades and 33 seasons of television.
On top of everything else, "The Simpsons" is endlessly quotable. You could remember your favorites and still only chip away a sliver of the iceberg. You'll never run out, whether it comes out of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, or any other outlandish resident of Springfield. But the creative team behind this long-running series also knows how to revel in the quieter, and sometimes silent moments.
Enter Maggie, the Simpsons' youngest child,...
On top of everything else, "The Simpsons" is endlessly quotable. You could remember your favorites and still only chip away a sliver of the iceberg. You'll never run out, whether it comes out of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, or any other outlandish resident of Springfield. But the creative team behind this long-running series also knows how to revel in the quieter, and sometimes silent moments.
Enter Maggie, the Simpsons' youngest child,...
- 8/26/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
The first "Simpsons" Halloween special, first aired on October 25, 1990, was a banner event for the rising tide of "Simpsons" fans. Many a youth rushed to their VCRs that evening, eager to capture on tape an event unprecedented in the show. While "The Simpsons" typically had fewer structural rules than its live-action sitcom counterparts, it was still set in a relatively recognizable world. The Halloween special promised a visit to the supernatural, a tantalizing event to say the least. "The Simpsons" and "Tales from the Crypt" were going to bleed into one another.
1990 was a good time to be a "Simpsons" fan. In addition to the Halloween special, that was also the year that saw the release of the hit album "The Simpsons Sing the Blues." It would only be a few months later that the music video for "Do the Bartman," a single co-written by Michael Jackson, would premiere on TV.
1990 was a good time to be a "Simpsons" fan. In addition to the Halloween special, that was also the year that saw the release of the hit album "The Simpsons Sing the Blues." It would only be a few months later that the music video for "Do the Bartman," a single co-written by Michael Jackson, would premiere on TV.
- 8/26/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
No sitcom is complete without an occasional guest star popping in to shake things up. When it comes to "The Simpsons," they've booked almost everyone in Hollywood at some point, whether it be Meryl Streep, Phil Hartman, Johnny Cash, Neil Gaiman, Billie Eilish, or Tom Hiddleston. Throw a rock in Los Angeles and you'll likely hit someone who has done a guest spot on the animated sitcom.
These spots usually fluctuate between a celebrity playing a character that impacts the family in some way, such as Dustin Hoffman's Mr. Bergstrom, or an uninspired one-and-done playing themselves like Elon Musk. This does not, nor will it ever, apply to Mark Hamill.
When asked by IGN if the show had any guest stars they had been pulling for, executive producer Al Jean revealed that they had tried to arrange a U.S. President to no avail:
"We've tried pretty hard –– we...
These spots usually fluctuate between a celebrity playing a character that impacts the family in some way, such as Dustin Hoffman's Mr. Bergstrom, or an uninspired one-and-done playing themselves like Elon Musk. This does not, nor will it ever, apply to Mark Hamill.
When asked by IGN if the show had any guest stars they had been pulling for, executive producer Al Jean revealed that they had tried to arrange a U.S. President to no avail:
"We've tried pretty hard –– we...
- 8/25/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
In selecting which episode of “The Simpsons” would be their submission for this year’s Emmys, executive producer Matt Selman obviously wanted something that would stand out and this ultimately lead them to choosing “Pixelated and Afraid.” “It started from this sitcomy place of the kids are worried mom and dad aren’t romantic enough. At the end of this, we’re showing a new, deeper side of the Homer and Marge love story,” he tells Gold Derby during our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video interview above). One of the keys to how the episode works was embracing the idea that just because a couple doesn’t want to try new things or isn’t traditionally romantic, doesn’t mean that they have stopped loving each other. “There’s deep romance in just watching bad reality television together while eating Cheetos. I know people were really moved by it.
- 8/14/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Krusty the Clown as Pennywise, Stephen King’s evil character from “It,” has become a popular tattoo image. Now, it will become part of “The Simpsons” canon. One of this fall’s two “Treehouse of Horror” episodes will be full-length parody of “It,” “The Simpsons” exec producer Matt Selman revealed on Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con.
As previously reported, “The Simpsons” will air a double dose of “Treehouse of Horror” episodes this upcoming 34th season. That marks the first time in the show’s history there have been two “Treehouse”-branded episodes in a single Halloween. The first episode will take the traditional form of three different vignettes, but the “It” parody will be the first time a “Treehouse” has focused on a single story for its entire half hour.
“We’ve never done a single fantastical, bloody, scary, dark story, told over the scope of the the 20 minutes and 40 seconds that is an episode,...
As previously reported, “The Simpsons” will air a double dose of “Treehouse of Horror” episodes this upcoming 34th season. That marks the first time in the show’s history there have been two “Treehouse”-branded episodes in a single Halloween. The first episode will take the traditional form of three different vignettes, but the “It” parody will be the first time a “Treehouse” has focused on a single story for its entire half hour.
“We’ve never done a single fantastical, bloody, scary, dark story, told over the scope of the the 20 minutes and 40 seconds that is an episode,...
- 7/23/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
When Yeardley Smith was asked to represent her show, The Simpsons, at a mural unveiling event in Springfield, Oregon in 2014, she declined.
“The joke is that I really will do anything for my show but I didn’t really want to do it,” said the iconic voice of Lisa Simpson. But after a bit of begging from producers and a confirmation that the appearance would include security detail, Smith, who had dealt with stalkers, changed her mind.
Meanwhile, when the captain of the Springfield Police Department surveyed a room full of detectives to volunteer for a special assignment, no hands shot in the air. “I looked around the room at the other detectives, including my twin brother. It was summertime and I thought, let these guys have time with their families since they all have children. I’m single and I don’t have any children,...
When Yeardley Smith was asked to represent her show, The Simpsons, at a mural unveiling event in Springfield, Oregon in 2014, she declined.
“The joke is that I really will do anything for my show but I didn’t really want to do it,” said the iconic voice of Lisa Simpson. But after a bit of begging from producers and a confirmation that the appearance would include security detail, Smith, who had dealt with stalkers, changed her mind.
Meanwhile, when the captain of the Springfield Police Department surveyed a room full of detectives to volunteer for a special assignment, no hands shot in the air. “I looked around the room at the other detectives, including my twin brother. It was summertime and I thought, let these guys have time with their families since they all have children. I’m single and I don’t have any children,...
- 7/13/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For the first time in its more than three-decade run, “The Simpsons” will premiere an episode featuring American Sign Language (Als) and a deaf actor.
“It’s very hard to do a ‘first’ after 722 episodes, but I couldn’t be more excited about this one,” executive producer Al Jean told CNN.
While the episode will premiere April 10 and comes exactly two weeks after “Coda’s” historic Best Picture win at the Oscars, the idea came up long before the movie was released and is loosely based on writer-producer Loni Steele Sosthand’s life. Titled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums,” it follows Lisa Simpson as she helps the son of her favorite musician, the late saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy (who died in Season 6), who is deaf and needs a cochlear implant.
The show’s producers consulted two Asl specialists regarding the signs that the characters — who only have four fingers — make in the episode,...
“It’s very hard to do a ‘first’ after 722 episodes, but I couldn’t be more excited about this one,” executive producer Al Jean told CNN.
While the episode will premiere April 10 and comes exactly two weeks after “Coda’s” historic Best Picture win at the Oscars, the idea came up long before the movie was released and is loosely based on writer-producer Loni Steele Sosthand’s life. Titled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums,” it follows Lisa Simpson as she helps the son of her favorite musician, the late saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy (who died in Season 6), who is deaf and needs a cochlear implant.
The show’s producers consulted two Asl specialists regarding the signs that the characters — who only have four fingers — make in the episode,...
- 4/9/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
When “The Simpsons” creative team decided to use American Sign Language in this Sunday’s episode, there was one hitch: The show’s animated characters have only four fingers.
“That was a little tricky, especially because the one thing we’re translating is Shakespeare,” says writer Loni Steele Sosthand. “But I think we pulled it off.”
Sosthand, who joined “The Simpsons” in 2020, is the writer behind the show’s April 10 installment, “The Sound of Bleeding Gums.” The episode is not only notable for featuring the first-ever use of Asl on “The Simpsons,” but it also includes the show’s first-ever deaf voice actors.
The story centers on Lisa Simpson, who discovers that her favorite musician and mentor, the late saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy, had a son who was born deaf. She meets the young man, Monk, who wants to get a cochlear implant — but Lisa gets a little too over-exuberant in trying to help him.
“That was a little tricky, especially because the one thing we’re translating is Shakespeare,” says writer Loni Steele Sosthand. “But I think we pulled it off.”
Sosthand, who joined “The Simpsons” in 2020, is the writer behind the show’s April 10 installment, “The Sound of Bleeding Gums.” The episode is not only notable for featuring the first-ever use of Asl on “The Simpsons,” but it also includes the show’s first-ever deaf voice actors.
The story centers on Lisa Simpson, who discovers that her favorite musician and mentor, the late saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy, had a son who was born deaf. She meets the young man, Monk, who wants to get a cochlear implant — but Lisa gets a little too over-exuberant in trying to help him.
- 4/7/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
“The Simpsons” will make history on Sunday, and coincidentally it’s happening during Women’s History Month. For the first time ever, after 33 seasons and 719 episodes (this Sunday is episode 720), the top four key creative roles that guide animation in a “Simpsons” episode are all women.
That includes director Jennifer Moeller, as well as assistant director Debbie Spafford, lead timer Esther Lee and background layout lead HeeJin Kim. Also, the episode (titled “You Won’t Believe What This Episode Is About — Act Three Will Shock You!”) has a “written by” credit for Christine Nangle.
Variety has the exclusive first look for the episode, which features guest star Kumail Nanjiani. In the episode, Homer is blamed for leaving Santa’s Little Helper locked in the family car on a hot day. It’s actually not Homer’s fault, but footage of the incident is posted on a neighborhood social media website...
That includes director Jennifer Moeller, as well as assistant director Debbie Spafford, lead timer Esther Lee and background layout lead HeeJin Kim. Also, the episode (titled “You Won’t Believe What This Episode Is About — Act Three Will Shock You!”) has a “written by” credit for Christine Nangle.
Variety has the exclusive first look for the episode, which features guest star Kumail Nanjiani. In the episode, Homer is blamed for leaving Santa’s Little Helper locked in the family car on a hot day. It’s actually not Homer’s fault, but footage of the incident is posted on a neighborhood social media website...
- 3/11/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Simpsons just released a commissioned image of the animated cartoon family in support of Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
A photo tweet sent from the Simpsons’ official account depicts Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie holding Ukrainian flags in unison with a caption reading, “#TheSimpsons #Simpsons #Ukraine.”
#TheSimpsons #Simpsons #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/aWvgTUGJKP
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) February 26, 2022
Al Jean, Simpsons’ executive producer, said the creation of political images isn’t common in the animated sitcom’s repertoire. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine proved to be an appropriate exception.
“We don’t do this very often, only very rarely when there’s something… extremely important for a cause that could not be bigger,” Jean said.
The cartoon was drawn by animator and director David Silverman who has been with the show since its inception in 1989.
Show producer Jim Brooks called creator Matt Groening, Jean and Silverman to...
A photo tweet sent from the Simpsons’ official account depicts Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie holding Ukrainian flags in unison with a caption reading, “#TheSimpsons #Simpsons #Ukraine.”
#TheSimpsons #Simpsons #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/aWvgTUGJKP
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) February 26, 2022
Al Jean, Simpsons’ executive producer, said the creation of political images isn’t common in the animated sitcom’s repertoire. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine proved to be an appropriate exception.
“We don’t do this very often, only very rarely when there’s something… extremely important for a cause that could not be bigger,” Jean said.
The cartoon was drawn by animator and director David Silverman who has been with the show since its inception in 1989.
Show producer Jim Brooks called creator Matt Groening, Jean and Silverman to...
- 2/26/2022
- by Brandon Choe
- Deadline Film + TV
Bad Bunny plays Cupid and brings together a fighting Homer and Marge in the reggaeton superstar’s video for “Te Deseo Lo Mejor.”
Directed by The Simpsons Movie filmmaker David Silverman, the clip finds Homer yet again in the doghouse after missing a family dinner and Marge, as the Los Angeles Times notes, “fed up with husband Homer’s burgeoning social media addiction.” Marge has had enough, taking the beer and the “good pillow” and telling Homer “Haz tu propio almuerzo” (“Make your own lunch”) when Homer opens his lunchbox at the power plant.
Directed by The Simpsons Movie filmmaker David Silverman, the clip finds Homer yet again in the doghouse after missing a family dinner and Marge, as the Los Angeles Times notes, “fed up with husband Homer’s burgeoning social media addiction.” Marge has had enough, taking the beer and the “good pillow” and telling Homer “Haz tu propio almuerzo” (“Make your own lunch”) when Homer opens his lunchbox at the power plant.
- 12/24/2021
- by Jason Newman
- Rollingstone.com
Mark McCorkle & Bob Schooley, best known for creating, writing and executive producing Disney Channel’s Kim Possible, will receive the WGA West’s 2021 Animation Writers Caucus Animation Writing Award. The honor will be bestowed next month at the group’s virtual awards ceremony and member meeting.
The pair have specialized in adapting movie characters into TV series, with credits including Penguins of Madagascar, Monsters vs. Aliens, Disney’s Hercules, and Disney’s Aladdin: The Series. On the big screen, their credits include Hotel for Dogs and Sky High.
They also EPed two TV movies based on Kim Possible: Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time and Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama.
The long-time writing and producing team met while working as entertainment managers at Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-themed play park in Pennsylvania (both attended Temple University). They both started in the mailroom of Dic Entertainment, eventually landing staff...
The pair have specialized in adapting movie characters into TV series, with credits including Penguins of Madagascar, Monsters vs. Aliens, Disney’s Hercules, and Disney’s Aladdin: The Series. On the big screen, their credits include Hotel for Dogs and Sky High.
They also EPed two TV movies based on Kim Possible: Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time and Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama.
The long-time writing and producing team met while working as entertainment managers at Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-themed play park in Pennsylvania (both attended Temple University). They both started in the mailroom of Dic Entertainment, eventually landing staff...
- 12/20/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
When Disney tapped “The Simpsons” to produce an animated short for Disney Plus, executive producer Al Jean said the idea was born to cram as many of the company’s franchise characters as possible into Moe’s Tavern.
That’s the basis of “The Simpsons in Plusaversary,” which premiered Friday on Disney Plus. In the new short, a Disney Plus Day party takes place for some of the company’s iconic Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters at Moe’s, where Wreck-It Ralph and Maui from “Moana” are the bouncers and Maleficent is checking the entry list.
But first, Homer has trouble entering Moe’s, since he’s not on the list — which includes Jeff Goldblum, Dopey, Ant-Man, Darth Sidious, Pinocchio, Aaron Burr Jabba the Hutt, Loki, Thanos, Lightning McQueen and more. “You don’t seem to be one of us,” notes Maleficent, looking at a page on her tablet that includes Pixar,...
That’s the basis of “The Simpsons in Plusaversary,” which premiered Friday on Disney Plus. In the new short, a Disney Plus Day party takes place for some of the company’s iconic Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters at Moe’s, where Wreck-It Ralph and Maui from “Moana” are the bouncers and Maleficent is checking the entry list.
But first, Homer has trouble entering Moe’s, since he’s not on the list — which includes Jeff Goldblum, Dopey, Ant-Man, Darth Sidious, Pinocchio, Aaron Burr Jabba the Hutt, Loki, Thanos, Lightning McQueen and more. “You don’t seem to be one of us,” notes Maleficent, looking at a page on her tablet that includes Pixar,...
- 11/12/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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