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Movies & TV

25th Aug 2019

Oh great, The Simpsons are looking at making spin-offs

Dave Hanratty

The Simpsons spinoff Apu

WHY NOT, EH?!

Is there a bigger love/hate relationship in recorded history than that of The Simpsons and those who grew up consuming all things Springfield during the golden age?

The general consensus is that the show – which recently wrapped its 30th season and has been renewed for at least another two – was at its brilliant best during roughly the first 10 seasons.

For some, the rot set in during season eight, but you generally can’t go too far wrong during those first 10 years or so. After that, the quality began to wane. A lot.

Just this week we had an attempt at Trumpian satire that scraped, nay clawed at, whatever is left of the bottom of the barrel.

It’s been pretty grim tidings for a long time now, and most sensible folk have moved on, but The Simpsons just keeps going.

Disney’s acquisition of Fox has resulted in further security for Homer and company with every episode to date due to be housed on the forthcoming Disney+ streaming platform, and now Variety reports that brand new spin-off life could be in the works.

Simpsons producers turned out for a panel at this weekend’s Disney D23 Expo, talking a potential sequel to the actually decent Simpsons Movie and possible spin-off series.

“I think Disney would be supportive of anything we wanted to do,” noted executive producer Matt Selman.

“Maybe a crazy limited series with a side character or a movie that we surprised you with, they’ve been really creatively supportive and this is going to afford so many new ways to do the show than just the traditional format.”

Elsewhere, the controversy surrounding the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon was addressed.

Since the release of documentary The Problem With Apu, many have called on The Simpsons to remove Apu entirely, arguing that he represents a crude racist depiction.

At one point, it looked like that might happen, but the latest is that Apu is staying put.

Responding to a fan question about whether Apu would remain on the show, creator Matt Groening said:

“Yes. We love Apu. We’re proud of Apu.”

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