Tag: The Simpsons (53-65 of 68)

May 6 2011 08:06 PM ET

Season finale alert! When to expect goodbye episodes from 'Survivor,' 'Chuck,' and 'Saturday Night Live'

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TV-Finales

Image Credit: David M. Russell/CBS; Byron Cohen/NBC; Jack Rowan

Where did the time ago? It seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the start of Lone Star; now we can barely remember that two-timing cad. That’s because it’s season finale time – that heartbreaking period when we bid adieu to nine months of scripted heaven to make way for three months of unscripted hell on the broadcast networks. (Don’t worry, Big Brother: We still adore thee).

Fire up your DVR playlists, kids … here are all the broadcast net finales. READ FULL STORY »

May 4 2011 02:44 PM ET

Ted Nugent to run for president on 'The Simpsons' -- EXCLUSIVE

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Ted-Nugent

Image Credit: Lyle A. Waisman/Getty Images

Donald Trump isn’t the only conservative reality-TV star with interesting hair and dreams of becoming president of the United States: EW has learned that Ted Nugent will make a bid for America’s top office when he lends his voice to an episode of The Simpsons. In next season’s “Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson,” the famous rocker/hunter plays himself — as a Republican candidate for president who seeks Homer’s endorsement. (Homer, as it turns out, has become a populist TV pundit with his show “Gut Check with Homer Simpson.”) This marks the Motor City Madman’s first appearance on the animated Fox comedy, though he was briefly heard on the phone in season 19’s “I Don’t Wanna Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.”

Read more:
Ted Nugent on Eliot Spitzer’s Alec Baldwin interview: ‘What is this, ‘Planet of the Apes’ or CNN?’
‘Running Wild… From Ted Nugent’ already my new favorite reality show (title)
‘Simpsons’ exec Al Jean understands if reruns with nuclear jokes are pulled


Mar 27 2011 10:31 PM ET

'Simpsons' exec producer Al Jean: 'I completely understand' if reruns with nuclear jokes are pulled

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Bart-Simpson

Image Credit: FOX

Japan’s nuclear power plant crisis is no laughing matter in Springfield: Networks in several European countries are reportedly reviewing episodes of The Simpsons for any “unsuitable” references to nuclear disaster. An Austrian network has apparently pulled two eps, 1992’s “Marge Gets a Job” and 2005’s “On a Clear Day I Can’t See My Sister,” which include jokes about radiation poisoning and nuclear meltdowns, respectively. Al Jean — exec producer of the animated Fox comedy featuring inept family man/nuclear power plant worker Homer Simpson — tells EW that he can appreciate the concern. “We have 480 episodes, and if there are a few that they don’t want to air for awhile in light of the terrible thing going on, I completely understand that,” says Jean, citing the previous example of the 1997 episode “Homer Versus the City of New York” that was pulled after 9/11 because it included key scenes at the World Trade Center. “We would never make light of what’s happening in Japan.” READ FULL STORY »

Mar 24 2011 03:06 PM ET

Elizabeth Taylor: 'Simpsons' exec producer Al Jean remembers the film legend's one-word turn as baby Maggie -- EXCLUSIVE

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Simpsons-Liz-Taylor

Image Credit: Fox; Jim Smeal/WireImage.com

While Elizabeth Taylor made her greatest impact on the big screen, she entertained on the small screen as well. In a 1992 episode of The Simpsons, she voiced the first word ever uttered by baby Maggie: “Daddy.” Simpsons executive producer Al Jean shares his memories of Taylor’s recording session with EW.

“There was nobody more famous or glamorous. Usually for the records, the room was almost empty — we’d have the cast and then a couple writers. That day, the recording stage was completely filled. She came in, she had a little dog, and she wore her ring, which was huge. It cost more than my house. We had her do the one line where she said ‘Daddy’ as Maggie. I’m looking at the ‘Most Beautiful Woman in the World,’ trying to think, ‘What does that sound like coming out of a cute little baby?’ I asked her for a lot of takes because it’s very hard to know what you want on one word, but she was really funny about it. After I said, ‘Okay, we got it!’ she said ‘F— you!’ in the Maggie voice. READ FULL STORY »

Jan 28 2011 03:11 PM ET

'The Simpsons': Andy Garcia to guest star, nod to his 'Ocean's Eleven' character -- EXCLUSIVE

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Andy-Garcia-SimpsonsImage Credit: Everett Collection; FoxFans of The Simpsons, our advice to you is to run and hide: Andy Garcia is lending his voice to an episode of the animated comedy that winks at the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, EW has learned exclusively. In a playful nod to his Ocean’s character, menacing casino magnate Terry Benedict, the film actor guest stars as an evil children’s fantasy book publisher, says Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman, who reveals only this about the plot: “Homer and some people in Springfield have to perpetrate an Ocean’s Eleven–style heist in the non-Ocean’s Eleven world of children’s fantasy book publishing.” Garcia recorded his lines earlier this week, and although the character hasn’t been designed yet, Selman hopes to include a reference to Benedict’s love of fine art: “No matter where he is, he’ll always have a famous painting behind him.” Should viewers expect to see/hear some other big names from the movie? “We thought about going for Clooney, Pitt, and Damon, but why do that when you can have Homer, Skinner, and Frink?” quips Selman. Fantasy author Neil Gaiman also pops up (as himself) in this episode, which is titled “The Book Job” and is scheduled to air on Fox early next season.

(Twitter: @dansnierson)

Read more:
‘Simpsons’ takes another jab at Fox News
Jane Lynch to guest as Homer’s work rival

Dec 14 2010 04:44 PM ET

'Simpsons' exclusive: Jane Lynch to guest as Homer's work rival

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Jane-LynchImage Credit: Bob Charlotte/PR Photos; FoxFans of The Simpsons can shout with Glee: Jane Lynch is lending her voice to an episode of the animated Fox comedy, EW has learned exclusively. Lynch — whose Emmy-winning performance as Glee’s menacing Sue Sylvester earned her a Golden Globe nomination on Tuesday — plays Roz, Homer’s new assistant at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. “This woman seems terrifically nice, but then it turns out she’s just completely undermining him every step of the way and gets his job — until he can discover her one weakness with the help of Ned Flanders,” explains Simpsons executive producer Al Jean.

Jean notes that it was an easy decision to cast Lynch as the duplicitous Roz: “She can do edge, sweetness, and a mix of both,” he says of the actress, who recorded her lines last week. “I’m just embarrassed we didn’t ask her before she was so successful because she’s funny in everything she does. We were very happy when she said yes.” The episode, titled “Replaceable You,” is slated to air early next season. Three of Lynch’s Glee co-stars — Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, and Amber Riley — guest-starred on the first episode of this season.

Dan on Twitter: @dansnierson

Read more:
Golden Globe: List of nominees
‘Simpsons’ takes another jab at Fox News
‘Simpsons’ exclusive: David Mamet to guest

Dec 7 2010 02:36 PM ET

'Simpsons' exclusive: David Mamet to guest

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David-Mamet-Homer-SimpsonImage Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd; FoxWe swear this is true: David Mamet will pop up on The Simpsons. Simpsons executive producer Al Jean tells EW exclusively that the award-winning playwright/screenwriter (Glengarry Glen Ross) will lend his voice to an episode in which he plays a version of himself — one that was a writer on Thicker Than Waters, a hokey ‘80s family sitcom that Homer becomes obsessed with. In a scene that winks at Mamet’s penchant for using profanity, Homer winds up watching a documentary about the fictional comedy, which features old footage of Mamet getting an earful from one of the Thicker actors. “He just keeps swearing at him, saying, ‘Why don’t you f—ing learn how to f—ing write an f—ing script?’” explains Jean. “And David says, ‘Hmmm, f—. I can use that… ‘” (Obviously, the f-words will be bleeped out.) Jean adds that he was thrilled to include a Mamet cameo on The Simpsons. “Obviously, it’s an honor for us,” he says. “In fact, we clearly ripped off the Jack Lemmon character from Glengarry Glen Ross and used him as our underachieving salesman Gil.” The episode, titled “Homer the Father,” airs Jan. 23 on Fox.

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‘Simpsons’ exclusive video: Katy Perry as Moe’s girlfriend? Homer as a puppet? Check out clips from Sunday’s Christmas episode!

(Follow:@dansnierson)

Dec 3 2010 11:06 PM ET

'Simpsons' exclusive video: Katy Perry as Moe's girlfriend? Homer as a puppet? Check out clips from Sunday's Christmas episode!

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Katy-Perry-SimpsonsImage Credit: FoxThe Simpsons would like to wish you a very Perry Christmas: The animated Fox comedy’s holiday episode on Dec. 5 includes a special live-action segment that features pop star Katy Perry hamming it up with Simpsons characters that have been transformed into puppets. Can’t wait until Sunday to get a peek at Perry and the puppets? You may open this present early: Two exclusive clips from the episode! But first, let’s hear about the plot that brings Perry into the world of Homer & Co. “Maggie has a Muppet-type DVD that no one will let her watch, so she has this puppet dream with the Simpsons, and Katy Perry shows up the way Elton John would on The Muppet Show,” Simpsons executive producer Al Jean tells EW. Clad in a flashy red dress that would have stressed out the folks at Sesame Street, Perry sings “The 39 Days of Christmas” with the Simpsons, Mr. Burns, and Moe, who, believe it or not, is her boyfriend. “Moe can’t actually reach her — he’s too short — so there’s a slightly risqué joke at the end of the show,” hints Jean. “Don’t tune out during the credits.” The episode, which is titled “The Fight Before Christmas,” also boasts an appearance by (an animated) Martha Stewart.

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 3 2010 07:14 PM ET

Fall winners and losers: 'NCIS' reigns supreme; 'Dancing with the Stars' is most-watched reality show

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2010-Fall-TV-StandingsImage Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC; Justin Lubin/Fox; Richard Cartwright/CBS; Eric McCandless/ABCWe’ve already seen the death of six new shows (Lone Star, My Generation, The Whole Truth, Undercovers, Outlaw and Running Wilde, though Fox hasn’t officially canceled the latter) as well as the departure of some old ones (So long, Medium! Looks like you’re out the door, too, Life Unexpected!) So it probably shouldn’t come as any surprise that HUT levels among CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC (that’s “homes using television”) are down 3 percent this year (from 39.7 million to 38.5 million).

Does that mean there weren’t enough good shows to watch on the Big Four this fall? Glee, Modern Family and The Good Wife fans would probably disagree, but it’s never good when so many freshman series tank before the holidays. Here’s how all the shows ranked in total viewers from Sept. 20 to Nov. 28:

1. NCIS (CBS) 21.3 million
2. Dancing with the Stars (ABC) 21.2 million
3. NFL Sunday (NBC) 20.2 million
4. Dancing with the Stars results (ABC) 18.5 million
5. NCIS: LA (CBS) 17.4 million
6. The Mentalist (CBS) 17.3 million
7. Criminal Minds (CBS) 16.2 million
8. CSI (CBS) 15.9 million
9. Two and A Half Men (CBS) 15.5 million
10. NFL Sunday pre-kickoff (NBC) 15.2 million
11. The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 15 million
12. Modern Family (ABC) 14.7 million
13. Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 14.6 million
14. Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) 14 million
15. 60 Minutes (CBS) 13.9 million
16. The Good Wife (CBS) 13.7 million
17. Survivor: Nicaragua (CBS) 13.3 million
18. Blue Bloods (CBS) 13.25 million
19. Desperate Housewives (ABC) 13.22 million
20. Castle (ABC) 13 million READ FULL STORY »

Nov 23 2010 08:44 PM ET

'The Simpsons': Get an exclusive first look at Martha Stewart in the Dec. 5 Christmas episode

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Martha-Stewart-Simpsons_510.jpg Image Credit: FoxMartha Stewart is going Homer for the holidays: The home décor queen/media magnate plays herself on a Christmas-themed episode of The Simpsons, as you see in this exclusive first look at her animated guest spot. According to Simpsons exec producer Al Jean, Stewart appears in Marge’s dream with a special delivery of holiday cheer. “Marge is upset that the rest of the family has no Christmas spirit, so Martha comes in and, with military efficiency, completely changes things around,” he tells EW.com. “She tapes up Bart’s and Millhouse’s mouths, sticks ping-pong paddles on their backs, and makes them into wooden soldiers. She spray-paints stars on the window using Maggie as a stencil.”

And what does Martha with—or to—Homer? “He’s just sleeping on the couch with a copy of Modern Fart Denier magazine on his stomach, so she puts a cute Christmas display with a little train over him,” says Jean. “He starts to wake up, so she just chloroforms him and gives Marge the recipe for the chloroform, and Marge goes, ‘That’s a keeper!’”

Stewart had a “terrific sense of humor about herself” while recording her part, praises Jean, who quips: “She’s the fifth-richest person we’ve had on The Simpsons and the sixth-funniest.” The episode, which airs Dec. 5 on Fox, also features a live-action segment in which Katy Perry sings with puppet versions of Simpsons characters.

(Twitter : @dansnierson)

Nov 19 2010 07:38 PM ET

Fox moves 'American Idol' to Wednesdays and Thursdays

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

Fox released its mid-season schedule today, which includes a new night for American Idol on Thursdays and the series premieres of such shows as The Chicago Code, Million Dollar Dollar Drop and Mixed Singles. Fringe moves to Fridays (fans, start your protests!). And no official word yet on the fate of Running Wilde – but it’s not looking good. Here’s the new schedule (show descriptions to follow):

Monday, Jan. 10:
8-10 p.m. LIE TO ME (Two-Hour Episode)

Mondays, Jan. 17:
8 p.m. HOUSE
9 p.m. LIE TO ME

Mondays, beginning Feb. 7
8 p.m. HOUSE
9 p.m. THE CHICAGO CODE (series premiere)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 4:
8 p.m. GLEE (repeats)
9 p.m. MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP (reality show)

Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 8:
8 p.m. GLEE
9 p.m. RAISING HOPE
9 p.m. MIXED SIGNALS (series premiere)

Wednesday, Jan. 5 and 12:
8 p.m. HUMAN TARGET

Wednesday, Jan. 19:
8 p.m. AMERICAN IDOL (two-hour season premiere, part one)

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 26:
8 p.m. AMERICAN IDOL
9 p.m. HUMAN TARGET

Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 16:
8 p.m. AMERICAN IDOL (two-hour episodes)

Wednesdays, beginning April 6:
8 p.m. AMERICAN IDOL (90-minute episodes)
9:30 p.m. BREAKING IN (series premiere)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 6:
8 p.m. MILLION DOLLAR MONEY DROP
9 p.m. BONES

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8 p.m. AMERICAN IDOL (season premiere, part two)
9 p.m. BONES (time period premiere)

Friday, Jan. 21:
8 p.m. KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
9 p.m. KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

Fridays, beginning Jan. 28:
8 p.m. KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
9 p.m. FRINGE (time period premiere)

Sunday, Jan. 9:
8 p.m. THE SIMPSONS
8 p.m. BOB’S BURGERS
9 p.m. FAMILY GUY
9 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW

Sunday, Jan. 16 and 23:
7 p.m. THE SIMPSONS
7 p.m. AMERICAN DAD
8 p.m. THE SIMPSONS
8 p.m BOB’S BURGERS
9 p.m FAMILY GUY
9 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW

Sunday, Jan. 30:
NFC PRO BOWL (Live)

Sunday, Feb. 6:
6:00 PM SUPER BOWL XLV (Live)
10:30 PM ET/7:30 PT GLEE

Here are show descriptions:

The Chicago Code (formerly Ride-Along) is a new police drama from creator Shawn Ryan that stars Jason Clark (Brotherhood) and Jennifer Beals (Lie to Me). Bob’s Burgers is a new animated comedy about a man, his family and a burger joint. Mixed Signals is from Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and is a relationship comedy that stars David Denman (The Office), Nelson Franklin (I Love You, Man) and Kris Marshall (Human Target). Breaking In (working title) is a workplace comedy based at a high-tech security firm from Adam F. Goldberg (Fanboys) and Seth Gordon (Four Christmases). Million Dollar Money Drop debuts in December. It gives a team $1 million and all they have to do to keep it is correctly answer seven multiple-choice questions.


Sep 27 2010 12:36 PM ET

Fall 2010 ratings: Football on NBC tackles competition, 'Family Guy' rallies the youths

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sunday-ratingsImage Credit: Marc Serota/Getty Images; Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS; FoxNBC’s telecast of the divisional rivalry between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins gave the Peacock a much-needed spot in the winner’s circle Sunday.  Despite a bevy of premieres on Fox, CBS and ABC, NBC easily won the night among adults 18-49 (5.3 rating/14 share and viewers 13.47 million viewers, according to preliminary ratings. Each 18-49 ratings point represents 1.31 million viewers.

Fox still had a few reasons to brag: The hour-long return of Family Guy averaged 9.12 million viewers and won is timeslot (no surprise) in several demographics, including teens, persons 12-34, and very young guys and gals. It also beat Desperate Housewives among adults 18-49. The Simpsons was down versus last year’s premiere among adults 18-49 but up 16% versus last season’s average. It pulled in 7.75 million viewers at 8 while The Cleveland Show that followed averaged 6.60 million.

On ABC, the return of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Desperate Housewives averaged 8.39 million and 12.75 million, respectively. The premiere of Brothers and Sisters dominated its 10 p.m. slot among female demos and averaged 9.59 million.

CBS brought back new seasons of  60 Minutes, The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss (an NFL overrun wreaked havoc on CBS’ prime time lineup so everything started later). Minutes and Race from 8:30-9:30 p.m. averaged 12.20 million, and dropped to 11.2 million in its final half hour.  The combo of Race and Boss at 10 lured 10.99 million.

Overall, CBS came in second in viewers for the night (13.2 million), followed by ABC (9.1 million), and Fox (7.6 million). CBS was second among adults 18-49.

Jul 19 2010 07:01 PM ET

Comic Con 2010: Fox has a poster tube for you!

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Grabbing some good swag is (almost) as important as snagging a choice spot inside the Marvel and JJ Abrams/Joss Whedon panels at this week’s Comic Con. Fortunately, 20th Century Fox TV is happy to oblige: It plans to distribute tens of thousands of poster tubes from its booth over the convention’s four-day span in San Diego. The studio will also distribute thousands of mini posters for each of its shows, some of which were created exclusively for Comic Con.

The TV studio has scheduled panel discussions for 10 of its shows at Comic Con: Glee, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bones, The Cleveland Show, Futurama, American Dad, Sons of Anarchy, Bob’s Burgers, and Neighbors From Hell.

For more on Comic Con:

Comic Con 2010: Get all the scoop

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