The Simpsons season 29 explained

Season Number:29
Bgcolor:
  1. 375383
Showrunner:Al Jean
Num Episodes:21
Network:Fox
Episode List:List of The Simpsons episodes

The twenty-ninth season of the animated television series The Simpsons premiered on Fox in the United States on October 1, 2017, and ended on May 20, 2018.[1] On November 4, 2016, The Simpsons was renewed for seasons 29 and 30. The season was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. The primary showrunner for the season was Al Jean.

This season marked the show's surpassing Gunsmoke as the longest-running scripted series in primetime television by number of episodes, with the series' 636th episode "Forgive and Regret".[2] Composer Alf Clausen was replaced by composing collective Bleeding Fingers Music.

Episodes this season were nominated for three Emmy Awards and winning one, nominated for one Writers Guild of America Award, and nominated for one Annie Award.

Episodes

See also: List of The Simpsons episodes.

Voice cast & characters

See main article: List of The Simpsons characters.

Main cast

Supporting cast

Guest stars for the season included Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Rachel Bloom, Martin Short, Ben Daniels, Neil Gaiman, Valerie Harper, Norman Lear, Jon Lovitz, Ed Sheeran, Bill Hader, Cecily Strong, Kevin Pollak, J.K. Simmons, Daniel Radcliffe, and Jimmy O. Yang.[3] This season also features Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as Sideshow Bob and Homer seeking help from Shaquille O'Neal in "Gone Boy",[4] [5] and a song written by guest star Rachel Bloom in "Springfield Splendor".[6] [7]

Production

This season and the next season were ordered in November 2016.[8] Seven episodes were holdovers from the previous season.[9] Executive producer Al Jean continued his role as primary showrunner, a role he had since the thirteenth season.[10] Executive producer Matt Selman was also the showrunner for several episodes, a role he performed since the twenty-third season.[11]

With the 636th episode airing this season, the series surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running scripted American primetime television series by number of episodes.[12] Commenting on the record, Jean thought the longevity of the series was due to the constancy of the Simpson characters, who have not changed since their inception.[13] At the same time, creator Matt Groening stated that the producers keep the show relevant by trying to surprise the audience such as having guest animators for the couch gags.[14]

This season featured the first episode co-written by Miranda Thompson, the wife of writer Tim Long.[15] [16] It also featured the first episode written by Daniel Furlong and Zach Posner.[17] Furthermore, it featured the final episode written by Kevin Curran prior to his death.[18]

In addition, Bill Plympton animated a sixth couch gag in "3 Scenes Plus a Tag from a Marriage", having previously done so in season 23's "Beware My Cheating Bart", season 24's "Black Eyed, Please", season 25's "Married to the Blob", season 27's "Lisa the Veterinarian", and season 28's "22 for 30".[19]

The premiere episode of the season "The Serfsons" was the final time that Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is voiced by series cast member Hank Azaria before he stated in 2020 that he would no longer voice Apu.[20] The producers attempted to address the controversy of a white man voicing an Indian character this season in the episode "No Good Read Goes Unpunished", with the characters saying that the act was not offensive when the series started and would be addressed later.[21] However, the acknowledgement caused more controversy.[22] [23]

Music

On August 30, 2017, it was announced that longtime Simpsons score composer Alf Clausen was let go from the series.[24] Clausen was given a composer emeritus credit for several seasons starting with this season's premiere. The series switched from a live orchestrated score to a produced score by Bleeding Fingers Music, a composing collective founded by Hans Zimmer, who composed the score for The Simpsons Movie.[25] Zimmer and Russell Emanuel served as score producers with Andrew Christie being the lead composer.[26]

Animated shorts of Donald Trump

In December 2017, Fox released an animated short from series producers depicting Donald Trump attempting to bribe Robert Mueller with money and Carmen Yulín Cruz collecting it, a reference to the Mueller special counsel investigation and Trump's response to damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.[27] In March 2018, another short was released showing Trump confessing his reported misdeeds before he wakes up from his nightmare.[28]

Reception

Viewing figures

For the 2017-2018 television season, the season earned a 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, which was the 41st best performing show. It averaged 4.07 million viewers, which was the 122nd best performing show.[29]

Critical response

Jesse Bereta of Bubbleblabber gave the season a 7.5 out of 10. He highlighted the performances by guest stars Daniel Radcliffe and Bill Hader. He also felt the season premiere and finale were metaphors for how to keep the show alive and how to deal with its inevitable end.[30]

Awards and nominations

At the 70th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, animator Caroline Cruikshank won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for her work in "Springfield Splendor".[31] The episode "Gone Boy" was nominated for Outstanding Animated Program. Actor Dan Castellaneta was nominated for the Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work in "Fears of a Clown".[32]

At the 70th Writers Guild of America Awards, writer Brian Kelley was nominated for Outstanding Writing in Animation for his script for "The Serfsons".[33]

At the 45th Annie Awards, director Timothy Bailey was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement for Directing for his work in "Treehouse of Horror XXVIII".[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Fox Sets Fall 2017 Premiere Dates: 'Empire', 'The Gifted' & 'Orville' . . June 22, 2017 . August 22, 2017 . June 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170622193900/http://deadline.com/2017/06/fox-fall-2017-premiere-dates-empire-marvel-the-gifted-seth-macfarlane-orville-1202118456/ . live .
  2. News: Denise. Petski. 'The Simpsons' Renewed For Record-Breaking Seasons 29 and 30 On Fox. Deadline Hollywood. November 4, 2016. November 4, 2016. November 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161105032751/http://deadline.com/2016/11/the-simpsons-renewed-seasons-29-30-fox-1201848685/. live.
  3. Web site: Dan. Snierson. September 29, 2017. The Simpsons: Season 29 Features Ed Sheeran, 'Game of Thrones' Gag, Possessed Maggie. Entertainment Weekly. June 23, 2024. August 3, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240803194900/https://ew.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-29-preview/. live.
  4. Ledesma. Chris. Diff kind of 2fer 2day, music spotting #TheSimpsons WABF14 MOHO HOUSE, then directing @KelseyGrammer singing as Sideshow Bob for next year.pic.twitter.com/94SUE3Xlxv. mxedtr. 855102166209511424. September 14, 2017. en.
  5. News: Dan. Snierson. May 4, 2017. 'The Simpsons' Nets Shaq for Guest Role. en-US. Entertainment Weekly. September 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170504210417/https://ew.com/tv/2017/05/04/simpsons-shaquille-oneal-shaq/. May 4, 2017. live.
  6. Price. Michael. Michael Price (writer). My old pal, the hilarious, talented & soon to be Simpsons guest star @Racheldoesstuff paid the Simpsons writers a visit today.pic.twitter.com/OIIGgZkUpm. mikepriceinla. 856656650475773953. September 14, 2017. en.
  7. Price. Michael. Michael Price (writer). April 26, 2017. A not yet officially announced episode for next season written by @mrtimlong. mikepriceinla. 857346756115283968. September 14, 2017. en.
  8. Web site: Elizabeth. Wagmeister. November 4, 2016. 'The Simpsons' Makes TV History, Renewed for Record-Breaking 29th and 30th Seasons. Variety. June 21, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814040627/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-simpsons-renewed-season-29-season-30-fox-1201909858/. live.
  9. Web site: 'The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons . Wagmeister . Elizabeth . . 2015-05-04 . 2015-10-15 . December 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171202060823/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-simpsons-renewed-season-27-fox-1201486963/ . live .
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Web site: Dan. Snierson. April 27, 2018. The Simpsons breaks TV record as Maggie takes out Gunsmoke. Entertainment Weekly. June 23, 2024. November 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042758/https://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/simpsons-record-636-episodes-gunsmoke/. live.
  13. Web site: April 27, 2018. 'The Simpsons' EP Al Jean on a Record-Breaking 636 Episodes and What's Next. TV Insider. June 23, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814041212/https://www.tvinsider.com/680100/the-simpsons-636-episodes-milestone-al-jean/. live.
  14. Web site: Bill. Keveney. April 27, 2018. 'The Simpsons' exclusive: Matt Groening (mostly) remembers the show's record 636 episodes. USA Today. June 23, 2024. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502172525/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/04/27/thesimpsons-matt-groening-new-record-fox-animated-series/524581002/. live.
  15. Web site: Cavna. Michael. Michael Cavna. 'The Simpsons' hilariously spoofs the comics industry. The Washington Post. October 9, 2017. July 24, 2023. December 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181221015637/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/10/09/alison-bechdel-and-roz-chasts-terribly-exciting-star-turn-simpsons-lovingly-spoofs-the-graphic-novel/. live.
  16. Web site: Ahearn. Victoria. The Simpsons writer shares details on Canuck-themed episode D'Oh Canada. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 25, 2019. July 24, 2023. August 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240804185951/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/simpsons-canada-episode-1.5111121. live.
  17. Web site: Mills. Sean I.. Local man writes 'perfectly cromulent' Simpsons episode. Rome Sentinel. April 14, 2018. July 30, 2023. July 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230731010430/https://romesentinel.com/stories/local-man-writes-perfectly-cromulent-simpsons-episode,5684. live.
  18. Web site: Dosani. Rishma. The Simpsons praised as Kevin Curran's last episode airs after death. Metro. March 19, 2018. July 29, 2023. July 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230730042445/https://metro.co.uk/2018/03/19/simpsons-viewers-praise-show-writer-kevin-currans-last-episode-airs-2016-death-7398225/. live.
  19. News: Kate. Stanhope. July 22, 2017. 'Simpsons' Creator Says Owner Asked for Nicer Treatment After "Racist" Fox News Joke. en. The Hollywood Reporter. September 14, 2017. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162857/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-season-29-preview-comic-con-2017-1023604. live.
  20. Web site: Drury. Sharareh. As 'The Simpsons' Silences Apu, South Asian Creatives Hope for Character's Authentic Revival. The Hollywood Reporter. March 1, 2023. February 26, 2020. April 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410123523/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/as-simpsons-silences-apu-south-asian-creatives-hope-characters-authentic-revival-1272222. live.
  21. Web site: Matt. Miller. April 9, 2018. The Simpsons Fans Are Furious With How the Show Just Addressed the Apu Controversy. Esquire. June 23, 2024. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814041226/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a19717286/the-simpsons-apu-controversy/. live.
  22. Web site: The Simpsons is stuck in an eternal 1990. Its Apu controversy reflects that.. Emily. St. James. Emily St. James. April 15, 2018. July 30, 2023. Vox. July 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230715213044/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/4/15/17236336/simpsons-apu-controversy-no-good-read-goes-unpunished-recap. live.
  23. Web site: 'The Simpsons' To 'The Problem With Apu': Drop Dead. Linda. Holmes. Linda Holmes (writer). April 9, 2018. July 30, 2023. NPR. August 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240814041213/https://www.npr.org/2018/04/09/600794630/the-simpsons-to-the-problem-with-apu-drop-dead. live.
  24. News: Burlingame. Jon. August 30, 2017. 'The Simpsons' Composer Alf Clausen Fired After 27 Years (EXCLUSIVE). en-US. Variety. September 14, 2017. July 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200722124109/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/simpsons-composer-alf-clausen-fired-1202543183/. live.
  25. Web site: Gene. Maddaus. April 29, 2020. 'The Simpsons' Hip-Hop Episode Cued Curtains for Composer. Variety. June 23, 2024. November 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111154046/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/simpsons-hip-hop-episode-composer-alf-clausen-1234593653/. live.
  26. Web site: Mark London. Williams. May 29, 2019. How the The[sic] Simpsons new Composers Took on Springfield]. Motion Picture Association. June 23, 2024. June 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240624022428/https://www.motionpictures.org/2019/05/how-the-the-simpsons-new-composers-took-on-springfield/. live.
  27. Web site: Dan. Snierson. December 14, 2017. The Simpsons: Watch Trump try to bribe Mueller with $750 million. Entertainment Weekly. June 23, 2024. June 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240624022427/https://ew.com/tv/2017/12/14/the-simpsons-trump-bribe-mueller-puerto-rico/. live.
  28. Web site: Halle. Kiefer. March 23, 2018. The Simpsons Explores Trump's Nightmares in New Short. Vulture. June 23, 2024. June 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240624022435/https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/the-simpsons-explores-trumps-nightmares-in-new-short.html. live.
  29. Web site: Lisa. de Moraes. Patrick. Hipes. May 22, 2018. 2017-18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts. Deadline Hollywood. June 23, 2024. September 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924030519/https://deadline.com/2018/05/2017-2018-tv-series-ratings-rankings-full-list-of-shows-1202395851/. live.
  30. Web site: Jesse. Bereta. May 30, 2018. Season Review: The Simpsons Season 29. Bubbleblabber. June 23, 2024. June 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240624022435/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2018/05/season-review-the-simpsons-season-29/. live.
  31. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. Emmys: 'Broad City', 'The Simpsons' & 'Adventure Time' Among Juried Winners. Deadline Hollywood. August 28, 2018. July 2, 2023. August 28, 2018. https://archive.today/20180828192149/https://deadline.com/2018/08/emmys-juried-winners-broad-city-the-simpsons-adventure-time-1202453475/. live.
  32. Web site: Hipes. Patrick. Emmy Nominations: 'Game Of Thrones' Tops Noms, With Netflix & HBO Leading Way – Full List. Deadline Hollywood. July 12, 2018. July 2, 2023. October 26, 2021. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211026/https://deadline.com/2018/07/2018-emmy-nominations-list-all-nominees-1202425072/. live.
  33. Web site: WGA Awards: The Complete Winners List. 11 February 2018. Variety. 23 February 2019. February 12, 2018. https://archive.today/20180212140844/http://variety.com/2018/film/awards/2018-wga-award-winners-complete-list-1202694807/. live.
  34. Web site: Carolyn. Giardina. 'Coco,' 'The Breadwinner' Lead Annie Awards Feature Nominations. The Hollywood Reporter. December 4, 2017. October 1, 2023. April 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418203422/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-annie-award-nominations-complete-list-1062719/. live.

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