Exclusive: The Simpsons Producer Al Jean Talks Season 20 Guests, Marge’s Playboy Reveal

By Darby Semeniuk

With 20 seasons, a feature film and the titles of longest running animated series, sitcom, and primetime series under their belt, what could possibly be next for television’s favourite yellow family? Executive producer Al Jean spoke recently about upcoming episodes of The Simpsons, their growing list of guest stars, and Marge’s controversial Playboy centrefold on magazine stands this month.

Season 20 Guest Voices

Jean revealed some of this season’s guest voices and plots, including Neve Campbell – part of a witchcraft-practising coven that Lisa joins – and Anne Hathaway, playing a princess character who upstages Krusty the Clown. Jean also said the guest voice of the January 3 episode is Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Maurie.

Famous comedy duo The Smothers Brothers and football brothers Peyton and Eli Manning will also join the Simpsons cast this season. Jean said his time with The Smothers Brothers was one of the best days of his career.

Jean also revealed that producer Morgan Spurlock – known for his documentaries Super Size Me and Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? – will present ’20 years of The Simpsons’ in celebration of their two decades on air.

Marge in… Playboy?

Fans learned earlier this fall that Marge Simpson – the blue-haired, straight-laced, animated mother of three – would join the ranks of Hugh Hefner’s bunnies by posing in Playboy. Jean spoke candidly about the partnership, saying that Playboy execs reached out to Simpsons producers to make the centrefold happen. They wanted it to be typical Marge, which eventually shaped an interview that discusses her family, her turn-offs, and why she loves America.

Simpsons producers seized the opportunity to simultaneously air “The Devil Wears Nada” as part of sweeps week on Sunday, November 15. The episode revolves around a scandalous calendar photo shoot that makes Marge the talk of the town.

Another movie?

When asked what makes The Simpsons work after 20 years on television, Jean attributes the success to the fact the characters don’t age and are relatable. “We work really hard,” he adds.

I asked Jean about the glimmer of hope for a second Simpsons movie.

“It was a lot of work,” he says, recounting the hardship of producing the series and creating a movie at the same time. “We’re not doing another movie until the show is done, and we don’t anticipate the show will be done anytime soon.”

Thank god.

Watch Marge unfold in “The Devil Wears Nada” on FOX Sunday, November 15.

November Episode Guide

Sunday, November 15 – “The Devil Wears Nada”

In an effort to raise money for charity, Marge and the “Philanthro-Chicks” decide to pose for a calendar. At the photo studio, Marge is a bit reluctant to reveal any skin, but the photographer (Hank Azaria) loosens her up with wine and before long, Marge and her pin-up poses are the talk of Springfield.

Sunday, November 22 – “Pranks and Greens”

JONAH HILL GUEST VOICES

Fed up with Bart’s constant pranks, Principal Skinner (Harry Shearer) tells him there is a former Springfield Elementary student who is hailed as the best prankster ever, even better than Bart. When Bart finally tracks down Andy Hamilton (guest voice Jonah Hill), a 19-year-old who hasn’t grown out of his pranking days, they become fast friends.

Posted by Adam Wright on November 12, 2009. Filed under Features, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry