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Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast)

So It's Come To This: Another Matt Selman Interview (Simpsons Showrunner)

·56 min·5 clips
Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman argues the show should never have a lame finale, sparking debate on TV endings.
In this interview on Four Finger Discount, hosts Brendan Dando and Guy Davis speak with Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman. The episode begins with Selman arguing that The Simpsons should never have a lame finale, sparking a broader discussion on TV endings and the unnaturalness of concluding long-running series. He reflects on his role as sole showrunner, describing a shift towards more delegation and trust in his team, influenced by his father's academic experiences at Harvard. Selman characterizes The Simpsons as operating on its own 'Galapagos Island,' isolated from mainstream TV's job-hopping culture, with minimal writer turnover. He discusses upcoming milestones, including a new Simpsons movie and Disney+ exclusives, such as a 45-minute trilogy episode titled 'Extreme Makeover Homer Edition' and a black-and-white homage to Ripley. Selman touches on creative challenges, like balancing parody for fans and newcomers, and the impact of streaming on storytelling, including the removal of couch gags to prioritize episode length. He shares personal anecdotes, like playing Fortnite and dealing with generational shifts in comedy consumption, lamenting the loss of communal laughter in theaters. The interview concludes with Selman's vision for The Simpsons, focusing on coherent storytelling and protecting existing jobs rather than hiring new staff.

As heard by us

A Matt Selman interview uses Simpsons finale talk to open up a sharper conversation about comedy, phones, and shared laughter.

Four Finger Discount brings in Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman for a loose, thoughtful conversation about whether a show this durable can ever end cleanly.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want Matt Selman on why The Simpsons may or may not end, but should never go out with a tidy, lame finale?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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