Mike Reiss worked on The Simpsons for 30 years. He was head writer during the period when The Simpsons won four Emmy Awards. Springfield Confidential is a mashup of memoir and “How To Write a Great Comedy Script.” Reiss shows how the episodes were put together: it takes 23 steps to produce a finished episode–about nine months. He shares a lot of writing tips. Reiss provides a personal history of The Simpsons with insider information–like why the Simpsons are yellow. Mike Reiss also wrote children’s books: How Murray Saved Christmas, Santa Claustrophobia, and The Boy That Looked Like Lincoln.. If you’re a fan of The Simpsons you’ll love this book! If you’re a casual watcher of the program, there’s enough humor and information here to keep you interested. Do you have a favorite episode of The Simpsons? GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
FORWARD by Judd Apatow xiii
Opening credits.
Burning question: Where is Springfield? — 5
Act one.
It begins … ; 9
A brief history of me ; 23
Funny for money — 37
Act two.
Meet the writers ; 51
Simpsons songs : who writes them, how are they written, and why are there so goddamn many? ; 89
Meet the showrunners ; 91
Meet the characters ; 99
Meet the cast ; 111
Burning question: Do you read what fans post on websites? ; 139
Four episodes that changed the world (kinda) ; 141
Burning question: What do you think of Family Guy? ; 161
Meet the fans ; 163
Burning question: What do you say to people who say the show has gone downhill? ; 175
Seeing the world with The Simpsons ; 177
Burning question: Why has the show lasted so long? — 191
Act three.
On comedy ; 197
How Krusty became The Critic ; 209
Burning question: What’s the biggest reason The Critic failed? ; 221
A development deal with the devil ; 223
Burning question: What is the secret of The Simpsons’ success? ; 229
Doing animated films for cash (not credit) ; 233
The sleazy, nasty world of children’s books ; 241
Gay for pay ; 247
Writing for humans again! ; 255
Back to the old tire fire — 261
The tag.
It never ends … ; 275
The final burning question: Why are the Simpsons yellow? 279
CLOSING CREDITS
Glossary 283
Answers to NPR Puzzles 289
Acknowledgements 291
Image Credits 295
About the Authors 297
Love The Simpsons. I find it the best of the adult animated shows on tv. Can’t stand Family Guy or Bob’s Burgers. I don’t think I’ve missed an episode.
Steve, FX broadcast all the episodes of THE SIMPSONS about a year ago…in order.
I have to confess that though I really like The Simpsons and enjoy it whenever I see it, we just don’t watch it on a regular basis. Jackie isn’t a fan, and I rarely think to record it. I suppose this book would help me catch up.
Jeff, I was amazed at what goes into each episode. Incredible time and effort! You can see why THE SIMPSONS has lasted for decades!
I used to watch it all the time…not so much the last couple of seasons. There are so many great episodes, it’s hard for me to pick a favorite, but the one where Homer goes to Krusty’s clown college still makes me bust a gut. I also like the episode where Bart sells his “soul” to Mulhouse (this episode also includes an epic rendering of “In-a-Gada-da-Vita”). The episode where Grandpa Simpson decides to use an unexpected bequest to spruse up the retirement home where he lives is so poignant, I always end up with tears in my eyes.
Deb, those are some great episodes! I’m a huge fan of Marge so my favorite episodes are: “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge” Season 2, Episode 9 and “Marge vs. the Monorail” Season 4, Episode 12. As you point out, amid all the humor of THE SIMPSONS there are special, poignant moments.
Love the episode where Homer gets a gun. When told there is a waiting period Home whines “but I want to shoot someone now.”
Steve, I love that episode! So true!
During the first season, I watched a few episodes if I came across them, but don’t remember any and don’t think I’ve seen any others. Barbara does NOT like animation, so that put an end to that.
Rick, Diane has programs she watches, I have programs I watch, and then there are the programs we both like and watch together.
Ashamed to admit I have never seen an episode. I have never been able to treat animation seriously. Even as a kid. I am sure I have missed so much.
Patti, THE SIMPSONS is the Gold Standard for animated humor. Plenty of pop culture references and Special Guest Stars!
As soon as I learned that Bart’s voice was provided by a $cientologist I stopped watching!