'King of the Hill' also continuing
LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- Fox is loading up on animated comedies "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill."
The network has ordered two more seasons of "The Simpsons," its 18th and 19th, and one more of "King of the Hill," the show's 11th.
The two-year renewal for "The Simpsons," the longest-running entertainment primetime series on the air, guarantees it will be on the air at least through the 2007-08 season, during which the show will hit its 400th episode.
The show's principal voice cast, which includes Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria, who threatened to go strike a few years ago until they got better deals, are all said to be locked in for the duration of the new pact.
After a two-month hiatus, production on "King of the Hill" recently resumed, after new deals were sealed with principal behind-the-scenes talent, including showrunners/executive producers John Altschuler and David Krinsky and co-creator/executive producer/voice actor Mike Judge.
Because "King of the Hill" has been a subject of frequent pre-emptions for Fox's NFL football coverage, the network has enough fresh episodes for the rest of this season. The show is slated to return for its 11th season in January.
Full Version: Two more years of 'The Simpsons'
Know when to say when.
I haven't watched either of these shows in years. The Simpsons ran into the ground for me about '98. King of the Hill crashed about a year later.
QUOTE(NumberTenOx @ Mar 20 2006, 10:50 AM) [snapback]46224[/snapback]
I haven't watched either of these shows in years. The Simpsons ran into the ground for me about '98. King of the Hill crashed about a year later.
I'll watch the occasional re-run of The Simpsons, but I can't remember the last time I made a point to watch a new episode. King of the Hill is on reruns on thirty or forty stations, I think, but I can't be bothered.
I grew up in a small town in a rural area. My next door neighbor was Hank Hill. The writers have done an uncanny job of capturing his character.
I grew up in a small town in a rural area. My next door neighbor was Hank Hill. The writers have done an uncanny job of capturing his character.
King Of The Hill doesn't get enough credit for being so consistent for so long. After all these years that I've been watching this show, I don't think it's ever jumped the shark once.
QUOTE(Midnite_Vulture @ Mar 20 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]46259[/snapback]
King Of The Hill doesn't get enough credit for being so consistent for so long. After all these years that I've been watching this show, I don't think it's ever jumped the shark once.
This is so true. I've never been a regular watcher of King of the Hill, I probably only catch about 5-6 episodes a season, but I'm never disappointed.
QUOTE(Midnite_Vulture @ Mar 20 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]46259[/snapback]
King Of The Hill doesn't get enough credit for being so consistent for so long. After all these years that I've been watching this show, I don't think it's ever jumped the shark once.
OTM. possibly becuase it hasn't been over-saturated (unlike "simpsons") because of all the NFL pre-emptions. this show still makes me laugh even when i do catch a new episode.
I WAS a diehard Simpsons fanatic. The show's been dead for years, but I didn't stop watching until earlier this season. After years of thinking, "Man that show sucked" with the occasional "That was actually decent," it got to the point where every episode sucked, and halfway through the second episode of this season, I said "FUCK it, I quit, no more." Haven't gone back since.
QUOTE(AlkalineDrown @ Mar 20 2006, 11:33 AM) [snapback]46266[/snapback]
This is so true. I've never been a regular watcher of King of the Hill, I probably only catch about 5-6 episodes a season, but I'm never disappointed.
Same boat here, and completely agree.
QUOTE(birdistheword @ Mar 20 2006, 11:55 AM) [snapback]46293[/snapback]
I WAS a diehard Simpsons fanatic. The show's been dead for years, but I didn't stop watching until earlier this season. After years of thinking, "Man that show sucked" with the occasional "That was actually decent," it got to the point where every episode sucked, and halfway through the second episode of this season, I said "FUCK it, I quit, no more." Haven't gone back since.
You know its amazing I now compare the newer episodes only to newer episodes and say, "well its better then they've been doing" But its night and day from the classics. I think I ranked a few later episodes in my top 100 purely for them trying once in a blue moon in the more recent years.
Uh oh. 
Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Reporter
QUOTE
'Bart Simpson' records Scientology ad; producer responds
Scientologist Nancy Cartwright, who does the voice of Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons," has recorded a message in the voice of the iconic animated character promoting the controversial quasi-religious organization.
Cartwright recorded the pitch (audio below) for a robocall to boost turn-out for a Scientology event at the organization's Hollywood center. Though she takes care to identify herself by her real name and not her character, she uses the Bart voice at a few points in the recording.
“This is not authorized by us," said "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean. "'The Simpsons' does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars." (Okay, it's not Jean's wittiest line).
The move is not only unauthorized, of course, but almost certainly violates Cartwright's contract. Though Fox is remaining mum on the subject, and their legal department is very much looking into the matter, the "Simpsons" characters are owned by Fox. Sure, Scientology is a non-profit group (ahem), but it doesn't matter (a Fox vs. the Church of Scientology lawsuit over the misuse of Bart Simpson? Oh-please, oh-please, oh-please...).
Publicity wise, coming right after the John Travolta fiasco, Cartwright could have probably recorded the message for, say, Hamas, and received less public blowback.
Scientologist Nancy Cartwright, who does the voice of Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons," has recorded a message in the voice of the iconic animated character promoting the controversial quasi-religious organization.
Cartwright recorded the pitch (audio below) for a robocall to boost turn-out for a Scientology event at the organization's Hollywood center. Though she takes care to identify herself by her real name and not her character, she uses the Bart voice at a few points in the recording.
“This is not authorized by us," said "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean. "'The Simpsons' does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars." (Okay, it's not Jean's wittiest line).
The move is not only unauthorized, of course, but almost certainly violates Cartwright's contract. Though Fox is remaining mum on the subject, and their legal department is very much looking into the matter, the "Simpsons" characters are owned by Fox. Sure, Scientology is a non-profit group (ahem), but it doesn't matter (a Fox vs. the Church of Scientology lawsuit over the misuse of Bart Simpson? Oh-please, oh-please, oh-please...).
Publicity wise, coming right after the John Travolta fiasco, Cartwright could have probably recorded the message for, say, Hamas, and received less public blowback.
QUOTE (Agrimorfee @ Jan 29 2009, 08:38 AM) 
Uh oh.
Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Reporter
QUOTE
'Bart Simpson' records Scientology ad; producer responds
Scientologist Nancy Cartwright, who does the voice of Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons," has recorded a message in the voice of the iconic animated character promoting the controversial quasi-religious organization.
Cartwright recorded the pitch (audio below) for a robocall to boost turn-out for a Scientology event at the organization's Hollywood center. Though she takes care to identify herself by her real name and not her character, she uses the Bart voice at a few points in the recording.
“This is not authorized by us," said "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean. "'The Simpsons' does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars." (Okay, it's not Jean's wittiest line).
The move is not only unauthorized, of course, but almost certainly violates Cartwright's contract. Though Fox is remaining mum on the subject, and their legal department is very much looking into the matter, the "Simpsons" characters are owned by Fox. Sure, Scientology is a non-profit group (ahem), but it doesn't matter (a Fox vs. the Church of Scientology lawsuit over the misuse of Bart Simpson? Oh-please, oh-please, oh-please...).
Publicity wise, coming right after the John Travolta fiasco, Cartwright could have probably recorded the message for, say, Hamas, and received less public blowback.
Scientologist Nancy Cartwright, who does the voice of Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons," has recorded a message in the voice of the iconic animated character promoting the controversial quasi-religious organization.
Cartwright recorded the pitch (audio below) for a robocall to boost turn-out for a Scientology event at the organization's Hollywood center. Though she takes care to identify herself by her real name and not her character, she uses the Bart voice at a few points in the recording.
“This is not authorized by us," said "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean. "'The Simpsons' does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars." (Okay, it's not Jean's wittiest line).
The move is not only unauthorized, of course, but almost certainly violates Cartwright's contract. Though Fox is remaining mum on the subject, and their legal department is very much looking into the matter, the "Simpsons" characters are owned by Fox. Sure, Scientology is a non-profit group (ahem), but it doesn't matter (a Fox vs. the Church of Scientology lawsuit over the misuse of Bart Simpson? Oh-please, oh-please, oh-please...).
Publicity wise, coming right after the John Travolta fiasco, Cartwright could have probably recorded the message for, say, Hamas, and received less public blowback.
The robocall was played on Howard Stern's show yesterday. When I heard it, I couldn't decide whether Cartwright was just stupid or didn't care about the consequences. I tend to think it's the latter. During her 20 year tenure on the show, I'm sure it's been pummeled into her head that Bart Simpson is the intellectual property of Fox, and cannot be used for promotional purposes without Fox's approval...so she had to know that she didn't have any right to do it.
Also it was reported, allegedly, that she just donated $10 million to the Church of Scientology. $10 million is double her yearly salary from the Simpsons (again, allegedly). I don't know if you call that devotion or brainswashing, but either way Fox's intellectual property rights probably aren't the first thing on her mind.
The show is still fantastic. Better than most of the sitcom/comedy shows out there.
It is hard to miss that there has never been a Scientology joke on this show.
This show which I finally stopped watching last year.
This show which I finally stopped watching last year.
QUOTE (tager @ Jan 29 2009, 11:54 AM)
The show is still fantastic. Better than most of the sitcom/comedy shows out there.
Hm. I don't watch often at all, and happened to catch last week...boyo, I thought those eps were really kind of dumb.
QUOTE (birdistheword @ Mar 20 2006, 01:55 PM)
I WAS a diehard Simpsons fanatic. The show's been dead for years, but I didn't stop watching until earlier this season. After years of thinking, "Man that show sucked" with the occasional "That was actually decent," it got to the point where every episode sucked, and halfway through the second episode of this season, I said "FUCK it, I quit, no more." Haven't gone back since.
I think the show dulled about when Phil Hartman died. The problem I have is that there are now about 10-11 seasons since it's gone into mediocrity. Now if I'm flipping around and a re-run of the Conan O'Brien years is on, I have to watch because they're so rarely on. The one with the Cat Burglar and the Mad Mad Mad Mad World takeoff was on last night. It was a nice memory of how thorough and detailed the wit of that show used to be.
Scientology is fucking creepy how people seem to act once they're into it. That's all I know, except that I need to pick up the Season 11 boxset. I know the decline that I'm in for, but after having 1-10, I'm pretty much locked into completing this oddessy.
QUOTE (Sam @ Jan 29 2009, 01:36 PM)
Scientology is fucking creepy how people seem to act once they're into it. That's all I know, except that I need to pick up the Season 11 boxset. I know the decline that I'm in for, but after having 1-10, I'm pretty much locked into completing this oddessy.
but 10 is such a nice round number
Lately it's hit or miss. More misses. I probably wouldn't watch it but my son loves it so we watch it on DVR
QUOTE (nobodies @ Jan 29 2009, 07:13 AM)
Also it was reported, allegedly, that she just donated $10 million to the Church of Scientology.
that's really just nauseating
QUOTE (birdistheword @ Mar 20 2006, 11:55 AM)
I WAS a diehard Simpsons fanatic. The show's been dead for years, but I didn't stop watching until earlier this season. After years of thinking, "Man that show sucked" with the occasional "That was actually decent," it got to the point where every episode sucked, and halfway through the second episode of this season, I said "FUCK it, I quit, no more." Haven't gone back since.
end of thread
QUOTE (More Drama @ Jan 29 2009, 11:27 AM)
It is hard to miss that there has never been a Scientology joke on this show.
This show which I finally stopped watching last year.
This show which I finally stopped watching last year.
The entire storyline of "The Joy of Sect" from the 9th season is arguably an extended joke at the expense of Scientology. It's left fairly ambiguous though.
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