The animated sitcom THE SIMPONS has been running since 1989. The series has won 27 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and 30 Annie Awards. In the season premiere last Sunday, America’s favorite Midwestern family traveled to New York City in search of Bart’s long-lost love Mary Spuckler (guest voice Zooey Deschanel) who he wanted to reconnect with since she left Springfield.
Emmy Award-winning producer/writer Al Jean has worked on THE SIMPSONS since it became a series in 1989. He has a credit on more than 500 episodes and has been showrunner for more than 300. In addition to eight Emmy Awards, he has won the coveted Peabody Award and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. He also served as writer and producer on THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (which took in over $525 million worldwide), working heavily on the film throughout its entire four-year production.
Jean took some time to talk with reporters about his experiences with the series, the Simpsons’ latest trip to New York City, and the upcoming Halloween episode.
Last week's episode marked the second time the series visited The Big Apple. “Since we did such a memorable New York episode, we wanted to do it only if we had a new story line," he explained. "And it was basically doing a Moon River type story with Zooey Deschanel and Bart looking up this old girlfriend.”
Jean noted that the writing team aimed to keep the idea fresh by adding new locations, "We do locations that I haven’t seen, not even in an animated show, not even in films," he said. "Like they go to the High Line, which wasn’t there when they went to New York previously.”
Deschanel is the first of many guest stars who are set to lend their voices to the show this season. “One that I’m really excited about is that they have a mock trial at the Springfield Elementary presided over by Janet Reno who plays herself, and Lisa’s always trying to curry favor with her," he teased. "We also have
Edward Norton,
Tina Fey, and
Jane Krakowski, just recorded the show all in, those are three separate episodes.”
When it comes to favorite guest stars of the past, Jean has difficulty choosing just one out of the vibrant group. “Well, there’s a bunch. I’d have to say
Phil Hartman was absolutely wonderful. Kelsey Grammar has been incredibly memorable in every part that he’s done for us.
Anne Hathaway won an Emmy for her role on the show.
Kiefer Sutherland was terrific. There’s a really long list, and I’m just saying four people there out of—there’s a bunch,” he laughs.
Despite the series’ long-running popularity, budget cuts have been necessary to keep production going. “I don’t know the exact figures, but it was 20% of the budget or more. We were a very high budget show. Everybody, including myself and the cast, agreed to take a cut because we love doing it so much.”
Just what is it that’s caused THE SIMPSONS to remain popular over the years? Jean offers, “I think the main two reasons would be it’s about a family and everyone comes from a family, and usually not a family that’s doing perfectly. And secondly, because we work really hard and we really take care and care about the show.”
A tough aspect of writing for a long-running series is the possibility of repeating storylines or jokes. With “Treehouse of Horror” episodes airing every Halloween season for the past 23 years, one would imagine it’s difficult to stay creative. However, according to Jean, “Because it’s such a thriving genre, I think a little easier to come up with ideas for. Plus you don’t have to come up with a full story line. Thirdly, you’re often just saying I’m going to hop on the shoulders of this original great story that people are familiar with. Coming up with ideas and new story lines is definitely the hardest thing that we can do, and the most difficult aspect of the job now. But I would say with the ‘Treehouse,’ it’s actually easier.”
This also leaves opportunity to make light of popular culture in that particular style that only THE SIMPSONS can pull off. “In the Hallowen show [‘Treehouse of Horror’] it opens with the Mayan prediction that the world is going to end in December of 2012," the showrunner reveals. "It also fortuitously deals with the Higgs boson ‘God particle,’ which was discovered in July. So, we are hopping right on that incredibly popular trend.”
The 23rd installment of THE SIMPSONS' “Annual Treehouse of Horror” airs Sunday, October 7th at 8:00/7:00 Central on FOX.
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