‘The Simpsons’ to feature live-segment

Animation takes MONTHS to produce just single episodes of TV, and The Simpsons are no exception. However, Al Jean tells The Hollywood Reporter that he wants to try something that’s never been done before… a live Homer Simpson segment.

The network announced Monday that it will feature Homer Simpson taking questions during a live portion of its May 15 episode.

The installment will feature Homer — voiced by Dan Castellaneta — discussing topical subjects and responding to fan questions for the final three minutes of its regularly scheduled episode. The segment will air live on both the East and West Coast broadcasts.

Showrunner Al Jean told THR that the series — which spends months prepping its animation — will use a motion capture technology in which Homer’s voice and motions will be depicted in an animated scene talking about things he “could only be saying live on that day.”

“As far as I know, this is the first time that’s been done by any animated show,” Jean said, noting the live bit works with the theme of the episode, which explores improv comedy. “And Dan is a great improviser.”

For the time being, Fox is urging fans to tweet their questions using the hashtag #HomerLive beginning Sunday, May 1, through Wednesday, May 4.  

Despite the fact that it’s the longest running show on FOX, I’ve always felt that The Simpsons was the most forward-thinking. Out of all of the Sunday Night franchises, it’s the only show that produces a huge number of viral content pieces like ads for NASCAR, couch gags, and tributes to stars that have passed on. The closest Family Guy has done this, is the Simpsons crossover, which goes to show that the series is forward thinking on OTHER shows.

Suffice to say, Al Jean’s a smart guy, and from where I am sitting, this could do the same for television that Ted did for adult animated comedy in film. We need producers to buck the trends in this day and age, and it’s still The Simpsons that are doing it.

Homer Simpson will appear live during an episode of The Simpsons, airing Sunday, May 15 at 8 PM PT/7 PM CT on Fox.