About
"I'd like to think that 'The Simpsons' made popular culture smarter and that it actually encouraged people to look things up."
In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, Al Jean discusses his decision to become a comedy writer. He recalls his first professional writing job for the feature film Airplane 2, and speaks of his first television job writing jokes for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He chronicles writing for several television shows in the 1980s, including HBO's Not Necessarily the News, ALF, Charles in Charge, It's Garry Shandling's Show, and Sledge Hammer! He describes becoming involved with The Simpsons and establishing the show's characters and tone during its early years. He delves into the rich history of the show, explains how it has developed and changed over the years, and shares how the writers keep it fresh. Jean speaks of leaving The Simpsons to create the animated series The Critic with Jon Lovitz and returning to The Simpsons when that show didn't work out. He discusses writing animated series for the web and concludes by discussing his advice to aspiring writers and where he sees himself in the future. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on March 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Al Jean on leaving The Simpsons in season five and creating The Critic
Al Jean on the legacy of The Simpsons
Al Jean on The Simpsons' 500th episode
Al Jean on writing the Halloween episodes of The Simpsons
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on deciding to become a comedy writer; on writing for Charles in Charge and Sledge Hammer!
On working as a story editor; on writing for Not Necessarily the News, ALF and It's Garry Shandling's Show
On writing for The Tonight Show and It's Garry Shandling's Show
On developing The Simpsons; on the town of Springfield and the tone of The Simpsons
Chapter 2
On the opening credits and theme music on The Simpsons; on the characters and catchphrases of The Simpsons
On The Simpsons and broadcast standards; on how The Simpsons characters have changed over the years; on the writing process for the show
On the voiceover sessions for The Simpsons; on the original Simpsons creative team: James L. Brooks, Sam Simon and Matt Groening; on changing animation studios for the show after season four
On how technology has changed The Simpsons; on The Simpsons and The Emmy Awards; on classic episodes of the show
Chapter 3
On The Simpsons' 500th episode; on the songs of The Simpsons and keeping the show fresh; on the longevity, legacy, and then-future of The Simpsons
On creating and running The Critic; on writing various other shows for the web; on advice to aspiring writers and to those interested in animation
Shows
ALF
Al Jean on writing for ALF and It's Garry Shandling's Show
Charles in Charge
Al Jean on writing for Charles in Charge and Sledge Hammer!
Critic, The
Al Jean on leaving The Simpsons in season five and creating The Critic
Al Jean on creating and writing The Critic
Al Jean on pitching The Critic to the network and running the show
Al Jean on reviving The Critic on the Internet and other web projects
It's Garry Shandling's Show.
Al Jean on writing for ALF and It's Garry Shandling's Show
Al Jean on writing for It's Garry Shandling's Show
Not Necessarily the News
Al Jean on writing for Not Necessarily the News
Simpsons, The
Al Jean on becoming involved with writing The Simpsons
Al Jean on the animation style of The Simpsons
Al Jean on developing The Simpsons
Al Jean on the town of Springfield on The Simpsons
Al Jean on establishing the tone of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the early years of The Simpsons at FOX
Al Jean on the opening credits of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the names of The Simpsons characters and Matt Groening's involvement
Al Jean on the voices and catchphrases of The Simpsons
Al Jean on Julie Kavner as "Marge Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on Nancy Cartwright as "Bart Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on the catchphrases of The Simpsons
Al Jean on broadcast standards and The Simpsons
Al Jean on the various side characters on The Simpsons
Al Jean on how The Simpsons characters have changed over the years
Al Jean on writing for "Lisa Simpson" and basing Simpsons stories on his real life
Al Jean on the writing process for The Simpsons
Al Jean on writing the Halloween episodes of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the production process of The Simpsons
Al Jean on being a showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on the voiceover sessions for The Simpsons
Al Jean on working with Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon on The Simpsons
Al Jean on replacing Sam Simon as showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on changing animation studios in season four of The Simpsons
Al Jean on leaving The Simpsons in season five and creating The Critic
Al Jean on how technology has changed the animation process of The Simpsons
Al Jean on Simpsons ancillary products and Emmy Awards for The Simpsons
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "A Streetcar Named Marge"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "Blame it on Lisa"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "There's Something About Marrying"
Al Jean on The Simpsons' 500th episode
Al Jean on his favorite episodes of The Simpsons and guest stars on the show
Al Jean on the songs of The Simpsons
Al Jean on keeping The Simpsons fresh
Al Jean on how the audience of The Simpsons has evolved over the years; on the longevity of the show
Al Jean on The Simpsons' effect on popular culture
Al Jean on the then-future of The Simpsons and cast negotiations
Al Jean on the legacy of The Simpsons
Sledge Hammer!
Al Jean on writing for Charles in Charge and Sledge Hammer!
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Topics
Advice
Al Jean on advice for aspiring writers and for those who want to get into animation
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Al Jean on broadcast standards and The Simpsons
Characters & Catchphrases
Al Jean on Julie Kavner as "Marge Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on Nancy Cartwright as "Bart Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on the names of The Simpsons characters and Matt Groening's involvement
Al Jean on the voices and catchphrases of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the catchphrases of The Simpsons
Classic TV Series Episodes
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "There's Something About Marrying"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "Blame it on Lisa"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "A Streetcar Named Marge"
Comedy
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "There's Something About Marrying"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "Blame it on Lisa"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "A Streetcar Named Marge"
Emmy Awards
Al Jean on The Simpsons ancillary products and Emmy awards
First Big Break
Al Jean on getting his first job in television
Pivotal Career Moments
Al Jean on getting his first job in television
Al Jean on becoming involved with writing The Simpsons
Pop Culture
Al Jean on the town of Springfield on The Simpsons
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "There's Something About Marrying"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "Blame it on Lisa"
Al Jean on The Simpsons episode "A Streetcar Named Marge"
Al Jean on Julie Kavner as "Marge Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on Nancy Cartwright as "Bart Simpson" on The Simpsons
Al Jean on the opening credits of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the names of The Simpsons characters and Matt Groening's involvement
Al Jean on the voices and catchphrases of The Simpsons
Al Jean on the catchphrases of The Simpsons
Al Jean on The Simpsons' effect on popular culture
Technological Innovation
Al Jean on how technology has changed the animation process of The Simpsons
Television Industry
Al Jean on broadcast standards and The Simpsons
Al Jean on advice for aspiring writers and for those who want to get into animation
TV Theme Songs
Al Jean on the opening credits of The Simpsons
Professions
Writers
Al Jean on his writing process
Al Jean on advice for aspiring writers and for those who want to get into animation
Genres
Animation
Al Jean on writing for and becoming a showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on writing and being showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on writing and being showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on creating and writing The Critic
Comedy Series
Al Jean on writing for and becoming a showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on writing and being showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on writing and being showrunner on The Simpsons
Al Jean on creating and writing The Critic
People
James L. Brooks
Al Jean on working with Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon on The Simpsons
Johnny Carson
Al Jean on writing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Nancy Cartwright
Al Jean on Nancy Cartwright as "Bart Simpson"
Matt Groening
Al Jean on the names of The Simpsons characters and Matt Groening's involvement
Al Jean on working with Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon on The Simpsons
Julie Kavner
Al Jean on Julie Kavner as "Marge Simpson"
Jon Lovitz
Al Jean on creating and writing The Critic
Garry Shandling
Al Jean on writing for It's Garry Shandling's Show
Sam Simon
Al Jean on working with Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon on The Simpsons
Al Jean on replacing Sam Simon as showrunner on The Simpsons