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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

How “The Simpsons” Took Over America (with Author Alan Siegel) (Ep. 318)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.71.5K Ratings

🗓️ 5 August 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down with Alan Siegel from The Ringer to discuss his new book Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television and America Forever. Together, they revisit how Matt Groening’s crude interstitials on The Tracey Ullman Show evolved into a cultural juggernaut, what nearly derailed the series before it ever aired, and why The Simpsons continues to matter nearly four decades later. Along the way, the guys dig into: • The box office performance of The Bad Guys 2 and Paramount’s Smurfs• The cautious rollout of the Zootopia 2 trailer• How Netflix’s K-Pop: Demon Hunters is shaping up to be the next Frozen• The surprising backstories behind Homer’s voice, Bart’s balloon, and the show's first merchandising blitz• Why “Mr. Plow” might be the perfect Simpsons episode Stick around for tales of drone shows, disaster movie homages, and the writer’s room prank that involved fake stairway carnage and a box of trash. Plus, Alan shares his favorite episode and what The Simpsons taught us about comedy, family, and biting satire with heart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?

0:04.8

So we started the business two years ago.

0:07.2

We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.

0:12.5

But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.

0:18.0

Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash hello vet.

0:26.1

Welcome back to fine-tuning with Drew Taylor.

0:28.9

You're one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.

0:32.5

I'm entertainer writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the

0:38.3

rap and whose musings on the Mission Impossible movies, you can still listen to on Light Diffuse,

0:44.3

the official Mission Impossible podcast. And Drew, I got to say, I'm still in denial about you

0:50.2

and Charles ceasing production of Light Diffuse. As far as I'm concerned, you two guys are pulling a Larry David.

0:58.2

I mean, how many years were there between season eight and nine of curb your enthusiasm?

1:03.6

It's true.

1:04.5

It's true.

1:04.8

And there's still a lot of people we want to talk to.

1:06.7

So hopefully there's more in the future.

1:09.4

Well, there we go.

1:10.2

So that's it, folk.

1:11.2

It's coming back.

1:12.0

You just have to be patient.

1:13.5

Good things come to those who wait.

1:16.0

And speaking of good things, later on in today's show, we have a lengthy interview with Alan Siegel of the Ringer, who's written a terrific new book about the longest running animated series in prime time.

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