Q&A;: 'Simpsons' producer Al Jean

After twenty years as a permanent fixture on television screens across the globe and the title of longest-running series in primetime US television history, The Simpsons is undoubtedly in a position to celebrate. One person revelling in the animated show's success is executive producer Al Green, who has been working with Homer and co since 1989. Recently, we caught up with Al to discuss the history - and future - of everyone's favourite yellow family.

Can you tell us a bit about the upcoming episodes?
"Our next new episode is November 15 and it's a bit of a reference to our recent encounter with Playboy. Marge goes to a photoshoot for a charity calendar and the photographer gets her a little tipsy and she takes off a little more than she expects to. The next thing you know the calendar featuring Marge is all over town. Nelson goes 'haha!' to Bart - 'I've been ogling your mom!' Meanwhile Homer becomes an assistant to an executive at the nuclear plant and they go to Paris for the nuclear version of fashion week called Fission Week. The episode is called 'The Devil Wears Nada'."

In the Marge episode which came first - the story idea or Playboy?
"The episode idea came first because we work a year ahead. The Playboy thing was an independent offer from Playboy. We thought that to be smart we should have them come out around the same time so that's what we did. I think [Playboy] were looking for something that would get them a lot of attention - which it did. I helped write the data sheet so we wanted to make it typical Marge, where she says her turn-offs include muscular men who take care of themselves and have lots of hair."

After twenty years is it difficult to keep things fresh?
"The hardest thing in the process now is coming up with the idea. We don't want to repeat ourselves or do anything any other animated show is doing. Once we get the idea we have such a great staff that it's - I wouldn't say easy - but we know where to go from there. I would be lying if I said it wasn't a little harder than it was twenty years ago."

What do you think has been the reason for the show's longevity?
"I think there are three. The show as created by Jim, Matt and Sam Simon is a brilliant conception. No matter who you are there's a character you can connect with. It's relatable from the first second you see it. I think the fact that they don't age is key because if Bart was now thirty years old wearing short pants and playing pranks you'd feel this was pretty pathetic. We also work really hard - we care about it enormously and we never want it to feel like it's not treated like it's something people really love."

What are some of the other things which blow your mind about The Simpsons?
"The twenty years is insane and I got to not only write for the movie but go on a publicity tour where I saw how beloved it was all over the world. The craziest thing is that it's a cartoon show that's had as guest stars Tony Blair, Stephen Hawking and Thomas Pynchon - you didn't see those guys on The Flintstones!"

You have a lot of guest stars, but is it different when a genuine comedy icon comes in?
"Our secret is we ask people to be guest voices who we really want to meet. When the Smothers Brothers came in it was one of the most wonderful mornings of my career. They were hilarious, they were everything I hoped they would be from watching them on their show years ago. You treasure those moments. It's so magical - every guest star has been amazing. Elizabeth Taylor was amazing, we got to meet the Beatles - it's a dream life."

Can you tell us a bit more about the scavenger hunt?
"Next week in all the Fox shows including House and Bones there are various clues regarding The Simpsons. If you solve them all you win an opportunity to come to LA and go on The Simpsons ride, meet the cast, etc. The clues vary in difficulty. I think the one in House is pretty easy to get but some are very tricky. One even involves me - that's going to be the hardest for people to get I'm sure! If you pay attention you can solve it though. I think this is unprecedented in television, it's really amazing."

The Simpsons continues Sundays at 8pm on Fox in the US and Thursdays at 7.30pm on Sky1 in the UK.

How long do you think The Simpsons will run for? Are you excited about Marge's Playboy spread? Add your comments to this entry below!

Posted Thursday, November 5 at 15:03 by Dan

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James Moran talks 'Who', Ianto, 'GN9'

Last week we told you about a new murder mystery drama that's playing out all this week online. As the show hurtles towards its conclusion, we caught up with writer James Moran to find out more about how the project came to be. As he's a writer on Torchwood too, we also took the opportunity to give him a grilling about the controversial slaying of Ianto in the last series. He has blood on his hands, people!

How did Girl Number 9 come about?
"We're self funded. We've got a lot of good will from everybody. We wanted to do something for the web because it seems to be the quickest and best way to reach the largest amount of people at the same time. Once we'd made that decision we custom-designed the story specifically for the internet rather than saying 'let's do a short film or TV episode and chop it into bits'. If we know we're going to do six five-minute episodes we can make sure we design the story so that each episode ends on a big cliffhanger. You can get away with longer video stuff on the internet but I think it's better if it's five minutes or less because there's more chance of keeping all the people."

With all that said could this be a TV pilot or is it just not right for that format?
"No, it's going to go out on the internet and that's exactly what it's been designed for. It's not a pilot, it's not a setup for a TV show - this is a web drama. We want to get a big following and get lots of people excited and really use the format to make it as cool as possible. If it is successful maybe in the future if we were approached by a TV company there are all kinds of ways we could continue. We could do a sequel on the web or - if someone wants to bring it to TV - we could then adapt it and maybe change the format slightly."

And the casting - it's a very different role for Gareth David Lloyd, isn't it?
"It is - and he was our first choice. We came up with a rough story outline fairly quickly and I don't know why but he popped into my head. Obviously I've worked with him before on Torchwood and I've always wanted to do something with him outside of [that] - I knew he was going to be leaving. I've got several things in development but I always try to make sure there's something in there that he can play because he's so good. I would have him in everything if I had the choice!"

What do you think about the controversy of Ianto being killed off in Torchwood?
"Any time a character is killed off in a TV show of course it's upsetting and it's supposed to be - someone has died - but it's a huge compliment that people are so up in arms about it. I had it before when I worked on Spooks and I killed off Ben but to a lesser extent. It's one of those things that happens in shows and it's always upsetting but you've got to follow the drama and follow the most exciting, thrilling, shocking, upsetting storylines. You've got to push these things. I've very gratified that people were so involved they took it so seriously and got so compassionate about it."

You wrote episode three - the one before Ianto died. Were you involved in the decision to kill him off?
"Yes. We had a storyline planning session so that was something we discussed very early on and it was there from the beginning. We're equally responsible! I'm incredibly proud of the series and I stand by every decision that was made. I think it was amazing."

You wrote 'Sleeper' for Torchwood season two, which seemed to be setting up a future story arc. Were you disappointed it didn't carry on?
"When I finished it I didn't have plans. I liked leaving it up in the air - that was part of why the ending was scary. We don't know if they will ever come back so however long Torchwood ran on for there would always be that threat, along with many others, in the background. They're still here and now they're adjusting their plans - they got a bit lucky last time. It's one of those things that's a promise but it's better if you don't deliver on it. You set them up as these supreme alien badasses that cannot be stopped ever. But they've been stopped once so if they come back and it's not the most incredible threat in the world then it's going to be a bit of a let down. I was thinking if they did ever come back, how they would. I was also thinking about their logic and their coldness and how they would adapt. They would completely change their plan and I came up with a way that they could come back and it would be even more dangerous and even more disturbing and thrilling. If they do ever come back I have a plan!"

Are you involved in the new series of Doctor Who at all?
"No, not that I know of. By that I mean I'm not at the moment."

Your episode from series four is the one where Karen was first noticed. What are your thoughts on the lineup?
"I'm very excited. I've been trying to keep away from spoilers - and because I'm not involved in the series I can do that. The only downside of being involved in the show for series four was that I had to be told a lot of things that were going to happen. I'm a fan of the show and I hate spoilers so it was a little bit heartbreaking to be told things and not be surprised! But obviously it was great to be involved and I would not trade that for anything. Matt Smith looks great - he's an amazing actor - and Karen is fantastic as well. They look the part already so I'm just excited to see the actual episodes now."

Is it hard to stay away from spoilers given you're part of this Doctor Who circle of writers?
"They're quite careful on the show itself about releasing information to people who don't want to know. Even when I was working on series four they would only tell me things that I needed to know. There are a couple of lines in 'Pompeii' like 'she is returning' and 'there's something on your back' where I had no idea what they meant because I didn't need to know. If they tell one person and that person tells someone else then the information gets out somehow so they're very good at keeping stuff to themselves. One chance comment and it's all over the internet and in the papers and it's ruined. I have been able to avoid it quite easily by being careful where I go on the internet!"

What else have you got coming up?
"I'm working on a horror film which is going to be shooting early next year. It's called Cockneys Versus Zombies - the image in your head is exactly what it is! My job is to deliver on that title and give you cockneys and zombies and combinations of those two things. I've just done the first draft and it's really good fun. I'm having such a good time writing it. It's very very silly but exciting and gory as well."

Girl Number 9 is airing all this week on canyousaveher.com.

Posted Thursday, November 5 at 11:50 by Neil

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Video: The 'Gossip Girl' threesome

Warning: This entry contains spoilers which some Gossip Girl fans may wish to avoid!

If you're anyone who's anyone, you'll be aware that three of our favourite Upper East Siders will be partaking in a raunchy ménage à trois in an upcoming Gossip Girl episode. So raunchy, in fact, that the Parents Television Council have written to The CW to express their disgust over such debauchery!

Anyway, on to the good stuff: ahead of the episode (which airs Monday at 9pm if you're Stateside), we've got our filthy hands on this teaser clip which we think - and we're sure you'll agree - will leave you wanting more. Hit 'play' below for a preview:

So who is your money on? Will Serena get involved in Chuck and Blair's bedroom activities? Will Dan recruit Vanessa for a bit of fun with him and Olivia? Or will Nate and Chuck team up with one of the girls and fuel those real-life rumours?

Add your comments to this entry below!

Posted Wednesday, November 4 at 16:52 by Dan

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