Groundskeeper Willie, the aggressively Scottish handyman who works for Springfield Elementary School on "The Simpsons," first appeared in the episode "Principal Charming", the one where Principal Skinner (Harry Shearer) attempted to seduce and marry Aunt Patty (Julie Kavner). Skinner and Patty bond over their mutual grumpiness, as he is a stern taskmaster with his students and she is a general misanthrope. Groundskeeper Willie doesn't play a major part in the story, except when Bart (Nancy Cartwright) breaks into his supply shed to steal grass killer. Skinner will pull a similar prank later in the episode. Willie has two lines in the episode: "You'll be back" and "I told you you'd be back."
Groundskeeper Willie (Dan Castellaneta) went on to appear in at least 53 additional episodes of the series, a number that will only continue to grow. He has been greased up by Lunchlady Doris (Doris Grau), fallen in love with his tractor,...
Groundskeeper Willie (Dan Castellaneta) went on to appear in at least 53 additional episodes of the series, a number that will only continue to grow. He has been greased up by Lunchlady Doris (Doris Grau), fallen in love with his tractor,...
- 5/5/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"The Simpsons" is a show home to innumerable colorful characters, including two space aliens named Kang and Kodos. How do aliens fit into the world of Springfield? Out of canon, of course! Created by Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky, the alien characters made their debut on the Halloween episode "Treehouse of Horror," and have appeared in every "Treehouse of Horror" episode since (with one exception: "Treehouse of Horror Xxi").
These episodes are understood to take place outside of the standard "Simpsons" continuity, which means aliens can pop up and have no effect on the show's "normal" world. While Kang and Kodos mostly get cameo appearances, they occasionally get their own major "Treehouse of Horror" plotlines, like the time they famously switched places with then-presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Bob Dole for "Treehouse of Horror VII." This is the episode that gave us the now-famous line, "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
These episodes are understood to take place outside of the standard "Simpsons" continuity, which means aliens can pop up and have no effect on the show's "normal" world. While Kang and Kodos mostly get cameo appearances, they occasionally get their own major "Treehouse of Horror" plotlines, like the time they famously switched places with then-presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Bob Dole for "Treehouse of Horror VII." This is the episode that gave us the now-famous line, "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
- 4/27/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
"The Simpsons," now in its 500th season (okay, it's actually in season 35, but who's counting?) recently made headlines by killing off a character who has been with the show since the beginning. It's not the first time the classic animated sitcom has bumped off a character — Maude Flanders famously died, as did Bart's teacher Mrs. Krabappel, and both instances left poor Ned Flanders a widower. Bleeding Gums Murphy's death sent Lisa Simpson into depression. Dr. Marvin Monroe was said to have died, only to then return. Then, of course, there's the unfortunate Frank Grimes, who died after grabbing some electrical wiring in one of the show's most infamous (and best) episodes. In short, death is nothing new to Springfield — especially when you consider how long "The Simpsons" has been on the air. The characters may not exactly age, but time marches on.
However, this recent character death seems to be getting to people.
However, this recent character death seems to be getting to people.
- 4/27/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Itchy and Scratchy are responsible for some of the most memorable episodes of "The Simpsons." Every fan will fondly remember "The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show" or Marge's crusade against the ultra-violent kids' cartoon in "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge." Indeed, "The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show" landed at number five on /Film's ranking of the best episodes of "The Simpsons," with "Itchy and Scratchy Land" coming in at number 15.
Clearly, then, "Itchy and Scratchy" was more than a parody of "Tom & Jerry"-style cartoons. Though the central joke was as simple as "What if Tom & Jerry was super violent," the show-within-a-show was often used as a way to extend the cultural satire that was so integral to "The Simpsons." Plus, as legendary writer John Schwartzwelder once told The New Yorker, it allowed the writers a break from the rules of the show overall:
"We could show...
Clearly, then, "Itchy and Scratchy" was more than a parody of "Tom & Jerry"-style cartoons. Though the central joke was as simple as "What if Tom & Jerry was super violent," the show-within-a-show was often used as a way to extend the cultural satire that was so integral to "The Simpsons." Plus, as legendary writer John Schwartzwelder once told The New Yorker, it allowed the writers a break from the rules of the show overall:
"We could show...
- 4/26/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Each channel covering the draft will focus on different aspects of player development, and fans can choose the coverage style that suits them best.
The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan will see more than 250 college football players realize their dream of playing on the biggest stage in the world. All 32 NFL teams will walk away from this weekend with a new infusion of talent, and fans can watch it all live on their choice of network. ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network will each cover each of the draft’s seven rounds this year, and each will cover draft prospects from their own unique perspective. Fans can pick and choose which network will offer them the coverage they want, and The Streamable will let you know what you’ll see on each channel and how to stream the draft on each.
ESPN will focus on a player’s on-field achievements when...
The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan will see more than 250 college football players realize their dream of playing on the biggest stage in the world. All 32 NFL teams will walk away from this weekend with a new infusion of talent, and fans can watch it all live on their choice of network. ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network will each cover each of the draft’s seven rounds this year, and each will cover draft prospects from their own unique perspective. Fans can pick and choose which network will offer them the coverage they want, and The Streamable will let you know what you’ll see on each channel and how to stream the draft on each.
ESPN will focus on a player’s on-field achievements when...
- 4/23/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
When we think of fully realized fictional worlds, we tend to think of fantastical genre places like Middle-earth or the "Star Wars" universe. These are settings with intricate history and mythology; places not of our world.
One location we don't normally consider to be as intricate is Springfield. Plenty of sitcoms have fleshed-out worlds with characters the audience gets to know and care for over time, but few shows have as intricate a world with as much detail as "The Simpsons."
Sure, Springfield doesn't have fantasy elements or mythological creatures (most of the time), and it doesn't need them. This is as thoroughly constructed and fleshed out a world as "Dune," or Discworld, with its own unique history of deception, an abundance of colorful side characters like the enigmatic Dr. Marvin Monroe, a corrupt system of power, unique institutions, and more.
Before you light up your torches, think about how much we know about Springfield.
One location we don't normally consider to be as intricate is Springfield. Plenty of sitcoms have fleshed-out worlds with characters the audience gets to know and care for over time, but few shows have as intricate a world with as much detail as "The Simpsons."
Sure, Springfield doesn't have fantasy elements or mythological creatures (most of the time), and it doesn't need them. This is as thoroughly constructed and fleshed out a world as "Dune," or Discworld, with its own unique history of deception, an abundance of colorful side characters like the enigmatic Dr. Marvin Monroe, a corrupt system of power, unique institutions, and more.
Before you light up your torches, think about how much we know about Springfield.
- 4/20/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
"The Simpsons" is arguably the best American TV show of all time, a long-running masterpiece of the medium that has forever changed TV and animation. Part of why the series has managed to remain popular after so many decades and even have a resurgence in quality recently is the show's characters and world. Springfield feels very much like a real, breathing place full of memorable individuals. Indeed, there are so many noteworthy personalities on the show that we once ranked the best one-off "Simpsons" characters and still had to ignore dozens of them. The series can even support episodes where the main cast is nowhere to be seen and they still end up being some of the best "Simpsons" episodes ever.
Among the many excellent and memorable characters that populate Springfield is Bumblebee Man. While he may appear to be little more than another racially insensitive caricature like Apu on the surface,...
Among the many excellent and memorable characters that populate Springfield is Bumblebee Man. While he may appear to be little more than another racially insensitive caricature like Apu on the surface,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
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
Dr. Julius Hibbert first appeared on "The Simpsons" in the episode "Bart the Daredevil". In that particular episode, Bart (Nancy Cartwright) was toying with the idea of being an Evel Knieval-type stunt performer, aiming to leap over Springfield Gorge on a skateboard. As a warning, Bart was taken to see Dr. Hibbert who took the boy to a special wing of Springfield hospital. In it were nothing but children who had injured themselves after imitating stunts they saw on TV. "I won't even subject you to the horrors of our Three Stooges ward," Dr. Hibbert gravely intones.
From 1990 through 2021, Dr. Hibbert was played by Harry Shearer. When viewers became sensitive to how many white actors have played animated Black characters throughout the history of animation, Shearer stepped aside and Kevin Michael Richardson took over the role.
Dr. Hibbert was kindly, bemused, but possessed of a strangely cold bedside manner. When Bart comes to see Dr.
From 1990 through 2021, Dr. Hibbert was played by Harry Shearer. When viewers became sensitive to how many white actors have played animated Black characters throughout the history of animation, Shearer stepped aside and Kevin Michael Richardson took over the role.
Dr. Hibbert was kindly, bemused, but possessed of a strangely cold bedside manner. When Bart comes to see Dr.
- 4/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Do you like the Stonecutters song? How about "See My Vest"? Were you impressed when Bart Simpson and Michael Jackson sang a birthday song to Lisa? How do you feel about the celebrity-laced barn-burner "We're Sending Out Love Down the Well"? Do you like the stage musicals of "Checking In," or "Stop the Planet of the Apes! I Want to Get Off!"? I'm personally fond of the song about Spirngfield's brothel, "Spring in Springfield," a throwback to bawdy farces of the 1930s. And who could forget when Lyle Lanley led the entire town in a musical number about a monorail? Or when Homer, Apu, Seymour Skinner, and Barney formed a barbershop quartet to perform "Baby on Board"?
Point being "The Simpsons" has featured many, many original songs in its 850-year tenure on television, and that doesn't even count the hit record "The Simpsons Sing the Blues" from 1990. Many of the...
Point being "The Simpsons" has featured many, many original songs in its 850-year tenure on television, and that doesn't even count the hit record "The Simpsons Sing the Blues" from 1990. Many of the...
- 3/31/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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
"What state is Springfield in?" is a question almost every "The Simpsons" fan has asked, desperate to bring the characters a bit closer to reality. It's also a question with no answer (unlike the recently-answered question of how Homer Simpson keeps his job).
The book "The Springfield Confidential" -- an inside look at "The Simpsons" by former showrunner Mike Reiss (with help from Mathew Klickstein) -- explains the origin of Springfield's name. Creator Matt Groening chose it because it was such a common and generic name for American towns. Springfield was also the name of the town in the 1950s sitcom "Father Knows Best," which likewise treated its setting as "Anytown, USA."
"I was thrilled because I imagined that [Springfield in 'Father Knows Best'] was the town next to Portland, [Oregon], my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name," Groening recounted.
Aside from Oregon, here are some other notable Springfields in the United States.
The book "The Springfield Confidential" -- an inside look at "The Simpsons" by former showrunner Mike Reiss (with help from Mathew Klickstein) -- explains the origin of Springfield's name. Creator Matt Groening chose it because it was such a common and generic name for American towns. Springfield was also the name of the town in the 1950s sitcom "Father Knows Best," which likewise treated its setting as "Anytown, USA."
"I was thrilled because I imagined that [Springfield in 'Father Knows Best'] was the town next to Portland, [Oregon], my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name," Groening recounted.
Aside from Oregon, here are some other notable Springfields in the United States.
- 3/24/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Season 1 of "The Simpsons" is a whole different beast. You've got brown Mr. Smithers, character designs out of a Dr. Seuss book, and Homer inexplicably sounding like Walter Matthau. It's a charming affair, but it also hasn't yet turned into "The Simpsons" we've come to know and love.
What complicates the first season even more is the way that Fox aired certain episodes out of order. This was famously a much bigger problem with the classic era of "Futurama," but it also led to some inconsistencies in early "Simpsons." While the animation, character designs, and voices were all slowly evolving in the right direction throughout the first three seasons, the out-of-order episodes meant the show would sometimes take a seemingly random, large step back in animation quality. A case in point was the season 1 finale, "Some Enchanted Evening," which inexplicably looked closer to the old bumpers on "The Tracey Ullman Show...
What complicates the first season even more is the way that Fox aired certain episodes out of order. This was famously a much bigger problem with the classic era of "Futurama," but it also led to some inconsistencies in early "Simpsons." While the animation, character designs, and voices were all slowly evolving in the right direction throughout the first three seasons, the out-of-order episodes meant the show would sometimes take a seemingly random, large step back in animation quality. A case in point was the season 1 finale, "Some Enchanted Evening," which inexplicably looked closer to the old bumpers on "The Tracey Ullman Show...
- 3/23/2024
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
The character of Dr. Marvin Monroe (Harry Shearer) first appeared in the "The Simpsons" episode "There's No Disgrace Like Home". He would show up during the show's early seasons when Homer (Dan Castellaneta) was preoccupied with his family's perceived normal-ness. Homer looked at his home and saw the suburban ideals of a nuclear family slowly exploding. To combat this, Homer pawned the family TV -- an object he saw as problematic anyway -- and bought therapy sessions with Dr. Marvin Monroe, a family psychiatrist who promised "family bliss or double your money back." It seems the Simpsons were so dysfunctional that even Dr. Monroe couldn't cure them (a shock therapy session goes horribly awry).
Dr. Monroe typically appeared whenever "The Simpsons" required the word of a psychiatric specialist to aid in plot points. He was one of the show's many regular supporting characters, relegated to the background. However, the character...
Dr. Monroe typically appeared whenever "The Simpsons" required the word of a psychiatric specialist to aid in plot points. He was one of the show's many regular supporting characters, relegated to the background. However, the character...
- 3/17/2024
- 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
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
Antonia Eugenia Vardalos, better known as Nia Vardalos, is a Canadian-born actress, producer, screenwriter and director. She is best known for her captivating role as Toula Portokalos in the popular comedy/romance My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a performance for which she received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Nia Vardalos Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education
Vardalos was born on September 24, 1962 (Nia Vardalos age: 60) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She was born to Greek-Canadian parents. Her father, Constantine Vardalos, was a land developer who originated from Kalavryta, Greece. Her mother, Doreen Christakos, worked as a bookkeeper and homemaker.
For her educational years, Vardalos studied at St. George School, as well as Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg. Additionally, Vardalos attended Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto,...
Nia Vardalos Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education
Vardalos was born on September 24, 1962 (Nia Vardalos age: 60) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She was born to Greek-Canadian parents. Her father, Constantine Vardalos, was a land developer who originated from Kalavryta, Greece. Her mother, Doreen Christakos, worked as a bookkeeper and homemaker.
For her educational years, Vardalos studied at St. George School, as well as Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg. Additionally, Vardalos attended Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Trevor Hanuka
- Uinterview
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
Updated with network’s statement: NewsNation responded to Deadline’s inquiry about the criticism of a running “Oxygen Counter” the network displayed onscreen yesterday while covering the unfolding tragedy of the sub that went missing near the Titanic wreck.
According to a NewsNation spokesperson:
The oxygen levels on the Titan submersible have always been an essential and important part of this story. Multiple media outlets have published or aired stories tracking the remaining oxygen on the Titan as the search continued. In fact, it would be irresponsible not to include this information in the story of the rescue effort.
Previously: Some watching NewsNation’s coverage yesterday of the OceanGate submarine that went missing while seeking to explore the wreck of the Titanic were surprised by a certain aspect of the broadcast.
No, it wasn’t Ashley Banfield’s investigation into whether a giant squid “attacked” the submersible. Rather, it was...
According to a NewsNation spokesperson:
The oxygen levels on the Titan submersible have always been an essential and important part of this story. Multiple media outlets have published or aired stories tracking the remaining oxygen on the Titan as the search continued. In fact, it would be irresponsible not to include this information in the story of the rescue effort.
Previously: Some watching NewsNation’s coverage yesterday of the OceanGate submarine that went missing while seeking to explore the wreck of the Titanic were surprised by a certain aspect of the broadcast.
No, it wasn’t Ashley Banfield’s investigation into whether a giant squid “attacked” the submersible. Rather, it was...
- 6/22/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Titanic filmmaker James Cameron spoke out Thursday about the loss of the Titan submarine that had dived to explore the historic shipwreck.
“Many people in the [deep-submergence engineering] community were very concerned about this sub, and a number of you know of the top players in the community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and needed to be certified and so on,” he told ABC News in an exclusive interview. “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result.”
Cameron added: “And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site, with all the diving that...
“Many people in the [deep-submergence engineering] community were very concerned about this sub, and a number of you know of the top players in the community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and needed to be certified and so on,” he told ABC News in an exclusive interview. “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result.”
Cameron added: “And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site, with all the diving that...
- 6/22/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with latest: The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed at a news conference today that “a debris field was discovered within the search area by an Rov near the Titanic” is, in fact, from the Titan submersible. The five people aboard are feared dead after what one official termed as a debris field consistent with a “catastrophic implosion.”
The Coast Guard briefing was led by Rear Adm. John Mauger, who offered his deepest condolences to the families. Mauger also offered the following details: The first piece of wreckage identified was the tail cone of the Titan. It was discovered 1600 feet from the bow of the titanic. The Rov subsequently found the front end barrel of the pressure hull.
“The debris is consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,” he added.
Multiple media outlets received a statement from OceanGate, the company which operated the sub, that read in part, “We now...
The Coast Guard briefing was led by Rear Adm. John Mauger, who offered his deepest condolences to the families. Mauger also offered the following details: The first piece of wreckage identified was the tail cone of the Titan. It was discovered 1600 feet from the bow of the titanic. The Rov subsequently found the front end barrel of the pressure hull.
“The debris is consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,” he added.
Multiple media outlets received a statement from OceanGate, the company which operated the sub, that read in part, “We now...
- 6/22/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The search for the OceanGate submarine is nearing a critical stage with the submersible’s oxygen supply due to expire this morning.
The Titan sub went missing hours after setting off for the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Canada earlier this week. Rescue teams using high-tech robotic equipment have been desperately searching for the five crew members on board the sub, which can provide about 96 hours of oxygen.
The possibility exists the crew have been conserving energy and noises have been detected deep underwater but so far the sub has not been located. It’s believed oxygen onboard will last until about 7am Et/4am Pt, though sea captains have said the projected supply could last longer.
Related: ‘The Simpsons’ Writer And Former Showrunner Mike Reiss Talks About His Trips On The Missing Titanic Submarine
This morning, the president of the Explorers Club, an international organization involved in scientific...
The Titan sub went missing hours after setting off for the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Canada earlier this week. Rescue teams using high-tech robotic equipment have been desperately searching for the five crew members on board the sub, which can provide about 96 hours of oxygen.
The possibility exists the crew have been conserving energy and noises have been detected deep underwater but so far the sub has not been located. It’s believed oxygen onboard will last until about 7am Et/4am Pt, though sea captains have said the projected supply could last longer.
Related: ‘The Simpsons’ Writer And Former Showrunner Mike Reiss Talks About His Trips On The Missing Titanic Submarine
This morning, the president of the Explorers Club, an international organization involved in scientific...
- 6/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, June 22 (Ians) Writer and former showrunner on the popular sitcom ‘The Simpsons’ Mike Reiss says he’s “not optimistic” about a rescue of the missing submarine that was exploring the Titanic wreckage.
He has an informed opinion – it’s a vehicle he has taken several trips on prior to this incident, reports deadline.com.
The submersible ‘Titan’ vehicle has been missing since June 18 in the North Atlantic, with five people on board.
“I know the logistics of it and I know how vast the ocean is and how very tiny this craft is,” he told BBC Breakfast on June 19.
“If it’s down at the bottom, I don’t know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up,” he said.
Reiss has gone on three different dives with OceanGate Expeditions, the company which owns Titan, and that they “almost always...
He has an informed opinion – it’s a vehicle he has taken several trips on prior to this incident, reports deadline.com.
The submersible ‘Titan’ vehicle has been missing since June 18 in the North Atlantic, with five people on board.
“I know the logistics of it and I know how vast the ocean is and how very tiny this craft is,” he told BBC Breakfast on June 19.
“If it’s down at the bottom, I don’t know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up,” he said.
Reiss has gone on three different dives with OceanGate Expeditions, the company which owns Titan, and that they “almost always...
- 6/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mike Reiss, a writer and former showrunner on The Simpsons, admits he’s “not optimistic” about a rescue of the missing submarine that was exploring the Titanic wreckage. He has an informed opinion – it’s a vehicle he has taken several trips on prior to this incident.
The submersible Titan vehicle has been missing since June 18 in the North Atlantic, with five people on board.
“I know the logistics of it and I know how vast the ocean is and how very tiny this craft is,” he told BBC Breakfast on June 19.
“If it’s down at the bottom, I don’t know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up,” he said.
Reiss has gone on three different dives with OceanGate Expeditions, the company which owns Titan, and that they “almost always lost communication.”
“I got on the sub and at...
The submersible Titan vehicle has been missing since June 18 in the North Atlantic, with five people on board.
“I know the logistics of it and I know how vast the ocean is and how very tiny this craft is,” he told BBC Breakfast on June 19.
“If it’s down at the bottom, I don’t know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up,” he said.
Reiss has gone on three different dives with OceanGate Expeditions, the company which owns Titan, and that they “almost always lost communication.”
“I got on the sub and at...
- 6/22/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Mike Reiss, a writer for “The Simpsons,” had “constant trepidation” when he took a dive on OceanGate’s now-missing Titan sub 11 months ago.
“I kissed my wife goodbye, thinking that was the last time I might ever see her,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday as the rescue efforts continued for the five people aboard the Titan. Like every other passenger, he signed a waiver that this voyage in an uncertified vessel could end in death.
However, he found the sub’s simple design “reassuring” and admitted to falling asleep during the two-and-a-half-hour dive, even though he was “constantly knowing this could be the end.”
Watch the video above. Tapper’s interview begins 3:15 into the clip.
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Joy Behar Laments ‘Sad’ Irony of Lost Submersible: ‘Titanic Itself Went Down’ Due to ‘Incompetence and Stupidity’ (Video)
OceanGate lost contact on Sunday and has not...
“I kissed my wife goodbye, thinking that was the last time I might ever see her,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday as the rescue efforts continued for the five people aboard the Titan. Like every other passenger, he signed a waiver that this voyage in an uncertified vessel could end in death.
However, he found the sub’s simple design “reassuring” and admitted to falling asleep during the two-and-a-half-hour dive, even though he was “constantly knowing this could be the end.”
Watch the video above. Tapper’s interview begins 3:15 into the clip.
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Joy Behar Laments ‘Sad’ Irony of Lost Submersible: ‘Titanic Itself Went Down’ Due to ‘Incompetence and Stupidity’ (Video)
OceanGate lost contact on Sunday and has not...
- 6/22/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
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
After Johnny Carson ended his 30-year run and retired from The Tonight Show, he was asked to lend his voice to the animated classic The Simpsons. But the original idea for his part didn’t exactly suit him.
Depicting him as himself, writers wrote him to be a “bad brother-in-law” -type staying with the Simpsons, lazing around their house in his retirement. He turned that pitch down, but the writers weren’t ready to give up on him. They finally got him to agree to lend his voice when they created something perhaps more suitable.
(L-r) Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson | Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank Why Johnny Carson turned down ‘The Simpsons’
On an episode of The Friars Club Podcast, Mike Reiss, once a showrunner for The Simpsons, spoke about how he wrote for The Tonight Show and “got fired by Johnny Carson, which everybody did.”
As luck would have it,...
Depicting him as himself, writers wrote him to be a “bad brother-in-law” -type staying with the Simpsons, lazing around their house in his retirement. He turned that pitch down, but the writers weren’t ready to give up on him. They finally got him to agree to lend his voice when they created something perhaps more suitable.
(L-r) Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson | Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank Why Johnny Carson turned down ‘The Simpsons’
On an episode of The Friars Club Podcast, Mike Reiss, once a showrunner for The Simpsons, spoke about how he wrote for The Tonight Show and “got fired by Johnny Carson, which everybody did.”
As luck would have it,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Katie Rook
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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
Now that the U.S. edition of The Office ran for nine seasons and remains a binge-watching mainstay, it’s hard to remember viewers were skeptical at first. This was Hollywood trying to redo Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s classic British comedy. The Office creators approved the American version, though, and the U.S. show’s creator Greg Daniels said it was thanks to one of his episodes of The Simpsons.
L-r: John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, and Steve Carell | Chris Haston/NBC/Getty Images
Daniels was on the very first Television Critics Association panel for The Office before it aired in 2005. Prior to The Office, Daniels worked on The Simpsons and created King of the Hill. Daniels shared Gervais’ affinity for one of his Simpsons scripts.
The original ‘The Office’ creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant loved ‘The Simpsons’
When Daniels pitched Gervais and Merchant on adapting The Office,...
L-r: John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, and Steve Carell | Chris Haston/NBC/Getty Images
Daniels was on the very first Television Critics Association panel for The Office before it aired in 2005. Prior to The Office, Daniels worked on The Simpsons and created King of the Hill. Daniels shared Gervais’ affinity for one of his Simpsons scripts.
The original ‘The Office’ creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant loved ‘The Simpsons’
When Daniels pitched Gervais and Merchant on adapting The Office,...
- 2/1/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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
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
A brand new episode of The Simpsons will turn Homer and Marge into anime characters.
Since 1990, the long-running animated sitcom has aired Halloween specials titled “Treehouse of Horror”.
The latest edition will change the format of the series by parodying Death Note, a Japanese anime show based on the manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.
This parody, which makes up just one segment of the anthology episode, will turn Homer and Marge into human characters depicted in the Japanese anime style.
Korean studio Dr Movie animated the segment, which has been teased in new screenshots and will air as part of the full “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiii” episode on Sunday (30 October).
One screenshot also shows off anime Lisa and Bart, who plays the segment’s version of Death Note character Ryuk.
Other segments will homage Jennifer Kent’s horror film The Babadook as well as HBO series Westworld.
Since 1990, the long-running animated sitcom has aired Halloween specials titled “Treehouse of Horror”.
The latest edition will change the format of the series by parodying Death Note, a Japanese anime show based on the manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.
This parody, which makes up just one segment of the anthology episode, will turn Homer and Marge into human characters depicted in the Japanese anime style.
Korean studio Dr Movie animated the segment, which has been teased in new screenshots and will air as part of the full “Treehouse of Horror Xxxiii” episode on Sunday (30 October).
One screenshot also shows off anime Lisa and Bart, who plays the segment’s version of Death Note character Ryuk.
Other segments will homage Jennifer Kent’s horror film The Babadook as well as HBO series Westworld.
- 10/26/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
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
Having run for more than 30 years, "The Simpsons" has seen many writers come and go. One of the most acclaimed was John Swartzwelder, who wrote for the series from its first season to its fifteenth; his final episode was "The Regina Monologues," when the Simpsons family visits England and meets esteemed guest stars like then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and J.K. Rowling.
After leaving "The Simpsons" in 2003 (barring a brief return to help with "The Simpsons Movie" in 2007), Swartzwelder became a novelist. All this time, however, he's remained reclusive. He gave his first interview ever to The New Yorker in 2021. In the interview, Swartzwelder revealed the secret to writing Homer Simpson's character.
How To Write Homer Simpsons
It'd take far too much space to list every classic "Simpsons" episode which Swartzwelder wrote. However, some Homer-centric ones on his resume include "Homer The Vigilante," where Homer leads a task force to...
After leaving "The Simpsons" in 2003 (barring a brief return to help with "The Simpsons Movie" in 2007), Swartzwelder became a novelist. All this time, however, he's remained reclusive. He gave his first interview ever to The New Yorker in 2021. In the interview, Swartzwelder revealed the secret to writing Homer Simpson's character.
How To Write Homer Simpsons
It'd take far too much space to list every classic "Simpsons" episode which Swartzwelder wrote. However, some Homer-centric ones on his resume include "Homer The Vigilante," where Homer leads a task force to...
- 8/13/2022
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Craig Miller will receive the WGA West’s 2020 Animation Writers Caucus Animation Writing Award in recognition of his distinguished career and contributions to the animation field. The award will be presented by his longtime collaborator, comic book writer Marv Wolman, at the Caucus’ virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday.
Miller, who chairs the Caucus, has more than 300 credits to his name, including The Smurfs, Curious George, and Pocket Dragon Adventures.
“In his long distinguished career, Craig has been a tireless advocate for the writers of animation, working diligently to get writers like himself covered under a WGA contract,” the guild said. “The WGA West board of directors is proud and honored to give him this well-deserved award.”
Miller started his career in Hollywood as a publicity executive, working as a consultant to Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Disney and Universal. He worked alongside George Lucas, Jim Henson and numerous others on a long...
Miller, who chairs the Caucus, has more than 300 credits to his name, including The Smurfs, Curious George, and Pocket Dragon Adventures.
“In his long distinguished career, Craig has been a tireless advocate for the writers of animation, working diligently to get writers like himself covered under a WGA contract,” the guild said. “The WGA West board of directors is proud and honored to give him this well-deserved award.”
Miller started his career in Hollywood as a publicity executive, working as a consultant to Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Disney and Universal. He worked alongside George Lucas, Jim Henson and numerous others on a long...
- 11/23/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
“It’s a myth people have that the show took a while to find itself,” reveals Al Jean describing the instantaneous popularity that came to “The Simpsons” in 1989. In our recent interview (watch the exclusive video above) Jean describes the success of the show as coming right off the bat. “It was a smash! I went to Disney World and I had a ‘Simpsons’ jacket on and people were asking if they could buy my jacket. There was never a point where the show wasn’t white hot.”
Jean is the current showrunner for “The Simpsons” and has been there since the first season debuted on Fox. He took on his current responsibilities with his writing partner, Mike Reiss, during the show’s third and fourth seasons. He returned to that position at the beginning of the 13th hit season in 2001, without Reiss, and has been in the position ever since.
Jean is the current showrunner for “The Simpsons” and has been there since the first season debuted on Fox. He took on his current responsibilities with his writing partner, Mike Reiss, during the show’s third and fourth seasons. He returned to that position at the beginning of the 13th hit season in 2001, without Reiss, and has been in the position ever since.
- 8/23/2018
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Don’t hold your breath waiting for “The Simpsons” to ditch Apu.
“The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening came to quick defense of the beloved Indian-American cashier, Apu on his long-running animated series, telling reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday that retiring the character (or recasting him) has not come up in conversation with the show’s producers.
“Haven’t talked about it. I’m proud of everything we do on ‘The Simpsons.’ But I’m here to talk about ‘Disenchantment,'” Groening said, sidestepping the issue.
Also Read: Everyone Made the Same 'Simpsons' Joke About Trump's Russia Walkback: 'Oh, You Were Saying Boo-urns'
Yes, Groening was on hand to discuss his new animated show for Netflix, starring Abbi Jacobson and Eric Andre. Still, the question over the future of Apu has followed Groening in recent months, after filmmaker Hari Kondabolu made “The Problem With Apu,” a...
“The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening came to quick defense of the beloved Indian-American cashier, Apu on his long-running animated series, telling reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday that retiring the character (or recasting him) has not come up in conversation with the show’s producers.
“Haven’t talked about it. I’m proud of everything we do on ‘The Simpsons.’ But I’m here to talk about ‘Disenchantment,'” Groening said, sidestepping the issue.
Also Read: Everyone Made the Same 'Simpsons' Joke About Trump's Russia Walkback: 'Oh, You Were Saying Boo-urns'
Yes, Groening was on hand to discuss his new animated show for Netflix, starring Abbi Jacobson and Eric Andre. Still, the question over the future of Apu has followed Groening in recent months, after filmmaker Hari Kondabolu made “The Problem With Apu,” a...
- 7/29/2018
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Tuesday. (The answer to the second, “What is the best show currently on TV?” can be found at the end of this post.)
This week’s question: What are your winter holiday season viewing habits (that are not for work)? Do you have traditional go-to shows or movies? Are you looking forward to anything in particular?
Eric Deggans (@deggans), NPR
As I have written in the past, I’m not the kind of critic who loves holiday specials. Too often, they’re too hokey, too commercial, too weird (yes, Bill Murray, I still don’t get “A Very Murray Christmas”) or, in the case of countless Hallmark Channel movies, way too white. But I do have a few holiday media traditions, starting with my Spotify Holiday Tunes playlist, which gets fired up as...
This week’s question: What are your winter holiday season viewing habits (that are not for work)? Do you have traditional go-to shows or movies? Are you looking forward to anything in particular?
Eric Deggans (@deggans), NPR
As I have written in the past, I’m not the kind of critic who loves holiday specials. Too often, they’re too hokey, too commercial, too weird (yes, Bill Murray, I still don’t get “A Very Murray Christmas”) or, in the case of countless Hallmark Channel movies, way too white. But I do have a few holiday media traditions, starting with my Spotify Holiday Tunes playlist, which gets fired up as...
- 12/12/2017
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Tom Brady will not be joining his teammates at the White House.
After winning the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots were invited to visit President Donald Trump on Wednesday, but the team's quarterback announced in a statement that he wouldn't be able to make it.
"In light of some recent developments, I am unable to attend today's ceremony, as I am attending to some personal family matters," Brady, 39, shared. "Hopefully, if we accomplish the goal of winning a championship in future years, we will soon be back on the South Lawn again. Have a great day!"
Exclusive: Tom Brady Gushes About Dad Life, Admits He's Wrapped Around Daughter Vivian's Finger
While some of Brady's other teammates -- Devin McCourty, Martellus Bennett, Chris Long, Dont'a Hightower, LeGarrette Blount and Alan Branch -- have said they would not be visiting the White House for political reasons, Brady was adamant that the visit was an honor. "I am so happy...
After winning the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots were invited to visit President Donald Trump on Wednesday, but the team's quarterback announced in a statement that he wouldn't be able to make it.
"In light of some recent developments, I am unable to attend today's ceremony, as I am attending to some personal family matters," Brady, 39, shared. "Hopefully, if we accomplish the goal of winning a championship in future years, we will soon be back on the South Lawn again. Have a great day!"
Exclusive: Tom Brady Gushes About Dad Life, Admits He's Wrapped Around Daughter Vivian's Finger
While some of Brady's other teammates -- Devin McCourty, Martellus Bennett, Chris Long, Dont'a Hightower, LeGarrette Blount and Alan Branch -- have said they would not be visiting the White House for political reasons, Brady was adamant that the visit was an honor. "I am so happy...
- 4/19/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Producer Michel Merkt, Cohen Media Group’s John Kochman and long-time The Simpsons writer-producer Mike Reiss will also attend.
The Doha Film Institute kicked off the third edition of its bespoke event Qumra on Friday bringing together up and coming film-makers and experienced cinema professionals from across the globe.
A total of 34 Dfi-backed projects from 25 countries at different stages of development are due to attend the six-day event featuring master-classes, screenings seminars and one-on-one sessions.
“Our focus remains to cultivate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, creativity and inspiration, and create a supportive and productive space for your projects to benefit from interactions with some of the most experienced industry professionals,” said commented Dfi CEO Fatma Al-Remaihi who welcomed the guests alongside the event’s artistic director Elia Suleiman.
Prolific Portuguese producer Paulo Branco will kick off the master-classes on Saturday (5), having chosen to screen Wim Wenders’s 1994 Lisbon Story as a work representative of his career.
French...
The Doha Film Institute kicked off the third edition of its bespoke event Qumra on Friday bringing together up and coming film-makers and experienced cinema professionals from across the globe.
A total of 34 Dfi-backed projects from 25 countries at different stages of development are due to attend the six-day event featuring master-classes, screenings seminars and one-on-one sessions.
“Our focus remains to cultivate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, creativity and inspiration, and create a supportive and productive space for your projects to benefit from interactions with some of the most experienced industry professionals,” said commented Dfi CEO Fatma Al-Remaihi who welcomed the guests alongside the event’s artistic director Elia Suleiman.
Prolific Portuguese producer Paulo Branco will kick off the master-classes on Saturday (5), having chosen to screen Wim Wenders’s 1994 Lisbon Story as a work representative of his career.
French...
- 3/3/2017
- ScreenDaily
Fox
For a show which was the leading light of Western popular culture for a good six or seven years, The Simpsons’ writing staff and show-running team are, surprisingly, just a bunch of colossal nerds.
Show-runner, writer and producer Mike Reiss only narrowly decided to study English over Mathematics at Harvard, and his pal and fellow show-runner Al Jean was accepted to study maths at the same school when he was just sixteen years old. Meanwhile, writer David S. Cohen and his high school friends invented a whole coding language for the Apple II Plus.
It makes sense, then, that there are loads of scientific, mathematical, and philosophical jokes packed into every nook and cranny of every episode. The Simpsons is the show that The Big Bang Theory desperately wishes it could be, if only it knew how.
Also, you know that old saying about how analysing comedy is like...
For a show which was the leading light of Western popular culture for a good six or seven years, The Simpsons’ writing staff and show-running team are, surprisingly, just a bunch of colossal nerds.
Show-runner, writer and producer Mike Reiss only narrowly decided to study English over Mathematics at Harvard, and his pal and fellow show-runner Al Jean was accepted to study maths at the same school when he was just sixteen years old. Meanwhile, writer David S. Cohen and his high school friends invented a whole coding language for the Apple II Plus.
It makes sense, then, that there are loads of scientific, mathematical, and philosophical jokes packed into every nook and cranny of every episode. The Simpsons is the show that The Big Bang Theory desperately wishes it could be, if only it knew how.
Also, you know that old saying about how analysing comedy is like...
- 10/14/2015
- by Tom Nicholson
- Obsessed with Film
New documentary charts the story of National Lampoon, the magazine that spawned Animal House, Caddyshack and America’s most influential comics
The first time that the Simpsons’ writer, producer and showrunner Mike Reiss read National Lampoon magazine, he had swiped his older brother’s copy of the Lampoon’s Best of #4, which he remembers as a compendium of the greatest bits from the fourth year of the Lampoon’s existence. “That was the best stuff from the best year of probably the best humour magazine ever, and that was the first thing I saw. It hooked me,” said Reiss. “I remember thinking, if I get a lot better or if the magazine gets a lot worse, I bet I can work there.” He achieved his goal, joining the staff of the Lampoon after he graduated from college: “I didn’t get any better, but the magazine did get a lot worse.
The first time that the Simpsons’ writer, producer and showrunner Mike Reiss read National Lampoon magazine, he had swiped his older brother’s copy of the Lampoon’s Best of #4, which he remembers as a compendium of the greatest bits from the fourth year of the Lampoon’s existence. “That was the best stuff from the best year of probably the best humour magazine ever, and that was the first thing I saw. It hooked me,” said Reiss. “I remember thinking, if I get a lot better or if the magazine gets a lot worse, I bet I can work there.” He achieved his goal, joining the staff of the Lampoon after he graduated from college: “I didn’t get any better, but the magazine did get a lot worse.
- 10/8/2015
- by Melissa Locker
- The Guardian - Film News
Sam Simon, a nine-time Emmy winner and one of the co-creators of "The Simpsons," died on Sunday (March 8) after a long battle with colorectal cancer. He was 59. A writer and later showrunner on "Taxi," Simon also produced and wrote for "Cheers." Simon was part of the original team that helped develop "The Simpsons" into a regular-length series after it began its run as shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show." Credited as series co-creator with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, Simon assembled the original team of "Simpsons" writers, a murderers' row that included legendary show scribes including John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky. Simon, and the staff he brought together, has been given much of the credit for helping craft the sensibility of the series, as well as the ever-expanding universe of Springfield. Simon left the show in 1993 and had a wildly eclectic...
- 3/9/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Sam Simon, a comedy writer and producer who co-developed groundbreaking animated sitcom "The Simpsons," has died after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 59.
Among his many career highlights, Simon "served as the showrunner on the sitcom 'Taxi' at the age of 23; wrote for and produced the comedies 'Cheers' and 'The Drew Carey Show'; and created a Fox series for the legendary stand-up comic George Carlin in the mid-1990s," according to The Hollywood Reporter. He most recently worked as a consultant on Charlie Sheen series "Anger Management."
But Simon was best-known for helping shepherd the creation of "The Simpsons," alongside Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. The trio worked together on "The Tracey Ullman Show," on which Bart and co. first got their start, later giving the Simpsons family its own Fox series in 1989.
"The Simpsons" is now the longest-running primetime series in television history.
Among his many career highlights, Simon "served as the showrunner on the sitcom 'Taxi' at the age of 23; wrote for and produced the comedies 'Cheers' and 'The Drew Carey Show'; and created a Fox series for the legendary stand-up comic George Carlin in the mid-1990s," according to The Hollywood Reporter. He most recently worked as a consultant on Charlie Sheen series "Anger Management."
But Simon was best-known for helping shepherd the creation of "The Simpsons," alongside Matt Groening and James L. Brooks. The trio worked together on "The Tracey Ullman Show," on which Bart and co. first got their start, later giving the Simpsons family its own Fox series in 1989.
"The Simpsons" is now the longest-running primetime series in television history.
- 3/9/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Twenty-five years ago today, the world got its first, crudely animated taste of "The Simpsons" with the holiday episode, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire." The show introduced us to the dysfunctional Springfield family, but no one could've guessed that twenty-six seasons and 561 episodes later the program would not only still be on the air but would be known the world over as a television institution that at the the height of its powers spawned hit music videos ("Do The Bartman!"), best-selling soundtrack albums, a sea of merchandising (okay, it still does) and a feature length film. But perhaps it's better to hear the story from the folks who brought the multifarious Springfield milieu to life. To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show, watch the below 80-minute roundtable talk from 2013 featuring Conan O'Brien, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Jay Kogen and Jeff Martin. As diehard fans know, O'Brien led the show's writer's room during what.
- 12/17/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
A holiday hero who dishes out pastrami on rye and calls Santa’s reindeer by Seinfeld character names? Yeah, we can get into that.
NBC on Friday premiered How Murray Saved Christmas, an animated special that follows a grumpy diner owner (voiced by Jerry Stiller, The King of Queens) as he’s pressed into service when Santa is unable to make his annual rounds.
Most of the action takes place in a town where all holiday mascots, such as the Easter Bunny and Baby New Year, live. On the whole, it’s a happy little ‘burg… until you listen closely...
NBC on Friday premiered How Murray Saved Christmas, an animated special that follows a grumpy diner owner (voiced by Jerry Stiller, The King of Queens) as he’s pressed into service when Santa is unable to make his annual rounds.
Most of the action takes place in a town where all holiday mascots, such as the Easter Bunny and Baby New Year, live. On the whole, it’s a happy little ‘burg… until you listen closely...
- 12/6/2014
- TVLine.com
What happens when a Simpsons scribe (Mike Reiss) grabs hold of the reins from Santa’s sleigh? Thanks to NBC, we’re about to find out.
How Murray Saved Christmas, premiering Dec. 5 at 8/7c, tells the story of a disgruntled restauranteur (voiced by Jerry Stiller) who reluctantly embraces the Christmas spirit when he’s forced to take over for Santa Claus — and TVLine has an exclusive clip of Murray’s first bumpy ride through the skies.
Related Jim Parsons Starring in NBC’s Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas
Perhaps the journey would go a little more smoothly if Murray bothered...
How Murray Saved Christmas, premiering Dec. 5 at 8/7c, tells the story of a disgruntled restauranteur (voiced by Jerry Stiller) who reluctantly embraces the Christmas spirit when he’s forced to take over for Santa Claus — and TVLine has an exclusive clip of Murray’s first bumpy ride through the skies.
Related Jim Parsons Starring in NBC’s Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas
Perhaps the journey would go a little more smoothly if Murray bothered...
- 11/21/2014
- TVLine.com
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