About the Book

"The Simpsons" is one of the most successful shows to ever run on television. From its first moment on air, the series's rich characters, subversive themes, and layered humor resounded deeply with audiences both young and old who wanted more from their entertainment than what was being meted out at the time by the likes of "Full House," "Growing Pains," and "Family Matters." Spawned as an animated short on "The Tracy Ullman Show"--mere filler on the way to commercial breaks--the series grew from a controversial cult favorite to a mainstream powerhouse, and after nineteen years the residents of Springfield no longer simply hold up a mirror to our way of life: they have ingrained themselves into it. John Ortved's oral history will be the first-ever look behind the scenes at the creation and day-to-day running of "The Simpsons," as told by many of the people who made it: among them writers, animators, producers, and network executives. It's an intriguing yet hilarious tale, full of betrayal, ambition, and love. Like the family it depicts, the show's creative forces have been riven by dysfunction from the get-go--outsize egos clashing with studio executives and one another over credit for and control of a pop-culture institution. Contrary to popular belief, "The Simpsons" did not spring out of one man's brain, fully formed, like a hilarious Athena. Its inception was a process, with many parents, and this book tells the story.

Product Details

Media: Hardcover Book, 332 pages

Language: English

Publisher: Faber & Faber (Oct. 31st, 2009)

ISBN-10: 0865479887

ISBN-13: 9780865479883

Dimensions: 6.50 x 9.28 x 1.13 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.20 lbs

• Categories: Television History & Television Criticism