Everything's Coming Up Simpsons

This week, Mad Magazine's Casey Boyd joins us to chat about Homer the Vigilante. We'll discuss the work of John Swartzwelder at length – and how his writing has influenced a very specific type of voice in comedy. We'll also chat Conan, dog songs, and Detective Pikachu. It's the last episode of 2018 and we're glad that we get to end it with a Swartzwelder episode. Cheers!

It's our first ever solo-host show. Don't worry Allie will be back next week … the only thing you have to fear this week is – cults. Comedian Lisa Curry and Julia discuss Movementarianism, Blisstonia, and dive deep into some real life cults. Things get a little freaky, but don't worry we'll guide you along. Join us! Join Us! Join Us!

It's crazy to think we've been doing this podcast for so long and no one has picked the first episode of The Simpsons. That's all about to change! This week, Alonso Duralde relives his memories of watching "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire." You know Alonso as a film critic for the The Wrap. He's also one of panelist on "Who Shot Ya?" from Maximum Fun, and the co-host of the pod Linoleum Knife. Most importantly for today's purposes Alonso is a Christmas expert and has a book to prove it called "Have yourself a movie little Christmas." We'll discuss how this episode was a perfect way to introduce the Simpsons to a mainstream audience. Plus, we'll sing some carols and share some last minute Christmas tips! 

This week, comedian Allen Strickland Williams dishes his favorite moments from HOMЯ. Allen has been featured on Conan, and was recently named Comedy Central Comic to watch. Make sure to keep an eye out for Allen's new Comedy Central half hour special in January. Allen explains why this episode is a lot sadder than he recalls when he first saw it as a kid. Plus, Allie explains why Bing.com is naughty and Julia discusses the joys of Shark Tank. Don't worry there's plenty of Simpsons, too! Relive the heartbreaking episode with us.

This week, Emmy-award winning voice actor Maurice LaMarche chats about his voiceover appearances in The Simpsons. If you don't know Maurice by name you certainly know his iconic voice work – he's probably best known as The Brain in "Animaniacs" and "Pinky and the Brain." His work can also be heard on "Futurama," "Disenchantment" and many other video games, animated series, television shows and films. He'll tell us the personal connection he had to the character he voiced in "What Animated Women Want." We'll spend a lot of time discussing Maurice's career including his contributions to "The Critic," and his time as a stand-up comic. He also chats about what it was like to join Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta in studio for his appearance in this episode. You don't want to miss this one – he'll gives us a taste of his fantastic impressions and even share some techniques if you want to make some authentic barf sounds.

The holidays are right around the corner! This week, we get in the spirit of the holidays and chat with longtime Simpsons writer Michael Price about a Christmas episode he wrote for the Simpsons back in 2003. He'll discuss his love/hate relationship Christmas specials, and give us a behind the scenes look at Simpsons writers room. He'll also explain why this episode was a breakthrough moment for him as a Simpsons writer.  Michael is also the creator of "F is for Family" – you can check out the new season on Netflix starting Nov. 30th.

With the holidays right around the corner we've got a special treat to show how thankful we are for all of you. This week, we're bringing back Al Jean! The longtime Simpsons showrunner returns to the Max Fun studios – this time around he joins us to discuss his contributions to "It's Garry Shandling's Show."  We'll get the scoop on this cult hit, which shares a lot of DNA with the Simpsons. And just like last time he'll sprinkle in some Simpsons trivia throughout our conversation.

This week, we'll welcome long-time Simpsons storyboard artist John Mathot. His credits are insane – John has been a storyboard artist for animated shows like Futurama, Family Guy, Dilbert, Phineas and Ferb, Hey Arnold, and many more. He'll talk about the collaborative process in the Simpsons writers room. And you don't wanna miss when he breaks down one of the storyboards he created in this very classic Simpsons episode. Plus, he'll tell us some of the animation quirks that tick off Matt Groening.

This week, we dig into the ECUS archives! We know people are already setting up holiday decorations… but we are still craving Halloween candy. Nick Wiger (Comedy Bang Bang, I Love You America with Sarah Silverman, Doughboys) spooks Allie and Julia with a discussion on Treehouse of Horror V! This episode was produced before "Everything's Coming Up Simpsons" was on the Max Fun Network.

Stand-up comedian and writer Blaine Capatch joins us this week to talk about "The Mansion Family." It's not from the golden era, and it's newer episode than most episodes we usually discuss. Which is weird to say considering the episode is actually 18 years old. We'll discuss the Britney Spears cameo in this episode, why it's important to read the Hardy Boys book series, and the funniest things ever to happen in international waters. Plus, what it's like to sit in on a Simpsons table read according to Blaine!

This week, Ben Blacker (The Thrilling Adventure Hour, Dead Pilots Society) joins us to talk about his favorite Treehouse of Horror episode. We'll break down the three segments from this episode: "The HΩmega Man," "Fly vs. Fly," and "Easy-Bake Coven." We'll learn how The Simpsons educated kids everywhere about the Salem witch trials. Just in time for the spooky time of the year, Ben will also discuss his new comic book "Hex Wives" from DC Vertigo, which is available on Halloween.  

We've got a supersized episode recorded live in Austin, Texas with special guests Brian Brushwood and Justin Robert Young of Night Attack. It's a night of Spinal Tap references, bus driver men, and Otto age theories. Is he 25 or 66… somewhere in between? We'll get down to the bottom of it! Plus, there's a marriage proposal – you'll never guess who's tying the knot.

We're doing something a little different this week. As you know each week we usually discuss our guests favorite episode. Joel Kim Booster is a casual Simpsons fan … he's more of a Futurama kind of guy if you ask him. Instead of discussing an episode he loves we're diving into an episode he's not the biggest fan of. This might be a first for @simpsonspod! Don't worry we still found plenty reasons to enjoy this episode. And maybe we even convinced Joel Kim Booster to give the Simpsons another chance. Find him @ihatejoelkim, and check out his work on "Billy on the Street" and the latest season of Netflix's "Big Mouth."

It's cannon guys … Bart speaks french! This week, we'll welcome Luke McGarry. He's a long time friend of the show, but has never actually been on to talk Simpsons. If you're in Los Angeles you've probably seen his work on billboards – his work has been used for countless concerts put on by Goldenvoice. His illustrations have also be featured in  Sports Illustrated, MAD Magazine, Playboy, and he's the guy behind our podcast artwork – which is pretty cool, too! Join us as Bart subconsciously learns to speak French while slaving away abroad as an exchange student.

This week, we'll chat with Mad Magazine editor in chief Bill Morrison. Titan Comics recently released a graphic novel adaptation of "The Beatles: Yellow Submarine" written and illustrated by Bill. He'll give us all the details on the new book, which has been in the works for the past 20 years. Plus, he'll tell us about his days as a former Disney artist, and what it was like to be asked to collaborate on Bongo Comics long before The Simpsons became a household name. Keeping with The Beatles theme Bill discusses "Brush with Greatness" with Allie and Julia. You might recall the episode features a cameo from Marge's second true love – Ringo Starr!

This week, we'll welcome comedian Adam Cayton Holland – go buy his amazing new book "Tragedy Plus Time: A Tragi-Comic Memoir" now! We'll talk about one of the best self-deprecating guest star cameos of all time.  Plus, the genius of a "My Dinner with Andre" arcade game, and everyone's childhood fantasy of drinking a Super Squishee made entirely out of syrup.

A couple weeks ago we discussed a classic Sideshow Bob episode… and this week we're back at it with another terrifying episode featuring Sideshow Bob! Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait joins us to discuss "Sideshow Bob Roberts." In the episode, Sideshow Bob is unveiled as the Republican candidate for the Springfield mayoral election. It's safe to say things will get a little political in this episode. If you're a fan of old school election campaign jingles you're in for a real treat! You can check out Bobcat's new television series "Misfits and Monsters" on TruTV and on demand now.

This week, we'll welcome someone with a very special culinary contribution to the record-breaking episode – "Forgive and Regret." With this episode The Simpsons officially surpassed "Gunsmoke" as the longest-running scripted American prime time television series. The episode features a very special apple pie recipe from Mona Simpson. In real life the recipe was provided by author, chef, restaurateur, and radio host of KCRW's Good Food – the wonderful Evan Kleiman! She'll give us a behind the scenes look at the pie recipe, and discuss how her recipe made it into this episode. Over the years, she's also had a number of friendships with several producers of the show, and she'll tell us what it's like to cater Simpsons writers poker game nights. Tweet us your favorite Simpsons food moments @simpsonspod and don't forget to tag @evankleiman, too!

Welcome to the show this week Diana Wright! If you have ever played "The Simpsons: Tapped Out" mobile game then you might have seen her work! She'll give us the scoop on how she became a writer for the game, and a behind the scenes look at some of the episodes she has written for the app. We've got a classic Sideshow Bob episode to discuss, too. Allie and Julia will break down one of Diana's favs – "Black Widower." We'll learn the value of watching The Simpsons together as a family. Plus, Diana discusses her love of "The Simpsons Sing The Blues" – an album she says no one should listen to more than once. And, oh boy – did she listen to it a ton as a kid. Don't miss this episode!

This week, we'll welcome Production Designer and Producer of BoJack Horseman – Lisa Hanawalt! As you'll learn she loves any episode where the Simpsons get a new pet. As a horse lover she was so happy to be able to talk about "Lisa's Pony." We'll take a deep dive into Lisa Simpsons' and Lisa Hanawalt's love of ponies and horses. Julia recalls precious memories from her childhood asthma camp talent show. Did you ever participate in your elementary school talent show? We'd love to hear from you @simpsonspod! Along with her credits on BoJack Horseman Lisa Hanawalt is also the co-host of Max Fun show Baby Geniuses. Go buy her new book – "Coyote Doggirl" – which is available August 21!