When people think of popular animated series, names such as Rick and Morty, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Futurama, and Adventure Time often come up but it would be difficult to find someone unfamiliar with The Simpsons. More than a mere series, the cultural phenomenon premiered in 1990 and has remained a constant in the world of cartoons ever since.
Currently on it's thirty-first season, The Simpsons is still getting the attention of fans by bringing on big name guest stars like Kevin Feige and the Russo Bros for an Avengers themed episode. With no particular end in sight, it's likely that the show will continue to air for years.
While the showrunners have changed over the years, the quality of the classic series has been consistent. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Mike Scully, who is currently a consulting producer on the show, but at one time he was the showrunner, p, and the writer all at once - and he earned five Primetime Emmys while doing so. Take a look at what he had to say below!
Joe: What was it like to work on The Simpsons, a series that has consistently performed well for decades?
Mike Scully: I still work there part-time as a consulting producer and I never tire of it. It changed my life, how I thought about comedy, and it’s an incredible honor to be a part of the show.
Joe: When writing for The Simpsons, was there a specific character that you felt you connected with most?
Mike Scully: I love Krusty because we had a TV clown when I was a kid named Colonel Clown, who used to show Three Stooges shorts. I learned later in life that he was really a Vegas lounge comic named Joey Russell. I’m pretty sure his off-camera life was a lot like Krusty’s.
Joe: You took home five Primetime Emmys for your work on The Simpsons. What was that experience like to realize that your contributions to such a well-known show were award-worthy?
Mike Scully: It’s always fun to get a trophy. Seriously, it’s a very cool honor, especially now that there’s so many great animated shows in the category.
Joe: When did you first realize that you wanted to work in television comedy?
Mike Scully: Subliminally when I was a kid watching the Dick Van Dyke Show, I thought it looked like a fun job, sitting around trying to make your co-workers laugh all day. I was right.
Joe: You were also involved in The Simpsons Movie, which was more recent. Could you see yourself returning to the show in any capacity or possibly having involvement in another movie down the line?
Mike Scully: I’m still a consulting producer on the show. If there were ever another movie, it would be a thrill to be a part of it, but there’s a new generation of writers on the show now and it might be smarter to let them run with it.
What do you think of Mike's comments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section and check out the trailer for the lastest season of The Simpsons below!
The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons exploded into popular culture in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie are instantly identifiable television icons. Rounding out this cast of characters are many beloved Springfield residents, including tavern proprietor Moe Szyslak (Hank Azaria) and nuclear power plant owner Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer). The Emmy Award-, Annie Award- and Peabody Award-winning animated comedy began its 31st season this year.
You can catch up on The Simpsons on Disney+.