The Simpsons - Al Jean Interview

Update: The transcript has now been added to the bottom of this post.

I was given the opportunity to partake in a conference call with Simpsons showrunner Al Jean. I didn't get the chance to ask any questions, nor did I request any from SpoilerTV readers - this due to the fact that I was originally going to use Skype for the call, which due it not giving out a digital signal, means you can't enter the queue for asking questions - as it happens I ended up having problems with Skype and used my phone instead, meaning I could have asked questions but hey ho.

A full transcript will be sent to us soon and I'll add it to this post when it is, but for now, here's a little summary of what was divulged in the call. There are some things missing - unfortunately the quality of the call wasn't crystal clear and I can't write notes that fast.

On a potential sequel: The crew are "swamped right now" and so no sequel is currently in the works. However, Jean said that they would "be interested" in doing a sequel, but would only do so if they felt they had a story to tell. A sequel will "not (be made) for the sake of (it)".

On a Robin Williams tribute: Jean believes that because "he never did the show", creating a tribute to him would feel like "capitalising on this tragic thing" and be "not appropriate". However, he did speak about how everyone he knows who worked with him spoke only positively about him.

About the FXX Simpsons Marathon: Jean talked about binge-watching shows such as 24, but since it's against common health sense to stay up and watch every episode, you should "record (episodes) and watch later". Jean also talked about how they "screwed up" episodes in Season 3, and how he thinks Seasons 14-16, when digital colouring was first used, were "really great".

On how much the show has evolved: "The storytelling got more complicated". Other than that, the show "hasn't really changed much" since the start of the show, and they don't approach the show any differently to when they started.

On how long the show might last: "Our ratings are really good." From a network standpoint, he believes that they should look at the fact that it has a "lot of room to run.", even joking about how the show is the "most important thing that ever happened".

On the legacy of the show: When the point was raised that people in high school when the show premiered are now in the middle of their career, Jean said that The Simpsons is a show that "wherever you are in a family, there's something you can relate to".

On what state Springfield is in: Oregon is seminal in the show, but Springfield isn't located there.

What else is good on television: The Daily Show, the Jon Oliver Show and Mad Men.

Thanks very much to Al for taking the time to make the call.

Bradley Adams

15 year old in England. I'm a big TV fan, with my range of shows almost exclusively dramas. Some of my all-time favourite shows include 24, LOST, Breaking Bad and Friends. Some of my current favourites include Person of Interest, Arrow and The Walking Dead. I review Person of Interest and 24: Live Another Day for Spoiler TV. I also run an Arrow blog, ArrowFansUK, as well as my own tv blog. Aside from TV, I'm a keen cricketer.

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