Editing The Simpsons (section)

==Production==

===Development===
{{Main|History of The Simpsons|The Simpsons shorts}}
[[File:Jameslbrooks.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[James L. Brooks]] (''pictured'') asked [[Matt Groening]] to create a series of animated shorts for ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''.]]

When producer [[James L. Brooks]] was working on the television variety show ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'', he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]'s ''[[Life in Hell]]'' comic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of his ''Life in Hell'' series.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video |year=2000 |title=The Simpsons: America's First Family |medium=television documentary |publisher=BBC}}</ref> However, Groening later realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require the rescinding of [[publication right]]s for his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/><ref>{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=David Bianculli |title=Fresh Air |work=[[NPR]] |publisher=[[WHYY-FM|WHYY]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |location=Philadelphia |date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213045217/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name, adopting an [[anagram]] of the word "''brat''".<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/>

The Simpson family first appeared as [[The Simpsons shorts|shorts]] in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' on April 19, 1987.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |p=14}} Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> The animation was produced domestically at [[Klasky Csupo]],<ref name="animation">{{cite journal |first=Harvey |last=Deneroff |title=Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10 |journal=Animation |volume=14 |issue=1 |date=January 2000 |pages=10, 12}}</ref>{{sfn|Beck|2005 |p=239}} with [[Wes Archer]], [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]], and [[Bill Kopp]] being animators for the first season.<ref name="silverman"/> The colorist, "Georgie" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jennifer Lynde |title=Notebook Primer: Hungarian Animation, 1915–1989 |url=https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/notebook-primer-hungarian-animation-1915-1989 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=[[MUBI]] |date=November 18, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Robert Vincent Peluce Obituary (2004) |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/robert-peluce-obituary?id=27351850 |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=[[Legacy.com]] |agency=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 16, 2004 |archive-url=<!-- https://archive.today/20221223111828/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/robert-peluce-obituary?id=27351850 -->https://web.archive.org/web/20221223111749/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/robert-peluce-obituary?id=27351850 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |location=Los Angeles, CA}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ortved |first1=John |title=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History |date=October 12, 2010 |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]] |isbn=978-0-86547-939-5 |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcJMPiM0tCwC&dq=Gyorgyi+Peluce&pg=PA52 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sigall |first1=Martha |title=Living Life Inside the Lines: Tales from the Golden Age of Animation |date=2005 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-57806-749-7 |page=193 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=diKnDBs0wrIC&dq=Gyorgyi+Peluce&pg=PA193 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gyorgyi Peluce |url=https://www.intanibase.com/iad_artists/artist.aspx?artistID=11803 |website=The Internet Animation Database |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ortved |first1=John |title=The Simpson Family Made Its Television Debut 30 Years Ago |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/simpson-family-television-debut-30-years-ago-180962482/ |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=[[Smithsonian Magazine]] |language=en}}</ref> made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: "Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's do it!"<ref name="silverman"/>

In 1989, a team of production companies adapted ''The Simpsons'' into a half-hour series for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]]. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. 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 |last=Kuipers |first=Dean |date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=Los Angeles: City Beat |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308105912/http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}</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]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesimpsons.com/#/recaps/season-1_episode-1 |title=Simpsons Roasting on and Open Fire |publisher=The Simpsons |access-date=September 19, 2011 |archive-date=April 9, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040409161603/http://www.thesimpsons.com/bios/bios_family_bart.htm#/recaps/season-1_episode-1 }}</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> In 1992, [[Tracey Ullman]] filed a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits of ''The Simpsons''<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Frank |last=Spotnitz |title=Eat my shorts! |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |page=8(1) |date=October 23, 1992 |url=https://ew.com/article/1992/10/23/tracey-ullman-sues-fox/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016142946/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,312110,00.html |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>—a claim rejected by the courts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |title=Ullman loses 'Simpsons' suit |agency=Associated Press |via=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 24, 2011 |date=October 21, 1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012110513/http://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Renewals===
On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Snierson |first=Dan |date=January 26, 2023 |title=The Simpsons renewed through 2025, will pass 800-episode mark |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-simpsons-renewed-season-35-season-36/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref> The two seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/1619130524148330496 |number=1619130524148330496 |title=If anyone is questioning the math, @TheSimpsons Season 34 season finale will be Episode 750 — but there are 7 more "holdover" shows airing this fall that were produced as part of production season 34 |user=mattselman |last=Selman |first=Matt |date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref> Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News – FOX to Debut Animated Comedy "Krapopolis" on Sunday, Sept. 24 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/07/10/fox-to-debut-animated-comedy-krapopolis-on-sunday-sept-24-849013/20230710fox02/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=thefutoncritic.com}}</ref> Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2024/09/how-to-watch-the-simpsons-season-36-premiere-streaming-free-or-on-demand.html|title=How to watch The Simpsons Season 36 premiere streaming free or on demand|first=Amy Leona|last=Havin|work=The Oregonian|date=September 29, 2024|access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref>

On April 2, 2025, it was announced that ''The Simpsons'' would be renewed for four more seasons in what is considered a "mega deal" with parent company [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]. This renewal will take the show through the 2028–2029 television season, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the show. Each season will consist of 15 episodes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/the-simpsons-family-guy-bobs-burgers-american-dad-renewed-1236356360/ |work=Deadline |title=Fox Picks Up Four Seasons Of 'The Simpsons', 'Family Guy', 'Bob's Burgers' & Returning 'American Dad!' In Mega Deal With Disney TV Studios |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 4, 2025}}</ref>

===Executive producers and showrunners===
[[File:MattGroening-byPhilipRomano.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Matt Groening]], the creator of ''The Simpsons'']]
<div style="width:40em; font-size:85%; padding-left:5px; width:360px; float:right; margin-left:1em; padding:0.5em; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: black; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1;"><!-- The default color of text is *not* black; color: black actually changes something! -->
'''List of showrunners throughout the series' run:'''
* Season 1–2: [[Matt Groening]], [[James L. Brooks]], & [[Sam Simon]]
* Season 3–4: [[Al Jean]] & [[Mike Reiss]]
* Season 5–6: [[David Mirkin]]
* Season 7–8: [[Bill Oakley]] & [[Josh Weinstein]]
* Season 9–12: [[Mike Scully]]
* Season 13–31: [[Al Jean]]
* Season 32–present: [[Al Jean]] & [[Matt Selman]]
</div>
Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants. [[Sam Simon]], described by former ''Simpsons'' director [[Brad Bird]] as "the unsung hero" of the show,{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=59}} served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production company [[Gracie Films]] and left in 1993.{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=146–149}} Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,{{sfn|Ortved|2009|p=146–149}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dan | last = Snierson |title=Conan on being left out of ''Simpsons Movie''|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/18/conan-being-left-out-simpsons-movie/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020044407/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20046980%2C00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012}}</ref> at least until his death in 2015.<ref>{{cite news | last=Yardley | first=William | date=March 9, 2015 | title=Sam Simon, 59, Dies; Guided 'The Simpsons,' Then Shared His Profits | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/arts/television/sam-simon-who-helped-shape-the-simpsons-dies-at-59.html?_r=0 | access-date=July 20, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102084622/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/arts/television/sam-simon-who-helped-shape-the-simpsons-dies-at-59.html?_r=0 | archive-date=November 2, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> A more involved position on the show is the [[showrunner]], who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season.<ref name="silverman">{{cite web|last=Cagle | first = Daryl |url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607073449/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-date=June 7, 2008 |title=The David Silverman Interview |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=MSNBC }}</ref>

===Writing===
{{Main|List of The Simpsons writers}}
The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted of [[John Swartzwelder]], [[Jon Vitti]], [[George Meyer]], [[Jeff Martin (writer)|Jeff Martin]], [[Al Jean]], [[Mike Reiss]], [[Jay Kogen]], and [[Wallace Wolodarsky]].{{sfn|Ortved|2009 |p=58}} Newer ''Simpsons''{{'}} writing teams typically consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gail |last=Mitchell |title=Mike Scully |publisher=Ultimate TV |date=January 24, 1999}}</ref> The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.<ref name="meyer">{{cite news |first=David |last=Owen |title=Taking Humor Seriously |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=March 13, 2000}}</ref> Until 2004,{{sfn|Ortved|2009 |p=199}} George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.<ref name="meyer"/> Each episode takes approximately six months to produce, so the show rarely comments on current events.<ref>{{cite news |first=Geoff |last=Nixon |title=Mmmmmm&nbsp;... pop culture |work=[[The Silhouette (newspaper)|The Silhouette]] |date=March 4, 2004}}</ref>
[[File:Simpsons writers2.jpg|right|upright=1.364|thumb|Part of the writing staff of ''The Simpsons'' in 1992. Back row, left to right: Mike Mendel, Colin A. B. V. Lewis (partial), Jeff Goldstein, [[Al Jean]] (partial), [[Conan O'Brien]], [[Bill Oakley]], [[Josh Weinstein]], [[Mike Reiss]], Ken Tsumura, [[George Meyer]], [[John Swartzwelder]], [[Jon Vitti]] (partial), CJ Gibson, and [[David M. Stern]]. Front row, left to right: Dee Capelli, [[Lona Williams]], and unknown.]]

Credited with sixty episodes, John Swartzwelder is the most prolific writer on ''The Simpsons''.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=21}} One of the best-known former writers is [[Conan O'Brien]], who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacing [[David Letterman]] as host of the talk show ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|Late Night]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/icing-simpsons-cake-2511538 |title=The icing on the Simpsons' cake |access-date=January 15, 2022|date=January 4, 2005 |last=McGinty |first=Stephen |work=[[The Scotsman]] |location=Edinburgh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022093031/http://www.scotsman.com/news/the-icing-on-the-simpsons-cake-1-670191 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> English comedian [[Ricky Gervais]] wrote the episode "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]", becoming the first celebrity both to  write and guest star in the same episode.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4120569.stm |title=Gervais writing Simpsons episode |work=BBC News Online |date=December 23, 2004 |access-date=December 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220061036/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4120569.stm |archive-date=December 20, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Evan Goldberg]], writers of the film ''[[Superbad]]'', wrote the episode "[[Homer the Whopper]]", with Rogen voicing a character in it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rogen gets a dream gig: 'Simpsons' writer, voice |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-09-23-rogen-simpsons_N.htm | last=Keveney | first = Bill |work=[[USA Today]] |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=September 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025121029/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-09-23-rogen-simpsons_N.htm |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the end of 2007, the writers of ''The Simpsons'' [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|went on strike]] together with the other members of the [[Writers Guild of America, East]]. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why SpongeBob is sitting out the writers strike |access-date=January 9, 2008 |date=December 23, 2007 |last=Munoz | first= Lorenza |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/12/23/1223writerstrike.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226152155/http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/12/23/1223writerstrike.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 }}</ref>

In May 2023, the writers of ''The Simpsons'' [[2023 Writers Guild of America strike|went on strike]] together with the other members of the Writers Guild of America, East.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2023 |title=The Simpsons Season 35: Renewal, Cast & Everything We Know |url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-35-updates-cast-news/ |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Simpsons Writer Addresses WGA Strike Amid Hollywood Fallout |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-simpsons-writers-strike-wga-explained/ |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=TV Shows |date=May 4, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===Voice actors===
{{Main|List of The Simpsons cast members|List of The Simpsons guest stars|Non-English versions of The Simpsons}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin-right:0;"
|-
!colspan=9|Cast members
|-
|align=center| [[File:Dan Castellaneta cropped.jpg|120x120px]]
|align=center| [[File:Julie Kavner 1974.JPG|120x120px]]
|align=center| [[File:NancyCartwright2019 (cropped).png|120x120px]]
|align=center| [[File:YeardleySmith2019.png|120x120px]]
|align=center| [[File:Hank Azaria (25755582981) (cropped1).jpg|120x120px]]
|align=center| [[File:Harry Shearer (33906701158) (cropped).jpg|120x120px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Dan Castellaneta]]}}
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Julie Kavner]]}}
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Nancy Cartwright]]}}
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Yeardley Smith]]}}
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Hank Azaria]]}}
| style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Harry Shearer]]}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Homer Simpson]], [[Abe Simpson]], [[Krusty the Clown]], various characters}}
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Marge Simpson]], [[Patty and Selma Bouvier]], additional voices}}
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Bart Simpson]], [[Maggie Simpson]], [[Nelson Muntz]], various characters}}
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Lisa Simpson]]}}
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Moe Szyslak]], [[Chief Wiggum]], [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon]] (1990–2020), [[Lou (The Simpsons)|Lou]] (1990–2020), various characters}}
|style="width:16%;"| {{small|[[Ned Flanders]], [[Mr. Burns]], [[Dr. Hibbert]] (1990–2021), [[Waylon Smithers]], [[Principal Skinner]], [[Reverend Lovejoy]], various characters}}
|}
''The Simpsons'' has six main cast members: [[Dan Castellaneta]], [[Julie Kavner]], [[Nancy Cartwright]], [[Yeardley Smith]], [[Hank Azaria]], and [[Harry Shearer]]. Castellaneta voices [[Homer Simpson]], [[Grampa Simpson]], [[Krusty the Clown]], [[Groundskeeper Willie]], [[Mayor Quimby]], [[Barney Gumble]], and other adult male characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Julie Kavner voices [[Marge Simpson]], [[Patty and Selma|Patty, Selma]], as well as several minor characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997|pp=178–179}} Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part of ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' cast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be needed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/doh-youre-the-voice-20030227-gdvamr.html |title=D'oh, you're the voice |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=February 27, 2003 |last=Lee | first = Luaine |work=[[The Age]] |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102224412/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cartwright voices [[Bart Simpson]], [[Maggie Simpson]], [[Nelson Muntz]], [[Ralph Wiggum]], and other children.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Smith, the voice of [[Lisa Simpson]], is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting director [[Bonita Pietila]] believed her voice was too high,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1565538/simpsons-trivia-from-swearing-lisa-to-burns-sexual-smithers/ |title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=July 26, 2007 |last=Carroll | first = Larry |publisher=MTV |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> so she was given the role of Lisa instead.<ref>{{cite news |title=She who laughs last |date=December 8, 2007 |page=8E |work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)]] | last=Miranda | first = Charles}}</ref> Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the "middle child" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as "devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, [and] clever".{{sfn|Cartwright|2000 |pp=35–40}} Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1017238.stm |title=Bart's voice tells all |access-date=May 16, 2007 |date=November 10, 2000 |work=BBC News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040701164123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1017238.stm |archive-date=July 1, 2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cartwright is the only one of the six main ''Simpsons'' cast members who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=21}} Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode "[[Old Money (The Simpsons)|Old Money]]" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such as [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Chief Wiggum]], [[Apu Nahasapeemapetilon]], and [[Professor Frink]]. Shearer provides voices for [[Mr. Burns]], [[Mr. Smithers]], [[Principal Skinner]], [[Ned Flanders]], [[Reverend Lovejoy]], and formerly [[Dr. Hibbert]].{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} Every main cast member has won a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance|Outstanding Voice-Over Performance]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html |title=Shearer snubbed again! Blame that Mr. Burns? |access-date=August 10, 2007 |date=July 20, 2006 |last=O'Neil | first = Tom |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222051429/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/07/shearer_snubbed.html |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/harry-shearer-bobs-burgers-win-first-emmys-820580/|title=Ever Sardonic Harry Shearer On 'Impeccable' Timing of First Emmy Win|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|access-date=August 18, 2014|date=August 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084341/http://deadline.com/2014/08/harry-shearer-bobs-burgers-win-first-emmys-820580/|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.<ref>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; James L. Brooks, David Silverman |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode "[[Old Money (The Simpsons)|Old Money]]", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.<ref>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Al Jean, David Silverman |date=2002 |title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Old Money" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode of ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'', doing live performances of their characters' voices.

The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Doherty |title=Matt Groening |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=March–April 1999}}</ref> The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/simpsons-actors-demand-bigger-share-20040403-gdxm1k.html|title=Simpsons actors demand bigger share |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=April 3, 2004 |first=Dan |last=Glaister |newspaper=[[The Age]] |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202171844/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/02/1080544690429.html |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Rick |last=McGinnis |title=Star talks Simpsons |work=[[Metro International|metro]] |date=August 9, 2004}}</ref> The strike was resolved a month later<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simpsons-cast-goes-back-to-work/ |title='Simpsons' Cast Goes Back To Work |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=May 1, 2004 |work=[[CBS News]] |first=Joel |last=Arak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913212830/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/01/entertainment/main615066.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> and their salaries were increased to between $250,000<ref>{{cite news |title=Meet the Simpsons |date=May 6, 2004 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Express]] |first=Peter |last=Sheridan}}</ref> and $360,000 per episode.<ref name=2008actors>{{cite news |first=Michael | last = Schneider |title=Still no deal for 'Simpsons' cast |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 19, 2008 |url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/news/still-no-deal-for-simpsons-cast-1117986121/ |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012044612/http://variety.com/2008/digital/news/still-no-deal-for-simpsons-cast-1117986121/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, production for the [[The Simpsons season 20|twentieth season]] was put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a "healthy bump" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.<ref name=2008actors/> The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |title=Simpsons cast sign new pay deal |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=June 3, 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |access-date=September 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914050545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7434296.stm |archive-date=September 14, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |last=Block |first=Alex Ben |title='The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=October 15, 2011 |date=October 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010170625/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-renewed-two-more-seasons-245748 |archive-date=October 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to the main cast, [[Pamela Hayden]], [[Tress MacNeille]], [[Marcia Wallace]], [[Maggie Roswell]], and [[Russi Taylor]] voice supporting characters.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=178–179}} From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced by [[Marcia Mitzman Gaven]]. [[Karl Wiedergott]] has also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.{{sfn|McCann|Groening|2002 |p=117}} Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since then [[Chris Edgerly]] has appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat "special guest" cast members include [[Albert Brooks]], [[Phil Hartman]], [[Jon Lovitz]], [[Joe Mantegna]], [[Maurice LaMarche]], and [[Kelsey Grammer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/ |title=The Five: Great Simpsons guest stars |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=June 20, 2006 |last=Finley | first = Adam |publisher=HuffPost TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104225947/http://www.aoltv.com/2006/06/20/the-five-great-simpsons-guest-stars/ |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <!--Until a good source is found. [[Maurice LaMarche]], [[Jane Kaczmarek]], and [[Jan Hooks]].--> Following Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced ([[Troy McClure]] and [[Lionel Hutz]]) were retired;<ref>{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=Terry Gross |title=Fresh Air |work=[[NPR]] |publisher=[[WHYY-FM]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4249835 |location=Philadelphia |date=December 29, 2004 |access-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610050752/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4249835 |archive-date=June 10, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Wallace's character of [[Edna Krabappel]] was retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (including [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Sherri and Terri|Sherri, Terri]], and [[Martin Prince]]) are now voiced by [[Grey Griffin]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Patrick|title='The Simpsons' recasts three roles following the death of voice actor Russi Taylor|url=https://www.nme.com/news/simpsons-recasts-three-roles-following-death-voice-actor-russi-taylor-2574416|website=[[NME]]|access-date=April 23, 2020|date=November 11, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716195209/https://www.nme.com/news/simpsons-recasts-three-roles-following-death-voice-actor-russi-taylor-2574416|url-status=live}}</ref>

Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves. [[Tony Bennett]] was the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode "[[Dancin' Homer]]".{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=393}} ''The Simpsons'' holds the [[Guinness World Records|world record]] for "Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series".<ref name="Foxflash">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3 |title=THE SIMPSONS&nbsp;– Season 19 (2007–2008) |access-date=October 21, 2007 |publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FoxFlash]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217121947/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z3 |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref>

''The Simpsons'' has been dubbed into [[Non-English versions of The Simpsons|several other languages]], including Japanese, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in both [[standard French]] and [[Quebec French]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210002353/http://www.omnivore.org/jon/orwell/caste.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2008 |title=Caste of Characters |access-date=August 7, 2007 |date=September 9, 2000 |last=Kay | first = Jonathan |publisher=Saturday Night Magazine }}</ref> The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due to [[Islam]]ic customs, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinks [[Soft drink|soda]] instead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelong ''Simpsons'' fans in the area.<ref>{{cite news |last=El-Rashidi |first=Yasmine |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112925107943268353 |title=D'oh! Arabized Simpsons not getting many laughs |access-date=August 7, 2007 |date=October 14, 2005 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302200451/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112925107943268353 |archive-date=March 2, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Animation===
[[File:David Silverman with a fan.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Animation director [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]], who helped define the look of the show<ref name=silverman/>]]
Several different American and international studios animate ''The Simpsons''. Throughout the run of the animated shorts on ''The Tracey Ullman Show'', the animation was produced domestically at [[Klasky Csupo]].<ref name="animation"/> With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios.<ref name="animation"/> These are [[AKOM]],<ref>First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Some Enchanted Evening |episode-link=Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons) |series=The Simpsons |credits=Groening, Matt; Sam Simon, David Silverman, Kent Butterworth |network=Fox |air-date=May 13, 1990 |season=1 |number=13}}</ref> [[Anivision]],<ref>First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Treehouse of Horror II |episode-link=Treehouse of Horror II |series=The Simpsons |credits=Jean, Al; Mike Reiss, Jeff Martin, George Meyer, Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder, Jim Reardon |network=Fox |air-date=October 31, 1991 |season=3 |number=7}}</ref> [[Rough Draft Studios]],<ref>First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Homer the Heretic |episode-link=Homer the Heretic |series=The Simpsons |credits=Meyer, George;Jim Reardon |network=Fox |air-date=October 8, 1992 |season=4 |number=3}}</ref> [[USAnimation]],<ref>First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=Radioactive Man |episode-link=Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode) |series=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Susie Dietter |network=Fox |air-date=September 24, 1995 |season=7 |number=2}}</ref> and Toonzone Entertainment.<ref>First episode credit in production order: {{cite episode |title=The Fat and the Furriest |episode-link=The Fat and the Furriest |series=The Simpsons |credits=Cohen, Joel H.; Matthew Nastuk |network=Fox |air-date=November 30, 2003 |season=15 |number=5}}</ref>

For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animated ''The Simpsons'' in the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production to [[Film Roman]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Bernstein | first = Sharon |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-21-fi-739-story.html |title='The Simpsons' Producer Changes Animation Firms |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 21, 1992 |page=18 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618113432/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-01-21/business/fi-739_1_bart-simpson |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced by [[Fox Television Animation]], which allowed the show to be made more in-house. In [[The Simpsons season 14|Season 14]], production switched from traditional [[cel animation]] to [[digital ink and paint]].<ref>{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Jeffrey Lynch, Mike Reiss, David Silverman |date=2004 |title=The Simpsons season 4 DVD commentary for the episode "[[Whacking Day]]" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was "[[Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode)|Radioactive Man]]" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of the [[The Simpsons season 12|season 12]] episode "[[Tennis the Menace]]", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed "Tennis the Menace" was broadcast as made.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf |title=A Salute to the Simpsons |last=Grala |first=Alyson |page=14 |work=License! |access-date=August 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925213323/http://www.license-europe.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/192007/425752/article.pdf |archive-date=September 25, 2007 }}</ref>

The production staff at the American animation studio, Film Roman, draws [[storyboard]]s, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn become [[animatic]]s to be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw the [[Inbetweening|inbetweens]], ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV's 'The Simpsons' Goes Global |date=August 5, 2001 |agency=Associated Press | last=Elber | first = Lynn}}</ref>

The series began [[high-definition television|high-definition]] production in season 20; the first episode, "[[Take My Life, Please]]", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z4&mo=2&d=10 |title=Primetime Listings (February 8&nbsp;– February 14) |access-date=January 24, 2009 |date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=FoxFlash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201143538/http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z4&mo=2&d=10 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 }}</ref> Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/matt-groening-1798216089 |title=Matt Groening | last=Ryan | first = Kyle |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113031416/http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,25525/1/ |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>