Editing Matt Groening (section)

==Career==
===Early career===
In 1977, at age 23, Groening moved to Los Angeles to become a writer. He went through what he described as "a series of lousy jobs", including being an extra in the television movie ''[[When Every Day Was the Fourth of July]]'',<ref name="playboy">{{cite journal |last=Sheff |first=David |title=Matt Groening |journal=Playboy |volume=54 |issue=6 |date=June 2007 |url=http://playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/matt-groening/matt-groening-01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013165626/http://playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/matt-groening/matt-groening-01.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref> busing tables,{{sfnp|Morgenstern|1990}} washing dishes at a nursing home, clerking at the Hollywood Licorice Pizza record store, landscaping in a sewage treatment plant,{{sfnp|Von Busack|2001}} and chauffeuring and [[ghostwriter|ghostwriting]] for a retired Western director.{{sfnp|Chocano|2001}}<ref name="avclub">{{cite web |title=Matt Groening |date=April 26, 2006 |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |url=https://www.avclub.com/matt-groening-1798209542 |access-date=June 9, 2009 |archive-date=January 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119014837/http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,13984/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Life in Hell''===
{{Main|Life in Hell}}
[[File:Life-in-Hell-No-4.jpg|thumb|right |alt=A book with black and white pencil drawings, with a large title on top, and a drawing of an anthropomorphic bunny kneeling before a dead anthropomorphic bunny|Cover of ''Life in Hell'' No. 4, published in 1978]]
Groening described life in Los Angeles to his friends in the form of the self-published comic book ''[[Life in Hell]]'', which was loosely inspired by the chapter "How to Go to Hell" in [[Walter Kaufmann (philosopher)|Walter Kaufmann]]'s book ''Critique of Religion and Philosophy''.<ref name="mygeneration">{{cite web |title=Matt Groening |date=May–June 2001 |last=McKenna |first=Kristine |work=My Generation |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening01a.html |access-date=February 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010430043724/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening01a.html |archive-date=April 30, 2001}}</ref> Groening distributed the comic book in the book corner of [[Licorice Pizza (store)|Licorice Pizza]], a [[record store]] in which he worked. He made his first professional cartoon sale to the avant-garde ''Wet'' magazine in 1978.<ref name=mygeneration/> The strip, titled "Forbidden Words", appeared in the September/October issue of that year.{{sfnp|Morgenstern|1990}}<ref name="wet">{{cite web |title=World Wide WET—early |work=Wunderland.com |url=http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Rash/misc/wet/wet1.htm |access-date=September 4, 2007 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013173041/http://wunderland.com/WTS/Rash/misc/wet/wet1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Groening had gained employment at the ''[[Los Angeles Reader]]'', a newly formed [[alternative newspaper]], delivering papers,{{sfnp|Groth|1991}} typesetting, editing and answering phones.{{sfnp|Von Busack|2001}} He showed his cartoons to the editor, James Vowell, who was impressed and eventually gave him a spot in the paper.{{sfnp|Groth|1991}} ''Life in Hell'' made its official debut as a comic strip in the ''Reader'' on April 25, 1980.{{sfnp|Morgenstern|1990}}<ref name="aan">{{cite web |url=http://www.aan.org/gyrobase/Aan/viewCompany?oid=1157 |title=Acme Features Syndicate |access-date=August 30, 2007 |work=Association of Alternative Newsweeklies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902011029/http://www.altweeklies.com/aan/acme-features-syndicate/Company?oid=1157 |archive-date=September 2, 2010}}</ref> Vowell also gave Groening his own weekly music column, "Sound Mix", in 1982. However, the column would rarely actually be about music, as he would often write about his "various enthusiasms, obsessions, [[pet peeves]] and problems" instead.{{sfnp|Lloyd|1999}} In an effort to add more music to the column, he "just made stuff up,"<ref name="playboy"/> concocting and reviewing fictional bands and nonexistent records. In the following week's column, he would confess to fabricating everything in the previous column and swear that everything in the new column was true. Eventually, he was finally asked to give up the "music" column.{{sfnp|Groening|2001a |pp=92–93}} Among the fans of the column was [[Harry Shearer]], who would later become a voice actor on ''The Simpsons''.<ref name="ign3">{{cite web |title=Interview with Harry Shearer (Part 3 of 4) |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035862p1.html |author=Plume, Kenneth |website=IGN |date=February 10, 2000 |access-date=April 30, 2009 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522141427/http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035862p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Life in Hell'' became popular almost immediately.{{sfnp|Ortved|2007 |p=71}} In November 1984, Deborah Caplan, Groening's then-girlfriend and co-worker at the ''Reader'', offered to publish "Love Is Hell", a series of relationship-themed ''Life in Hell'' strips, in book form.{{sfnp|Groening|1994}} Released a month later, the book was an underground success, selling 22,000 copies in its first two printings. ''Work Is Hell'' soon followed, also published by Caplan.{{sfnp|Groth|1991}} Soon afterward, Caplan and Groening left and put together the Life in Hell Co., which handled merchandising for ''Life in Hell''.{{sfnp|Morgenstern|1990}} Groening also started Acme Features Syndicate, which initially syndicated ''Life in Hell'' as well as work by [[Lynda Barry]] and [[John Callahan (cartoonist)|John Callahan]], but would eventually only syndicate ''Life in Hell''.{{sfnp|Groth|1991}} At the end of its run, ''Life in Hell'' was carried in 250 weekly newspapers and has been anthologized in a series of books, including ''School Is Hell'', ''Childhood Is Hell'', ''The Big Book of Hell'', and ''The Huge Book of Hell''.<ref name=officialsite/> Although Groening previously stated, "I'll never give up the comic strip. It's my foundation,"<ref name="tvhost">{{cite web|title=Prime time is heaven for 'Life in Hell' Artist |work=TV Host |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening89.html |last=Bergman |first=Erik H. |date=December 16, 1989 |access-date=March 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102171637/http://snpp.com/other/interviews/groening89.html |archive-date=January 2, 2007}}</ref>  the June 16, 2012, strip marked ''Life in Hell''{{'}}s conclusion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-06-19/matt-groening-life-in-hell/55698336/1 |title='Life in Hell' is over for cartoonist Matt Groening |author=Graham, Jefferson |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=June 20, 2012 |date=June 19, 2012 |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620061419/http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-06-19/matt-groening-life-in-hell/55698336/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> After Groening ended the strip, the Center for Cartoon Studies commissioned a poster that was presented to Groening in honor of his work. The poster contained tribute cartoons by 22 of Groening's cartoonist friends who were influenced by ''Life in Hell''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/10/matt_groening_s_life_in_hell_a_tribute_in_comics_by_alison_bechdel_tom_tomorrow_and_others_.html |title=To Hell With You, Matt Groening |author=Sturm, James |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=October 11, 2012 |date=October 10, 2012 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011004524/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/10/matt_groening_s_life_in_hell_a_tribute_in_comics_by_alison_bechdel_tom_tomorrow_and_others_.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''The Simpsons''===
{{Main|The Simpsons}}

====Creation====
[[File:Simpsons on Tracey Ullman.png|thumb|upright=1.25|right |alt=A cartoon drawing of a family, with a baby, two children, and two parents. They are dressed in casual and formal clothing, and have yellow skin.|The design of the Simpson family, circa 1987]]
''Life in Hell'' caught the attention of Hollywood writer-director-producer and [[Gracie Films]] founder [[James L. Brooks]], who had been shown the strip by fellow producer [[Polly Platt]].{{sfnp|Ortved|2007 |p=71}}<ref name="script">{{cite web|title=Keep 'em Laughing |date=October 1999 |last=Kim |first=John W. |work=Scr(i)pt |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening99d.html |access-date=January 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526133854/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening99d.html |archive-date=May 26, 2007}}</ref> In 1985, Brooks contacted Groening with the proposition of working in animation on an undefined future project,<ref name="prodigy"/> which would turn out to be developing a series of short animated skits, called "bumpers", for the Fox variety show ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''. Originally, Brooks wanted Groening to adapt his ''Life in Hell'' characters for the show. Groening feared that he would have to give up his ownership rights, and that the show would fail and take down his comic strip with it.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> Groening conceived of the idea for the Simpsons in the lobby of James L. Brooks's office and hurriedly sketched out his version of a [[dysfunctional family]]: [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], the overweight father; [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], the slim mother; [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], the miscreant oldest child; [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], the intelligent middle child; and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], the baby.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>{{sfnp|Scott|2001}}<ref>{{cite video |people=Rose, Charlie (Host, Executive producer) |date=July 30, 2007 |title=Charlie Rose:A Conversation About The Simpsons Movie |url=http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/8620 |medium=Television production |publisher=Charlie Rose, Inc. |access-date=July 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201065956/http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/8620 |archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> Groening famously named the main Simpson characters after members of his own family: his parents, Homer and Marge (for Groening's mother it was short for Margaret and the cartoon character Marge is short for Marjorie), and his younger sisters, Lisa and Margaret (Maggie). Claiming that it was a bit too obvious to name a character after himself, he chose the name "Bart", an anagram of brat.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video |people=BBC |date=2000 |title=The Simpsons: America's First Family (6 minute edit for the season 1 DVD) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/ |format=DVD |location=UK |publisher=20th Century Fox |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081722/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="radiotimes">{{cite web |last=Duncan |first=Andrew |title=Matt Groening |work=[[Radio Times]] |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening99c.html |date=September 18–24, 1999 |access-date=September 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010209125833/http://snpp.com/other/interviews/groening99c.html |archive-date=February 9, 2001}}</ref> However, he stresses that aside from some of the sibling rivalry, his family is nothing like the Simpsons.{{sfnp|Turner|2004}} Groening also has an older brother and sister, Mark and Patty, and in a 1995 interview Groening divulged that Mark "is the actual inspiration for Bart."{{sfnp|Paul|1995}} 

Maggie Groening has co-written a few ''Simpsons'' books featuring her cartoon namesake.<ref name="msu">{{cite web |title=Index to Comic Art Collection: "Gro" to "Groenne" |work=Michigan State University Libraries |url=http://comics.lib.msu.edu/rri/grri/groan.htm |access-date=September 4, 2007 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720005451/http://comics.lib.msu.edu/rri/grri/groan.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

====''The Tracey Ullman Show''====
The family was crudely drawn, because Groening had submitted basic sketches to the animators, assuming they would clean them up; instead, they just traced over his drawings.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> The entire Simpson family was designed so that they would be recognizable in silhouette.<ref>Groening, Matt. (2005). Commentary for "[[Fear of Flying (The Simpsons)|Fear of Flying]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> When Groening originally designed Homer, he put his own initials into the character's hairline and ear: the hairline resembled an 'M', and the right ear resembled a 'G'. Groening decided that this would be too distracting though, and redesigned the ear to look normal. He still draws the ear as a 'G' when he draws pictures of Homer for fans.{{sfnp|Groening|2001b |p=90}} Marge's distinct [[Beehive (hair)|beehive]] hairstyle was inspired by ''[[Bride of Frankenstein]]'' and the style that Margaret Groening wore during the 1960s, although her hair was never blue.<ref name="real people"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Solomon |first=Deborah |author-link=Deborah Solomon |title=Screen Dreams |work=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |date=July 22, 2007 |page=15 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/magazine/22wwln-Q4-t.html |access-date=October 31, 2008 |archive-date=November 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108004049/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/magazine/22wwln-Q4-t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bart's original design, which appeared in the first shorts, had spikier hair, and the spikes were of different lengths. The number was later limited to nine spikes, all of the same size.<ref>[[David Silverman (animator)|Silverman, David]]; [[Wes Archer|Archer, Wes]]. (2004). Illustrated commentary for "[[Treehouse of Horror IV]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> At the time Groening was primarily drawing in black and "not thinking that [Bart] would eventually be drawn in color" gave him spikes that appear to be an extension of his head.<ref>[[Mike B. Anderson|Anderson, Mike B.]]; Groening, Matt; [[Pete Michels|Michels, Pete]]; [[Yeardley Smith|Smith, Yeardley]]. (2006). "A Bit From the Animators", Illustrated Commentary for "[[All Singing, All Dancing]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> Lisa's physical features are generally not used in other characters; for example, in the later seasons, no character other than Maggie shares her hairline.<ref>Groening, Matt; Reiss, Mike; Kirkland, Mark. (2002). Commentary for "[[Principal Charming]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> While designing Lisa, Groening "couldn't be bothered to even think about girls' hair styles".<ref name=THOHV>Silverman, David; Reardon, Jim; Groening, Matt. (2005). Illustrated commentary for "[[Treehouse of Horror V]]", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Sixth Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> When designing Lisa and Maggie, he "just gave them this kind of spiky starfish hair style, not thinking that they would eventually be drawn in color".<ref>Groening, Matt. (2006). "A Bit From the Animators", illustrated commentary for "All Singing, All Dancing", in ''The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> Groening storyboarded and scripted every short (now known as ''[[The Simpsons shorts]]''), which were then animated by a team including David Silverman and Wes Archer, both of whom would later become directors on the series.<ref name="silverman">{{cite web|title=The David Silverman Interview |last=Heintjes |work=Hogan's Alley |url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |access-date=January 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102052143/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-date=January 2, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Simpsons shorts first appeared in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' on April 19, 1987.{{sfnp|Groening|1997|p=14}} Another family member, [[Grampa Simpson]], was introduced in the later shorts. Years later, during the early seasons of ''The Simpsons'', when it came time to give Grampa a first name, Groening says he refused to name him after his own grandfather, Abraham Groening, leaving it to other writers to choose a name. By coincidence, they chose "Abraham", unaware that it was the name of Groening's grandfather.<ref name="oldmoney">{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2002 |title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

====Half-hour====
Although ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' was not a big hit,{{sfnp|Ortved|2007 |p=72}} the popularity of the shorts led to a half-hour spin-off in 1989. A team of production companies adapted ''The Simpsons'' into a half-hour series for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The team included what is now the [[Klasky Csupo]] animation house. James L. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |title=3rd Degree: Harry Shearer |access-date=September 1, 2006 |author=Kuipers, Dean |date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308105912/http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" that they were watching.<ref name="toonterrific">{{cite magazine |first=Ken |last=Tucker |title=Toon Terrific |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 12, 1993 |page=48(3)}}</ref> The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", a [[Christmas special]].<ref name=officialsite2>[http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0101.htm "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730163543/http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0101.htm |date=July 30, 2008 }} ''The Simpsons.com''. Retrieved on February 5, 2007</ref> "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.<ref>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

The series quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, to the surprise of many. Groening said: "Nobody thought ''The Simpsons'' was going to be a big hit. It sneaked up on everybody."{{sfnp|Lloyd|1999}} ''The Simpsons'' was co-developed by Groening, Brooks, and [[Sam Simon]], a writer-producer with whom Brooks had worked on previous projects. Groening and Simon, however, did not get along{{sfnp|Ortved|2007 |p=72}} and were often in conflict over the show;{{sfnp|Morgenstern|1990}} Groening once described their relationship as "very contentious."{{sfnp|Scott|2001}} Simon eventually left the show in 1993 over creative differences.<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |title=Conan on being left out of "Simpsons Movie" |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20046980,00.html |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=July 18, 2007 |access-date=September 4, 2007 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020044407/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20046980%2C00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Like the main family members, several characters from the show have names that were inspired by people, locations or films. The name "Wiggum" for police chief [[Chief Wiggum]] is Groening's mother's maiden name.{{sfnp|Groening|2001b |pp=90–91}} The names of [[List of characters from The Simpsons|a few other characters]] were taken from street names in Groening's hometown of Portland, Oregon, including [[Ned Flanders|Flanders]], [[Reverend Lovejoy|Lovejoy]], [[Herb Powell|Powell]], [[Mayor Quimby|Quimby]] and [[List of Springfield Elementary School students#Kearney Zzyzwicz|Kearney]].<ref name="vancouversun">{{cite web|title=Painting the town in Portland |date=January 6, 2007 |last=Blake |first=Joseph |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/travel/story.html?id=f90268d8-6a5b-438d-9509-f03ecff27cc1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214080316/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/travel/story.html?id=f90268d8-6a5b-438d-9509-f03ecff27cc1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 14, 2007 |access-date=January 13, 2007 }}</ref> Despite common fan belief that [[Sideshow Bob|Sideshow Bob Terwilliger]] was named after SW Terwilliger Boulevard in Portland, he was actually named after the character Dr. Terwilliker from the film ''[[The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T]]''.<ref name="mtv">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml |title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers |access-date=August 17, 2007 |date=July 26, 2007 |author=Larry Carroll |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220140402/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml |archive-date=December 20, 2007}}</ref>

Although Groening has pitched a number of spin-offs from ''The Simpsons'', those attempts have been unsuccessful. In 1994, Groening and other ''Simpsons'' producers pitched a live-action spin-off about [[Krusty the Clown]] (with [[Dan Castellaneta]] playing the lead role), but were unsuccessful in getting it off the ground.<ref name=avclub/><ref name="npr">From a radio interview with Groening that aired on the [https://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13&prgDate=22-Apr-98 April 22, 1998 edition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025093431/http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13&prgDate=22-Apr-98 |date=October 25, 2013 }} of ''[[Fresh Air]]'' on [[National Public Radio|NPR]]. [https://www.npr.org/ramfiles/fa/19980422.fa.ram Link to stream] (''13 minutes, 21 seconds in'')</ref> Groening has also pitched "Young Homer" and a spin-off about the non-Simpsons citizens of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]].<ref name=shortfilms>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Oakley, Bill;, Weinstein, Josh; Appel, Richard; Cohen, David; Pulido, Rachel; Smith, Yeardley; Reardon, Jim; Silverman, David |date=2005 |title=The Simpsons The Complete Seventh Season DVD commentary for the episode "22 Short Films About Springfield" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

In 1995, Groening got into a major disagreement with Brooks and other ''Simpsons'' producers over "[[A Star Is Burns]]", a [[fictional crossover|crossover]] episode with ''[[The Critic]]'', an animated show also produced by Brooks and staffed with many former ''Simpsons'' crew members. Groening claimed that he feared viewers would "see it as nothing but a pathetic attempt to advertise ''The Critic'' at the expense of ''The Simpsons''," and was concerned about the possible implication that he had created or produced ''The Critic''.{{sfnp|Paul|1995}} He requested his name be taken off the episode.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web|title=Matt Groening's Reaction to The Critic's First Appearance on The Simpsons |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://www.critic.nohomers.net/Special_Extras_Matt_Groening_Reaction.html |last=Brennan |first=Judy |date=March 3, 1995 |access-date=September 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070831075427/http://critic.nohomers.net/Special_Extras_Matt_Groening_Reaction.html |archive-date=August 31, 2007}}</ref>

Groening is credited with writing or co-writing the episodes "Some Enchanted Evening", "[[The Telltale Head]]", "[[Colonel Homer]]" and "[[22 Short Films About Springfield]]". He also co-wrote and produced ''[[The Simpsons Movie]]'', released in 2007.<ref name="variety">{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/features/homer-going-to-bat-in-07-1117940840/ |title=Homer going to bat in '07 |access-date=July 3, 2006 |author=Fleming, Michael |date=April 2, 2006 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=October 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029045609/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has had several [[cameo appearance]]s in the show, with a speaking role in the episode "[[My Big Fat Geek Wedding]]". He currently serves at ''The Simpsons'' as an executive producer and [[creative consultant]].

===''Futurama''===
{{Main|Futurama}}
[[File:David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|alt=Two men sit at a table behind microphones, both have glasses, and one is shorter than the other.|David X. Cohen and Groening at the ''Futurama'' panel of [[San Diego Comic-Con|Comic-Con]] 2009]]
After spending a few years researching science fiction, Groening got together with ''Simpsons'' writer and producer [[David X. Cohen]] (known as David S. Cohen at the time) in 1997 and developed ''Futurama'', an animated series about life in the year 3000.<ref name="motherjones"/><ref name="theface">{{cite journal|last=Needham |first=Alex |url=http://www.frcr.com/library/the_face1.html |title=Nice Planet...We'll Take It! |journal=The Face |issue=33 |date=October 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824051707/http://www.frcr.com/library/the_face1.html |archive-date=August 24, 2000}}</ref> By the time they pitched the series to Fox in April 1998, Groening and Cohen had composed many characters and [[plot (narrative)|storylines]]; Groening claimed they had gone "overboard" in their discussions.<ref name="theface"/> Groening described trying to get the show on the air as "by far the worst experience of [his] grown-up life."<ref name="motherjones"/> The show premiered on March 28, 1999. Groening's writing credits for the show are for the premiere episode, "[[Space Pilot 3000]]" (co-written with Cohen), "[[Rebirth (Futurama)|Rebirth]]" (story) and "[[In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela]]" (story).

After four years on the air, the show was canceled by Fox. In a situation similar to ''[[Family Guy]]'', however, strong DVD sales and very stable ratings on [[Adult Swim]] brought ''Futurama'' back to life. When Comedy Central began negotiating for the rights to air ''Futurama'' reruns, Fox suggested that there was a possibility of also creating new episodes. When Comedy Central committed to sixteen new episodes, it was decided that four [[straight-to-DVD]] films – ''[[Futurama: Bender's Big Score|Bender's Big Score]]'' (2007), ''[[Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs|The Beast with a Billion Backs]]'' (2008), ''[[Futurama: Bender's Game|Bender's Game]]'' (2008) and ''[[Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder|Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'' (2009) – would be produced.<ref name="Katz">{{cite interview |last=Katz |first=Claudia |subject-link=Claudia Katz |interviewer=Evan Jacobs |title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Claudia Katz on Futurama the Movie: Bender's Big Score |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEyTuBCyy6XECD |date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=June 9, 2009 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216140027/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEyTuBCyy6XECD |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="avclub"/>

Since no new ''Futurama'' projects were in production, the movie ''Into the Wild Green Yonder'' was designed to stand as the ''Futurama'' series finale. However, Groening had expressed a desire to continue the ''Futurama'' franchise in some form, including as a theatrical film.<ref name="Wired1">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/11/futuramas-anima/ |title=''Futurama'' Animators Roll 20-Sided Die With ''Bender's Game'' |author=Wortham, Jenna |date=November 4, 2008 |magazine=Wired |access-date=February 28, 2009 |archive-date=May 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505042805/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/11/futuramas-anima/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with CNN, Groening said that "we have a great relationship with Comedy Central and we would love to do more episodes for them, but I don't know... We're having discussions and there is some enthusiasm but I can't tell if it's just me".<ref name="CNN">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/26/matt.groening.futurama/index.html |title=Matt Groening looks to the future |author=Leopold, Todd |date=February 26, 2009 |publisher=CNN |access-date=March 17, 2009 |archive-date=March 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318030331/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/26/matt.groening.futurama/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Comedy Central commissioned an additional 26 new episodes, and began airing them in 2010. The show continued in to 2013,<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=It's official: 'Futurama' is reborn! |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/09/its-official-futurama-returns/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=June 9, 2009 |author=Ausiello, Michael |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106081908/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/09/its-official-futurama-returns/ |archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/24/futurama-renewed/ |title='Futurama' renewed for two more years! |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=August 2, 2011 |author=Hibberd, James |date=March 24, 2011 |archive-date=March 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328090316/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/24/futurama-renewed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> before Comedy Central announced in April 2013 that they would not be renewing it beyond its seventh season. The final episode aired on September 4, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marechal |first=AJ |title=Toon comedy has logged seasons on Fox, Comedy Central since 1999 |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/futurama-cancelled-by-comedy-central-1200406963/ |work=Variety |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2013 |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424030528/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/futurama-cancelled-by-comedy-central-1200406963/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 9, 2022, the series was revived at Hulu, set for a 2023 release.<ref name="variety1"/>

===''Disenchantment''===
{{main|Disenchantment (TV series)}}
On January 15, 2016, it was announced that Groening was in talks with [[Netflix]] to develop a new animated series.<ref>{{cite web|title='Simpsons' Creator Matt Groening in Talks with Netflix for Animated Series|date=January 15, 2016|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/matt-groening-simpsons-netflix-animated-series-1201681129/|access-date=January 18, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118021415/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/matt-groening-simpsons-netflix-animated-series-1201681129/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 25, 2017, the series, ''[[Disenchantment (TV series)|Disenchantment]]'', was ordered by Netflix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/disenchantment-matt-groening-netflix-animated-comedy-20-episode-order-abbi-jacobson-nat-faxon-eric-andre-voice-cast-1202135218/|title=Matt Groening Netflix Animated Comedy A Go With 20-Episode Order, Abbi Jacobson, Nat Faxon & Eric Andre Lead Voice Cast|website=Deadline|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=September 30, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223072219/http://deadline.com/2017/07/disenchantment-matt-groening-netflix-animated-comedy-20-episode-order-abbi-jacobson-nat-faxon-eric-andre-voice-cast-1202135218/|url-status=live}}</ref> He described the fantasy-oriented series as originating in a sketchbook full of "fantastic creatures we couldn't do on ''The Simpsons''".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/matt-groening-netflix-disenchantment-1202889449/|title=Matt Groening Talks Origins of New Netflix Series 'Disenchantment'|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=July 29, 2018|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903134748/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/matt-groening-netflix-disenchantment-1202889449/|url-status=live}}</ref> The cast includes [[Abbi Jacobson]], [[Eric Andre]], and [[Nat Faxon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/disenchantment-matt-groening-netflix-animated-comedy-20-episode-order-abbi-jacobson-nat-faxon-eric-andre-voice-cast-1202135218/|title=Matt Groening Netflix Animated Comedy A Go With 20-Episode Order, Abbi Jacobson, Nat Faxon & Eric Andre Lead Voice Cast|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=July 25, 2017|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223072219/http://deadline.com/2017/07/disenchantment-matt-groening-netflix-animated-comedy-20-episode-order-abbi-jacobson-nat-faxon-eric-andre-voice-cast-1202135218/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Disenchantment'' ran from August 17, 2018, to September 1, 2023, concluding with its fifth and final part, released on September 1, 2023.

===Other pursuits===
[[File:Matt Groening in his studio.jpg|thumb|Groening in his studio, 1987]]
In 1993, Groening formed [[Bongo Comics Group|Bongo Comics]] (named after the character Bongo from ''Life in Hell''{{sfnp|Groening|2001c |p=128}}) with Steve Vance, Cindy Vance and [[Bill Morrison (comics)|Bill Morrison]], which publishes comic books based on ''The Simpsons'' and ''Futurama'' (including ''Futurama Simpsons Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis'', a crossover between the two), as well as a few original titles. According to Groening, the goal with Bongo is to "[try] to bring humor into the fairly grim comic book market."{{sfnp|Paul|1995}} He also formed [[Zongo Comics]] in 1995, an [[imprint (trade name)|imprint]] of Bongo that published comics for more mature readers,{{sfnp|Paul|1995}} which included three issues of [[Mary Fleener]]'s ''Fleener''<ref name="fleener">{{cite web |url=http://www.maryfleener.com/covers/comic_covers.html |website=Mary Fleener |title=Comic Book Covers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519052739/http://www.maryfleener.com/covers/comic_covers.html |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2007}}</ref> and seven issues of his close friend [[Gary Panter]]'s ''Jimbo'' comics.<ref name="zograf">{{cite web |title=Meet The End of The Century With... Gary Panter |url=http://www.aleksandarzograf.com/writes/writes_Gary_Panter_interviewed.html |last=Zograf |first=Aleksandar |access-date=September 4, 2007 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929033410/http://www.aleksandarzograf.com/writes/writes_Gary_Panter_interviewed.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Groening is known for his eclectic taste in music. His favorite artist is [[Frank Zappa]] and [[The Mothers of Invention]] and his favorite album is ''[[Trout Mask Replica]]'' by [[Captain Beefheart]] (which was produced by Zappa).<ref name="laweekly2">{{cite web |title=All Tomorrow's Parties Today |date=November 5, 2003 |last=Payne |first=John |work=LA Weekly |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2003-11-13/news/all-tomorrow-s-parties-today/ |access-date=September 4, 2007 |archive-date=September 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926040220/http://www.laweekly.com/2003-11-13/news/all-tomorrow-s-parties-today |url-status=live }}</ref> He guest-edited [[Da Capo Press]]' ''Best Music Writing 2003''<ref>[http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/dacapo/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0306812363 Dacapo Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210140353/http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/dacapo/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0306812363 |date=February 10, 2006 }} URL accessed on September 4, 2007.</ref> and curated a US [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music festival in 2003.<ref name="laweekly2"/><ref>[http://www.atpfestival.com/archive/archived_event.php?archive=2 All Tomorrow's Parties&nbsp;– Archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013171512/http://atpfestival.com/archive/archived_event.php?archive=2 |date=October 13, 2007 }} URL accessed on September 4, 2007.</ref> He illustrated the cover of Frank Zappa's posthumous album ''[[Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute]]'' (1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/lyrics/FZ_Plays_The_Music_Of_FZ.html|title=Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa|website=globalia.net|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411015006/http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/lyrics/FZ_Plays_The_Music_Of_FZ.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2010, he curated another edition of All Tomorrow's Parties in Minehead, England. He also plays the drums in the all-author [[rock and roll]] band [[Rock Bottom Remainders|The Rock Bottom Remainders]] (although he is listed as the [[cowbell (instrument)|cowbell]] player), whose other members include [[Dave Barry]], [[Ridley Pearson]], [[Scott Turow]], [[Amy Tan]], [[James McBride (musician)|James McBride]], [[Mitch Albom]], [[Roy Blount Jr.]], [[Stephen King]], [[Kathi Kamen Goldmark]], [[Sam Barry (Author)|Sam Barry]] and [[Greg Iles]].<ref>[http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/ Rock Bottom Remainders Official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206141927/http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/barry_article.htm |date=December 6, 2006 }} URL accessed on March 4, 2007</ref> In July 2013, Groening co-authored ''Hard Listening'' (2013) with the rest of the Rock Bottom Remainders (published by [[Coliloquy]], LLC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/pages/hard-listening.html |title=Hard Listening |website=The Rock Bottom Remainders |access-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008172736/http://www.rockbottomremainders.com/pages/hard-listening.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He also wrote a mostly fictional biography of the band [[The Residents]].