The Simpsons season 26 explained

Season Number:26
Bgcolor:
  1. 1DD9FC
Showrunner:Al Jean
Network:Fox
Num Episodes:22
Episode List:List of The Simpsons episodes

The twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons premiered on Fox in the United States on September 28, 2014, and concluded on May 17, 2015. The season was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. The season was ordered by Fox in October 2013. The primary showrunner for the season was Al Jean. In May 2015, the series was renewed for a twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth season.[1]

In this season, Krusty the Clown retires after his father dies ("Clown in the Dumps"); Homer and Bart attempt to solve some father/son conflicts ("The Wreck of the Relationship"); Marge opens a sandwich franchise ("Super Franchise Me"); the Simpsons meet their former (The Tracey Ullman Show) selves ("Treehouse of Horror XXV"); Mr. Burns finds a girlfriend in Democratic Assemblywoman Maxine Lombard ("Opposites A-Frack"); Bart schemes to bring down his new fourth grade teacher, Mr. Lassen (guest voice Willem Dafoe), who is a terrible bully ("Blazed and Confused"); Homer has a mid-life crisis ("Covercraft"); and the cast of Futurama make an appearance in Springfield in a crossover episode ("Simpsorama").

Additional guest voices for this season include Nick Offerman, David Hyde Pierce, Jeff Ross, and Matthew Sweet.[2]

The season received positive reviews. Actor Hank Azaria won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance this season. The season was also nominated for four other Emmy Awards, three Writers Guild of America Awards and one Annie Award.

Voice cast & characters

See main article: List of The Simpsons characters.

Main cast

Supporting cast

Episodes

See also: List of The Simpsons episodes.

Production

The season was ordered to production in October 2013.[3] Six episodes were holdovers from the previous season, and one episode was a holdover from the twenty-fourth season.[4] Executive producer Al Jean continued his role as primary showrunner, a role he had since the thirteenth season.[5] Executive producer Matt Selman was also the showrunner for several episodes, a role he performed since the twenty-third season.[6]

This season featured the final episode written by Valentina L. Garza before she left for the television series Bordertown.[7] It also features the final episode written by Marc Wilmore before leaving for the television series F Is for Family.[8] In addition, the season featured an episode written by filmmaker Judd Apatow that he submitted as a spec script to the show in 1990.[9]

This season featured a crossover episode featuring the characters from creator Matt Groening's television series Futurama written by J. Stewart Burns, who was a writer on that series.[10] [11] In addition, one hour after its season premiere, the characters of The Simpsons crossed over to the television series Family Guy for a one-hour episode showrun by former Simpsons writer Richard Appel and directed by former Simpsons animator Peter Shin.[12] [13]

The episode held over from the twenty-fourth season, "The Man Who Came to Be Dinner," was considered to be expanded into the next Simpsons feature film. However, Jean and executive producer James L. Brooks thought controversial nature of the plot, featuring aliens Kang and Kodos, would upset viewers, so they allowed it to air on television to reduce the magnitude of the controversy.[14]

Reception

Ratings

For the 2014-2015 television season, the season earned a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, which was the 35th best performing show. It averaged 5.62 million viewers, which was the 100th best performing show.[15]

Critical response

Matthew Poland of Slant Magazine gave the first three episodes of the season a 2.5 out of 4 stars. He thought that the series had settled to the point where viewers expect what they are getting, and the focus is now on the jokes and the couch gags, where more experimentation can occur.[16]

Gonzo Green of Bubbleblabber gave the season a 7.5 out of 10. Green highlighted the episodes at the beginning of the season as well as the holiday episodes and the Futurama crossover. Green also felt there were episodes that were terrible as well as some that had recycled plots.[17]

Awards and nominations

At the 67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, actor Hank Azaria won for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work in "The Princess Guide."[18] Actors Dan Castellaneta and Tress MacNeille were also nominated in this category.[19] The episode "Treehouse of Horror XXV" was nominated for Outstanding Animated Program.[20] Re-Recording mixers Tara Paul and Mark Linden were nominated for Outstanding Sound Mixing for their work in "Simpsorama."[21]

Writers Matt Selman and Michael Price were nominated for the for episodes written this season.[22] [23]

Writer and executive producer Al Jean was nominated for an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production for his script for "I Won't Be Home for Christmas."[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Elizabeth. Wagmeister. May 4, 2015. 'The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons. Variety. June 9, 2024. December 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171202060823/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-simpsons-renewed-season-27-fox-1201486963/. live.
  2. Web site: THE SIMPSONS. Fox Broadcasting Company. November 6, 2023. November 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106152851/http://assets.fox.com/shows/upfronts/assets/Simpsons,%20The.pdf. live.
  3. Web site: Philiana. Ng. October 4, 2013. Fox Renews 'The Simpsons' for 26th Season. The Hollywood Reporter. June 3, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814034844/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/foxs-simpsons-renewed-26th-season-643504/. live.
  4. Web site: Dave. Trumbore. October 8, 2011. FOX Renews THE SIMPSONS for 24th and 25th Seasons. Collider. June 3, 2024. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220911060615/https://collider.com/the-simpsons-renewed-24th-25th-season/. live.
  5. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. April 30, 2020. 'The Simpsons' Showrunner Al Jean Signs With Gersh. Deadline Hollywood. May 31, 2024. May 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240526035718/https://deadline.com/2020/04/the-simpsons-showrunner-al-jean-signs-gersh-2-1202922457/. live.
  6. Web site: Jesse David. Fox. June 5, 2023. 'The Simpsons' Is Good Again. Vulture. June 16, 2024. June 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230610163536/https://www.vulture.com/article/the-simpsons-is-good-again.html. live.
  7. Web site: Patrick. Hipes. March 11, 2021. 'Baker And The Beauty' And 'Jane The Virgin' Writer-Producer Valentina Garza Inks With WME. Deadline Hollywood. June 9, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814034845/https://deadline.com/2021/03/valentina-garza-hollywood-agency-wme-jane-the-virgin-baker-and-the-beauty-1234711835/. live.
  8. Web site: Sam. Warner. February 1, 2021. 'The Simpsons' writer Marc Wilmore dies after contracting coronavirus. NME. June 9, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814034845/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/the-simpsons-writer-marc-wilmore-dies-after-contracting-coronavirus-2869520. live.
  9. Web site: Michael. Logan. December 31, 2014. Judd Apatow's Long Lost Script for The Simpsons Finally Set to Air. https://web.archive.org/web/20150310052607/http://www.tvguide.com/news/the-simpsons-judd-apatow-1091356/. March 10, 2015. TV Guide. June 9, 2024.
  10. Web site: Dan. Snierson. July 20, 2014. 'Simpsons' death in premiere; 'Futurama' crossover in Nov.. Entertainment Weekly. June 9, 2024. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026204715/https://ew.com/article/2014/07/20/simpsons-character-will-die-in-season-26-premiere-futurama-crossover/. live.
  11. Web site: Dano. Nissen. March 15, 2021. A Formula for Funny: The Surprisingly Smart Humor of The Simpsons. Cal Alumni Association. June 9, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814034841/https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/spring-2021/a-formula-for-funny/. live.
  12. Web site: Dan. Snierson. September 5, 2014. Best. Crossover. Ever.. Entertainment Weekly. June 9, 2024. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615024717/https://ew.com/article/2014/09/05/best-crossover-ever/. live.
  13. Web site: Bill. Keveney. September 27, 2014. 'Simpsons' rides nostalgia wave into Season 26. The Arizona Republic. June 9, 2024.
  14. Dan. Snierson. January 14, 2015. This idea could have been the next 'Simpsons' movie. Entertainment Weekly. June 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20150115060837/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/14/simpsons-movie-idea/. January 15, 2015.
  15. Web site: Lisa. de Moraes. May 21, 2015. Full 2014-15 TV Season Series Rankings: Football & 'Empire' Ruled. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524225103/http://deadline.com/2015/05/2014-15-full-tv-season-ratings-shows-rankings-1201431167/. May 24, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. live. June 9, 2024.
  16. Web site: Matthew. Poland. October 29, 2014. Review: The Simpsons: Season 26. Slant Magazine. June 9, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814034851/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-26/. live.
  17. Web site: Gonzo. Green. May 27, 2015. Season Review: The Simpsons – Season 26. Bubbleblabber. June 9, 2024. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615030225/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2015/05/season-review-the-simpsons-season-26/. live.
  18. Web site: Tracy. Brown. Dave. Lewis. Emmy Awards: Complete list of 2015 winners. en. 2021-01-29. 2015-09-21. Los Angeles Times. July 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150716232406/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/tv/la-et-st-emmy-awards-2015-list-nominees-winners-story.html. live.
  19. News: Montgomery. Daniel. Voice-Over Emmy: Tress MacNeille ('The Simpsons') vs. four past champs. September 7, 2015. Gold Derby. August 25, 2015. August 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150827202402/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10101/the-simpsons-seth-macfarlane-seth-green-voice-over-emmy-461937280.html. live.
  20. News: Bright. Charles. Emmy predictions: Will 'The Simpsons' finally win Best Animated Program for Halloween episode?. September 3, 2015. Gold Derby. August 26, 2015. August 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150827202443/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10105/the-simpsons-halloween-south-park-archer-emmy-predictions-13579086.html. live.
  21. Web site: July 16, 2015. Emmy Award Nominations: Full List of 2015 Emmy Nominees. Variety. October 1, 2023. July 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717190100/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/emmy-award-nominations-2015-full-list-1201537852/. live.
  22. Web site: 'Grand Budapest Hotel,' 'True Detective' Top WGA Awards. McNary. Dave. 14 February 2015. Variety. 23 February 2019. May 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220510111157/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/wga-awards-winners-2015-screenplay-tv-drama-comedy-1201434302/. live.
  23. Web site: WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards. McNary. Dave. 13 February 2016. Variety. 23 February 2019. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201221024244/https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/wga-awards-winners-writers-guild-america-1201705269/. live.
  24. Web site: 2016 Annie Awards: The Complete Winners List. The Hollywood Reporter. June 26, 2023. Carolyn. Giardina. February 6, 2016. July 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240728215428/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-annie-award-winners-862117/best-animated-television-broadcast-commercial-2/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Simpsons season 26".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.