Matt Groening<\/a> has revealed The Simpsons only happened by accident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Matt Groening has revealed The Simpsons only happened by accident<\/p>\n
The 72-year-old creator of one of television\u2019s most successful cartoon franchises has revealed the series began as a spur-of-the-moment idea, and admitted he only created The Simpsons moments before a crucial meeting because he feared the fledgling Fox network might not survive.<\/p>\n
Matt reflected on the origins of the long-running animated series while speaking at the Peabody Awards, explaining he had originally intended to pitch a different concept to producer James L. Brooks for a series of animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. <\/p>\n
Instead, at the last minute, he decided to keep his existing idea in reserve and invent something entirely new. <\/p>\n
Matt explained concerns about the future of the then-new Fox network led him to change course.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cI was going to do something else and just before I met with Jim\u2026 I thought to myself, you know, this is a Fox network, it’s brand new, it’s probably going to fail. I\u2019d better make up something new so that if it doesn\u2019t work out, I have something else to fall back on\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAsked whether he had already developed characters such as Homer Simpson or Bart Simpson before the meeting, Matt said: \u201cNo, not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Matt, the concept that would eventually become a global phenomenon was created on the spot, a recollection echoed by James.<\/p>\n
\nThe producer told People magazine Matt pitched the idea \u201con the spot\u201d, setting in motion a chain of events that would reshape television animation.<\/p>\n
\nMatt recalled the original format for The Simpsons shorts became progressively shorter as plans evolved.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cThe first thing he said was, \u2019You\u2019ve got two minutes per episode’. And I went, ‘Oh my gosh, how can you tell a story in two minutes? That’s impossible\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd then he called me back and said, \u2018I\u2019m sorry, it\u2019s one minute\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd then he called me back and said, \u2018It\u2019s not one minute, it\u2019s four 15-second clips\u2019. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cSo the whole success of the Tracey Ullman Show shorts were based on 15-second cartoons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Simpsons debuted as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 before launching as a standalone primetime series in December 1989. <\/p>\n
\nSince then, it has become the longest-running scripted television series in US history and one of the most influential shows in popular culture. <\/p>\n
\nThe programme remains a cornerstone of Fox\u2019s schedule and recently celebrated its 800th episode, a milestone Matt discussed earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\nOver more than three decades, The Simpsons has become known for characters including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson, while attracting hundreds of guest stars ranging from Hollywood actors and musicians to politicians, athletes and world leaders.<\/p>\n
\nThe show’s cultural impact has extended far beyond television, with countless references entering popular culture and frequent discussion about storylines that appeared to predict future events.<\/p>\n
\nEarlier this year, while attending a celebration marking the programme\u2019s 800th episode, Matt reflected on the extraordinary longevity of the series.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cYou like to think that something’s going to last forever, but in our case, apparently it does.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSo it’s really wild. Could not have anticipated this amount of longevity and attention and enthusiasm.\u201d<\/p>\n
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