The highly acclaimed and ever-popular cartoon, The Simpsons, which first premiered in 1989, has consistently captivated audiences with its exceptional humor, clever writing, and memorable characters. According to Deadline, at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, series creator Matt Groening (Futurama, Disenchantment) delivered an emotional statement while receiving the Honorary Cristal Award. He referred to the event as “the best festival in the world, animation or otherwise.”
According to Deadline, Groening further expressed that each Simpson family member is a namesake after his real father, mother and siblings. He was then asked a question about if Bart was named after himself, in which he jokes and replies ,”I’ll let you into a little secret…. Je suis Milhouse”, which is a referenced to the dorky and lovable friend. This hint suggests that the upcoming season will feature not only the main family but also provide a deeper exploration of the side characters.
According to Deadline, Groening goes on to explain later into the session about what really motivated him to return to The Simpsons after numerous years and states,”We don’t think about being responsible but our main motivation is to surprise ourselves. If we surprise ourselves then we think we can surprise the audience.” Groening continued, “As it goes on we become known for different kinds of jokes” via Deadline. “We have parodies of cinema and references to books, TV shows and personal autobiographical anecdotes. The sum total of the show is that contribution of everyone involved.”
The longevity of The Simpsons highlights the show’s ability to adapt to changing social landscapes over the years. According to Deadline, the upcoming season will pay tribute to celebrated cartoonist Jules Feiffer (Bark, George,Popeye). Groening emphasizes that the secret to the series’ success lies in continually innovating and enhancing its humor. All episodes and seasons of the cartoon are available for streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu, while waiting on further updates surrounding the approaching season.