In a surprising turn for fans of The Simpsons, the iconic couch gag, which has accompanied the series since its debut in 1989, will begin to disappear in some future episodes. Matt Selman, the showrunner of the long-running series, has confirmed that this decision aims to prioritize narrative over the comedic gags that have defined the show. During a recent podcast, Selman expressed: I wish we had time to include a funny couch gag in every episode, but I’m not going to cut the story to do it. I want to tell the best story possible, and for that we need twenty minutes and […]
In a surprising turn for fans of The Simpsons, the iconic couch gag, which has accompanied the series since its debut in 1989, will begin to disappear in some future episodes. Matt Selman, the showrunner of the long-running series, has confirmed that this decision aims to prioritize storytelling over the comedic gags that have defined the show. During a recent podcast, Selman expressed: OI wish we had time to include a funny couch gag in every episode, but I’m not going to cut the story to do it. I want to tell the best story possible, and for that, we need twenty minutes and forty seconds.
Some of them are true audiovisual gems
This change has sparked criticism among veteran fans, who watch with frustration as iconic moments of the series fade away. Many believe that the couch gag is an essential part of the experience of The Simpsons, and its absence could affect the emotional connection viewers have with the series. The popularity of the Skip Intro button on platforms like Netflix has contributed to this phenomenon, as it has reduced the number of viewers who witness the initial gag, leading creators to rethink its inclusion.
In addition to considering narrative factors, Selman has mentioned that decisions also respond to budgetary issues. The prioritization of episode quality means that resources allocated to the production of the couch gag will be redirected towards improving the overall content. While this approach is designed to enrich the viewer’s experience in the long term, it is still painful for those who have grown up with the antics of the Simpson family.
Selman’s move reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry, where audiences are increasingly seeking more impactful stories at the expense of traditional gags. While the creative position can be understood, the question remains: are we ready to say goodbye to one of the most beloved traditions of The Simpsons?
Nancy Cartwright, the renowned voice actress who has brought Bart Simpson to life since the premiere of the iconic series The Simpsons in 1989, has shared her concerns about the future of her profession in light of the advancement of artificial intelligence. In a recent statement, Cartwright expressed her skepticism about whether technology can or should replace human voice actors. Despite advancements in artificial intelligence and generative voice systems, the actress remains firm in her belief that no algorithm can match the authenticity and emotion that the […]
In a recent statement, Cartwright expressed her skepticism about whether technology can or should replace human voice actors. Despite advancements in artificial intelligence and generative voice systems, the actress remains firm in her belief that no algorithm can match the authenticity and emotion that human performers bring to their characters.
Multiply by zero, AI
Throughout more than 800 episodes of The Simpsons, Cartwright has left an indelible mark on pop culture through her portrayal of Bart, an icon that has influenced generations. However, in the current era, where artificial intelligence is infiltrating various industries, the possibility of her work being replaced by technology raises concerns.
The actress stated, “I do not wish to be replaced by AI in the future when I decide to retire”, reflecting not only her love for her profession but also a critical view on the impact that automation can have on creative careers.
Although technology is advancing rapidly and generative voices have already begun to be implemented in various applications, Cartwright continues to advocate for the relevance and importance of the human factor in the art of voice acting. In this way, her perspective not only invites reflection but also opens a debate about the future of the voices that have defined beloved characters in the history of animation.
In a significant twist for the most iconic animated series on television, Duffman, the well-known spokesperson for Duff beer, has announced his definitive retirement in the episode titled Seperance, a play on words that parodies the Apple TV+ production, Severance. This announcement marks the end of nearly three decades of performances as the characteristic Duffman, the beloved character voiced by Hank Azaria, who has highlighted the physical challenges of the role due to its explosive nature and intense vocal requirements. The drama came to The Simpsons during the episode, Barry, the man behind the Duffman costume, […]
In a significant turn for the most iconic animated series on television, Duffman, the well-known spokesperson for Duff beer, has announced his definitive retirement in the episode titled Seperance, a play on words that parodies the Apple TV+ production, Severance. This announcement marks the end of nearly three decades of performances as the characteristic Duffman, the beloved character voiced by Hank Azaria, who has highlighted the physical challenges of the role due to its explosive nature and intense vocal requirements.
The drama came to The Simpsons
During the episode, Barry, the man behind the Duffman disguise, informed the Simpson family that the corporation has decided to retire the character forever.Duff has permanently removed that figure, he explained, noting that traditional forms of advertising, such as corporate representatives and jingles, no longer resonate with new generations.
This retirement occurs in a context of changes within the series, which has also seen the departure of other characters, such as Alice Glick, after 34 years on screen. These farewells have led some fans to speculate about a possible conclusion to the series, which has been on the air for almost 40 years. It seems that the narrative of The Simpsons is preparing for more drastic and emotional twists in its story.
Despite these changes, the series plans to release a second movie in September 2027, so this twist does not seem to be related to the end of the series.
In a recent episode of The Simpsons, titled The Fall Guy-Yi-Yi!, the character Pepi, the “younger brother” of Homer Simpson, made his unexpected reappearance after more than 30 years of absence. This character, who debuted in the fourth season during the episode Brother from the Same Planet, was briefly presented in the twelfth episode of season 37, highlighting the special attention directed towards the Latino community in the series. D’oh! The plot of the episode centers on the Bee Man, thus presenting a marked focus on Mexico. In an initial sequence, various iconic Latino figures are shown from […]
In a recent episode of The Simpsons, titled The Fall Guy-Yi-Yi!, the character Pepi, the “younger brother” of Homer Simpson, made his unexpected reappearance after more than 30 years of absence. This character, who debuted in the fourth season during the episode Brother from the Same Planet, was briefly featured in the twelfth episode of season 37, highlighting the special attention directed towards the Latino community in the series.
D’oh!
The plot of the episode centers around the Bee Man, thus presenting a marked focus on Mexico. In an initial sequence, various iconic Latin figures from Matt Groening’s production are shown, including characters like Dr. Nick Riviera and Mr. Ding Dong, as well as Pepi, who is part of this representation, although his participation is fleeting.
The appearance of Pepi has been used by the writers to highlight the scarcity of Mexican characters in the series over the years, reflecting a critique that has been relevant in the discussion about diversity in entertainment. This return, although brief, marks a step towards inclusion, raising concerns about the future of the character, as it is rumored that this could be his last appearance, which would make it a definitive farewell after three decades.
Fans will remember that Pepi, in his debut, was used by Homer as a way to provoke jealousy in Bart, which resulted in comedic situations that marked the collective memory of the audience. However, the reflection on the Latin representation in the series opens an important debate about the evolution of The Simpsons in the current socio-cultural context.
The animated series ‘The Simpsons’ has lost another of its iconic characters. Alice Glick, the organist of Reverend Lovejoy’s church, has been confirmed as definitively deceased by executive producer Tim Long. The news comes after the airing of the episode on November 16, which specifically focused on her death and how her inheritance will be used to fund a new music program at Springfield Elementary. The scene that you surely remember While the name Alice Glick may not be widely known, her role as an organist has been […]
The animated series ‘The Simpsons’ has lost another of its iconic characters. Alice Glick, the organist of Reverend Lovejoy’s church, has been confirmed as definitively deceased by executive producer Tim Long. The news comes after the airing of the episode on November 16, which specifically focused on her death and how her inheritance will be used to fund a new music program at Springfield Elementary School.
The scene you surely remember
While the name Alice Glick may not be widely known, her role as an organist has been a benchmark in several episodes throughout the 37 seasons of the series. Her most memorable appearance probably came in season 7, when Bart convinced her to play a version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the iconic song by Iron Butterfly. Despite being announced as dead in season 22, Alice had found a way to return multiple times, either as a ghost or as a physical character. This situation had raised doubts among fans regarding the permanence of her death.
Long emphasized that, although Alice Glick’s music will endure, the character is, in fact, dead and buried. This change coincides with the recent showrunner transition in the series, after 25 years under the direction of Al Jean.
Many speculate that this decision may be aligned with the new creative direction that seeks to offer a fresh and definitive approach to the series’ narrative. The conclusion that Alice has officially ceased to exist represents a significant measure in the context of the long-standing story of ‘The Simpsons’, which has constantly explored the dynamics of life and death through its characteristic satirical humor.
The Simpsons have released the first short of a series of four dedicated to the crossover with Fortnite, available on Disney Plus. This event coincides with the transformation of the Fortnite island into Springfield Island, where iconic locations such as Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, and the Power Plant have been incorporated, offering fans the opportunity to explore a new facet of the Simpsons universe. More lore than many plots of The Simpsons The first short, titled Apocalypse D’oh, features the iconic characters Kang and Kodos facing off against some of the heroes of Fortnite, such as […]
The Simpsons have released the first short of a series of four dedicated to the crossover with Fortnite, available on Disney Plus. This event coincides with the transformation of the Fortnite island into Springfield Island, where iconic locations such as Moe’s Tavern, Krusty Burger, and the Power Plant have been incorporated, giving fans the opportunity to explore a new facet of the Simpsons universe.
More lore than many plots of The Simpsons
The first short, titled Apocalypse D’oh, features the iconic characters Kang and Kodos facing off against some of the heroes from Fortnite, such as Jonesy, Hope, and Fishstick, who, true to his name, is turned into actual fishsticks during the narrative. The story unfolds after an incident inside a wormhole involving a fragment of a Zero Point Shard, referencing previous crossover events, including those from Marvel.
These narrative shorts will be released weekly every Monday throughout November, where more details will be revealed about how The Simpsons were introduced into this world full of Battles and Victories. Additionally, the crossover includes a classic couch gag from the series, where the Fortnite character, Peely, is transformed into a banana split, adding a dose of characteristic humor.
The narrative of Apocalypse D’oh also offers meta commentary on the crossing of realities, mentioning other crossover events from Fortnite, such as collaborations with DC and Star Wars. This creative approach not only entertains but also reflects the evolving nature of entertainment through bold and original collaborations.
This crossover between The Simpsons and Fortnite reinforces the legacy of both franchises as leaders in entertainment, promising new experiences for fans of both communities. For more information about the event and other releases, you can check the season guide of The Simpsons in Fortnite.
The most anticipated live event of Fortnite, which will mark the end of Season 4 of Chapter 6, will take place on November 1 at 11 AM ET. Players should be prepared to log in early, as long wait times are expected due to high demand. This event will not only conclude the story of the current season, which included the invasion of bugs and collaborations with figures like Doja Cat and Jason Voorhees, but it will also introduce a new themed season inspired by The Simpsons. The Simpsons in Fortnite: one of the signs […]
The most anticipated live event of Fortnite, which will mark the end of Season 4 of Chapter 6, will take place on November 1 at 11 AM ET. Players should be prepared to log in early, as long wait times are expected due to high demand. This event will not only conclude the story of the current season, which included the invasion of bugs and collaborations with figures like Doja Cat and Jason Voorhees, but it will also introduce a new season themed around The Simpsons.
The Simpsons in Fortnite: one of the signs of the apocalypse
After this event, Fortnite will be disconnected for approximately five hours to implement the new update, with a scheduled start at 5 PM ET. The transition promises to take players to a world of Springfield, where iconic characters like Kang and Kodos will join the battle. Epic Games has been releasing promotional content that includes “Simpsonized” versions of game characters, intensifying the anticipation surrounding this collaboration.
Participants in the event are expected to receive rewards, with a glider of Kang and Kodos as a possible free item for those who log in during the event. In addition, there will be a themed battle pass for The Simpsons and an extensive map modification is anticipated, although specific details about these changes have not yet been revealed.
As the players prepare for the event, anticipation grows. This is not just a milestone in the history of Fortnite, but also a reminder of how Epic Games continues to innovate and expand the universe of its popular game. The collaboration with The Simpsons is an addition that diversifies the player experience and promises entertaining challenges and content in the new chapter of the game.
On March 23, 2001, The Simpsons had just premiered the episode “Hasta Lueguito, Cerebrito,” from season 12. It may not be one of the most remembered in the history of the series, and one could even argue that its golden age had already ended, but if you see a drawing of Francine, the school bully, you will still remember her. There was still a long way to go before the series fell into absolute disgrace and was forced to rise with meta references and millennial comedy. And it was that day, at the height of its fame, with the episodes watched by […]
On March 23, 2001, The Simpsons had just premiered the episode “So Long, Sucker,” from season 12. It may not be one of the most remembered in the history of the series, and one could even argue that its golden age had already ended, but if you see a drawing of Francine, the school bully, you will still remember her. There was still a long way to go before the series fell into absolute disgrace and was forced to rise with meta references and millennial comedy. And it was that day, at the height of its fame, with episodes watched by almost twenty million Americans each week, when they really messed up by creating a hellish abomination that many remember as the lowest point in the history of the series: The Simpsons Wrestling.
Multiply by zero, PS1!
It’s not that all the Simpsons video games had been good up to that point, far from it: most were little more than a disaster, boring platforms with not much to contribute to the genre or generic beat’em’ups (with the exception of their first and fabulous title). Why wouldn’t they try to stir the hornet’s nest and have the world’s favorite yellow family fight each other? When The Simpsons Wrestling was released, the audience couldn’t believe it: every decision that had been made was wrong. The animations were cheap, the fights simplistic, the humor didn’t work, and overall, it felt like something easy created by a producer who had never seen the show. But, surprisingly, that wasn’t the case… And its story makes it very clear what happened to fall so low.
At Big Ape Productions, they already had experience with PS1, and they had more than enough capability to make a good wrestling game and a Simpsons game. In fact, their initial idea was much clearer: they wanted to bring together a group of celebrities to fight each other, but they ended up thinking “Hey, why not include The Simpsons, since we have the franchise?”. It was, immediately, their worst mistake.
To begin with, due to their strange decision to limit it to PS1 when PS2 and Dreamcast were already on the market: the explanation given by the producers is that these two consoles still had a small player base, and the marketing department thought that The Simpsons Wrestling would mainly be played by children, so they stuck with PS1, since PS2 had an audience that was primarily older. Apparently, the show’s writers did not receive the report.
Because yes, The Simpsons Wrestling used both the writers and the original voices of the series, who were supposed to say four little jokes without major consequences. However, according to those involved in this disaster, what they ended up doing was totally inappropriate not only for a video game but also for a television show. Moreover, they have hinted that if they had recorded and included those jokes in the game, they would have faced legal, marketing, and even public issues due to several offensive jokes. In reality, it is just a testament to how poorly everything was managed.
Because alongside the creative freedom of the screenwriters was the imposition of the executives, who kept demanding absolute nonsense. For example, upon seeing the character selection screen, where they would stick to the screen and throw indirect insults and jabs, someone decided it was a better idea to simply replace it with static 2D images that didn’t speak. Spoiler: it wasn’t a better idea, and the final result was, at the very least, strange and reminiscent of an earlier time.
In total, there were 18 playable characters, some of them in pairs: besides the family (Maggie fought alongside Marge), we had Krusty, Barney, Apu, Willie, Bumblebee Man, Scratchy, Itchy, Moe, Ned Flanders, Frink, Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Kang alongside Kodos. When Fox saw the Alpha version, they were shocked and forced a complete overhaul of the game because they couldn’t allow the characters to attack each other. For example, isn’t it curious that Maggie is the only family member who doesn’t fight for herself? The reason should be obvious.
In the end, the game lacks enough wrestling and The Simpsons, and it received criticism from all sides. It’s not surprising: just before the release, they were forced to go back to the drawing board and erase entire screens that took place at school for fear of being associated… with the Columbine massacre. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. No one came away very happy from the experience, but undeniably, The Simpsons Wrestling was a real hit and sold hundreds of thousands of units worldwide. However, if a remake or a sequel has never been made, there’s a reason: indeed, the idea was anything but good, and the quality of the project could only have worked once, and purely by chance. In other words: it ended up multiplying by zero.
By the time the second Simpsons movie hits theaters, the series will already be gearing up for its 40th season. And during that time, they have had the infinite luck that none of their four main voice actors (Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, and Nancy Cartwright) have suffered any accidents that would prevent them from continuing to make the show. In fact, it is highly likely that all four will return for this movie sequel, which many hope will be a turning point for the series, perhaps introducing new voice actors: all are of retirement age and there is no […]
By the time the second Simpsons movie hits theaters, the series will already be gearing up for its 40th season. And during that time, they have been incredibly lucky that none of their four main voice actors (Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, and Nancy Cartwright) have suffered any accidents that would prevent them from continuing to make the show.
In fact, it is highly likely that all four will return for this cinematic sequel, which many hope will be a turning point for the series, perhaps introducing new voice actors: they are all of an age to retire and one doesn’t need a keen ear to notice that their tones are different. The characters have grown and aged because their voice actors have as well. Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns, is already 81 years old! At some point, a turning point has to be made, right?
Game with my peach tree
But perhaps everything would have changed if the first Simpsons movie had come out when they had it in mind, back in 1992. At that time, the yellow family was at the peak of its fame and Bart, who was then the voice of a teenage Generation X, was giving way in the series to the absolute prominence of Homer, who has never left that place since. Then, Fox started to pressure: we need to take advantage because no one knows how long this adventure will last, when will the transition to film happen?
Matt Groening and his writers weren’t quite sure what to do with this request, so they ignored it and moved on until James L. Brooks, the producer, saw one of the last episodes produced in season 3 (which premiered as the first of season 4), Kampamento Krusty, and insisted that the script could be used to make the long-awaited movie. It just needed a few jokes added here and there, and to be stretched a little bit. The regular collaborators of the series didn’t see it as clearly as Brooks, of course.
The reality was that the script didn’t even make it to the usual 22 minutes. In fact, to be able to air it, they had to add verses to the famous song that the kids sing, because they didn’t reach the minimum. And that wasn’t the only problem: they needed the episode to air it as the first of the fourth season or, otherwise, they would have to delay the premiere by a week: “First, if we turn it into a movie, we don’t have a premiere, and second, if we can’t stretch it to 18 minutes, how are we supposed to make 80?”, the then-writer Al Jean told Brooks. And it worked: the idea was immediately dismissed.
Later, The Simpsons tried again with a parody of Fantasia, the Walt Disney movie, but Simpstasia, no matter how excited Groening was about the idea, did not come to fruition. In fact, The Simpsons: The Movie was supposed to have many musical numbers, but they were progressively and sadly eliminated. Another idea was to make a live-action version of the life of Troy McClure, but the death of his voice actor, Phil Hartman, ended that before it even had a script.
We also know that one of the unused scripts for the movie ended up becoming the episode of season 17 “The Manatee’s Bonfire” (which, by the way, is terrible), in addition to exploring the return of Hank Scorpio or a kind of parody of “The Truman Show” (which more or less also ended up on television). As their iconic song said, The Simpsons will never end. The question is, seeing all the terrible fates they managed to skirt in 2007, whether they will still have a grip on the viewers or, deep down, we are all a bit tired of the immortal series.
If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, hold on to your seat, because after a long wait, the release of a new movie featuring the iconic yellow family has been confirmed. This second feature film in the saga will be released on July 23, 2027, following the popularity of the first movie that premiered in July 2007. The first installment was a resounding success, grossing 74 million dollars in its opening weekend at the box office. Will Spider-Pig make a comeback? This new Simpsons film will take a date that has become available after the announcement of a […]
If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, hold on to your seat, because after a long wait, a new movie featuring the iconic yellow family has been confirmed. This second feature film in the saga will be released on July 23, 2027, following the popularity of the first movie that premiered in July 2007. The first installment was a resounding success, grossing 74 million dollars in its opening weekend at the box office.
Will Spider-Pig make a comeback?
This new Simpsons film will take a date that has become available following the announcement of a Marvel movie, which opens an interesting window for the return of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie to the big screen. This move could suggest that Disney, which now owns the rights to The Simpsons, is looking to strengthen its family entertainment offerings at a time when the film market is becoming increasingly competitive.
The first movie not only stood out for its box office success, but it also managed to capture the attention of critics and fans alike, further solidifying the legacy of The Simpsons as a cultural phenomenon. As the release date approaches, details about the plot and cast remain shrouded in mystery. However, the fact that there is a new movie on the way undoubtedly generates expectations among the show’s followers and animation film lovers.
As more details about the production emerge, fans are expected to stay updated on the news and rumors that may arise, anticipating that this release will be a tribute to both the longtime followers of the series and the new generations who have discovered the universe of Springfield. Undoubtedly, the return of The Simpsons to theaters promises to be one of the most anticipated cinematic events of 2027. And it’s no wonder!
