I'm sorry It took me a while to get on. I lost my password
I was there at the very beginning and left after a few years thinking... "how long can this go?"
My question makes a nice follow-up: why do you think the series went downhill in general, and do you think they could have done anything differently?
Thanks a lot for doing this! Nothing tops the classic episodes of the Simpsons!
I do not agree it's gone downhill. It has changed but alot has gotten better. The animation is better for one. But anything that exists for 25 years is going to change. Some people hate change. I embrace it (since as a realist I have no choice. )
If you could base an entire episode around one historical figure who would it be and why?
Weird Al Yankovich and I think we did it.
What do you think modern television needs more than anything?
I think modern TV is pretty good. Better than the movies. Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire plus really funny shows like Community and Daily show. I don't think it's ever been better. What we need more of is just people putting their hearts into it. But most of us do.
What's it like seeing Bryan Cranston go from your character, Hal, to Walter? Is that weird for you in any way if you have an attachment to Hal and everything you wrote for him? I assume you're quite happy for Cranston, I'm just curious what it's like to see an actor embody a character you created and then go on to do something so drastically different.
I am thrilled for Bryan!!! I saw Bryan this weekend at the Malcolm reunion party. Bryan was and is an amazing actor. No surprise that he is so great. The only surprise is what took the public so long in recognizing how great he is. He put his heart into every moment of Malcom just like Breaking Bad.
What characters did you create? Which one is your favorite?
I wrote (with my partner Wallace Wolodarsky) the episodes that introduced OTTO, BURNS, SMITHERS, ABE SIMPSON, KANG AND KODOS, HIBBERT, NICK RIVERA, FRINK, and hundreds more. My favs are Kang and Kodos because I drew them.
Of the characters you created, which ones are your favourite and least favourite?
See above
What do you think of the current show? Do you think it has gotten better or worse? Also did you ever work with Conan?
I did work with Conan. He came on after me. but left before I did. We work on the same lot now at Warner Bros. and occasionally have lunch. The show is still amazing. Makes me consistently laugh. Shocking it's still so good.
How's the atmosphere in the writers team?
The writers room is work. Sometimes fun, sometimes boring. We tend to work as a team. It's not competitive. If you hear a great joke from someone else you laugh. The more good jokes that you get, the faster you get to go home to your family.
Are you saying that you never make good jokes? Because I actually found this comment funny.
No, I made good jokes sometimes but it's a team effort. You have to give props to your team mates.
How did you guys find inspiration as a group? Do you guys just sit together and bounce ideas off each other until something clicks?
We'd also bring in fully formed ideas that would be reshaped by the group as lead by the exec. Mostly Sam Simon or Al Jean or Mike Reiss when I was there.
Hint- click "Reply" under the question you want to answer and type in the box that appears.
Are the treehouse of horror (Halloween) episodes more fun to write? They've always been my favorites.
Wally and I (and Matt Groening) helped to create the Treehouse of horror! Most of the others didn't want to do it. But we pushed it through. LOVED THEM. Fantasy is great and in a cartoon you can do anything. I'm really proud of that.
Can you describe how you and Wally Wolodarsky collaborated on Simpsons scripts? Coming up with general ideas, individual scenes and lines, drafts -- how did the two of you work together on each level?
Thanks for some amazing episodes.
We wrote in a room together going over each idea and line. basically like one person writing. We'd fight about what was good and only put in what we both liked which often sucked because we didn't always agree. But Wally is one of my very best pals and it was a great way to start writing.
Who was your favourite celebrity guest and any good stories about celebrity guests?
Weirdest was Micheal Jackson who wouldn't let us use his name and we had to hire a guy to sing for him because he wasn't allowed to sing. He asked for 20 cases of evian water and a room full of room heaters and he never drank the water or went to the room.
What is your favorite show to watch that you have not worked on? Which shows would you work on if you got the opportunity?
I loved Seinfeld, Modern Family, Curb your Enthusiasm, Daily SHow and many more. I love Community too.
Proooooooooooooooooof?
Proof?
Best episode you made in the Simpsons?
I liked BART THE DAREDEVIL
Who's your favorite Simpons character?
Homer is by far the funniest because he's a borderline moron only saved by the love of his family
Homer is by far the funniest because he's a borderline moron only saved by the love of his family
He's the easiest character to write and the one all the writers enjoy the most. We tended to deal with Homer and Bart and less with Lisa and MArge.
When you created Smithers, was it your intent from the start to make him gay or was that something that evolved?
Originally he was gay and black. And we actually drew him purple in his first show. But we thought it was too much so we just kept him gay.
What is your most memorable moment while working in The Simpsons?
Wow, this is odd but I really remember being in a Hollywood Christmas parade as a Simpson writer and thinking that we very strange but amazing.
How would you end The Simpsons? I'm talking a series finale. What would your story be? What would your final scene be?
They are timeless. I would parody all the ends of shows like mash and the sopranos but keep the simpsons alive and well at the end.
Do you like birds? :)
In general? The kind that fly? Sure. They're alright.
Armand Tamzarian. What the hell happened there?
???
What's your favorite moment from in the Simpsons writing room? What's your most memorable?
My partner Wally threw a cup of mashed potatoes onto the ceiling tiles and they stuck as a clump there. The potatoes remained there for many many years.
My partner Wally threw a cup of mashed potatoes onto the ceiling tiles and they stuck as a clump there. The potatoes remained there for many many years.
I also remember pitching a joke for one of the treehouse of horror episodes where Burns is taking Homer's brains out of his head and puts it on his own with the brain stem hanging down and says "Look at me! I'm Davey Crockett!" and then laughing at my own joke(which I never do and is not considered good form) for five minutes, falling on the floor and possibly farting. Embarrassing but true.
My favourite joke was when Dr. Nick brought out the gravestone of Edgar Allan Poe to clean on an infomercial. His voice saying 'Edgar Allan Poe' is amazing. Who came up with that?
Not sure. Wasn't me.
Favorite and least favorite character and was there any episode you regretted?
In every episode there are moments and jokes that simply don't come out right and when I watch them now I still cringe. But when I watch the ones I had nothing to do with I can't see the mistakes. Just the joy.
In every episode there are moments and jokes that simply don't come out right and when I watch them now I still cringe. But when I watch the ones I had nothing to do with I can't see the mistakes. Just the joy.
I love Krusty and I wrote alot for him. I feel like I helped give him that good old comic feel. Least favorite? Sherry And Terry. We created them and nothing much came of it.
Which of your artistic creations most closely resembles you physically? What about psychologically and behaviorally?
Otto looks like Wally. None of them look like me. I'm alot like Homer on my worst days.
Did you ever work with Conan O'Brien? Any interesting stories about him?
On Conan's first day a pigeon flew threw a window and died in his office. I tried to convince him that somehow that was good luck.
Where did you get the inspiration to create the characters?
From life and from the TV shows we saw. That's what makes The Simpsons so good. It's from our shared American experience.
What was it like working with Brian Cranston?
No one works harder or has a better attitude about work. if you wrote an episode where he'd have to pogo stick for a week, where as most actors might complain, he'd get excited and start practicing right away. He's simply the best.
Did you get to choose to parody To Serve Man for the first Treehouse of Horror? Where did you get the idea for Kang and Kodos?
We did get to choose the parody. We pitched it. We wanted to spoof the Twighlight Zone. Kang and Kodos were named by Jon Viti who's a star trek fan. They are all Trek names. I actually drew the aliens. My only drawing on the show. The artists couldn't figure out what our description of a one eyed octopus with fangs and a space helmet looked like. so I drew it. Loved that. have it hanging in my house.
Is there any chance that you might return? Things are a little different now.
When I go back it's like going back to high school except everyone is 20 years older. It's weird. I'd go back but they don't need me. Too many talented folks there. And I have my own show to work on, Wendell and Vinnie.
How do you feel about the quality of the writing on the show today? I feel as if the current writers are trying to rely on zany antics and celebrity guests as opposed to writing deep, emotionally touching episodes.
I must say I find the show still great. Every episode still has heart but after 23? years they are still kicking ass. Al Jean and Matt Selman and the rest are great.
What plans do you have in the future for the series? Will there be another movie?
I'm not there anymore but they are making another movie. The series will go on until they just refuse to make anymore. Fox needs the show and the people who work there like it so... let it continue forever.
What is Matt like?
Matt is a great great guy. Smart and funny. He helped shape the tone of the show and gave some of the details that gave the world it's "reality." he and Sam Simon really tried to make the show smart and interesting and it's own unique thing. I'm thrilled he got famous and rich from the show. He's a great guy.
How did you get involved in writing for a seriously amazing tv series like this?
I got lucky! I was working on the Tracy Ullman show and the simpsons were bumper cartoons to our show. When they decided to make a show out of the simpsons, Wally and I jumped at helping.
Did you suggest any characters that were rejected, and why were they rejected?
I can't think of any that were rejected but I'm sure I pitched stories that were rejected that had characters attatched. I don't hang on to my rejects. It just gets me down.
When I was growing up, a lot of my friends had parents that wouldn't let them watch the Simpsons because they considered it too raunchy/(im)mature/inappropriate. There were also a lot of other concerns, such as how Homer was such a poor father figure and how Bart, the one most kids identified with, kept causing trouble and made it look fun.
Did you and the other creators have any idea that this would be the reception of The Simpsons? Over the years, have you tried to foster or quell this perception?
We went in thinking the show is FOR ADULTS and kids under 5 should NOT be watching. We were fine with parents not letting their kids watch. We made it for ourselves and didn't think that Homer or Bart SHOULD be role models. They are simply characters. Flawed characters. But they do have good qualities but anyone basing their parenting style on a cartoon has bigger issues than our dumb show.
Any funny stories of a young Conan?
Conan was never young. He'd admit to being a worried old man mentally.
Favorite season / episode?
How's Conan to work with?
Same for Dana Gould
Would you have let it continue as long as it has, or ended it when the spark seemed to be going out? (I know, leading question).
Thanks, and congrats.
Conan is a genius. very smart and funny. Dana Gould too, although he came later. He's a pal of mine though and we wrote a pilot together once. Both are unstoppably funny. Lots of jokes. Too many sometimes. You occasionally have to ask them to be quiet.
Why doesn't Disco Stu advertise?
?
Was there any thought after Phil Hartman died to continue his characters? What was it like when everyone heard about his passing?
Phil was a pal of mine from the Groundlings improv group in L.A. I saw him the night before he died. It was a tragedy. Horrible. Phil's voice is pretty distinctive. Hard to replace. Easy to make new characters so, we just let it go. (I created Lionel Hutz)
In High School i was considered the 'attorney' to my group of friends who provided very skeptical advice at best, and constantly bailing them out of situations i'd help get them into, and was therefore dubbed Lionel Hutz by my best friends older sister. this nickname persists to this day and at this point i think my real name is just Hutzy. so thanks for bringing him into the world and crafting my alter-ego.
Mazel Tov!
Where did you get your inspiration for some episodes?
Usually they can from life or parodies of movies or tv shows. Anything compelling or fun. It's how any show does it. But in cartoons you can do more. Show more people, more places, and do it faster!
What is your all time favorite Simpsons joke? Also thank you for doing this.
We had to fight hard for Homer falling down the canyon in Bart the Daredevil and it worked well. My favorite was getting put in the ambulance then it crashing and him falling down again.
How do you feel about the show going on as long as it has? Being part of the longest running TV show EVER has got to be a major "I'm awesome" feeling every day.
It doesn't feel so awesome. It feels odd. Like time is standing still back at 20th century fox. But it's great for the people who still work there.
Is it expensive to be a producer for network sitcom television shows?
Not expensive to me, but to the people who pay us, we'd like to think it is!
I wrote a research paper in college about the types of humor used in the simpsons and I used the most memorable scene in Bart the Daredevil with Homer falling down the gorge. I thought it was a perfect example of the humor used.
What made you decide to have him fall down the second time?
as I just wrote, i just thought going through that long bit again was pure joy.
Did you ever think the Simpsons would become so god damn huge?
Not when we were first writing the show. Not at all. people warned us not to work on a cartoon. They said it would ruin our careers.
Who is your least favourite character, either one you created or not?
I created Lou and Eddie and Sherry and Terry. None of them have blossomed into anything too special. They serve the show I guess.
Are you surprised that The Simpsons have lasted as long as it has? And also, what is your favorite modern TV show?
I love Breaking Bad. I've been watching alot of Family Guy and Modern Family because my son loves it. They are great shows.
Are you surprised that The Simpsons have lasted as long as it has? And also, what is your favorite modern TV show?
I am surprised it went on so long. I left after 5 years thinking it would die soon. hah! I love alot of TV. Empire Boardwalk started again last night. Breaking Bad. Parks and Rec. Modern Family. The New Girl. Curb your enthusiasm. Workaholics. Children's Hospital. Daily show. Colbert. South Park. Too many to name. It's a golden age of TV.
Is there a skit you wanted to be put into the show, but was denied for whatever reason?
The boss decides what gets in so there are always things you'd do differently but for the most part it's great. I don't have anything that was great that didn't get into the show.
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I'm sure I'm not the only Simpsons fan who knows that the show was MUCH funnier and more entertaining in the early years. The jokes now just...aren't funny. New episodes of the Simpsons feel like watching Family Guy. And that's just wrong. I know you aren't involved in the Simpsons anymore, but have you noticed the change? How do you feel about it?
I keep thinking that maybe people feel that way because THEY'VE gotten older. I loved the first star wars movies and hated the later ones because I saw the first ones when I was 12 and the later ones when I was 30. Kids who saw the later ones as kids, loved them.
I think the Simpsons is still consistently funny and when I watch with my kid he loves them and so do I.
I'm sure I'm not the only Simpsons fan who knows that the show was MUCH funnier and more entertaining in the early years. The jokes now just...aren't funny. New episodes of the Simpsons feel like watching Family Guy. And that's just wrong. I know you aren't involved in the Simpsons anymore, but have you noticed the change? How do you feel about it?
read above. I still like the show. The ones I wrote, all I see are flaws. So watching the new ones are pure pleasure.
If you had only primitive weapons, and had to fight a dinosaur to the death in a "Dinosaur Death Match", what is the biggest dinosaur you think you could defeat? You don't have to give a specific dinosaur, just give us a general size. Also you can't set traps.
Can I use the time machine that brought me back to the time of the dinosaur?
Malcolm in the Middle was an awesome show, I understand it had a definite ending point and the resolution was great, but I still wish there were more episodes!
(It bugs me that there is a new show on at the moment, here in the UK, called "The Middle" which seems like a poorly made rip-off.)
Yeah, we get the middle here too. Its' not the same but I seem similarities. There's a loser girl character on that show that's hysterical.
When you were writing "Last Exit to Springfield" did you guys know that it was going to be regarded by most as the greatest Simpsons episode ever? What was the atmosphere surrounding writing the episode?
No idea that people would like it so much and I'm still not sure why they do but I'm glad.
Do you think The Simpsons will get a proper ending in the near future? It used to be great years ago, but looking at it now, it's very obvious that it has diminished in quality and seems to be still on the air just for the sake of being so.
Money will determine when the simpsons ends. If Fox stops making money with it then it will end.
What do you think of Family Guy?
it's amazingly funny. Not as warm and real but very funny. Sometimes it's mean for no reason but I do laugh alot when I watch.
What do you think of Family Guy?
Family Guy is great. The folks at the Simpsons think it's a ripoff of our show but it's not. It's a ripoff of many things but mostly it's very funny and different from our show. I have watched many episodes. Aside from being too mean, it's very dark and funny.
I have a few questions,
What is your favorite Simpsons character?
Do you still watch the Simpsons?
Which characters did you create?
Krusty Yes Too many to name. See previous posts!
On the Itchy & Scratchy CD-ROM, is there a way to get out of the dungeon without using the wizard key?
hah! I hope not.
In episode 2F09 when Itchy plays Scratchy's skeleton like a xylophone, he strikes the same rib twice in succession, yet he produces two clearly different tones. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort of a magic xylophone or something? Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder.
ha!
Whose idea was the chalkboard scene/Simpsons opening? Do you have a favourite one?
What was the worst idea you've ever heard in the writer's room?
When you watch Breaking Bad, do you still sometimes see him as Malcolm's dad running a meth lab?
I think the chalkboard came from Sam Simon or Matt. They worked hard to make that opening cool and have elements that were different for each episode like the chalk board and the coach gag.
In your opinion are people born funny, or can anyone learn to be funny?
You must have worked with some really hilarious writers. Do all the writers agree that someone is either funny or not funny?
You can learn funny. Writer Dan O'Shannon just wrote a book about it. Buy it on Amazon! But you then need a lifetime of practice to get it right.
Thank you for everything. Sunday night growing up would have sucked without the simpsons. I really wish the show had writers like you still on it. I watched an episode last year where bart saw his first pair of tits and just couldn't find the humor that I was so accustomed to in the 90's. Best of luck with Wendell and Vinnie, I'll definitely check it out!
You are welcome!
Do the writers ever get to be the voices for characters, or quick cameos?
I never did. They used my name a few times but that's it.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you!! The Simpsons was an invaluable coping tool for me as a child and it got me through a lot.
Are there any characters you may have based on people in your life, and if so did these people find out?? I guess I just really wish for a real life Burns-Smithers combo.
Well, I named Prof Frink after a pal of mine, John Frink who years later became a writer on the show. Odd.
If you got re-hired today to write for The Simpsons, what would you try to do to revive the series?
I would lay low and try to not get fired and work until I was 80.
What was your most memorable moment in all of your career as a writer?
I liked making the Simpsons and Frasier and Malcom and working on the Austin Powers movies (a few lines of punch up.) I made a movie I loved called "THe Wrong Guy" which is hysterical with Dave Foley. I liked winning my Emmy Awards and Humanitas. I liked it all. And I still do. I'm really proud of my new show Wendell And Vinnie which will be on Nick @ Nite and is NOT FOR KIDS. Just like the simpsons.
What do you think of the newer seasons and episodes? I feel that the show has lost alot of its former glory.
Answered this already. See above (or below.)
What's your favorite Simpson's joke that you wrote? And your favorite someone else wrote?
Answered this already. See above (or below.)
Is there something that The Simpsons has done after you left that you wouldn't have done, or something they did that you wish you thought of?
Many things I wish I had thought of. They show is still very smart and funny. When I tune in I'm proud.
What do you thinking of 'rival' adult-suitable cartoons like Family Guy and King of the Hill?
I love it. You can really do alot with cartoons. You can be broader and funnier and tell a bigger story.
How was it working with Conan O?
He's a good guy. Was then and still is. His show beats Leno in all the important numbers. NBC made a huge mistake dropping him.
1) Were you there when the show made the decision to shift from Bart-centric to Homer-centric? What were your impressions/recollections of those discussions? Also other notable changes like Homer's voice and characterisation from grouchy to goofy, and the change from shaky animation to smooth?
2) Was Conan O'brien there at the beginning?
3) Do the voice actors get along with each other? Were any of them more challenging to work with than others (I know you wouldn't work with them directly so much but you'd probably know.)
4) Matt Groening: Discuss.
What is the process to creating these characters? More specifically, in regards to the voice actors. I understand Dan Castellaneta and Harry Shearer perform majority of the characters in the show (Harry doing majority of the ones you created). Do you create these characters with the talents of these voice actors in mind, or do the voice actors have a lot of input in the developing process?
Never think of the actors that will play the characters. Only the characters and how they are needed in the story. The ones that stick come back. Hank Azaria does a ton of voices too. We assign the characters after the show is written. Sometimes people switch up.
What is the process to creating these characters? More specifically, in regards to the voice actors. I understand Dan Castellaneta and Harry Shearer perform majority of the characters in the show (Harry doing majority of the ones you created). Do you create these characters with the talents of these voice actors in mind, or do the voice actors have a lot of input in the developing process?
Never think of the actors that will play the characters. Only the characters and how they are needed in the story. The ones that stick come back. Hank Azaria does a ton of voices too. We assign the characters after the show is written. Sometimes people switch up.
Do you/ Did you like to watch any other animated series?
South park, family guy, cleavland show, American dad. adult swim. Many great shows out there.
Did you, or anyone else really think that the show would survive 20+ years?
Nope. It's still a shock.
If you could change any of the characters on the show, who would you change and why?
Skinner mom bugs me. Not sure why.
thanks for making childhood rule!
On behalf of the many many writers and artist who made that show, you are welcome.
Whats the best and/or worst advice you have ever gotten?
Best advice: "Don't be afraid to fail." Worst advice "It's not gross, eat it! Can the entire continent of Asia be wrong?
How did the success of the Simpsons alter your life and the lives of those involved? Was there ever a low point; if so what?
Did you (the writing team) take your work home with you? Ie, did you start to take on mannerisms and attributes of the characters you created outside of the office?
Thank you for doing this and for being a part of something so awesome.
For a brief moment the Simpsons gave me some cred with the Networks. That went away fast.
There are many low points in any life. They hard part is getting back up know more low points are on the way. That's what is called courage. My career has had a few lulls. My personal life has had problems. None of the caused by the simpsons. Most of them caused by me.
Thanks for laying some of the foundation for one of my favourite shows. I grew up with the Simpsons. I own seasons 2 - 8 and still enjoy them on a regular basis.
cool
I wanna thank you for good writing. Malcolm and the middle is awesome.
Thanks.
Which characters are heavily based on real people that the creators knew?
The simpsons family is kind of based on Matt's family and Matt is Bart.
Whose idea was making homer like he is?
He evolved from an angry Walter Matthaw type to a bare functioning moron over time. The writers pushed him to stupid because we found it very funny.
Whose idea was making homer like he is?
He evolved from an angry Walter Matthaw type to a bare functioning moron over time. The writers pushed him to stupid because we found it very funny.
What's your favorite Mr Burns quote?
I weigh as much as my clothes and my keys.
So is Bryan Cranston cool?
You can't imagine. He's the best.
Got to ask, how did you come up with Professor Frink and his 'characteristic' voice and musings?
Basically Hank Azaria decided to do his Jerry Lewis impression after we created the insane scientist character.
Can you tell us any secrets that you put within the show?
Hmm. Everything is out there to see. I did create a character named Samantha that Bart falls in love with after my niece Samantha. Jeff Martin told his wife they named it after their daughter but I gave them the picture on my niece to draw the character. Ha!
I'm not sure which seasons they started in, but who came up with the following catch phrases:
Sam Simon did "annoyed grunt" Aye Caraumba? Not sure. Jon Viti did "Don't have a cow." not sure about the rest.
How was it working with the cast of Malcolm in the Middle ?
They were amazing. I didn't work with them much but they were amazing. The writers got to go home while the actors spent 17 hours a day making the show. single camera shows are hard on actors, easy on writers.
What was the best thing about working on Frasier?
The quality of writing and acting and how much respect we had for each other.
Did you help create the episode with Scorpio? If so was that episode as fun to make as it was fun to watch?
Nope.
Can you tell us something about Mr. Burns that we don't know? He is my favorite and thank you for helping create him.
He was supposed to be pure evil like a bond villain. He's more than lived up to that. My fav Burns bit is his massive thanksgiving dinner than he doesn't eat and then pours bleach on to make sure the homeless don't eat it. Evil. George Meyer wrote that joke I think.
Do you like watching Family guy? What's your opinion on shows of the similar typecast?
Love it. All good. there's room for all funny shows in my world.
Did any of the characters develop in ways that surprised you?
I think Ned Flanders has more depth to him than I thought we'd ever give him. Love that character.
Are you the creator of Frank Grimes? If not who created Frank Grimes? What do you think about Frank Grimes in general? Personally i think Frank Grimes is one of the best characters the world has ever seen ...
Not ever sure who that is. But I did not create Frank Grimes.
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Cant' think of one right now. There are too many.
I just want to say thank you for everything you helped provide the Simpsons with. I always joked that the simpsons had a significant part in raising me, as I remember it always being on when I was growing up. My whole family would gather every sunday and watch it and i will always look back on those early seasons with a smile. They are still amazing,. Thanks again :)
CHeers!
I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for the years of entertainment you brought to me in my childhood, for helping shape my sense of humor, for allowing my mom and sister to have a show we could all sit around and enjoy together. Seriously, thank you, I can't tell you how many times I've yelled "D'OH!" over the years.
You are welcome! You can thank "the bowery boys" for D'oh!
What's your favorite Simpsons quote?
I liked when Homer said "Help me Jeebus" because he forgot the name of Jesus.
Something I really love about Mr. Burns for example is the consistency with the character. He's the bad guy, and in the end no matter what happens he's still the bad guy, like in the Pin Pals episode, I really just wanted to applaud you for never completely disregarding who characters are at their core
You can thank Al Jean and his group for being such good care takers of the show.
You can thank Al Jean and his group for being such good care takers of the show.
James L. Brooks set a tone where characters matter. That helped too.