Archive-name: simpsons/faq
[Last modified: 5 Sep 93]
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (with answers) FOR ALT.TV.SIMPSONS
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Posted on or about the first of the month to alt.tv.simpsons and the
Simpsons mailing list.
Available via Usenet, the alt.tv.simpsons newsgroup is a free forum for
the discussion of various aspects of the television show ``The Simpsons''.
It is also available in mailing list form; write to the address
simpsons-request@net.bio.net to be added or removed from the list.
There are two other relevant newsgroups named alt.fan.itchy-n-scratchy
and alt.tv.simpsons.itchy-scratchy.
If your copy of this FAQ is more than a few months old, the latest
revision can be retrieved electronically by several methods. Read
chapter 2.1 for details.
- Table of Contents -
CHAPTER 1: Lists, Lists, and More Lists
1.1) The Shows, The Boards, and The Couches
1.2) The Voices
1.3) Other lists and guides, who posted them, and where to get them
CHAPTER 2: Frequently Requested Files
2.1) The Simpsons Archive
2.2) What is "anonymous ftp" anyway?
2.3) ASCII pictures
2.4) Quotes files & fortune programs
2.5) Where can I get graphics and sound files?
CHAPTER 3: Questions
3.1) Didja notice...? (Often abbreviated DYN.)
3.2) Who is MG?
3.3) Where did Matt Groening get the names for the Simpson family?
3.4) What's this about "annoying Republicans"?
3.5) Where is Springfield?
3.5a) What is the Simpsons' Home address?
3.6) What does the ``J'' stand for in Homer J. Simpson?
3.6a) How about Bartholomew J. Simpson?
3.7) Didn't I see/hear ... in ... ?
3.8) What phone pranks has Bart used on Moe of Moe's Tavern?
3.8a) Where did the idea for them come from?
3.9) Which Springfield personality is That?
3.9a) Which one's Itchy and which is Scratchy?
3.10) Where do you get the episode titles from?
3.11) How do I pronounce...
3.12) Which episodes have been released on video?
3.12a) And when will the show appear in syndication?
3.13) What's Simpsons Illustrated, and where can I get it?
3.14) Where can I get the music from ``The Simpsons'' ?
3.15) Are Burns/Smithers/Jacques/Karl gay or bisexual?
3.16) When did everything (sorta) happen?
3.17) Is my local station cutting the episodes?
3.18) What does "OFF" stand for? (Frequently used acronyms)
3.19) Is Matt Groening aware of Usenet?
3.20) What became of Tracey Ullman's law-suit?
3.21) What's this I hear of a Simpsons television spin-off?
3.22) Why isn't/aren't ... mentioned in this FAQ?
3.23) Why isn't this rec.arts.tv.simpsons?
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 1: Lists, Lists, and More Lists
1.1) The Shows, The Boards, and The Couches
The following episode information is an amalgamation of the various
Simpsons Episode Guides produced by the following people (the filename
for their submission in the Simpsons archive is enclosed in brackets):
Michael L. Brown
Eddy J. Gurney (eddy@jafus.mi.org)
Mark A. Holtz (mholtz@netcom.com) [episode_guide]
Brian T. Howard (bhoward@neon.stanford.edu)
Don Patrick (syslep@pro-lep.cts.com) [program_guide]
David Tamkin (dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com)
Bruce Watson (bwatson@nyx.cs.du.edu) [air_dates]
Those titles below with a * following them are episodes which actually
gave their titles at the beginning or in the credits. Those dates
with a ** following them are older shows that were repeated *after*
the new season started.
P.Code Episode (the blackboard) [the couch] {Notes} <Aired>
====== ========================================================================
- Season 1 -
7G08 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire <12/17/89, 12/23/89, 07/01/90,
{No quote} 12/19/91**>
[No couch scene]
7G02 Bart the Genius <01/14/90, 03/04/90, 05/27/90>
(I will not waste chalk) [Bart]
7G03 Homer's Odyssey <01/21/90, 06/03/90, 08/30/90>
(I will not skateboard in the halls) [Couch collapses]
7G04 There's No Disgrace Like Home <01/28/90, 03/11/90, 06/10/90,
(I will not burp in class) 08/30/92**> [Homer]
7G05 Bart the General <02/04/90, 04/08/90, 07/22/90>
{No board quote} [No couch scene]
7G06 Moaning Lisa <02/11/90, 04/22/90, 08/05/90>
(I will not instigate revolution) [Maggie]
7G09 Call of the Simpsons <02/18/90, 05/06/90, 07/29/90>
(I will not draw naked ladies in class) [Nobody]
7G07 The Tell-Tale Head * <02/25/90, 05/20/90, 08/23/90>
(I did not see Elvis) [Bart]
{One line as the view enters the classroom states ``I did see Elvis''}
7G11 Jacques to be Wild <03/18/90, 07/15/90, 09/20/90,
{No board quote} 08/30/92**> [No couch scene]
{This episode is also known as ``Life in the Fast Lane''; also,
it was originally going to be ``Bjorn to be Wild'', but Albert
Brooks couldn't get the Swedish accent right, so it became a
French bowler}
7G10 Homer's Night Out <03/25/90, 06/17/90, 09/06/90>
(I will not call my teacher `Hot Cakes') [Couch collapses]
7G13 The Crepes of Wrath <04/15/90, 06/24/90, 09/13/90>
(Garlic gum is not funny) [Homer]
7G12 Krusty Gets Busted <04/29/90, 08/19/90, 09/27/90>
(They are laughing at me, not with me) [Maggie]
{The August 18, 1990, episode was the last at 8:30pm on Sundays; from
then on, they aired on Thursdays at 8pm opposite The Cosby Show}
7G01 Some Enchanted Evening <05/13/90, 08/12/90, 10/04/90>
(I will not yell "fire" in a crowded [Nobody]
classroom)
- Season 2 -
7F03 Bart Gets An F <10/11/90, 12/13/90, 05/20/93**>
(I will not encourage others to fly) [Couch falls through floor]
(I will not fake my way through life)
{The second board quote appeared in the middle of the show}
7F02 Simpson and Delilah <10/18/90, 11/29/90, 06/06/91>
(Tar is not a plaything) [The family does a dance]
{The dance at the beginning has been dubbed the ``Simpson Shuffle''}
7F04 Treehouse of Horror <10/25/90, 12/27/90>
{Halloween Special, no quote} [No couch scene]
7F01 2 Cars in Every Garage, 3 Eyes on Every Fish
(I will not Xerox my butt) <11/01/90, 01/03/91, 06/25/92**>
{For the third airing of this episode, [Couch springs out into a bed]
it was (It's potato, not potatoe), an eleventh hour replacement
to accommodate Vice President Quayle. Network 10 in Sydney,
Australia, used the "I will not waste chalk" punishment from
``Bart the Genius'', to help it "fit [their] schedule"}
7F05 Dancin' Homer <11/08/90, 01/17/91, 08/15/91>
(I will not trade pants with others) [Maggie appears from Marge's
{Note that Network 10 in Australia ALSO hair]
used "I will not waste chalk" for the board for THIS show too}
7F08 Dead Putting Society <11/15/90, 03/21/91>
(I am not a 32 year old woman) [Santa's Little Helper and
Snowball II join everyone]
{The board quote is obviously a joke about Nancy Cartwright}
7F07 Bart vs. Thanksgiving <11/22/90, 05/23/91, 11/28/91**>
(I will not do that thing with my tongue)[Grampa Simpson, already on the
couch, complains when everyone
wakes him up]
7F06 Bart the Daredevil <12/06/90, 02/28/91, 08/29/91,
(I will not drive the principal's car) 07/01/93**>
{No blackboard on 12/6, none in US on [Couch tips over because of
2/28, likely to make room for ``Do the Homer's weight; Maggie lands
Bart, Man'' on 12/6 and Fox's Gulf War on a cushion]
Update on 2/28. Greg Patrick reported the 2/28/91 blackboard and
also noted some extra scenes shown in Canada that had not been in
the 12/6/90 airing}
7F09 Itchy & Scratchy & Marge <12/20/90, 03/14/91, 09/12/91>
(I will not pledge allegiance to Bart) [Everyone runs in and looks
where the couch should be]
7F10 Bart Gets Hit By A Car * <01/10/91, 04/04/91, 06/27/91>
(I will not sell school property) [After a brief struggle to
{This does mention the title, and it fit, everyone gets bumped
also says it's ``Episode 23''} off, except Homer]
7F11 One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish <01/24/91, 05/16/91, 11/29/91**>
(I will not cut corners) [The couch tips backwards, then
(" " " " " ) Maggie pops up from behind it]
(" " " " " )
7F12 The Way We Was <01/31/91, 05/30/91, 08/19/93**>
(I will not get very far with this [Couch falls through the floor
attitude) {see 7F03}]
7F13 Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment <02/07/91, 04/18/91, 08/01/91>
(I will not make flatulent noises in [The Simpson Shuffle {see 7F02}]
class)
7F15 Principal Charming <02/14/91, 07/18/91>
(I will not belch the National Anthem) [The couch springs open into
a bed {see 7F01}]
7F16 Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? <02/21/91, 06/20/91>
(I will not sell land in Florida) [Maggie in Marge's hair {see
{Preston Sturge's comedy ``Sullivan's 7F05}]
Travels'' told of a director who, desiring more serious work,
created a film called ``Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?''}
7F14 Bart's Dog Gets An F <03/07/91, 07/25/91, 05/28/92**>
{no blackboard and a VERY abbreviated [1st time: see 7F08]
beginning, to make room for [2nd time: see 7F10]
``Deep, Deep Trouble'' in the first airing; the second had
(I will not sell school property), and some new scenes}
7F17 Old Money <03/28/91, 06/13/91>
(I will not grease the monkey bars) [Grampa waking up {see 7F07}]
{This was the first episode since the end of the Gulf War to have
a full-length beginning. Also [YAY!], the ending credits actually
*listed* which voice artists did which characters}
7F18 Brush with Greatness <04/11/91, 07/04/91, 06/10/93**>
(I will not hide behind the Fifth [Couch tips over at Homer's
Amendment) end; Maggie and a cushion
end up where they started]
7F19 Lisa's Substitute <04/25/91, 08/22/91, 08/08/92**>
{no board; a very abbreviated beginning} [Couch is missing {see 7F09}]
7F20 War of the Simpsons <05/02/91, 08/08/91, 08/20/92**>
(I will not do anything bad ever again) [{see 7F10}]
7F21 Three Men and a Comic Book <05/09/91, 08/25/91, 04/30/92**>
(I will not show off) [1st time: see 7F11]
{The board was written in an Old English [2nd time: see 7F08]
font; no board on the special 08/25/91 airing; on 04/30/92, it was
(I will not sell land in Florida). On the 04/30/92 airing, there
was a small blurb at the end with `Cosby 1984--1992'. Then Bart and
Homer agree that a show should be milked for as much as it could get,
and not leave at the peak of its success}
7F22 Blood Feud <07/11/91, 09/05/91, 10/22/92**>
(I will not sleep through my education) [Couch thru floor {see 7F03}]
- Season 3 -
7F24 Stark Raving Dad <09/19/91, 01/30/92, 04/08/93**>
(I am not a dentist) [They fall back thru the wall]
{Before the opener with the second airing, there was a quick jab at
President Bush's State of the Union address given two days earlier,
when he spoke of American families being more like the Simpsons than
the Waltons. See the capsule for this episode for the details}
8F01 Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington <09/26/91, 12/12/91>
(Spitwads are not free speech) [Homer sits on SLH]
7F23 When Flanders Failed <10/03/91, 01/02/92>
(Nobody likes sunburn slappers) [They do a little dance]
8F03 Bart the Murderer <10/10/91, 01/16/92, 07/23/92>
{No chalkboard in US. In Canada, it was [US: Couch is missing;
(High explosives and school don't mix). CAN: They make a pyramid,
(I will not bribe Principal Skinner) capped by Maggie]
appears later during the show}
8F04 Homer Defined <10/17/91, 02/27/92, 07/09/92>
{No chalkboard with the U.S premiere; in [Couch tips over, leaving Maggie
Canada it was (I will not squeak chalk), on the floor; it was much more
accompanied by some suitable sound interesting in Canada; see the
effects} capsule for more info]
8F05 Like Father, Like Clown <10/24/91, 03/19/92>
{No chalkboard in US; in Canada, it was [Bart leaps onto everyone's lap]
(I will finish what I sta)}
8F02 Treehouse of Horror II <10/31/91, 08/13/92>
{No blackboard or couch; instead Marge gives a disclaimer}
8F06 Lisa's Pony <11/07/91, 04/16/92, 12/24/92**>
{None in US; in Canada, it was [Homer lies down, and everyone
("Bart Bucks" are not legal tender)} sits on him]
8F07 Saturdays of Thunder <11/14/91, 04/02/92, 05/20/93**>
{None in US; in Canada, it was [The cushions are missing, but
(Hamsters cannot fly)} they don't notice until it's
too late]
8F08 Flaming Moe's <11/21/91, 03/05/92, 05/27/93**>
(Underwear should be worn on the inside) [Burglars dump the family off
the couch & run away with it]
8F09 Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk <12/05/91, 05/21/92>
(The Christmas pageant does not stink) [SLH growls threateningly, and
the family backs off]
8F10 I Married Marge <12/26/91, 05/14/92>
(I will not torment the emotionally [All but Maggie cartwheel into
frail) place and do a `Ta Da!' pose;
Maggie hops in and does same]
8F11 Radio Bart <01/09/92, 04/30/92, 11/26/92**>
(I will not carve gods) [Everyone leaps onto the couch,
and bounces on the springs;
their positions change with
each bounce]
8F12 Lisa the Greek <01/23/92, 06/11/92, 01/28/93**>
{No blackboard sequence. For the 3rd [Homer sits on SLH (see 8F01)]
airing, many of the team names were redubbed
according to the progress of the 1993 football season}
8F14 Homer Alone <02/06/92, 05/10/92, 09/17/92**>
(I will not spank others) [Family forms a pyramid
{see 8F03}]
8F16 Bart the Lover <02/13/92, 06/18/92>
{No blackboard sequence} [One-eyed monster {see 8F04}]
8F13 Homer At The Bat <02/20/92, 07/16/92, 06/17/93**>
(I will not aim for the head) [Maggie gets the whole couch
after everyone collides and
falls down unconscious]
8F15 Separate Vocations <02/27/92, 06/04/92, 12/27/92**>
(I will not barf unless I'm sick) [Bart leaps onto everyone's
{and (I will not expose the ignorance of lap {see 8F05}]
the faculty) at the end of the show. The 27th was a two-fer,
with shows at both 8 and 8:30 [in the US]}
8F17 Dog of Death <03/12/92, 07/02/92>
(I saw nothing unusual in the teacher's [Everyone sits on Homer.
[sic] lounge) {see 8F06}]
8F19 Colonel Homer <03/26/92, 07/30/92>
(I will not conduct my own fire drills) [Cushions missing {see 8f07}]
8F20 Black Widower <04/09/92, 06/07/92, 09/03/92**>
(Funny noises are not funny) [Burglars steal the couch
{Usually referred to by the production {see 8F08}]
title, ``The Return of Sideshow Bob''}
8F21 Otto Show <04/23/92, 09/10/92**>
{No blackboard sequence} [SLH owns the couch {see 8F09}]
8F22 Bart's Friend Falls in Love <05/07/92, 07/08/92, 03/18/93**>
(I will not snap bras) [Couch tips over and they crash
through the wall {see 7F24}]
- Season 4 -
8F23 Brother can you spare two dimes? <08/27/92, 12/10/92>
(I will not fake seizures) [Everyone 'cept Maggie cartwheel
into position {see 8F10}]
8F24 Kamp Krusty <09/24/92>
(This punishment is not boring and [Guest appearance by the
meaningless) Flintstones]
8F18 A Streetcar Named Marge <10/01/92, 12/31/92>
(My name is not Dr. Death) [The couch turns into a monster
and swallows everyone whole]
9F01 Homer the Heretic <10/07/92, 01/07/93>
{A very terse introduction and a [CAN: The entire wall rotates
recycled couch scene in the US {see and the family disappears into
7F19}. In Canada it was a secret room. A empty couch
(I will not defame New Orleans)} waits for its next victims]
9F02 Lisa the Beauty Queen <10/15/92, 02/18/93>
{The board quote from 9f01 was shown in [Homer, Marge and Bart overshoot
the US; those pesky Canadians got and momentarily escape the
(I will not prescribe medication)} confines of the film]
9F04 Treehouse of Horror III <10/29/92>
{No blackboard; the introduction sequence[Five skeletons (one has a Bride
passes through a graveyard instead} of Frankenstein hairdo) race
for the couch]
9F03 Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie <11/03/92, 02/25/93>
(I will not bury the new kid) [The couch deflates]
{shown as part of a FOX all-night comedy special as an alternative
to the blanket coverage given to the US Presidential election; the
original air-date was delayed due to some regional sporting event.
Mrs. K forces Marge to write (I will try to raise a better child)}
9F05 Marge Gets a Job <11/05/92, 03/25/93>
(I will not teach others to fly) [Noticing something amiss when
{Several very strong appeals from they sit down, the family
children suffering from Tourette's reach up and exchange *heads*]
Syndrome saw one of Bart's exam excuses being replaced with rabies
in the repeat airings. Simpsons writer Bill Oakley posted that it
is unusual for such an overwhelming reaction to material in the show,
and the change was made after the writers and staff considered if
they might have been too insensitive}
9F06 The New Kid on the Block <11/12/92, 04/22/93>
(I will not bring sheep to class) [Couch falls thru the floor
{see 7F03}]
9F07 Mr. Plow <11/19/92, 03/04/93>
(A burp is not an answer) [The couch missing, they all
squeeze on to a single chair]
9F08 Lisa's First Word <12/03/92, 07/29/93>
(Teacher is not a leper) [All join in for a high-kicking
{The extended couch sequence makes for chorus line version of the
the longest intro to date: 1'34"} Simpsons' theme]
9F09 Homer's Triple Bypass <12/17/92, 06/24/93>
{Intro recycled from 7F15 in the USA; [CAN: A miniature family
elsewhere (Coffee is not for kids). scrambles onto a giant couch]
Bart's handwriting becomes progressively
shakier until the last line is just a scribble}
9F10 Marge vs. the Monorail <01/14/93, 06/03/93>
(I will not eat things for money) [Everyone in Springfield crowds
in between the couch and tv]
9F11 Selma's Choice <01/21/93, 07/08/93>
(I will not yell "She's Dead" during [They step into a trap and are
roll call) suspended by a net in front of
the tv]
9F12 Brother from the Same Planet <02/04/93, 07/22/93>
(The principal's toupee is not [Couch rotates {see 9F01}]
a frisbee)
9F13 I Love Lisa <02/11/93, 07/15/93>
(I will not call the principal [A chorus line {see 9F08}]
"spud head.")
{The premiere US airing used an intro swiped from 8F04}
9F14 Duffless <02/18/93>
(Goldfish don't bounce) [Homer, Marge and Bart overshoot
the couch {see 9F02}]
9F15 Last Exit to Springfield <03/11/93, 08/26/93>
(Mud is not one of [Couch monster eats everyone
the 4 food groups) {see 8F18}]
9F17 So It's Come To This: A Simpsons Clip Show <04/01/93, 08/12/93>
(No one is interested in my [They exchange heads {see 9F05}]
underpants)
{From this episode onward, Simpsons broadcasts shown in New Zealand
start with a warning to parents that the show '`contains scenes which
may disturb younger viewers''}
9F16 The Front <04/15/93, 09/02/93>
(I will not sell miracle cures) [A chorus line {see 9F08}]
{The premiere Ned Flanders short is shown before the closing credits}
9F18 Whacking Day <04/29/93, 09/09/93>
(I will return the seeing-eye dog) [There's only a small chair
to sit on. {see 9F07}]
9F20 Marge In Chains <05/06/93, 08/05/93>
(I do not have diplomatic immunity) [A miniature Simpson family
take the couch {see 9F09}]
9F19 Krusty Gets Kancelled <05/13/93>
(I will not charge admission to [They step into a trap
the bathroom) {see 9F11}]
- Season Five (starting September 30th) -
9F21 Homer's Barbershop Quartet
9F22 Cape Feare (Sideshow Bob Returns)
1F01 Rosebud
1F02 Homer Goes to College
1F03 Marge On the Lam
1F04 Treehouse of Horror IV
1F05 Bart's Inner Child
1F06 Boy-Scoutz N The Hood
1F07 The Last Temptation of Homer
1F08 $pringfield (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
Legalized Gambling)
1F09 Homer the Vigilante
1F10 Homer and Apu
1F11 Bart Gets Famous
1F12 Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy
1F13 Deep Space Homer
1F14 Homer Loves Flanders
1F15 Bart Gets an Elephant
1F16 Burns's Heir
1F17 Lisa's Rival
1F18 (Bart and Principal Skinner)
1F-- Lisa's Hockey Team
1F-- (Homer and Marge's Marital Problem)
1F-- Bart Gets a Girlfriend
1F-- Grampa Falls in Love with Grandma Bouvier
(And a possible 23rd and 24th, if required.)
1F-- [to be written by John Swartzwelder]
1F-- (Summer Swimming Pool/Rear Window Parody)
1.2) The Voices
Starring:
Dan Castellaneta Homer J. Simpson, Abraham J. ``Grampa'' Simpson,
Krusty the Klown, Groundskeeper Willy,
Barney Gumble, Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby
Julie Kavner Marjorie ``Marge'' Bouvier Simpson,
Patty and Selma Bouvier, Marge's mother
Nancy Cartwright Bartholomew J. ``Bart'' Simpson,
Nelson Mundt, Todd Flanders, Kearney
Yeardley Smith Lisa Simpson
Maggie Simpson (in The Tracey Ullman Show)
Hank Azaria Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe, Dr. Nick Riviera,
Police Chief Wiggum, Prof. John Frink, (Sulu)
Harry Shearer Charles Montgomery Burns, Wayland Smithers,
Principal Seymour ``Spanky'' Skinner,
Dr. Marvin Monroe, Otto, Rev. Timothy Lovejoy,
Ned Flanders, Kent Brockman, Jasper, Herman,
Dr. Julius Hibert, (Kirk)
Supporting:
Doris Grau Della (Lionel Hutz's secretary) [7F10]
Lunch Lady Doris [8F05]
the chapel clerk [8F10]
Lurleen Lumpkin [9F10]
Jo Ann Harris Wanda [8F08]
(many others)
Phil Hartman Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure
Voice of Heaven [7F10]
Moses and assorted TV voices [7F13]
Plato [7F17]
Stockbroker [8F09]
Smooth Jimmy Apollo [8F12]
Lyle Lanley [9F10]
himself [9F12]
Tom [9F12]
Pamela Hayden Milhouse, Sylvia Winfield, many others
Jon Lovitz Artie Ziff [7F12]
Professor Lombardo [7F18]
Aristotle Amodopoulos [8F04,8F13]
Llewellyn Sinclair [8F18]
Ms. Sinclair [8F18]
Tress MacNeille Adil Hoxha, many others
Marge's friend in high school [7F12]
Maggie Roswell Maude Flanders, Ms. Hoover, MANY others.
Russi Taylor Martin, Sherri & Terri
Marcia Wallace Mrs. Krabappel, Ms. Mellon, and
Ms. Allbright (the Sunday School teacher)
Guests:
Aerosmith themselves [8F08]
Edwin ``Buzz'' Aldrin ? **
Steve Allen Bart [8F15]
Neil Armstrong himself (uncredited) [9F03]
Anne Bancroft ? **
Tony Bennett himself [7F05]
Greg Berg ? [7F07]
Dr. Joyce Brothers herself [9F15]
Susan Blu ? [7G05,7G06]
Wade Boggs himself [8F13]
David Bowie ? **
Ernest Borgnine ? [1F06]
Albert Brooks Cowboy Bob the RV Salesman [7G09]
Jacques [7G11]
Dr. Brand Goodman [1F05]
James Brown ? [1F05]
Michael Caine ? **
Jose Canseco himself [8F13]
Michael Carrington ? [9F13]
Johnny Carson himself [9F19]
Terry Cashman himself [8F13]
Roger Clemens himself [8F13]
Christopher Collins ? [7G01,7G03]
Daryl L. Coley ? [7F05]
Gerry Cooney ? [1F08]
David Crosby himself [9F20]
Gabor Csupo Maggie Simpson (sucking) [Tracey Ullman Show*]
Beverly D'Angelo Lurleen Lumpkin [8F19]
Danny DeVito Herbert Powell [7F16,8F23]
Harvey Fierstein Karl the Secretary [7F02]
Miriam Flynn ? [7G06]
June Foray Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Baby-
sitting Service receptionist;
telephone operator for ``America's
Most Armed and Dangerous'' [7G01]
``Smokin'' Joe Frazier himself [8F23]
Liz Georges Maggie Simpson [Tracey Ullman Show*]
Sara Gilbert Laura [9F06]
Robert Goulet ? [1F08]
Kelsey Grammer Sideshow Bob [7G12,8F20]
Sideshow Mel [8F20]
Ken Griffey Jr. himself [8F13]
Matt Groening Maggie Simpson (voice) [7F06]
Christopher Guest Nigel Tufnel (Spinal Tap) [8F21]
Neil Patrick Harris himself (as Bart) [8F03]
Chuck Hearn Lakers' announcer (himself) [8F04]
Hugh Hefner himself [9F19]
Dustin Hoffman Mr. Bergstrom [7F19]
{This was listed as "Sam Etic" in the credits;
apparently contract stipulations dictated that
Mr. Hoffman's name *not* be listed.}
Bob Hope himself [9F02]
Michael Jackson himself [7F24]
{Billed as John Jay Smith.}
Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson himself [8F04]
James Earl Jones Narrator for ``The Raven'' [7F04]
Serak the Preparer [7F04]
the moving man [7F04]
Tom Jones himself [9F05]
Larry King Bible-on-Cassette Narrator [7F11]
Werner Klemperer ? **
Cloris Leachman Mrs. Glick [7F21]
Kipp Lennon ? [7F24]
(vocals over closing credits) [9F14]
Ken Levine ? [7F05]
Joe Mantegna Fat Tony, and himself [8F03]
Penny Marshall Lucille Botzcowski (Miss Botz) [7G01]
Jackie Mason Rabbi Hyman Krustofski [8F05]
Don Mattingly himself [8F13]
Larry McKay ? [8F07]
Michael McKean David St. Hubbins (Spinal Tap) [8F21]
Sam McMurray ? [7G03]
Gulliver Dark (lounge singer) [7G10]
Audrey Meadows Beatrice ``Bea'' Simmons [7F17]
Bette Midler herself [9F19]
Joey Miyashima Master chef [7F11]
Sam Neill `some old English guy' [1F09]
Leonard Nimoy himself [9F10]
Luke Perry himself (aka ``Sideshow Luke'') [9F19]
Michelle Pfeiffer Mindy [1F07]
Michele Pillar (vocals over closing credits) [9F11]
Tom Poston Capital City Goofball [7F05]
Conan O'Brien himself [1F11]
Catherine O'Hara Waitress [8F08]
The Ramones themselves [1F01]
Red Hot Chili Peppers themselves [9F19]
Pamela Reed Laura's mother [9F06,1F03]
Kimmy Robertson Samantha Stanky [8F22]
Alex Rocco Roger Meyers, CEO of I&S Intl. [7F09]
Linda Ronstadt herself [9F07]
Steve Sax himself [8F13]
Mike Scioscia himself [8F13]
Brooke Shields herself [9F16]
Sab Shimono Master chef's trainee [7F11]
Ozzie Smith himself [8F13]
Ringo Starr himself [7F18]
Daniel Stern narrator [7F21]
Sting himself [8F11]
Darryl Strawberry himself [8F13]
Elizabeth Taylor Maggie [9F08]
herself [9F19]
James Taylor ? [1F13]
Ron Taylor ? [7G06]
Diana Tanaka hostess at oriental restaurant [7F11]
George Takei Akira, your waiter [7F11]
Tracey Ullman Miss Winthrop [7F14]
Frank Welker Animal noises [7F14,8F06,8F17]
Adam West himself [9F07]
Barry White himself [9F18,9F19]
Lona Williams ? [8F01,8F18,9F02]
Paul Willson ? [7G01]
Notes:
* For the half-hour show, Maggie's sucking noise is replayed from
a synthesizer.
** A rumoured guest in an upcoming episode.
All additions to the list of voices (especially for recent episodes)
are welcomed with open tentacles.
1.3) Other lists and guides, who posted them, and where to get them
The filename in the Widener Simpsons archive is enclosed in square
brackets; those available from busop.cit.wayne.edu are in parentheses.
Shorts from the Tracey Ullman Show [ullman_shorts]
- Brian Howard (bhoward@neon.stanford.edu)
Bart's telephone pranks
- Don Patrick (syslep@pro-lep.cts.com)
``Treehouse of Horror'' Tombstones
- Curtis Hoffmann (currmann@pnet51.org.mn.org)
``Treehouse of Horror'' Details [treehouse_details]
- Matt Stum (00MJSTUM@bsu-ucs.bsu.edu)
States with a Springfield
- Eddie Anthony & Andrew Tannenbaum (trb@ima.isc.com)
Miniature golf course in ``Dead Putting Society'' [golf_course]
- Gregg Townsend
Simpsons Who's Who [cast_list]
- Chip Page (chip@cs.widener.edu) & Raymond Chen
Marge's Itchy & Scratchy list [marge_list]
- Jon Byrd (jon@apollo.med.utah.edu)
Homer's "Dumb Things I Gotta Do Today" [dumb_things]
- Mike Straub (mikes@hcx3.ssd.csd.harris.com)
Simpsons Trading Cards info [card_list]
- Brendan Kehoe (brendan@cygnus.com)
Simpsons Pinball Machine Info [pinball_info]
- Steve Baumgarten (sbb@panix.com) &
Joe Reeves (jreeves@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
Simpsons Quiz [quiz] & [quiz_answers]
- John R. Donald (jdonald@oracle.com)
Excerpts from the Simpsons postcards [post_cards]
- Tom Wilson (wilson@osceola.cs.ucf.edu)
Full Simpsons Quotes [quotes]
- Tom Warren (taw@springfield.cam.bellcore.com) (quotes.z)
and John P. Connolly (connolly@wam.umd.edu)
Itchy & Scratchy Episode Guide [ins_guide]
- J.D Baldwin (baldwin@usna.navy.mil)
The Stellar Acting Career of Troy McClure [troy_mcclure]
- Jeff Soesbe (yeff@apple.com) & Chris Baird (mcclure.txt)
Abstracts of alt.tv.simpsons discussions from
December 1992 until mid March 1993
The Australian Air Dates listing
Butchered in Australia (changes made by Network 10 [butchered_aussie]
to the first two seasons)
Simpson House Floor Plan [floor_plan]
The Simpsons Voicing Credits
Writers & Directors [writers_directors]
- All from Chris Baird (cbaird@scorch.apana.org.au)
Assorted lists and quizzes: Homer's Mmmmm's & Ohhhh's,
Counting Digits, Marge the Mother, The Perfect Crime,
Mr. Burns' historical references, Homer the Bonehead,
Masturbation allusions, Prin. Skinner's slips-of-the-
tongue, Bart's career paths, Product Placements, The
Eloquent Maggie S., The Last Word
Bart vs. the Space Mutants summary [bart_v_mutants]
Collected wisdom on `Where is Springfield?'
Description of the Simpsons arcade video game [video_game]
Descriptions of the Franklin Mint collectors' plates
Movie References [movie_refs]
Simpsons' actors' other roles
The Simpsons in Foreign lands
The Simpsons selling out -- summaries of their
animated commercials
The uncanny predictive powers of the Simpsons writers
- All from Raymond Chen (raymondc@microsoft.com)
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 2: Frequently Requested Files
2.1) The Simpsons Archive
*** Notice ***
* Complications at the Widener site have postponed any updates for the
* time being, but an alternative Simpsons archive (although as of this
* moment, not as complete) exists at busop.cit.wayne.edu [141.217.75.40].
An FTP site is being maintained at ftp.cs.widener.edu [147.31.254.132]
for a lot of the information that's been posted on the group in the past.
The only restriction is that no graphics (GIF/PostScript/etc) files are
being stored. The area is pub/simpsons, and the latest edition of this
FAQ is available from there. Raymond Chen's extensive episode
information has been archived in pub/simpsons/episodes.
An email archive server is available for those people who do not have
access to FTP. Write to archive-server@cs.widener.edu with a Subject:
line of "help" for info on how to use it. To get the latest list of
what's available, use "index simpsons" as a message subject. (For a list
of Raymond Chen's episode info, write "index episodes".)
Tom Warren maintains a shadow of the Simpsons archives on a Fidonet node
at 908/526-1621, 8/n/1, 14.4Kbps. There are also a few "magic" filenames;
SIMP_AIR will yield the list of air dates, SIMP_EPG sends the episode
guide, SIMP_FAQ sends the FAQ, and SIMP_QUO sends the quotes program.
Write to Tom.Warren@f355.n107.z1.ieee.org for further information.
2.2) What is "anonymous ftp" anyway?
Anonymous ftp is a method for obtaining files from other machines over
the Internet. Ask your system administrator for instructions, since
the details vary from place to place. When you ftp, remember that
somebody else is paying for your obsession, so keep your connections to
a minimum. Also, don't ftp overseas unless you *really* have to.
2.3) ASCII pictures
The most infamous (but not necessarily the best) ASCII rendition of
the Simpsons was created by John Schulien (U21187@UICVM.bitnet)
on 14 Apr 90 and originally posted to rec.music.gdead (!).
(####)
(#######)
(#########)
(#########)
(#########)
(#########)
__&__ (#########)
/ \ (#########) |\/\/\/| /\ /\ /\ /\
| | (#########) | | | V \/ \---. .----/ \----.
| (o)(o) (o)(o)(##) | | \_ / \ /
C .---_) ,_C (##) | (o)(o) (o)(o) <__. .--\ (o)(o) /__.
| |.___| /____, (##) C _) _C / \ () /
| \__/ \ (#) | ,___| /____, ) \ > (C_) <
/_____\ | | | / \ /----' /___\____/___\
/_____/ \ OOOOOO /____\ ooooo /| |\
/ \ / \ / \ / \ / \
A collection of other renowned works of ASCII art is available via the
Widener archive server in the file "ascii_pix".
2.4) Quotes files & fortune programs
The Simpsons Fortune program for IBM PCs is available for anonymous ftp
from the following archives:
ftp.cs.widener.edu pub/simpsons simp465.zip
ftp.uni-koeln.de msdos/textutils simp465.zip
garbo.uwasa.fi pc/util simp465.zip
wsmr-simtel20.army.mil pd1:<msdos.txtutl> simp465.zip
wuarchive.wustl.edu mirrors/msdos/txtutl simp465.zip
Please try to locate your nearest equivalent archive site before
resorting to these over-burdened systems.
Tom Warren currently maintains the canonical compilation of Simpsons
quotes and has written an easily portable fortune program in `C'.
Email any enquires to his address above.
2.5) Where can I get graphics and sound files?
For the most comprehensive list of exactly what's out there, query the
Archie Internet database either by a interactive telnet session, an
email enquiry, or through client software. For initial directions in
the use of Archie, refer to Jonathan Kamens' periodic posting `How to
find sources', posted to alt.sources, news.answers, and elsewhere.
===============================================================================
CHAPTER 3: Questions
3.1) Didja notice...?
... everybody has only three fingers and a thumb on each hand?
... whenever police are part of the story, it's the same two cops (who
both have pigs' snouts)?
... Homer works in Sector 7-G at the power plant?
... according to ``Itchy & Scratchy & Marge'', Kent Brockman got the
Emmy he was after in ``Bart vs Thanksgiving''?
... Dr. Hibert and his family are strikingly similar to the Huxtables
from ``The Cosby Show''?
... that Mr. Burns lives at the corner of Croesus & Mammon? [Mammon,
whose name implies "riches", was a daemon of "cupidity" made by
the fallen angel Milton; Croesus was a king of Lydia in the 6th
century B.C. and was well-known for his vast wealth. -- Gerald
Hough <libros@maxwell.physics.purdue.edu>]
... whenever there's an establishing shot of the nuclear plant, you
hear a crow call?
... attempting to find a sequence that the episodes occur to is an
entertaining but futile endeavour?
[in the title sequence]
... that Bart's blackboard punishment changes from show to show?
... that there really are people who're interested in where Bart
cuts off during his punishment, for whatever reason?
... that the cash register says Maggie costs $847.63?
... Lisa's saxophone solo varies during the third and fourth seasons?
... that the ad on the side of the bus [in the first season] was for
none other than Duff Beer?
... that Marge runs through a stop sign?
... that no adequate explanation has been given to why Lisa's
saxophone [in the first season] was strapped to the back of her
bike inside a banjo case?
... that different things happen when the family runs to the couch?
[also, in the title sequence for the second season]
... that Lisa now plays a baritone sax instead of a tenor?
... that Marge is reading ``Mom Monthly'' at the checkout?
And the issues of ``Feeble'' magazine behind her?
... all the stuff that flashes by in the very fast pan of Springfield?
(Regards to Raymond Chen and David Tamkin)
In the park: Milhouse is throwing a baseball;
Bullies (including Nelson Mundt from ``Bart the General'')
have tossed a kid head-first into a garbage pail -- only
his legs are visible;
The bullies in ``The Tell-Tale Head'' (the tall thin one
with the skull-and-crossbones tee-shirt [Jimbo] and the fat
bald one [Kearney] are harassing Martin (the Poindexter);
The next yard: Patty and Selma are sunbathing;
The twins [Sherri and Terri] are walking across the yard to
the park;
Springfield Retirement Castle: Grampa Simpson, Jasper, and another
guy (Herman?) are gawking at Patty and Selma, but Grampa's
holding a book, in case anybody catches him;
The Emmy-winning Kent Brockman (accompanied by his
camera man) are taping;
The road: Dr. Marvin Monroe and Dr. Hibert have clipboards poised.
The school bus is parked with Wendell (looking rather ill)
hanging his head out of the rear window;
Otto's leaning against the front of the bus, taking a
break from changing the front tire;
The two cops (the only cops that've appeared in the show
so far [see 3.1]) are standing behind a police barricade;
the white one is wielding his nightstick.
The Flanders Home: Maude, Ned, and Todd play with birds. Maude has
just let a bird fly away, and Ned has a bird perched on
his outstretched finger. How amazingly Flanders-like!
The Simpson Home: Homer's workbench is in the garage (continuity
error -- see ``Itchy & Scratchy & Marge''), and there's
an empty shelf.
... that Mr. Burns shakes his watch when the 5:00 whistle blows at 3:00?
(Homer leaving at 3 is how he and Bart end up at home at the same time)
... in ``Do The Bart, Man'' that the line is
"I'm the one who made delinquency an art" ?
(he didn't put the "C" in anything)
[if your fingers do the walking ...]
... Homer's phone numbers, according to Principal Skinner's rolodex card,
are:
Before ``Simpson & Delilah'' After
Home: 555-6528 555-6832
Work: 555-7334 555-6754
and that you can reach Moe's Tavern at 555-1239 (happy "hour"
is from 5:00 to 5:30.) ?
... the phone numbers from Homer's television debut in ``Mr. Plow''
Home: 555-3223
Business: 555-3226
[in Life in Hell ...]
... Akbar and Jeff were sporting various hair styles, including
the "Marge Simpson" ?
... The Lombardo Method [7F18] is startlingly similar to ``How to
Draw Binky'' ?
... Bart Simpson cameos regularly in ``Childhood is Hell''.
... after watching Bart on television, Binky critiqued the writing of
the show.. shortly before the premiere of MG's ``Colonel Homer''.
... you'll see the occasional ``D'Ohh.'' (note the spelling)
[in this FAQ ...]
... that a lot of this information was never Frequently Asked? Hehe.
3.2) Who is MG?
MG is Matt Groening, creator of ``The Simpsons'' and ``Life in Hell''.
Intending to be a professional writer after leaving Evergreen State
College, WA (graduated in 1977 at 23), his disappointing career in L.A.
came to an end with the unexpected success of his ``Life in Hell'' comic
strip.
It was LIH that attracted the attention of James L. Brooks of Gracie
Films, who in 1985 invited MG to develop an idea for a future project
that later became the animated Simpsons shorts shown during `The Tracey
Ullman Show'. (Legend says that OFF [see 3.18 for a list of popular
acronyms] were created in ~10 minutes while MG waited in the foyer to
Brooks' office.)
When the show moved to the half-hour format, MG landed the role of
Creative Consultant, and now has a hand in almost every phase of the
production process, like one can if they're the CC. However, it is
stressed that the talented people employed by Gracie Films, Film Roman,
et al. are at fault for the bulk of what happens.
His name appearing on all Simpsons merchandising is a trademark
requirement, by agreement with the 20th Century Fox Film Corporation,
who bought from him the rights and ownership of ``The Simpsons''.
And the distinctive fonts used by the show and magazine (`Matt') were
specially designed in Postscript by Apple Computer employees, and based
on his own handwriting (surprise!) Sorry, but they're proprietary.
3.3) Where did Matt Groening get the names for the Simpson family?
Homer and Margaret (`Marge') are the names of his parents (Mrs. Simpson
is Marjorie); the names of Matt Groening's sons are Homer and Abe. His
siblings are, in birth order, Mark (unused so far), Patty (one of Marge
Simpson's sisters), <then came Matt>, Lisa, and Maggie (named Margaret
like her mother but called Maggie). The name Bart, on the other hand,
was chosen because it is an anagram of `brat'. (Thanks to David Tamkin
for cleaning this up.)
3.4) What's this about "annoying Republicans"?
MG has mentioned in interviews that one of his goals is to annoy as many
Republicans as possible.
3.5) Where is Springfield?
`Springfield' is a fictional location. MG says he chose the name
because it is one of the most common city names and the setting of
the antithesis to the Simpsons, ``Father Knows Best''. Indeed, from
Groening's childhood perspective, that Springfield was `the next town
over' from his home in Portland, Oregon.
Further evidence points at the fictitious nature of Springfield:
The state's capital is `Capital City';
The state's flag is three horizontal stripes;
The state's motto is `Not Just Another State';
As far as we know, no state in the USA has these properties.
The employee information sheet in ``Simpson and Delilah'' had been
incorrectly cited by many people giving Homer's place of birth as
`NC'. Not until recently did someone notice the last letter was
actually an epsilon-ish `E'. The guess is this is a play on words,
representing `Any' state.
Others talk about the zip code in ``Principal Charming'' (90701) as
being in Artesia, California; some have suggested this is simply
because MG lives in the area, and isn't a clue that the Simpsons live
in CA. (Sacramento looks nothing like Capital City, to begin with.)
[Even-more-eagle-eyed viewers will notice that on the box for `sex',
Homer checked `F', then erased it and marked `M'. And super-sharp-
eagle-eyed viewers will notice that he filed the Employee Copy of the
form! What a Homer!]
3.5a) What is the Simpsons' Home address?
In ``Blood Feud'', ``Bart the Lover'' 94 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, USA
In ``Mr. Lisa goes to Washington'' 59 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, T.A
In ``Marge In Chains'', and on Homer's drivers license
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield.
In ``New Kid on the Block'' 1094 Evergreen Terrace
In ``Kamp Krusty'' 430 Spalding Way, Springfield, U.S.A
(Tony Shepps <tredysvr!cellar!toad@gvls1.gvl.unisys.com> wagers that the
last address hints to monologist and actor Spalding Gray, whose humor
is also considered subtle, poignant, and yes, generally irritating to
Republicans. The others were undoubtedly inspired by MG's alma mater.)
3.6) What does the ``J'' stand for in Homer J. Simpson?
Matt Groening says that Homer's middle initial is a token of admiration
for Rocky and Bullwinkle (Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose),
whose own J's were in honor of their creator, Jay Ward.
3.6a) How about Bartholomew J. Simpson?
In the ``Simpsons Rainy Day Fun Book'', it states that Bart's middle
initial stands for ``Jebediah'', and not ``JoJo'', as was previously
reported by Sharon Crichton (sharonc@meaddata.com). Yet, her claim was
backed up by the appearance of ``JoJo'' in a Simpsons periodical. One
can only guess that some facts got lost when the Rainy Day Fun Book was
made.
3.7) Didn't I see/hear ... in ... ?
Here are only few of the more frequently recognized appearances.
*Many* others are listed in the "Simpsons' actors' other roles" guide.
Nancy Cartwright Marian Rose White, The Twilight Zone: The Movie,
an endless list of Saturday morning cartoons
Dan Castellaneta LA Law, Love and War, Married with Children,
Second City (Chicago), The Tracey Ullman Show,
The War of the Roses, an even longer endless list
of television commercials
Julie Kavner Alice, Awakenings, Crimes and Misdemeanors,
Hannah and Her Sisters, Katherine, No Other Love,
Radio Days, Revenge of the Stepford Wives, Rhoda,
This is My Life, The Tracey Ullman Show
Yeardley Smith City Slickers, Heaven Help Us, Herman's Head
(Louise), The Legend of Billy Jean, Maximum
Overdrive, Silence Like Glass, Toys, `a Steven
Spielberg animated feature, but that won't come
out for, like, four years.'
Hank Azaria Herman's Head (Jay), Pretty Woman
Harry Shearer The Fisher King, Le Show (Radio), Man Bites Town
(Sunday LA Times), The Right Stuff, Saturday Night
Live, This Is Spinal Tap! (Derek Smalls)
The Simpsons Die Hard 2, My Own Private Idaho, Oprah Winfrey,
Sesame Street, The 1990 Emmy Awards
3.8) What phone pranks has Bart used on Moe of Moe's Tavern?
7G03: Hey, everybody, I. P. Freeley!
7G06: Hey guys, I'm lookin' for a Jacques Strap.
7G01: Is there an Al Coholic here? ... and ...
Call for Oliver Kloushoff.
7F11: I wanna Seymour Butts.
7F15: C'mon, one o' you guys has gotta be Homer Sexual.
7F22: Hey, has anybody seen Mike Rotch lately?
8F08: Somebody check the men's room for a Hugh Jass!
8F09: Come on guys, do I have a Bea O'Problem here?
9F06: Why can't I find Amanda Hugginkiss? ... and ...
Hey, everybody, put down your glasses. Ivana Tinkle!
(Bart had an accomplice for this one.)
3.8a) Where did the idea for them come from?
An album called ``The Tube Bar'' was recorded some time ago, comprised
of nothing but real prank phone calls. (Like Al Coholic, etc.)
3.9) Which Springfield personality is That?
... Bart's teacher Mrs. Edna Krabappel.
... the bully with the ``Ha Haaa'' laugh Nelson Mundt.
... the pale-skinned kid who's always sick Wendel.
... the three punks Jimbo Jones, Kearney and Dolph.
... the Kwik-E-Mart operator Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
... the armed bandit with the tattoo "Snake".
... Groundskeeper Willy.
... the name of the actor that plays McBain Rainier Wolfcastle
... Springfield's illustrious town founder
Jebediah Obadiah Zachariah Jedediah Springfield.
Springfield's Spanish TV show starring a guy in a bumblebee costume
reminds us of `Lo Mejor De Chesperito' from the Miami-based Univision
network. The town's 24 hour all-talk radio station (callsign `KBBL')
has referred to itself as `K-Babble'.
The most comprehensive register of ``Springfield's Who's Who'' is
Raymond Chen's cast list, available from the Simpsons archive.
3.9a) Which one's Itchy and which is Scratchy?
As Lisa and Bart explained to Herb Powell:
Lisa: "The mouse's name is Itchy, and the cat's name is Scratchy."
Bart: "They *hate* each other."
Lisa: "And they're not shy about expressing it."
3.10) Where do you get the episode titles from?
Some newspapers print the episode titles. We are indebted to Brian
Howard, who was able to get ``inside'' information for the second and
third seasons before they when to air. (He's since married his source,
and made her move out of L.A. Such priorities!) For details of the
fourth and fifth seasons, our thanks goes to David Mirsky and Bill Oakley.
Two of the episodes (as noted in section 1.1, ``The Tell Tale Head'' and
``Bart Gets Hit By A Car'') actually included their titles; it is,
however, rare to see them actually named when broadcast.
3.11) How do I pronounce...
`Groening'? In one of the Life In Hell strips, MG mentioned that
it rhymes with `complaining'. (The High German
pronunciation would be more clearly described as being
between `groaning' and `grayning'; however, since it's
his name, we must pronounce it as he wishes, linguistic
purity notwithstanding.) Also, in an interview on the
television show ``Personalities'', the reporter
consistently pronounced it `grayning'.
`Yeardley'? `Yeardley' is a variant spelling of the British name
`Yardley', whose pronunciation is non-problematical.
You can remember the two trickiest names in the credits with the phrase
`hardly complaining'.
3.12) Which episodes have been released on video?
A set of first season episodes (7g02, 7g03, 7g04, 7g05, 7g06, 7g07,
7g09, 7g11) were released in Britain, New Zealand, and Australia during
October 1991. The collection was distributed on four PAL-encoded VHS
tapes that sold for 10 pounds apiece in the UK. In North America, only
the Christmas special (7g08) has made it to the stores. (And the
frequent demands for the immediate release of the entire Simpson
archives on LD don't appear to be getting anywhere, sigh.)
3.12a) And when will the show appear in syndication?
MG has confirmed in a newspaper interview that `The Simpsons' went up
for syndication in January 1993, with the first broadcasts in the Fall
of 1994. (Kudos to Gary Goldberg for this info.)
The same interview also disclosed MG is working on a *live action*
Krusty the Klown show.
3.13) What's Simpsons Illustrated, and where can I get it?
Simpsons Illustrated is a quarterly "fan" magazine for people who enjoy
The Simpsons, and is currently available in North America and the
Antipodes; it holds all sorts of tasty bits, including shots of the
studio, trivia, and other information. In addition to the four
quarterly issues, a Simpsons Annual is also published.
North Americans can subscribe For subscription enquires in
for a year by sending $7.80 (US) Australia and New Zealand,
or $11.56 (Can) to: write to:
Simpsons Illustrated Simpsons Illustrated
P.O. Box 10195 P.O. Box A276
Des Moines, IA 50340 Sydney South, NSW 2000
Ph: 515 243 4543 Ph: 02 283 5809
And be on the look-out this November for a new *line* of monthly
Simpsons comics from the Groening owned Bongo Comics Group!
3.14) Where can I get the music from ``The Simpsons'' ?
The CD ``The Simpsons Sing the Blues'' is still available from the
occasional music store; the release of ``The Yellow Album'' has been
rescheduled for late 1993. They do not, however, have the title music,
which appears on Danny Elfman's CD, ``Music for a Darkened Theatre'',
and a longer guitar rendition is on Danny Gatton's disc ``88 Elmira
Street''.
The Simpsons also have maxi-single versions of ``Deep, Deep Trouble''
and ``Sibling Rivalry''. It includes the original version of both
songs plus two remixes of ``Deep, Deep Trouble''. (Info courtesy of
Phil Salomon <pjs29326@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>.)
In Europe, Jan-Erik Saarinen <di2saar@kstad2.hks.se> reports the original
``Do the Bartman'' and several remixes were released on 7" and 12" vinyl.
A maxi-single with ``Springfield Soul Stew'' and three variations of
``Deep, Deep Trouble'' also exists, and so do Compact Discs of each
collection.
3.15) Are Burns/Smithers/Jacques/Karl gay or bisexual?
Everyone enjoys debating over whether or not certain characters are
exhibiting sexual characteristics that fit into one group or another.
For example, Karl, Homer's secretary in ``Simpson and Delilah'', was
classified as homosexual because he was slightly effeminate and gave
Homer a kiss. Also, the relationship between Monty Burns and Smithers
constantly swings between "close friends" and "lovers". It's up to
each individual viewer to decide for himself or herself how to
interpret these kinds of situations.
3.16) When did everything (sorta) happen?
1955 1956 1974-1975 1980 1983 1989
| | | | | |
... --+---+--------+----------+-+-----+---------+--- ...
| | | | | | +--Tenth Anniversary
| | | | | +--Lisa born
| | | | +--Bart born
| | | +--Married
| | +--They graduate High School
| +--Marge born
+--- Homer born (05/10/1955)
3.17) Is my local station cutting the episodes?
Probably not, unless you're from Australia or Germany, where the show is
routinely censored to abide with younger childrens' viewing guidelines
because of a ridiculously early time-slot. The abridgement of the title
sequence is done by FOX. Canadian viewers, who don't get the episodes
through FOX and watch the show at 8pm, are usually granted the pleasure
of a full episode each week.
Each episode is produced with extra and alternate animation, to allow
the directors the freedom to decide just what will and won't work, up
until a few days before a show goes to air. FOX has access to the
footage before the final cuts are made, and so it's not unusual for
the extra scene to materialize during the promotions.
3.18) What does "OFF" stand for? (Frequently used acronyms)
A few of the acronyms in popular use within the newsgroup:
OFF Our Favorite Family -- The Simpsons, of course.
DYN Didja (Did You) Notice
UFA The Simpsons Uncensored Family Album -- a reference
from Groening Inc. of somewhat questionable accuracy.
LIH Life in Hell -- another agent for MG's notoriety.
FF Freeze-Frame Fun
AG Animation/continuity Goof -- no one's perfect.
SI Simpsons Illustrated
TRMO That Reminds Me Of... -- for allusions to a genre or
whatever else causes the random firing of brain cells.
7G01, 8F21, ... The unique FOX production codes seen during the
closing credits of each half-hour episode.
A "FF" is typically a list that requires the pause of a VCR to discern,
like `Things in the attic', or `degrees on Lionel Hutz's wall'. The
text of signs also counts (like `For the Obese or Gangly Gentleman' or
`Diz-nee-land'). Otherwise, it's a DYN. So green rats, mouse holes in
the wall, and purple food glop count as `Didja notice's. --Raymond Chen.
"TRMO" has been introduced to end the abuse of the word "reference"
whenever graduation caps are thrown into the air, there's a riot at
a rock concert, a rickety bridge is crossed over, and so on.
3.19) Is Matt Groening aware of Usenet?
The more interesting contributions to the newsgroup do occasionally
follow an indeterminate path and wind up before the creators of the
show and magazine. However, for the specific question ``Is MG provided
with direct access, or is even personally aware of us beyond the `yet
another group of devoted fans' ?'' The answer is, sadly, no.
A small number of employees from Gracie Films (James L. Brooks' studio;
they're the company which actually produces the show for FOX.) have
known of this newsgroup's existence since the first few months and
have been "lurking" ever since, according to Brian Howard.
In the past many postings have claimed to have originated from Matt
Groening and other identities. One should immediately be skeptical of
<any> messages that claim to have been sent by a notable personality;
it is a trivial exercise to fake an article that appears to have come
from another person.
In June 1993 MG accepted an invitation from the Prodigy commercial BBS to
chit-chat with their users, personally answer a few of those annoying
standard questions, and detail the reality of his involvement with the
show. Users of the Internet can retrieve a transcript of this event
from the Busop Simpsons archive (pub/simpsons/txt/prodigy.txt).
3.20) What became of Tracey Ullman's law-suit?
Lawyers on behalf of Tracey Ullman have twice filed litigation
proceedings against FOX, not MG or Gracie Films, insisting although
there was never any signed agreements when the show went to the half-
hour format, that she should be entitled to 7.5% of `The Simpsons' net
merchandising profits. Both claims were later rejected in court.
3.21) What's this I hear of a Simpsons television spin-off?
Although it is not affiliated in any way with The Simpsons or the FOX
network, former executive producers Al Jean and Mike Reiss are at work
on an animated series called `The Critic'. The best reports mention a
debut in early 1994.
3.22) Why isn't/aren't ... mentioned in this FAQ?
lists of scripts
Since Twentieth-Century Fox explicity forbids any retransmission or
duplication of scripts for the show, it would be illegal.
But the next best thing to genuine scripts are the episode `capsules'
[see 2.1] prepared by Raymond Chen. These contain extensive scene
summaries and interesting newsgroup remarks and discussions from *all*
the half-hour and Tracey Ullman Show cartoons. (The most recent set of
capsules are avaliable from the Busop archive.)
current lists of newspaper interviews, ISBN numbers for Simpson books, etc.
Someone is still to accept the Sisyphean feat of bringing much of the
archives' very out of date material into the 90s'...
3.23) Why isn't this rec.arts.tv.simpsons?
The rec.arts.tv hierarchy is intended for television series that have
"Staying" power (aka will be around 5 years from now). As a result, a
goodly number of people object to the creation of a Simpsons group in
the higher-propagated rec hierarchy, because they feel it won't be
around in a few years. Tsk tsk!
===============================================================================
Thus endeth the FAQ.