The Simpsons An Uncensored, Unauthorized History

by Ortved, John

• ISBN13: 9780865479883
• ISBN10: 0865479887
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-10-13
• Publisher: Faber & Faber

Summary

The Simpsonsis one of the most successful shows to ever run on television. From its first moment on air, the series's rich characters, subversive themes, and layered humor resounded deeply with audiences both young and old who wanted more from their entertainment than what was being meted out at the time by the likes ofFull House,Growing Pains, andFamily Matters. Spawned as an animated short onThe Tracy Ullman Showmere filler on the way to commercial breaksthe series grew from a controversial cult favorite to a mainstream powerhouse, and after nineteen years the residents of Springfield no longer simply hold up a mirror to our way of life: they have ingrained themselves into it. John Ortved's oral history will be the first-ever look behind the scenes at the creation and day-to-day running ofThe Simpsons, as told by many of the people who made it: among them writers, animators, producers, and network executives. It's an intriguing yet hilarious tale, full of betrayal, ambition, and love. Like the family it depicts, the show's creative forces have been riven by dysfunction from the get-gooutsize egos clashing with studio executives and one another over credit for and control of a pop-culture institution. Contrary to popular belief,The Simpsonsdid not spring out of one man's brain, fully formed, like a hilarious Athena. Its inception was a process, with many parents, and this book tells the story.

Author Biography

John Ortved's writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Interview, The New York Observer, and Vice. He lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Introduction: "Hi, Everybody!"	p. 3
The Matt Groening Show	p. 11
The King of Comedy	p. 27
When Bart Met Tracey	p. 45
Sam "Sayonara" Simon	p. 57
Welcome to Springfield	p. 69
The Room	p. 87
The First Episodes	p. 101
Bigger Than Jesus	p. 117
Fallout Boys	p. 131
Buddies, Sibs, Dweebs, and an Odd Man Out	p. 145
Conan	p. 159
Institutionalized	p. 169
The Godfathers	p. 189
Who's the Boss?	p. 207
Foxy Boxing	p. 229
The Guest Stars	p. 243
On and On	p. 261
Under the Influence of Duff	p. 275
Notes	p. 291
Dramatis Personae	p. 299
Acknowledgments	p. 311
Index	p. 313
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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