The Simpsons

[mfunk9786]

The irony in everyone on the internet (most of whom haven't watched a new Simpsons episode in 10-15 years) complaining about the voices being recast is that if one watches a more recent episode, they'll quickly notice that none of the characters sound the same as they used to. Bart and Moe are particularly phoned in, and Julie Kavner, someone famous for having a voice that always sounds a bit like it's getting away from her, actually seems to finally be losing her voice. Lisa is the only major character that's still got the same sound, probably because Yeardley Smith essentially plays it straight, and that's how she sounds.

[swo17]

Haven't they made enough episodes at this point to have developed a database of Harry Shearer saying every word in the English language, in each of his signature voices?

[Feiereisel]

Extremely plausible for a character like Otto, though I think they'd want a little more nuance for characters like Burns or Flanders.

In any case: "SOUTH PARK did it! SOUTH PARK did it!"

[djproject]

Actually, this calls for a reference to another venture Harry Shearer was involved in (interestingly enough, I would hardly describe Shearer's work on The Simpsons to be categorized as "lukewarm water"):

===

INT. HOTEL LOBBY - NIGHT

Marty: Has he ever done this before? Has he ever....

David: well, no.

Marty: ...quit the band before?

David: No, but it's....you've got to understand that like in the world of rock and roll there are certain changes that sometimes occur, and you've just got to, sort of, roll with them, you know. I mean you read... you read... you saw exactly how many people who's been in the band over the years, 37 people's been in this band over the years. I mean It's like, you know, six months from now, I can't see myself missing Nigel more than I might miss Ross McLochness, or Ronnie Pudding, or Danny Upham, or Little Danny Schindler, or any of those, you know, it's...

Marty: I can't...I can't believe it. I can't believe it, you know, that, you're lumping Nigel in with, uh you know, these people you've played with for a short period of time...

David: Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation, but still in all, I mean you've got to be realistic about this sort of thing, you know....

Marty: So, what happens to the band now?

David: What do you mean?

Marty: He's not coming back, or...?

David: No, we, we shan't work together again.

===

[Matthew]

Actually, this calls for a reference to another venture Harry Shearer was involved in. . . <snip!>

My favorite Shearer anecdote is also from the formative days of This Is Spinal Tap. I'm paraphrasing heavily; the story is included in This is Spinal Tap: Official Companion Paperback. Shearer saw what would become Derek Smalls' iconic double-necked bass guitar at a music store and was immediately struck by the utter oddity of it. He asked a store employee what the point of it was. "None, apparently", he was told. Shearer replied "It's perfect."

The only explanation I could ever come up with for a double-neck bass would be to have two different tunings (perhaps one standard and one custom). That is, of course, simply a guess.

[flyonthewall2983]

[mfunk9786]

Huh?

[flyonthewall2983]

Rumors have been swirling around the internet that they are going to separate next season. That's from the show's official Twitter page, so that might just be all it is.

[mfunk9786]

Oh, ok. Like that episode from 20 years ago? Cool

[dx23]

Al Jean said that Homer and Marge will separate and that Bart will get killed by Sideshow Bob. I know the latter is happening on Treehouse of Horrors but the former apparently is a plot for one of the episodes of next season and from what I just heard in @Midnight, it involves a character voiced by Lena Dunham (ugh!!).

[domino harvey]

Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz auditions to be a scab for Harry Shearer

[mfunk9786]

what
the
fuck

[swo17]

Former presidential hopeful Ted Cruz auditions to be a scab for Harry Shearer

Fixed.

[Gregory]

Ouch. This is what happens when the idiot boss is used to subordinates/sycophants laughing exaggeratedly at his jokes and impressions and saying they're dead-on accurate.

[David M.]

Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz auditions to be a scab for Harry Shearer

That was so bad I actually felt embarrassed to be watching it.

[SpiderBaby]

His best impression is being an emotionless Homer Simpson that lacks any redeeming qualities, seems to be pretty good at that one.

[sir_luke]

I desperately hope that's sarcasm I hear in Buzzfeed's voice when they implore me to subscribe for more wonderful things

[lacritfan]

First you do the YouTube about the show the kids dig, then that gets the attention of the SNL and they'll ask you to host, then you get the youth vote.

"kids" watching - gee what happened to Will Forte's hair...

[domino harvey]

Jon Huntsman's daughters were our last hope. RIP Politicians' Street Cred

[flyonthewall2983]

He's back

[mfunk9786]

Sounds like a huge bluff to me.

Shearer is a notoriously toxic personality off camera and he wouldn't have been doing this job for 25 years were it not for a feeling on some level that he's being adequately compensated for it. He's bluffing.

Just wait.

[jindianajonz]

Ted Cruz must be inconsolable.

[domino harvey]

Eh, Ted Cruz muust bee innconsolable, Smitherss.

[domino harvey]

TVShowsOnDVD looks into Al Jean's claims that the Simpsons sets are poor sellers

[flyonthewall2983]

Sunday's episode was really good. It drove home what it was like to be 8 and scared.

In other news this guy has been taking acid and wrote a beautiful tribute to the show on reddit.