SUDDENLY SIMON
posted 25 June 2008 source macleans.ca

Apparently The Simpsons was not the only show where former executive producer Sam Simon, whom Matt Groening once called "mentally unbalanced," was difficult to work with. Hot off the heels of quitting The Simpsons and subsequent court proceedings, Simon created The George Carlin Show, a sitcom starring the recently deceased George Carlin, which ran for 27 episodes on FOX in 1994. Later, in a timeline page on his website, Carlin wrote the following reflection: "Lesson learned: always check mental health of creative partner beforehand."

Labels: SUDDENLY SIMON

NOISELAND ARCADE
posted 25 June 2008 source youtube via boing boing

Some guy made an incredibly detailed "Springfield" skin for Quake III, with all kinds of nerd-salivating props from past episodes - Big Butt Skinner balloon, pig tracks on the ceiling, etc. Hopefully Fox Interactive, hot off the heels of "Simpsons Crazy Taxi," "Simpsons Grand Theft Auto" and "Simpsons Myst" will hire this guy to make the next Simpsons video game, "Simpsons Quake."

Labels: NOISELAND ARCADE

AZTEC THEATRE
posted 16 June 2008 source youtube via nohomers.net


For years, The Simpsons Archive has had a page documenting a long-lost Simpsons short called "Nazis on Tap" involving Hitler, Stalin, and talking dogs. It was supposed to air in Season 2, but was never animated and apparently forgotten about. I always assumed it was a joke, but apparently it's very real -- Simpsons Archive webmaster Jouni Paakkinen recently discovered the long-lost audio track on YouTube, probably uploaded by some disgruntled show staffer who's about to get 20 years of jailtime.

"Aye carumba, the Fuhrer!"

Labels: AZTEC THEATRE

READING DIGEST
posted 16 June 2008 source newsday via simpsons-l

Remember when Troy McClure asked, "who knows what adventures they'll have between now and when the show becomes unprofitable?" Thirteen years later, that eventual day of unprofitability may be coming sooner than you think, according to a Newsday blogger. Verne Gay examines the rising costs of the show, dwindling viewership and curiously-worded contracts and concludes cancellation may be imminent:

I'll give you the answers right now, born of a quarter century following this business: Because Fox is covering its bets. If ratings continue to fall, as they have precipitously in recent years, then let's get ready to say goodbye to one of the greatest treasures of our TV lives.

Labels: READING DIGEST

GENERAL SWARTZ-WATCH
posted 16 June 2008 source amazon via simpsons-l

Reclusive former Simpsons writer John Swartzwelder has a new* book out called Dead Men Scare Me Stupid that you can purchase on Amazon or through eBay. I am only posting about this so I can use the category "GENERAL SWARTZ-WATCH."

*Came out two months ago

Labels: GENERAL SWARTZ-WATCH

WHAA...?!
posted 16 June 2008 source local6.com

Guests aboard one vehicle of The Simpsons Ride at Universal Orlando on Friday were sprayed with a nontoxic oil.

Park officials told Local 6 News that they know where the oil came from but do not what caused the incident.

Well that narrows it down

Labels: WHAA??