FOX Animation News: ADIDAS Releases “El Barto” Shoe ; New Bumblebee Man Voice ; “Bananaman” Revival In Works

 

ADIDAS has released a new shoe inspired by The Simpsons as a companion piece to the ZX1000 line the designer has been drip-releasing this year. This one features “El Barto” which is the nickname Bart likes to use when he’s throwing up tags at Springfield Elementary or wherever else he be sprayin’. The shoe is a lower-cost entry whence compared to the other shoes and really are just normal tennis shoes but with graphics inspired by The Simpsons and are a part of the ADIDAS Advantage line. Get them here.

 

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FOX’s season finale of The Simpsons featured the longest guest appearance by “Bumblebee Man” this year, which concludes the first season in which Cuban voice actor Eric Lopez has taken over the role from Hank Azaria who previously won an Emmy for the role back in 2003. Hank departs the role in his quest to rid himself of voicing any BIPOC characters. In this case, a Cuban actor takes over the role of a Mexican character of which I guess is acceptable?

This season alone has seen the longest-running animated sitcom on the network has seen mixed efforts in attempting to replace BIPOC characters being voiced by white actors with BIPOC actors. Examples this season include Dr. Hibbert, Julio, Carl/Lou, and the aforementioned Bumblebee Man.

Synopsis:

The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into popular culture in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. HOMER (Dan Castellaneta), MARGE (Julie Kavner), BART (Nancy Cartwright), LISA (Yeardley Smith) and MAGGIE are instantly identifiable television icons. Rounding out this cast of characters are many beloved Springfield residents, including tavern proprietor MOE SZYSLAK (Hank Azaria) and nuclear power plant owner MR. BURNS (Harry Shearer). The Emmy Award-, Annie Award- and Peabody Award-winning animated comedy will begin its 32nd season this year and will celebrate a landmark 700 episodes this spring. Additional upcoming guest voice stars this season include Olivia Colman, Hannibal Buress, Ben Platt and Michael Palin.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series.

 

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The Flintstones isn’t the only revival in the works at FOX Entertainment. The conglomerate has put into development a revival of the classic UK animated series Bananaman and is seeking UK-based writers to help produce alongside Bento Box Entertainment. The show would be a reboot of the classic animated series that premiered on the BBC 35 years ago that follows Bananaman who is a parody of traditional superheroes, being portrayed as a schoolboy who is transformed into a muscled, caped figure when he eats a banana.

[h/t: Comedy UK]