From this week's Radio Times.... Posted Tue Jun 13 19:52:42 BST 2000 by Mr L

"Yello There!"
ALISON GRAHAM'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO AMERICA'S FAVOURITE FAMILY REACHING THE RIPE OLD AGE OF THREE AND A HALF (OR MAYBE TEN?)

It's been called an inspired cross between the clever animation of Seinberg, the clever scripts of Hong Kong Phooey, and the subversive cleverness of Let Them Eat Cake. It was considered so dangerous in its early years that then-President Lyndon B. Johnson commented about it breaking down the family unit in some way [note to sub-editor: check source if you want to keep your job]. "D'oh!", you might say, and you'd be right. Yes, the Simpsons are ten, probably. All your favourite characters - Homer, Marj, Bert, Lisa, the other one, and the baby. And all the others as well - so many, I literally can't name them here.

Set in the beautiful town of Mansfield (it's actually inspired by Jane Mansfield's Pride & Prejudice - phwooarr Colin Firth, eh?), The Simpsons are now the favourites of everyone, from the kids (oh, peace perfect peace when it's on, or when they're away at boarding school) who know the catchphrases, characters and Citizen Cain references, to us old fogeys who now have something to talk about at dinner parties while we're waiting for the fish course, especially now that Steinfeld isn't on at the moment. (Wow, as Homer might say.) So hooray for BBC2, who are devoting their Simpsons Night schedule to 16th season episodes, in order to enable those of us (like me) who weren't watching at the very beginning (of the year).

Some fans may be awaiting a new series with bated breath, but they will have long to wait, as Fox have lost all episodes of the show since 1995. Even the new ones. Sky haven't got them either - if we ever find them, you'll see them on Auntie first. Meantime, we can savour those guest voiceovers - among those appearing including John Lennon, Alexander Fleming and David Wilkie, apparently. "We're even hoping to get Kelsey Grammer one day," quipped a source close to the show.

So, as Bert Simpson might opine, "S**** you guys, I'm going home!".

TEN MUST-KNOW SIMPSONS FACTS
1. Comedy giant Danny Wallace wrote the theme tune. Or was it Danny Baker?
2. Homer likes eating quite a lot!
3. It began life as a series of playing cards, but soon graduated to the big screen. Probably.
4. Sky have only been showing the series since last Thursday.
5. The BBC have been showing it even before creator Matt Irvine (it's pronounced "Irvine") came up with the original idea. "Good on you", as Homer would say.
6. The BBC is brilliant for showing this series.
7. Have you seen "Coupling" yet? Gah! The Americans - now they CAN do sitcom.
8. Each episode takes over 45 minutes to make. ("It really is a fast-moving show - literally" commented Simpsons expert Graham Allison)
9. There were some aliens in it, once or twice.
10. The Simpsons can be seen in places as far apart as The Orkneys, Wales and Birmingham - and that's the Birmingham in the Midlands, not America!

Turn the page for Sue Robinson reminiscing on the last time she saw the Simpsons, plus Jamie Oliver remembers four Homer moments involving food of some kind.



Subject: Re: From this week's Radio Times.... [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Mr M on Wed Jun 14 10:21:23 BST 2000:

RECIPE: JAMIE OLIVER'S Homer Simpson Bready Beef Stacks. MMMM!
Ingredients: Some burgers
Some rolls
Cook the burgers, then put them in the rolls. Lovely jubbly!

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