"Tonight, 'The Simpsons' screens its 768th installment. Discover how its scribes maintain creativity."
Larry the Drunkard passed away in Moe's Bar, a spot he had frequented since the first episode aired in 1989. Even those who've followed "The Simpsons" for years wouldn't know much about this regular character - neither the show's main characters nor the regulars who drink at the bar were aware of his identity or anything personal about him. This became evident during Larry's poorly attended funeral.
Despite Larry having made little impact on Homer and his family during the show's 35-season run, "The Simpsons" gave him an emotional farewell, even giving him a reason to have existed in the first place. In death, he unites the men of Moe's outside of the bar, affirming their bond with each other, even when they're not under the influence of Duff Beer.
Following a complicated journey to scatter Larry's ashes at what they assume is his favorite waterfall, these friends endure just tangling with jewel thieves and narrowly escaping a cliff fall. They bring Larry's urn back to the bar where they believe he held a special connection: Moe's.
"The Simpsons" remains a crowd-pleaser due in part to episodes like "Cremains of the Day," which aired on April 21st. By exploring characters we've known for decades and discovering fresh stories in Springfield's familiar nooks, the series attracts fans' protective obsession. The narrative focuses on Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and the bevy of oddballs who live there. Over the years, the show has become a pop culture icon, generating milestones like a 2007 film that grossed over half a billion dollars and having attractions at two Universal theme parks. But a significant chunk has been dedicated to the increasingly rare adults-only animated comedy.
To ensure the show stays fresh and exciting, Selman states that they must view "The Simpsons" as a new venture, rather than focusing on its extensive history and fanbase.
"We've got to be honest with ourselves: Most of the comedic language created by 'The Simpsons' is from its 'glory years,'" Selman stated in a recent CNN interview. "We don't create as many memes and things your dad quotes anymore. I think if we set that as a goal, it would be a very difficult goal."
Instead, the team strives to focus on how they would write the show if it hadn't been around for nearly three and a half decades.
Balancing classic “Simpsons” with new tries
To ensure "The Simpsons" retains its energy and uniqueness, Selman aims to create a synergy between the show's greatest hits and big gambles. The balance is the key to what worked best in the ’90s: Classic episodes like “‘Round Springfield,” a bittersweet journey in which Lisa mourns the loss of her favorite jazz saxophonist, and "22 Short Films About Springfield," which covered the lives of supporting characters, such as Principal Skinner and Bumblebee Man.
Selman and his team are seeking to bring the show's experimental spirit back by recruiting new writers who were brought up watching "The Simpsons," like Loni Steele Sosthand, Cesar Mazariegos, and Broti Gupta, and pairing them with long-time "Simpsons" writers, John Frink and Mike Price, who've been penning episodes since the early millennium. Between 16 writers each season, usually with 22 episodes, this season has only managed 18 due to strikes by writers and actors.
"Whatever it takes to keep the show fresh and original, we'll do it," said Selman.
Sosthand, who recently joined the show in 2020, took inspiration from her personal life for a critically acclaimed episode revolving around Carl Carlson, a close drinking friend of Homer and one of the only significant Black characters on "The Simpsons". This episode, which aired in 2013, revealed that Carl was adopted by a White couple from Iceland before moving to Springfield to pursue a career in nuclear physics. Sosthand, being of mixed race herself, wanted Carl to explore his roots more, so she crafted an episode where he visits Springfield's obscure Black community, prompting him to learn more about his ancestors who were Black cowboys in the Wild West. As a result, she won the Writers' Guild Award last month, triumphing over three other nominees from "The Simpsons" writing team.
"It's always fulfilling to expose the inner lives of characters you thought might not have one," remarked Selman, drawing attention to similar episodes that delved into Moe's personal struggles, Rev. Lovejoy's religious crisis, and Krusty the Clown's doubts. "As we mine deep into these apparently impish characters," he explained, "we come across their devastating emotional turmoil and experiences, which is a unique aspect of our universe."
The collaborative aspect of the writing process has changed significantly in recent seasons. Ideas are no longer the property of just one writer, but rather a collective mindset where everyone contributes and refines them to weave them throughout the season. Therefore, in the current season, a "bare wisp of an idea" is not necessarily the brainchild of a single person, but rather an idea that the writers work together to develop.
Mazariegos, who recently had his first joke come to life on screen, recounted how he suggested plugging Homer into a meme where he backs into a bush. The writers embraced this "blue-sky" idea as an opportunity to create more chaotic and unconventional content akin to their revered "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween specials, which ventured into more fantastical and bizarre directions than normal episodes.
To keep the team invigorated, Selman, who assumed the role of primary showrunner around 2021, encouraged them to replicate the probing nature of these specials, even for regular episodes. "We're in our 799th episode," Mazariegos revealed. "How do we make the 800th one special?"
Recent episodes have excelled at colloquially amplifying current societal issues, with an added Simpsonsian twist. For example, in Season 35, Marge took on a job at a food delivery 'ghost kitchen' and championed unionizing, and Bart morphed into an NFT during a spooky "Treehouse of Horror" segment. "Selman's always pushing us to think, 'What can the Simpsons do regarding pressing issues in the world today?'" Price stated.
Price scripted the episode "Hostile Kirk Place" in Season 35, centered on the controversial topic of book banning and altering the teaching of history in certain schools. Inspired by an issue that police officer Kirk attempted to censor Milhouse's history lesson, the town of Springfield transformed into a dystopian dictatorship. Kirk, preoccupied with removing unpleasant facts of his family's past, is shocked when he learns a lineage of misfortune has beset the Flanders family for generations - the same coincidence that caused a fatal gazebo accident in the past.
However, others feel the show is capable of regardless of the era it became a staple. "The show's capable of handling any theme because, at its core, it's still good, timeless storytelling," Price affirmed. In the upcoming season finale on May 19, "Bart's Brain", Bart establishes a bond with a knowledgeable brain in a jar, which has all the makings of a classic Simpsons story: The entire Simpson family is involved, leading to an unlikely team-up between Bart and the saner members of the family to grapple with an unyielding dilemma.
After the fall break, the show returns for Season 36. Focusing on sci-fi and horrifying detours, it will open with an odyssey through the fantastical and the abnormal. Furthermore, an episode in the second half will feature the long-awaited return of animal lover Ned Flanders, who must revisit the emotional turmoil following the deaths of his wives, Maude Flanders and Edna Krabappel, as the show delves into his past traumas.
These installments merely represent the first half of the season, which showcases the talented writers' ongoing dedication to crafting stories around the enduring Simpsons family. The new emphasis on collaboration enables the show to tackle contemporary themes using familiar characters and introduces a new sense of versatility to the decades-old series. And yet, they never let the magic of their unique humor slip.
Some people have complimented "The Simpsons" in its present phase, calling it a creative revival. It's heartening that their devotion is being recognized, Selman noted, but the opinions about "The Simpsons" are always shifting. It's better to disregard the excitement and keep trying the challenging yet rewarding task of making "The Simpsons" humorous.
"We've been deemed dead numerous times," Selman said. "But I believe it'll keep going. I feel we can remain pertinent."
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The success of "The Simpsons" in exploring the lives of its characters, like in the episode "Carl Carlson," highlights its ability to remain relevant and fresh by delving into contemporary themes.
In their quest to keep the show engaging, the writers strive for a balance between classic episodes and experimental storylines, drawing inspiration from both their past glory and the new ideas of younger writers.
Source: edition.cnn.com
