Premiered in 1989, the long-running animated sitcom, The Simpsons, is currently making headlines for fast approaching the end of its milestone Season 35. However, despite reaching an astonishing 766 episodes, the animated series shows no signs of slowing down. Co-showrunner Al Jean and writer/producer Matt Selman even revealed their future plans for the show.
The Simpsons (1989) | Gracie Films and 20th Television
Although The Simpsons will be wrapping Season 35 within a few days, it’s been reported that the show has already been renewed for Season 36 arriving next year. With the next season, the series will eventually cross the 800-episode milestone. And yet it seems there’s no potential end of sight for those helming the show.
The Simpsons Co-Showrunner Al Jean Addressed the Future of the Show
Earning the reputation of the longest-running television series of all time, with 766 episodes, The Simpsons is set to mark the end of its 35th season.
The Simpsons (1989) | Gracie Films and 20th Television
Although The Simpsons will be wrapping Season 35 within a few days, it’s been reported that the show has already been renewed for Season 36 arriving next year. With the next season, the series will eventually cross the 800-episode milestone. And yet it seems there’s no potential end of sight for those helming the show.
The Simpsons Co-Showrunner Al Jean Addressed the Future of the Show
Earning the reputation of the longest-running television series of all time, with 766 episodes, The Simpsons is set to mark the end of its 35th season.
- 5/19/2024
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire
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
Throughout its long-standing run of 34 years, a legendary animated sitcom The Simpsons has got rid of so many characters that the viewers got to be attached or at least used to.
Many of those characters never even made it to be significantly visible staying in the shadows for years or, in The Simpsons’ case, decades — and now the famous show killed yet another Springfield citizen off.
The series’ new episode called Cremains of the Day premiered on Fox several days ago, but before that gave some chills to fans. Some time before, the show’s writer Matt Selman posted a poll on X and accompanied it with a caption about a character that was going to die in the upcoming episode thus offering his followers to guess who he would “breathe their last”.
The quest wouldn’t be that difficult even for those who know almost nothing about The Simpsons...
Many of those characters never even made it to be significantly visible staying in the shadows for years or, in The Simpsons’ case, decades — and now the famous show killed yet another Springfield citizen off.
The series’ new episode called Cremains of the Day premiered on Fox several days ago, but before that gave some chills to fans. Some time before, the show’s writer Matt Selman posted a poll on X and accompanied it with a caption about a character that was going to die in the upcoming episode thus offering his followers to guess who he would “breathe their last”.
The quest wouldn’t be that difficult even for those who know almost nothing about The Simpsons...
- 4/25/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
More than 30 years ago, “The Simpsons” tackled workers’ rights in the beloved 1993 episode “Last Exit to Springfield.” Now, the series is updating its take on unions for the modern age, via this Sunday’s episode “Night of the Living Wage.” And there’s even a unique backstory: Cesar Mazariegos, who wrote the episode, also recently served as a WGA strike captain during last year’s Writers Guild strike.
In “Last Exit to Springfield,” Homer became president of the union at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, and took the workers on strike to save their dental plan. This time, it’s Marge’s turn. In “Night of the Living Wage,” the Simpsons are stuck with a large veterinarian bill, forcing Marge to take a job at the food delivery app “GimmeChow” and its ghost kitchens.
But Marge soon finds that she and her fellow workers are overworked — as depicted in one scene,...
In “Last Exit to Springfield,” Homer became president of the union at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, and took the workers on strike to save their dental plan. This time, it’s Marge’s turn. In “Night of the Living Wage,” the Simpsons are stuck with a large veterinarian bill, forcing Marge to take a job at the food delivery app “GimmeChow” and its ghost kitchens.
But Marge soon finds that she and her fellow workers are overworked — as depicted in one scene,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
In the "The Simpsons" episode "Future-Drama", Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (Yeardley Smith) visit the mad scientist Professor Frink (Hank Azaria) to get a glimpse into their future. Frink has invented a future-predicting computer, and the Simpson children ask to see what they might look like as teenagers. In the year 2013, Bart is dating a cool skateboarder named Jenda (Amy Poehler) and Lisa, on her way to medical school, has had an on-again-off-again relationship with Milhouse (Pamela Hayden). Marge has been dating Krusty the Clown (Dan Castellaneta) after leaving Homer for committing a flagrant financial crime.
To ensure the episode is sufficiently surreal, there is a scene wherein the teenage Bart and the older Homer (Castellaneta) pass through a quantum tunnel and emerge on the other side with a robot they mysteriously accumulated. The robot is Bender (John Dimaggio), the drunken droid from Matt Groening's "Futurama," a series that,...
To ensure the episode is sufficiently surreal, there is a scene wherein the teenage Bart and the older Homer (Castellaneta) pass through a quantum tunnel and emerge on the other side with a robot they mysteriously accumulated. The robot is Bender (John Dimaggio), the drunken droid from Matt Groening's "Futurama," a series that,...
- 3/17/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Kylie Jenner got up and worked: The mogul is a guest voice on this year’s “Treehouse of Horror” episode of “The Simpsons,” and Variety has a first look below. In the Season 35 edition, “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiv,” Bart is turned into an Nft — and Marge travels through the blockchain to save her son.
In the segment, Kylie Jenner is one of a handful of celebrities — also including Jimmy Fallon and Rob Gronskowski — who are the “illuminati of the crypto universe” and help Marge find Bart. Jenner plays herself, while comedian and voice actor Matt Friend is behind the Fallon parody.
Showrunner Matt Selman said the idea for a take on the Nft craze came directly from exec producer James L. Brooks. “The craze has gone up and down and mostly down since we started writing it,” Selman noted. “But we just thought the idea of all these celebrities who...
In the segment, Kylie Jenner is one of a handful of celebrities — also including Jimmy Fallon and Rob Gronskowski — who are the “illuminati of the crypto universe” and help Marge find Bart. Jenner plays herself, while comedian and voice actor Matt Friend is behind the Fallon parody.
Showrunner Matt Selman said the idea for a take on the Nft craze came directly from exec producer James L. Brooks. “The craze has gone up and down and mostly down since we started writing it,” Selman noted. “But we just thought the idea of all these celebrities who...
- 10/27/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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
A showrunners picket at Fox that started as a way to show solidarity during the strike ended up raising close to $45,000 for crew members who have been adversely affected by the work stoppage.
Strike Captain Amy Berg encouraged showrunners who attended the Sept. 12 picket to bring along gift cards so she could distribute them to support staff in need. More than 300 high-powered scribes, including Steve Levitan, Shawn Ryan, Aline Brosh-McKenna, Carlton Cuse, Rene Balcer, Jack Burditt, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, Andy Gordon, Tucker Cawley and David Shore, walked the line that day.
At today’s IATSE appreciation day at Fox, Berg distributed the gift cards to 115 people. She plans to mail more out this week to crew members.
“I was looking at all these amazing funds we have out there, but noticed that most require a long application process which can delay people getting the help they need,” Berg told Deadline. “I just thought, what could we do that offered immediate assistance?”
Those who participated in today’s IATSE appreciation picket received at least $150 word of cards to grocery stores and retail outlets like Target.
“Things everyone can use,” said Berg. “I basically started a nonprofit in one week, thanks to the generosity of my fellow showrunners.”
Showrunners have already contributed more than $500,000 recently to the Entertainment Community Fund. (Click for the showrunner donation link). Most of the donors have been anonymous.
There’s renewed optimism that the WGA and AMPTP can reach a deal now that both parties have agreed to meet tomorrow.
The WGA sent out a note to members confirming the talks: “The WGA and AMPTP now have a confirmed schedule to bargain this week, starting on Wednesday. You might not hear from us in the coming days while we are negotiating, but know that our focus is getting a fair deal for writers as soon as possible. We’ll reach out again when there is something of significance to report. In the meantime, please continue to demonstrate your commitment and unity by coming out to the picket lines – for yourselves and fellow writers, SAG-AFTRA, other unions’ members, and all those in our community who are impacted by the strikes.”...
Strike Captain Amy Berg encouraged showrunners who attended the Sept. 12 picket to bring along gift cards so she could distribute them to support staff in need. More than 300 high-powered scribes, including Steve Levitan, Shawn Ryan, Aline Brosh-McKenna, Carlton Cuse, Rene Balcer, Jack Burditt, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, Andy Gordon, Tucker Cawley and David Shore, walked the line that day.
At today’s IATSE appreciation day at Fox, Berg distributed the gift cards to 115 people. She plans to mail more out this week to crew members.
“I was looking at all these amazing funds we have out there, but noticed that most require a long application process which can delay people getting the help they need,” Berg told Deadline. “I just thought, what could we do that offered immediate assistance?”
Those who participated in today’s IATSE appreciation picket received at least $150 word of cards to grocery stores and retail outlets like Target.
“Things everyone can use,” said Berg. “I basically started a nonprofit in one week, thanks to the generosity of my fellow showrunners.”
Showrunners have already contributed more than $500,000 recently to the Entertainment Community Fund. (Click for the showrunner donation link). Most of the donors have been anonymous.
There’s renewed optimism that the WGA and AMPTP can reach a deal now that both parties have agreed to meet tomorrow.
The WGA sent out a note to members confirming the talks: “The WGA and AMPTP now have a confirmed schedule to bargain this week, starting on Wednesday. You might not hear from us in the coming days while we are negotiating, but know that our focus is getting a fair deal for writers as soon as possible. We’ll reach out again when there is something of significance to report. In the meantime, please continue to demonstrate your commitment and unity by coming out to the picket lines – for yourselves and fellow writers, SAG-AFTRA, other unions’ members, and all those in our community who are impacted by the strikes.”...
- 9/20/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of top-tier showrunners including Kenya Barris and Noah Hawley has set a meeting with the WGA leadership as they try to aid the negotiating process.
The move is not a sign of discontent among the guild, as rumored by some, but rather a chance to bring more high-profile folks into the process as the writers strike has moved into its fourth month.
We hear that Black-ish creator Barris, Hawley, the man behind FX’s Fargo and its upcoming Alien series, and others are set to sit down with leadership on Friday at the WGA West’s L.A. headquarters.
“This was meant to be an information session and not meant to offer anything more than help,” a source close to events told Deadline. “That is still the intention so we can all get a fair deal to get back to work.”
It comes as a large group of high-powered scribes,...
The move is not a sign of discontent among the guild, as rumored by some, but rather a chance to bring more high-profile folks into the process as the writers strike has moved into its fourth month.
We hear that Black-ish creator Barris, Hawley, the man behind FX’s Fargo and its upcoming Alien series, and others are set to sit down with leadership on Friday at the WGA West’s L.A. headquarters.
“This was meant to be an information session and not meant to offer anything more than help,” a source close to events told Deadline. “That is still the intention so we can all get a fair deal to get back to work.”
It comes as a large group of high-powered scribes,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Dominic Patten, Lynette Rice and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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
This article contains spoilers for the Disenchantment series finale.
A new animated series from Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, should have been a clear winner and modern cartoon classic. Oddly enough, Bean’s misadventures through Dreamland and its constant fantasy genre subversions in Disenchantment have barely left a mark on the medium. It initially seemed like Disenchantment had somehow learned the worst lessons from The Simpsons and Futurama through a focus on dense lore and heavy serialized stories. Disenchantment, while fun, would struggle with its growing scope and undergo a perpetual identity crisis on the type of series it wanted to be and what it does best.
It’s been a bumpy journey, but Disenchantment impressively pulls everything together for its final season. This last batch of episodes finally figures out how to use this big world and its many supporting characters after seasons of awkward attempts to connect these dots.
A new animated series from Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, should have been a clear winner and modern cartoon classic. Oddly enough, Bean’s misadventures through Dreamland and its constant fantasy genre subversions in Disenchantment have barely left a mark on the medium. It initially seemed like Disenchantment had somehow learned the worst lessons from The Simpsons and Futurama through a focus on dense lore and heavy serialized stories. Disenchantment, while fun, would struggle with its growing scope and undergo a perpetual identity crisis on the type of series it wanted to be and what it does best.
It’s been a bumpy journey, but Disenchantment impressively pulls everything together for its final season. This last batch of episodes finally figures out how to use this big world and its many supporting characters after seasons of awkward attempts to connect these dots.
- 9/2/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
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
Tributes have begun to pour in for Treat Williams following the actor’s death in a motorcycle accident at the age of 71. Williams appeared in over 75 films and several television series, including, the 1979 musical film Hair and on the WB series Everwood, and impacted many fellow actors.
Mark Hamill worked with Williams in The Empire Strikes Back and shared a photo of the pair together on set. “Such a wonderful person… such a gifted actor… such a treasured friend,” Hamill wrote. “I’m gutted.”
Just heard the awful news that the world has lost @Rtreatwilliams.
Mark Hamill worked with Williams in The Empire Strikes Back and shared a photo of the pair together on set. “Such a wonderful person… such a gifted actor… such a treasured friend,” Hamill wrote. “I’m gutted.”
Just heard the awful news that the world has lost @Rtreatwilliams.
- 6/13/2023
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
“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
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
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 16
The Simpsons separates facts from the state and brings down the whole gazebo. “Hostile Kirk Place” will be a divisive episode, possibly threatening closed-captioning in Florida, as Kirk Van Houten declares war on words.
Matt Selman acts like he’s got tenure on The Simpsons, the way he pushes the curriculum ever more cleverly into commentary. This episode isn’t meant to divide red from blue but cartoon fans from comedy geeks. There are so many lines which have double meaning, and yet the ones that pack the most punch are brutally single minded. In one exchange, Professor Frink is asked to dumb something he said down so everyone can understand. He desperately replies, “I am dumbing it down.” This also succinctly explains subtle differences between the wit and the humor at the heart of The Simpsons.
After Weird Al...
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 16
The Simpsons separates facts from the state and brings down the whole gazebo. “Hostile Kirk Place” will be a divisive episode, possibly threatening closed-captioning in Florida, as Kirk Van Houten declares war on words.
Matt Selman acts like he’s got tenure on The Simpsons, the way he pushes the curriculum ever more cleverly into commentary. This episode isn’t meant to divide red from blue but cartoon fans from comedy geeks. There are so many lines which have double meaning, and yet the ones that pack the most punch are brutally single minded. In one exchange, Professor Frink is asked to dumb something he said down so everyone can understand. He desperately replies, “I am dumbing it down.” This also succinctly explains subtle differences between the wit and the humor at the heart of The Simpsons.
After Weird Al...
- 3/13/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Gunsmoke pulled inspiration from the original radio show on which it’s based. However, the writers also pulled from outside influences to push the Western television genre forward for audiences across the country. Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 13 has the title “Reed Survives,” which comes from a Bible verse, providing additional meaning to the story and its characters in its early years.
‘Gunsmoke’ gave meaning to the adult Western genre James Arness as Matt Dillon | CBS via Getty Images
Gunsmoke originally had its premiere on the radio in 1952 before Charles Marquis Warren adapted it into a television show in 1955. However, the creatives wanted to ensure that they avoided the Western tropes that plagued many television storytellings at the time. As a result, Gunsmoke became the successful adult Western that it dreamed to become.
James Arness’ lead character, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, offered a twist to the Western hero. He only turned...
‘Gunsmoke’ gave meaning to the adult Western genre James Arness as Matt Dillon | CBS via Getty Images
Gunsmoke originally had its premiere on the radio in 1952 before Charles Marquis Warren adapted it into a television show in 1955. However, the creatives wanted to ensure that they avoided the Western tropes that plagued many television storytellings at the time. As a result, Gunsmoke became the successful adult Western that it dreamed to become.
James Arness’ lead character, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, offered a twist to the Western hero. He only turned...
- 3/4/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
There have been a lot of TV crossover episodes over the years, but this may be the most unique one yet: PBS’ “Finding Your Roots” and host Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. will make a major appearance on Fox’s “The Simpsons” this Sunday. Variety has an exclusive first look at Gates’ appearance; scroll down for more.
Gates is a major guest star on “The Simpsons” episode that airs Sunday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. Et. The episode, “Carl Carlsen Rides Again,” centers on Homer Simpson’s colleague at the nuclear power plant (and Lenny’s best friend) Carl, who delves into his racial identity for the first time. On the episode, Carl discovers his background by going on “Finding Your Roots.”
Loni Steele Sosthand wrote the episode; here’s the logline: “When Carl is smitten by a beautiful black woman, her strong ties to her heritage ignite insecurities in him.
Gates is a major guest star on “The Simpsons” episode that airs Sunday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. Et. The episode, “Carl Carlsen Rides Again,” centers on Homer Simpson’s colleague at the nuclear power plant (and Lenny’s best friend) Carl, who delves into his racial identity for the first time. On the episode, Carl discovers his background by going on “Finding Your Roots.”
Loni Steele Sosthand wrote the episode; here’s the logline: “When Carl is smitten by a beautiful black woman, her strong ties to her heritage ignite insecurities in him.
- 2/24/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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.
Also Read:
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...
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.
Also Read:
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
(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
Chris Ledesma, the music editor for “The Simpsons” who worked on the long-running animated sitcom from its very first season in 1989 until May 2022, died Dec. 16, Fox Television announced. He was 64.
The network first made his death public on Sunday, Jan. 1, with the year’s first episode of “The Simpsons,” which ended with a tribute to him.
“Ledesma poured his heart and soul into crafting the musical language of The Simpsons. Chris imbued every episode of the show over 33 seasons with his deep knowledge and even deeper passion for the music which has become a part of so many peoples’ lives,” “The Simpsons” showrunner Matt Selman said in a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times. “Chris will always be a vital member of the The Simpsons family, and his loss is felt deeply by the many who loved him.”
No cause of death has been announced.
Also Read:
5 Things to...
The network first made his death public on Sunday, Jan. 1, with the year’s first episode of “The Simpsons,” which ended with a tribute to him.
“Ledesma poured his heart and soul into crafting the musical language of The Simpsons. Chris imbued every episode of the show over 33 seasons with his deep knowledge and even deeper passion for the music which has become a part of so many peoples’ lives,” “The Simpsons” showrunner Matt Selman said in a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times. “Chris will always be a vital member of the The Simpsons family, and his loss is felt deeply by the many who loved him.”
No cause of death has been announced.
Also Read:
5 Things to...
- 1/4/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Chris Ledesma has died at the age of 64.
“The Simpsons” dedicated a tribute to the longtime music editor at the end of Sunday’s episode. A title card read “In loving memory of Chris Ledesma.”
The late editor was also animated in the episode, sharing a seat with the famous family on their iconic couch reports Deadline. He then conducted Bart and Lisa with a conductor’s baton as they tried different instruments.
Read More: Rally Driver And YouTube Star Ken Block Dies At Age 55 Following Snowmobile Accident
Ledesma worked on every episode of the show since its launch in 1989, leaving the show after 33 years in May 2022.
Tributes from his co-workers have begun pouring in on social media.
Writer and co-executive producer Carolyn Omine tweeted, “Chris Ledesma was a sweet man who loved his job and was really, really good at it. We miss him.”
Chris Ledesma was a sweet...
“The Simpsons” dedicated a tribute to the longtime music editor at the end of Sunday’s episode. A title card read “In loving memory of Chris Ledesma.”
The late editor was also animated in the episode, sharing a seat with the famous family on their iconic couch reports Deadline. He then conducted Bart and Lisa with a conductor’s baton as they tried different instruments.
Read More: Rally Driver And YouTube Star Ken Block Dies At Age 55 Following Snowmobile Accident
Ledesma worked on every episode of the show since its launch in 1989, leaving the show after 33 years in May 2022.
Tributes from his co-workers have begun pouring in on social media.
Writer and co-executive producer Carolyn Omine tweeted, “Chris Ledesma was a sweet man who loved his job and was really, really good at it. We miss him.”
Chris Ledesma was a sweet...
- 1/3/2023
- by Anita Tai
- ET Canada
The Simpsons staff is mourning the loss of longtime music editor Chris Ledesma who has died at the age of 64. The show announced Ledesma’s death in a tribute at the end of Sunday’s episode with a title card that read “In loving memory of Chris Ledesma.” A cause of death was not revealed.
A tribute to Ledesma’s life and career featured an animated version of Ledesma holding a conductor’s baton and sitting on the Simpsons’ couch with Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart. A smiling Ledesma directed Maggie and Bart as they tried out different instruments.
Ledesma had worked on The Simpsons since its launch in 1989 and worked on every episode for 33 years until he stepped down in May 2022.
In September 2021, Ledesma marked a “significant milestone”, tweeting that he had worked on The Simspons for half of his life.
Today is a significant milestone for me.
A tribute to Ledesma’s life and career featured an animated version of Ledesma holding a conductor’s baton and sitting on the Simpsons’ couch with Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart. A smiling Ledesma directed Maggie and Bart as they tried out different instruments.
Ledesma had worked on The Simpsons since its launch in 1989 and worked on every episode for 33 years until he stepped down in May 2022.
In September 2021, Ledesma marked a “significant milestone”, tweeting that he had worked on The Simspons for half of his life.
Today is a significant milestone for me.
- 1/3/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Although most agree that "The Simpsons" has been steadily fading out of cultural relevancy since season 9 or so, it did have a resurgence in 2007 with "The Simpsons Movie." Say what you will about the film, but it undeniably made "The Simpsons" cool again for at least a little bit. The Simpson family was suddenly popping back into the commercials, and being sold as Burger King kids' meal toys. And as anyone who was in middle school at the time can tell you, that Spider Pig song was caught in every kid's head for months.
But as the showrunners of "The Simpsons" have long since made clear, nothing about making this movie was easy. "Even though the movie is three times the length of the TV show, it was hundreds of times harder to write," said David Mirkin in a 2007 interview, who was the showrunner from seasons 4-6 of the show...
But as the showrunners of "The Simpsons" have long since made clear, nothing about making this movie was easy. "Even though the movie is three times the length of the TV show, it was hundreds of times harder to write," said David Mirkin in a 2007 interview, who was the showrunner from seasons 4-6 of the show...
- 12/30/2022
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
The final segment of last weekend’s The Simpsons episode “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiii” starts off looking very familiar. It’s a scene from “Marge vs the Monorail”, the 1993 episode written by Conan O’Brien that’s regularly voted among the show’s finest half-hours. Homer is proudly showing his family around the cockpit of the monorail, yet just as he’s about to deliver his famous line about the family of possums living in it – “I call the big one Bitey” – a couple of drunken bros appears and chant the catchphrase in unison. After the pair force beer down his neck, Homer learns he’s not really Homer at all: He’s a high-tech robot host of the sort that populates Westworld. We’re in “SimpsonsWorld”, a theme-park attraction jampacked with fan-favourite references from Kamp Krusty to Hank Scorpio with his flamethrower. When Homer is taken off to be repaired,...
- 11/2/2022
- by Kevin E G Perry
- The Independent - TV
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 6
Double-dipping on the darkest of chocolate, The Simpsons season 34 presents a mixed bag of goodies for is annual Halloween offering. “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiii” is the second “Treehouse of Horror” production this year, after the full-episode parody of Stephen King’s It, called “Not It.” This is not a complaint, season 31 carved out a very welcome Thanksgiving of Horror, and as Matt Selman asked us, “Who doesn’t want more candy?” The biggest treat is the segments err on the side of frightening, but the trick is most of them involve some kind of book.
The Pookadook
The first page jumps right up at you, as does Marge and Maggie, who recognizes the malevolently inviting finger from Jennifer Kent’s 2014 popup-book horror flick The Babadook. Confined to the familiar household on Evergreen Terrace, the atmosphere does the source material justice.
The Simpsons Season 34 Episode 6
Double-dipping on the darkest of chocolate, The Simpsons season 34 presents a mixed bag of goodies for is annual Halloween offering. “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiii” is the second “Treehouse of Horror” production this year, after the full-episode parody of Stephen King’s It, called “Not It.” This is not a complaint, season 31 carved out a very welcome Thanksgiving of Horror, and as Matt Selman asked us, “Who doesn’t want more candy?” The biggest treat is the segments err on the side of frightening, but the trick is most of them involve some kind of book.
The Pookadook
The first page jumps right up at you, as does Marge and Maggie, who recognizes the malevolently inviting finger from Jennifer Kent’s 2014 popup-book horror flick The Babadook. Confined to the familiar household on Evergreen Terrace, the atmosphere does the source material justice.
- 10/31/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The Simpsons are tossing something extra in trick or treat bags this year. The show will present audiences with two nightmarish “Treehouse of Horror” installments. One of which features an iconic figure of Halloween: Krusty the Clown from Springfield, USA, stepping in for Stephen King’s Pennywise the Clown from Derry, Maine. Fans have been rendering both masters of disaster laughter in homemade art, and the Fox animated series decided to supply them with a receptacle.
“For one of our two Halloween episodes this year, we’re holding a Simpsons Halloween Fan Art Contest to get some great homemade drawings of scary Krusty,” The Simpsons‘ showrunner Matt Selman tells Den of Geek. “We’ll put the winners under the end credits of ‘Not It,’ our parody of… well, you know.”
Viewers are encouraged to send Krusty the Clown fan art for a chance to have their work aired during...
“For one of our two Halloween episodes this year, we’re holding a Simpsons Halloween Fan Art Contest to get some great homemade drawings of scary Krusty,” The Simpsons‘ showrunner Matt Selman tells Den of Geek. “We’ll put the winners under the end credits of ‘Not It,’ our parody of… well, you know.”
Viewers are encouraged to send Krusty the Clown fan art for a chance to have their work aired during...
- 10/3/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
“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
The annual "Treehouse of Horror" episode of "The Simpsons" is going to Stephen King country for its latest installment. /Film is on the ground at D23 Expo today with all the latest news from Disney, and that includes a panel on the long-running animated Fox sitcom. The team behind "The Simpsons" already shared a sneak peek of "Treehouse of Horror Xxxiv" at Comic-Con earlier this year, but now they've shared more details on the always-anticipated seasonal offering, including the fact that Krusty the Clown will be playing a familiar villainous clown.
The show will do not one but two Halloween episodes with four segments total, including a full-length parody of King's horror classic "It." Executive producer Matt Selman explained the idea for the first episode to the crowd at D23, saying, "Everyone loves Halloween so we thought we'd just do a terrific three-part Treehouse of Horror with three segments." Selman...
The show will do not one but two Halloween episodes with four segments total, including a full-length parody of King's horror classic "It." Executive producer Matt Selman explained the idea for the first episode to the crowd at D23, saying, "Everyone loves Halloween so we thought we'd just do a terrific three-part Treehouse of Horror with three segments." Selman...
- 9/9/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
One of the benefits of writing an animated sitcom like "The Simpsons" is that the characters don't age. And one of the downsides is ... the characters don't age. On one hand, the show hasn't had to struggle through many major status quo changes, like the kids going to college or grandpa passing away. But on the other hand, this also means the show has inevitably started running out of fresh storylines; it's been thirty-three years and Bart and Lisa are still going through the same elementary schoolkid problems, and Maggie's still forbidden from having her own compelling storylines on account of her age.
Classic live-action sitcom storylines, like the kids learning how to drive or having their first real relationship, are only possible in occasional one-off episodes taking place in the "Simpsons" future. We may get occasional glimpses of the family at later stages of their lives, but never anything longer than 22 minutes.
Classic live-action sitcom storylines, like the kids learning how to drive or having their first real relationship, are only possible in occasional one-off episodes taking place in the "Simpsons" future. We may get occasional glimpses of the family at later stages of their lives, but never anything longer than 22 minutes.
- 8/18/2022
- by Michael Boyle
- 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
For a series like The Simpsons, which has been running for 33 seasons, it’s a difficult task to keep the series fresh and feeling new. That’s a task that writer, executive producer and showrunner Matt Selman says is the “greatest creative challenge” for the writing team. Even after more than three decades on television, Selman is excited for the next season and gives a tease for what is coming next. The series is Emmy-nominated this year for Outstanding Animated Program, bringing the total nominations in the The Simpson‘s lifetime to 98, with 35 wins. He talked with Deadline’s Ryan Fleming about that and much more.
Deadline: Why was “Pixelated and Afraid” chosen for Emmy consideration?
Matt Selman: We’ve done more than 700 episodes of the show, but I feel like this one showed a new depth and a new intimacy to the classic Homer and Marge love story.
Deadline: Why was “Pixelated and Afraid” chosen for Emmy consideration?
Matt Selman: We’ve done more than 700 episodes of the show, but I feel like this one showed a new depth and a new intimacy to the classic Homer and Marge love story.
- 8/9/2022
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
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
“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
Alf Clausen, the longtime “Simpsons” composer who was fired in 2017, has dropped his wrongful termination lawsuit, in which he accused Fox of age and disability discrimination.
Clausen, 80, filed the suit in August 2019, alleging that Fox and Gracie Films had fired him because of his age and Parkinson’s diagnosis. Clausen worked on the show for 27 years, and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards.
In August 2020, a judge dismissed part of the suit, ruling that Clausen had not shown enough evidence of age discrimination, but could proceed with his disability discrimination claim, among others. Fox appealed that ruling, arguing that the entire lawsuit should have been dismissed, and the case was argued in December.
Clausen’s attorney, Ebby Bakhtiar, told Variety that the justices appeared likely to rule against him. Rather than wait for the ruling — which could have exposed Clausen to the risk of having to pay Fox’s attorneys’ fees...
Clausen, 80, filed the suit in August 2019, alleging that Fox and Gracie Films had fired him because of his age and Parkinson’s diagnosis. Clausen worked on the show for 27 years, and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards.
In August 2020, a judge dismissed part of the suit, ruling that Clausen had not shown enough evidence of age discrimination, but could proceed with his disability discrimination claim, among others. Fox appealed that ruling, arguing that the entire lawsuit should have been dismissed, and the case was argued in December.
Clausen’s attorney, Ebby Bakhtiar, told Variety that the justices appeared likely to rule against him. Rather than wait for the ruling — which could have exposed Clausen to the risk of having to pay Fox’s attorneys’ fees...
- 1/25/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.
The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 8
The Simpsons season 33 episode 8, “Portrait of a Lackey on Fire,” is a celebration of the long-running series’ most closeted icon. For years, Waylon Smithers did time as an all-too-standard bearer of hidden identity in a workplace where labels stick with the half-lives of atomic residue. The innuendo-laden repartee with his boss, Mr. Burns, includes some of the cleverest writing of the series. In earlier seasons, Smithers’ personal life barely intruded into the office, unless you had to get past his network firewall to see his introductory screensaver. Here he is gifted with the most fashionable accessory, a fully realized episode.
The story opens on the Burns estate. We see his mansion and his hounds’ McMansion, and learn of his new litter of priceless Louis Dobermann puppies, apparently descended from Karl Friedrich himself. Smithers trains the puppies to be to be...
The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 8
The Simpsons season 33 episode 8, “Portrait of a Lackey on Fire,” is a celebration of the long-running series’ most closeted icon. For years, Waylon Smithers did time as an all-too-standard bearer of hidden identity in a workplace where labels stick with the half-lives of atomic residue. The innuendo-laden repartee with his boss, Mr. Burns, includes some of the cleverest writing of the series. In earlier seasons, Smithers’ personal life barely intruded into the office, unless you had to get past his network firewall to see his introductory screensaver. Here he is gifted with the most fashionable accessory, a fully realized episode.
The story opens on the Burns estate. We see his mansion and his hounds’ McMansion, and learn of his new litter of priceless Louis Dobermann puppies, apparently descended from Karl Friedrich himself. Smithers trains the puppies to be to be...
- 11/22/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Tudum, meet Tud’oh! “The Simpsons” has gone “Simpflix” with the two-part episode “A Serious Flanders,” which executive producer Matt Selman calls a “dark, twisted ‘Fargo’ story.” Variety has an exclusive on the trailer that writer Cesar Mazariegos cut for the event; scroll down to watch.
According to Selman, “A Serious Flanders” was inspired by the TV adaptation of “Fargo,” which he finally caught up on. That, and the continued rise of prestige premium drama on cable and streaming, let to the idea of how “The Simpsons” might parody the space.
Mazariegos wrote the two-parter, which even relies on guest voices from that world: “Succession” star Brian Cox guest stars in “A Serious Flanders,” along with Cristin Milioti (“Fargo”), Timothy Olyphant (“Deadwood”), Chris O’Dowd (“Get Shorty”) and Jessica Paré (“Mad Men”).
“We wanted to do all the tricks that these cool streaming shows get to do: Flashbacks, crazy time jumps,...
According to Selman, “A Serious Flanders” was inspired by the TV adaptation of “Fargo,” which he finally caught up on. That, and the continued rise of prestige premium drama on cable and streaming, let to the idea of how “The Simpsons” might parody the space.
Mazariegos wrote the two-parter, which even relies on guest voices from that world: “Succession” star Brian Cox guest stars in “A Serious Flanders,” along with Cristin Milioti (“Fargo”), Timothy Olyphant (“Deadwood”), Chris O’Dowd (“Get Shorty”) and Jessica Paré (“Mad Men”).
“We wanted to do all the tricks that these cool streaming shows get to do: Flashbacks, crazy time jumps,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ has announced that its next Simpsons short, “The Simpsons in Plusaversary,” will premiere on the streamer on Disney+ Day, which this year will take place on Friday, November 12.
In the new short, The Simpsons host a Disney+ Day party and everyone is on the list… except Homer. With friends from across the service and music fit for a Disney princess, Plusaversary is Springfield’s event of the year.
Disney+ Day is a global celebration of all things Disney, which will offer up new content releases, fan experiences, exclusive offers and more across The Walt Disney Company.
“The Simpsons in Plusaversary” is the third in a series of Simpsons shorts from Disney+, highlighting the streamer’s marquee brands and titles. The animated short most recently released by the service was “The Good, The Bart, and The Loki”, a Marvel-themed piece featuring Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief, Loki, which debuted in July.
In the new short, The Simpsons host a Disney+ Day party and everyone is on the list… except Homer. With friends from across the service and music fit for a Disney princess, Plusaversary is Springfield’s event of the year.
Disney+ Day is a global celebration of all things Disney, which will offer up new content releases, fan experiences, exclusive offers and more across The Walt Disney Company.
“The Simpsons in Plusaversary” is the third in a series of Simpsons shorts from Disney+, highlighting the streamer’s marquee brands and titles. The animated short most recently released by the service was “The Good, The Bart, and The Loki”, a Marvel-themed piece featuring Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief, Loki, which debuted in July.
- 11/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When former “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” writer Elisabeth Kiernan Averick joined the staff of “The Simpsons” a few years ago, she knew eventually she’d be called upon to write a musical episode. That episode is Sunday’s Season 33 premiere, “Star of the Backstage,” in which Marge stages a revival of her high school musical, “Y2K: The Millennium Bug.”
At first, Marge fondly remembers serving as the show’s stage manager back then. But when she decides to embark on a high school reunion of the cast and revive “Y2K,” she soon realizes that those rosy memories didn’t align with reality — that she was treated as a bit of an outcast, both back then and now. That’s when she starts to imagine what it would be like in the spotlight as a star performer. For those fantasy sequences, Kristen Bell provides Marge’s singing voice. (Scroll down to watch an exclusive clip.
At first, Marge fondly remembers serving as the show’s stage manager back then. But when she decides to embark on a high school reunion of the cast and revive “Y2K,” she soon realizes that those rosy memories didn’t align with reality — that she was treated as a bit of an outcast, both back then and now. That’s when she starts to imagine what it would be like in the spotlight as a star performer. For those fantasy sequences, Kristen Bell provides Marge’s singing voice. (Scroll down to watch an exclusive clip.
- 9/24/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Start the overture: For Season 33, Fox’s animated sitcom The Simpsons is staging its first Broadway-style all-musical episode with seven songs, plus reprises! And blue-haired matriarch Marge is leading the charge. In the installment, titled “The Star of the Backstage,” Marge relives her high school stage manager gig by reviving the Rent-inspired Y2K: The Millennium Bug, a musical taking place on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Executive producer Matt Selman calls it, “an end-of-the-world musical… [and] a funny little cultural flashback.” But it doesn’t all go well for stage manager (or should we say “mom-ager”) Marge. “She’s nostalgic for a time when she was more than a mom,” Selman notes. “And then, in restaging the show, she realizes, ‘Oh god, I was the [theater group’s] mom.’ Which to me, that’s the special emotional weirdness, true, sad, real thing, that is the ...
- 9/20/2021
- TV Insider
Season 33 of “The Simpsons” will kick off in a musical fashion with a little help from “Frozen” star Kristen Bell, the long-running show’s producers revealed on Saturday.
During the Comic-Con panel “The Simpsons Season 33 and Beyond,” executive producer Matt Selman teased what fans can expect from the Season 33 premiere, which airs on Sept. 26. The musical episode, titled “The Star of the Backstage,” will feature all original songs with Bell as Marge’s singing voice.
“The premiere this year is the most musical episode we’ve ever done – almost wall-to-wall music,” Selman said. “It’s like a Broadway musical of an episode, with all original songs, and we’ve got Kristen Bell playing the role of Marge’s singing voice. We all love Marge’s voice, but this is the singing voice that’s different, let’s just say.”
The panel also shared a sketch of one of the scenes from the episode,...
During the Comic-Con panel “The Simpsons Season 33 and Beyond,” executive producer Matt Selman teased what fans can expect from the Season 33 premiere, which airs on Sept. 26. The musical episode, titled “The Star of the Backstage,” will feature all original songs with Bell as Marge’s singing voice.
“The premiere this year is the most musical episode we’ve ever done – almost wall-to-wall music,” Selman said. “It’s like a Broadway musical of an episode, with all original songs, and we’ve got Kristen Bell playing the role of Marge’s singing voice. We all love Marge’s voice, but this is the singing voice that’s different, let’s just say.”
The panel also shared a sketch of one of the scenes from the episode,...
- 7/24/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Creatives behind The Simpsons shared new details about Season 33 on Saturday, revealing that it will feature a musical premiere, an expanded “Treehouse of Horror” episode and more.
During a Comic-Con@Home panel teasing the new season, executive producer Matt Selman described premiere episode “The Star of the Backstage” as the “most musical episode we’ve ever done”—”like a Broadway musical of an episode with wall to wall music.”
The season’s first episode will feature an assortment of original songs. Actress Kristen Bell (Frozen) will handle singing for Marge, the Simpsons matriarch played by Julie Kavner.
EP Al Jean later announced that this year’s “Treehouse of Horror Xxxii” episode will feature five segments, rather than the traditional set of three, presenting one of the five to the virtual Comic-Con audience.
He subsequently touched on two other upcoming episodes. One may see romance come to stick in the life...
During a Comic-Con@Home panel teasing the new season, executive producer Matt Selman described premiere episode “The Star of the Backstage” as the “most musical episode we’ve ever done”—”like a Broadway musical of an episode with wall to wall music.”
The season’s first episode will feature an assortment of original songs. Actress Kristen Bell (Frozen) will handle singing for Marge, the Simpsons matriarch played by Julie Kavner.
EP Al Jean later announced that this year’s “Treehouse of Horror Xxxii” episode will feature five segments, rather than the traditional set of three, presenting one of the five to the virtual Comic-Con audience.
He subsequently touched on two other upcoming episodes. One may see romance come to stick in the life...
- 7/24/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
This summer’s San Diego Comic-Con once again invites fans to sit on their couches and enjoy the pop culture extravaganza from the safety of their homes. There is one difference from last year’s virtual event, however: It will be an abbreviated one, taking place over three days, from Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25 — but there are still a bevy of TV show panels on the lineup, which will be streaming for free via YouTube.
Note: Yes, there will again be a DC Fandome virtual event this year (on Oct. 16), where in 2020 shows such as The Flash, Titans, Batwoman...
Note: Yes, there will again be a DC Fandome virtual event this year (on Oct. 16), where in 2020 shows such as The Flash, Titans, Batwoman...
- 7/9/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
While San Diego Comic-Con announced that they will return in-person with a “special gathering” on Thanksgiving weekend, the main summer convention will take place online for the second year in a row due to health and safety precautions connected to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, studios are still planning on creating an enjoyable virtual experience for fans while teasing what’s to come in future seasons of their hit television series. For your convenience, Variety has compiled a master list of all the details pertaining the pop culture convention set for July 23-25. Attendees will be able to watch all of the panels for free.
As of press time, some of the below panels don’t yet have scheduled dates and times to be posted online, so check back here, as we will update this post with that information, as well as more panels, as they get announced.
Duncanville (July 23 at 3 p.
As of press time, some of the below panels don’t yet have scheduled dates and times to be posted online, so check back here, as we will update this post with that information, as well as more panels, as they get announced.
Duncanville (July 23 at 3 p.
- 7/1/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Television will produce eight virtual panels for Comic Con@Home 2021, being held online from Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25. The virtual presentation marks the second straight year the show will be held virtually, as per pandemic protocols. Among the planned Disney panel highlights: The stars and creators of two animated series, the musical Central Park and The Great North, both marking their Comic-Con debuts; The 20th anniversary of Family Guy will feature the cast and producers in a virtual trivia night; The new Disney+ series The Mysterious Benedict Society will be discussed by the cast and creative team; Animated comedies American Dad!, Bob’s Burgers, Duncanville and The Simpsons will present never-before-seen content.
Disney stars participating in the virtual panels include MaameYaa Baofo, H. Jon Benjamin, Alex Borstein, Tituss Burgess, Ty Burrell, Will Forte, Josh Gad, Seth Green, Scott Grimes, Tony Hale, Ryan Hurst, Mila Kunis, Yassir Lester, Riki Lindhome,...
Disney stars participating in the virtual panels include MaameYaa Baofo, H. Jon Benjamin, Alex Borstein, Tituss Burgess, Ty Burrell, Will Forte, Josh Gad, Seth Green, Scott Grimes, Tony Hale, Ryan Hurst, Mila Kunis, Yassir Lester, Riki Lindhome,...
- 7/1/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before: Benedict Cumberbatch guest stars as a moody 80s-era UK crooner who becomes Lisa’s imaginary friend on this Sunday’s episode of “The Simpsons.” Variety has a first look at this Fauxissey as he gives his take on the citizens of Springfield; scroll down to watch.
In the episode “Panic on the Streets of Springfield,” Cumberbatch plays “Quilloughby,” described as Lisa’s “new imaginary friend — a depressed British singer from the 1980s.” Also in the episode, “Homer becomes a truck guy in the all.” Helping write music for the episode: “Flight of the Conchords'” Bret McKenzie.
Of course, it doesn’t take much to realize “Quilloughby” looks, sounds and acts like noted moody vegan Morrissey.
“I grew up as a moody kid obsessed with catchy-yet-depressing indy music from England, so this show was sort of a natural for me,...
In the episode “Panic on the Streets of Springfield,” Cumberbatch plays “Quilloughby,” described as Lisa’s “new imaginary friend — a depressed British singer from the 1980s.” Also in the episode, “Homer becomes a truck guy in the all.” Helping write music for the episode: “Flight of the Conchords'” Bret McKenzie.
Of course, it doesn’t take much to realize “Quilloughby” looks, sounds and acts like noted moody vegan Morrissey.
“I grew up as a moody kid obsessed with catchy-yet-depressing indy music from England, so this show was sort of a natural for me,...
- 4/16/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Simpsons animator, character layout artist and assistant director Edwin E. Aguilar died in Los Angeles on Saturday, two days after having a stroke. He was 46.
While the news of Aguilar’s passing was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, it was also noted on Sunday by The Simpsons executive producer, Matt Selman. “We @TheSimpsons family are mourning the loss of animator Edwin Aguilar,” he tweeted, “a talented artist and beloved fountain of love and inspiration to all.”
Reportedly, Aguilar’s health had been on the decline for years, given his struggle with diabetes and heart issues. Several years ago, the artist had a stroke, from which he recovered.
Born in the San Miguel region of El Salvador in 1974, Aguilar gravitated toward comic strips at an early age. At age 9, he fled his native country—which was in the midst of a civil war—alongside his brother, to avoid being...
While the news of Aguilar’s passing was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, it was also noted on Sunday by The Simpsons executive producer, Matt Selman. “We @TheSimpsons family are mourning the loss of animator Edwin Aguilar,” he tweeted, “a talented artist and beloved fountain of love and inspiration to all.”
Reportedly, Aguilar’s health had been on the decline for years, given his struggle with diabetes and heart issues. Several years ago, the artist had a stroke, from which he recovered.
Born in the San Miguel region of El Salvador in 1974, Aguilar gravitated toward comic strips at an early age. At age 9, he fled his native country—which was in the midst of a civil war—alongside his brother, to avoid being...
- 4/14/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Edwin Aguilar, who spent more than two decades serving as an animator and assistant director on The Simpsons, has died. He was 46.
Aguilar died Saturday in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a stroke, according to a recent post on a GoFundMe page that had been set up to help his family with medical expenses.
On Twitter, Simpsons producer Matt Selman called Aguilar “a talented artist and beloved fountain of love and inspiration to all.”
Born in El Salvador, Aguilar immigrated to the U.S. with one of his brothers in 1982 to join other family members in Los Angeles, and ...
Aguilar died Saturday in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a stroke, according to a recent post on a GoFundMe page that had been set up to help his family with medical expenses.
On Twitter, Simpsons producer Matt Selman called Aguilar “a talented artist and beloved fountain of love and inspiration to all.”
Born in El Salvador, Aguilar immigrated to the U.S. with one of his brothers in 1982 to join other family members in Los Angeles, and ...
- 4/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.