The Simpsons is the most popular television show among Canadian children, according to a new survey of kids aged 8 to 15 to be released today. The barely functional Simpson family, first introduced 13 years ago, has had a profound impact on North American culture, so much so that George Bush Sr. declared during the 1992 election: “We’re going to keep trying to strengthen the American family, to make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons.” Clive Vanderburgh, a professor in Ryerson U’s School of Radio and Television Arts says “Although the subject material may not be for kids, it’s an animated form and it’s stripped down in a way that makes it seem appropriate for kids. The slapstick and rude behaviour drives parents crazy.” Read More >>>
Tag: canada
Simpsons Canada Connection
The likes of Joe Millionaire and American Idol are no laughing matter for Homer Simpson and, more specifically, scribes like Canadian Tim Long. The executive producer and senior writer of The Simpsons says comedy writers are an endangered species in today’s TV landscape. “I’m incredibly lucky to be here. I’m going to ride the wheels until they fall off,” says the 34-year-old Brandon, Man., native, who collaborated with former Calgarian Joel Cohen on the episode that saw the Simpsons visit Canada. “Reality-TV is a permanent fixture because it’s cheap to produce. But people here have flipped out. A lot of writers came here during the great comedy boom of the ’90s when Seinfeld really hit. But all those jobs have sort of dried up.” Read More >>>
Quimby’s Animated Campaign
“Diamond” Joe Quimby flat-out denies being the individual that allegedly offered a six-figure bribe to opponent John Nunziata to withdraw his candidacy for Toronto’s mayor, he announced today. “Hey, I’m in the business of taking bribes, not making them,” the ‘colourful’ candidate said. A mayor of Springfield for at least 9 terms, Quimby promises to make his run for the big show in Toronto an ‘animated’ race. Knowing he won’t be invited to any all-candidates debates, Quimby has purchased airtime on Toronto’s “The Comedy Network” in the days leading up to the municipal election. His “Vote Quimby-a-Thon” will air during Friday, Nov. 7 through Monday, Nov. 10 at 9pm ET on The Comedy Network. More information can be found at www.votequimby.ca.
Writer Brings Loonie Outlook
Tim Long, an executive producer and senior writer of The Simpsons, insists he’s not a performer. Still, he displayed the skills of a standup comedian yesterday afternoon, fielding questions about the popular animated TV series from students who crowded into The Wave, a University of Western Ontario bar. After writing stints on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher and Late Night with David Letterman, Long joined The Simpsons in 1998. “I think Homer Simpson’s the best character in TV history and credit for that belongs to Dan Castellaneta,” said Long. “The writers are always asking how stupid should Homer be and we decided he should never be dumber than a dog. But then the question becomes ‘What kind of dog?'” Read More >>>
Canada’s Answer To Homer?
“When Jacob Thomas entered the Is Your Dad Like Homer? contest just before Father’s Day, his dad agreed to pose for the perfect character-driven picture. The picture Jacob submitted for the contest reveals his dad, Jim Thomas, lounging on a living room couch, grasping a bottle of beer in his left hand and balancing a plate of doughnuts on his swollen belly. Caught just as he’s taking a bite out of one doughnut, the north St. Catharines man looks as if he’s having a Homer Simpson moment. But wait — there doesn’t appear to be any slobber dripping down Thomas’s chin. And he has a full head of dark brown hair and a dark beard. And four fingers and a thumb on each hand. And is that a pillow stuffed under his shirt? OK, so maybe his dad doesn’t look like the infamous cartoon patriarch, but Jacob, 9, said Monday that his dad “drinks lots of beer, eats lots” and “sits on the couch a lot.” Read More >>>
Is Your Dad Like Homer?
How does a V.I.P. trip for four to Hollywood to visit a recording session of The Simpsons sound? If you are a resident of Canada and have a father that reminds you of Homer Simpson, then it can be yours. Global and Zeller’s Father’s Day promotion in conjunction with canada.com asks kids and adults to explain in 50 words or less, why their old man is a Duff beer-drinking, doughnut-eating doofus just like Homer. The best entries will then be judged by readers of the website in order to find the most deserving winner. The contest starts tomorrow and ends on June 27th. To enter, you can pick up a form at your local Zellers or at Canada.com. Runners up can receive 1 of 22 limited edition Simpsons animation cells or 1 of 314 inflatable Homer Simpson pool chairs. Further details are available at the official contest website.
Homer Honorary ‘Pegger?
“City hall is about to honour television’s most beloved and buffoonish dad for being a real homer — just in time for Father’s Day. Homer Simpson will be made an official honorary citizen of the city this Friday — a follow-up to last year’s revelation that the main character of TV’s longest-running animated sitcom is based on a real-life Winnipeg native, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening’s father. “Homer is coming to TD Centre,” Heather McIntyre, CanWest Global’s local manager of production and operations, said yesterday of the honour to be bestowed outside the city’s tallest tower. Coun. Jenny Gerbasi will make the tribute official at 1pm as CanWest Global Communications Corp. launches a national Father’s Day contest as a promotion for its TV channels. “We’re giving him a giant certificate, and there’s going to be an eight-foot-tall Homer Simpson there to receive it,” said Gerbasi, who will join CanWest officials Leonard and Gail Asper for the ceremony.” Read More >>>
O Canada. It’s The Bart Of War
God Bless Canada, er America, for The Simpsons. TV’s longest-running and most fearless sitcom signed off for another season Sunday with a jaw-dropping finale. In the first of a double-episode ender, best friends Bart and Milhouse ended up battling on a baseball field where the boys have gathered to sing the national anthem. To stop the fisticuffs spilling into the stands, they all decide to sing a “peace anthem,” not the stirring war chant that is the U.S.’s Star Spangled Banner. O Canada was sung, and — naturally — all fighting stopped. “Well Bart, we’ve learned that war is not the answer,” said Milhouse. “Except to all of America’s problems,” said Bart. End of episode. Whoa! If this had been a Canadian show there’d be sanctions. Our softwood lumber would be banned. Our helicopters would be mocked. How did The Simpsons get away with this much cheek? Read More >>>
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Cast Stage Show In Toronto?
“Don’t look now, but it looks like The Simpsons might be coming back to Toronto. Not as another animated episode, but as in a real live visit from the talented voice-over cast. The cast of the show could all be Toronto bound this July as the live troupe repeats the hit show they put on last summer at Montreal’s Just For Laughs comedy festival. Creator Matt Groening says he would love to accompany the gang to Toronto, the city where he sold his Life In Hell comic strip some 20 years ago. Details about where or when the stage show would take place are still to come. The Simpsons cast stage shows have been a huge hit in London, Australia and Montreal.” Read More >>>