Exclusive: Al Jean drops notes about Futurama/Simpsons cross-over

 

 

The other day, FXX held a conference call featuring The Simpsons’ Al Jean on the line taking reporters’ questions. When it was our turn, we asked about Season 26, more specifically the Futurama/Simpsons crossover and what kind of couch gags can we expect in the upcoming season:

 

How the concept of doing a Futurama/Simpsons cross-over came about:

We talked about different crossovers at different points and actually did one with the show The Critic years ago, but I always felt Futurama would be great because of the animation style. It really works well and I’ve seen the color come back with it, The Simpsons/Futurama, and it does, it looks perfect. It looks like it’s really managed. We even make a joke about how Bender is just Homer with the hair erased and an antenna drawn on.

What we did, I obviously went to Matt Groening first and asked him what he thought and he said great. We consulted with David Cohen of Futurama through the process and he was really helpful, and the cast, that was the highlight for me. At the read, plus our star cast, we had Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, John DiMaggio, this is like the greatest voiceover read I could imagine, just really funny, brilliant people, and that to me might have been the very best part of it, getting them all in one room. And then, I’ve loved—I’ve worked with Maurice for 20 years, he’s a wonderful guy. He’s really great. They’re all great.

 

Upcoming couch gags we should know about:

Well, the first episode of the season, this is the one where we reveal the character which passes away, I would just give you a hint, watch the opening because it’s going to blow you away, the opening of that episode.

 

The Simpsons returns with new episodes on FOX this fall!