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.
For a series to be on the air for more than 25 years and accumulate over 150 episodes, it must have something special. It can’t just be that it had three or four good seasons: it must have something even today that makes its fans keep coming back and even casual viewers remain interested in it. It must have magic. Character. A special interest. Because nothing survives that long without knowing how to renew itself and maintain a minimum level of quality. And certainly, that is the case with Futurama. Premiered in 1999 on the Fox network, this sitcom follows Philip J. Fry, […]
For a series to be on air for more than 25 years and accumulate over 150 episodes, it must have something special. It can’t just be that it had three or four good seasons: it must have something even today that makes its fans keep coming back and even casual viewers remain interested in it. It must have magic. Character. A special interest. Because nothing survives that long without knowing how to renew itself and maintain a minimum level of quality. And certainly, that is the case with Futurama.
Premiering in 1999 on the Fox network, this sitcom follows Philip J. Fry, a good-for-nothing from the 20th century, who is cryogenically frozen on New Year’s Eve of 1999 to wake up on December 31, 2999. After an exemplary first episode that would not remotely prepare us for what was to come, he would end up working at Planet Express, an interstellar package delivery company along with Bender, an alcoholic robot, and Leela, a mutant with one eye.
The series originated in the minds of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. The former, creator of The Simpsons, needs no introduction. Cohen, for his part, was a writer for Beavis and Butt-Head and The Simpsons, being the co-creator of the series along with Groening. A detail that many fans tend to overlook.
With four absolutely stellar seasons, the series came to an end with a bittersweet tone: it seemed there was still much to tell, and fans believed so. After a series of films of uneven quality, the series was rescued with three more seasons on Comedy Central in 2008 after a five-year hiatus, two of which were split into two parts. Although Futurama still had appeal, it was no longer the same: from the fifth to the seventh season, or from the fifth to the ninth season depending on whom you ask, the series no longer had the same charm. Suffering from The Simpsons Syndrome. It continues and continues, but it doesn’t seem to really be able to reach the level of its original seasons.
Unless something changed in 2023. After another break, this time of ten years, the series returned with Hulu. And as in the case of The Simpsons with its last three or four seasons, something had changed. It still doesn’t live up to its original seasons, but it feels fresh again and much more focused. With a sharper humor, less focused on topics with an expiration date in our society in a poor copy of South Park, and concentrating on character development. Something that the newly released thirteenth season, or tenth depending on how you look at it, is no exception.
Knowing how to adapt to the present
Focusing more on character development, what happened in previous seasons and creating a more evident continuity, like in the early seasons, do not abandon self-contained episodes or those with a specific theme, but they are better integrated. Giving them a greater sense of cohesion.
With more weight on secondary characters that normally haven’t had it, like Doctor Zoidberg, and focusing on what has been the epicenter of the Futurama narrative for almost two decades, the romance between Leela and Fry, the season may suffer from having all its episodes released at once. Futurama, like The Simpsons, benefits from watching episodes multiple times and savoring them, rather than watching episodes in rapid succession without meaning. That said, the possibility of rewatching the episodes a second or third time is always there, something that seems to particularly benefit this new season.
Because there must be something about water when it is blessed. Something that Futurama is no exception to. That’s why this thirteenth season wants to show that the series created by Groening and Cohen is still in as good shape as ever, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of its original seasons. A level that, surely, is impossible to reach again.
The Simpsons, one of the most iconic and longest-running television series in the West, continues to be a reference in popular culture. Since its debut in 1989, the misadventures of the yellow family have captured the imagination of millions around the world. While many fans argue that the quality of the series has declined since its early seasons, recent statements from creator Matt Groening suggest that the show will remain on the air for a good while. Multiply by zero! In an interview at the San Diego Comic-Con, Groening stated that the series has no […]
The Simpsons, one of the most iconic and longest-running television series in the West, continues to be a reference in popular culture. Since its debut in 1989, the misadventures of the yellow family have captured the imagination of millions around the world. While many fans argue that the quality of the series has declined since its early seasons, recent statements from creator Matt Groening suggest that the show will remain on the air for a good while.
Multiply by zero!
In an interview at the San Diego Comic-Con, Groening stated that the series does not have a defined ending and will continue as long as one of the main voice actors is active. “No, there is no end in sight. We will keep going. We will keep going until someone dies”, he commented. This statement, although somewhat grim, reflects the longevity and continuity that Groening envisions for one of the longest-running shows in television history.
Groening emphasized that as long as one of the cast’s pillars is present, the series will have the ability to produce future content without issues. According to the animator, “The Simpsons predict that there will be dancing in the streets. Except that President Vance will ban dancing“, reinforcing the idea that the series will continue to address socially and politically relevant themes, just as it has traditionally done.
Although there have been criticisms regarding the quality of the most recent episodes, The Simpsons continues to demonstrate its profitability, maintaining a large audience every weekend. With a loyal fan base and countless episodes already aired, it is clear that the most famous family on television is not ready to say goodbye.
Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, recently reflected on the history of the iconic series during his appearance at the Annecy Festival, the most important animation event in the world. Groening began his television adventure with no prior experience, relying on his work with the comic strip Life in Hell. In the beginning, he thought that the segment he was commissioned for The Tracey Ullman Show would be fleeting and little remembered. However, the success of Bart Simpson was unexpected, leading to the production of a series that now has nearly 800 episodes to […]
Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, recently reflected on the history of the iconic series during his appearance at the Annecy Festival, the most important animation event in the world. Groening began his television adventure with no prior experience, relying on his work with the comic strip Life in Hell. In the beginning, he thought that the segment he was commissioned for The Tracey Ullman Show would be fleeting and little remembered. However, the success of Bart Simpson was unexpected, leading to the production of a series that now has nearly 800 episodes over 36 years.
It is reflected in the character of Milhouse
In his talk, Groening shared details about the creation of the characters, revealing that many of their names are tributes to his own family, such as Homer and Margaret, his parents, and Lisa and Maggie, his sisters. The creator even made a humorous comment about his own role in the series, stating: “I am Milhouse,” in a joke about his identification with the character.
As the series continues its journey, with four more seasons secured on Fox, Groening has found new motivation in surprising himself and the audience. “We don’t think about being responsible. Our main motivation is to surprise ourselves,” he explained. In this vein, he made predictions that mix humor and satire, such as that the Statue of Liberty would be returned to France when the word “freedom” is forgotten in America, or that electric cars will use a source of energy driven by hatred towards Elon Musk.
In addition, he gave advice to the younger animators present: creativity and the ability to surprise should be the foundation on which the animation of the future is built. Groening, on the verge of turning 71, continues to set the standard with his innovative vision of animation.
