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The Simpsons: Behind the Laughter

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A la VH-1's Behind the Music, a behind the scenes look is taken at the Simpson family's rise to fame, their successful years together and then their feud which resulted in a breakup and solo careers for the family members. Read full recap »

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Writers:: Tim Long George Meyer Mike Scully Matt Selman

Director:: Mark Kirkland

Stars:: Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier); Hank Azaria (Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Lou, and others); Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson); Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and others); Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, and others); Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, and others)

Guest Star:: Willie Nelson (Himself); Tom Kite (Himself); Stephen Hawking (Himself); Jim Forbes (Narrator); Gary Coleman (Himself); Buzz Aldrin (Himself); Butch Patrick (Himself)

Walk of Fame stars near the Simpsons include: Milton Berle (with a symbol of a TV), Joan Jett (a typewritter), Nelson Mandela (a race car), and The Cheerios Honey Bee. edit »
Tee Simpsons records that go mega-platinum are Simpsons Boogie, Lovely to Love Your Lovin, and Simpsons Christmas Boogie. edit »
The various Bart sayings printed on T-shirts read: "Good Grief Man", "You Bet Your Sweet Bippy, Man", and "Life Begins at Conception, Man". edit »
Headline reviews in the Hollywood trades, Daily Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter read: "Yellow Fever" and "Bumptious Brood Boffo" respectively. edit »
Words seen during the "Behind the Laughter" title sequences are: Success, Fame, Beer, Candy, Money, Drugs, Women, Donuts,Sex, Millhouse,Lawsuits, Redemption, Hormones, and Graphics. edit »

The words that scroll across the screen during the "Behind the Laughter" title sequences are:Success, Fame, Beer, Candy,Money, Drugs, Women, Donuts, Milhouse, Lawsuits, Redemption, Hormones, and Graphics. edit »
Magazine covers the Simpsons are featured on include:TV Guide, Rolling Stone,Coin Laundry News, and Short Hair Ideas. edit »
It is revealed in this episode that the Simpsons are from Northern Kentucky. edit »
Blackboard Joke: I will not obey the voices in my head.
Couch Gag: The couch is now a vibrating bed and jiggles the family out of frame. edit »
In 2000, this episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less), as well as the 2000 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production. edit »

Bart: The funniest stuff came right out of real life. (Flashes back to shooting a scene with Homer)
Homer: Son, let's go out for frosty chocolate milkshakes.
Bart: Cowabunga, dude!
Director: And... cut!
Bart: Dad, I've never said "cowabunga" in my life. Your script sucks!
Homer: Why you little... (begins to angrily strangle him)
Director: Hey, that's funny! (The two stop, then Homer and Bart continue with a fake strangling as they make mock grunting and gagging noises.) edit »
Narrator: The Simpsons' TV show started out on a wing and a prayer. But now the wing was on fire, and the prayer had been answered by Satan. edit »
Homer: It was the best Thanksgiving ever. I mean, emotionally, it was terrible, but the turkey was so moist! edit »
Narrator: Marge put together a night club act..
Marge: (singing) I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy!
Backup Singers: She didn't do it! She didn't do it!
Marge: So the next time you see a sheriff, shoot him (audience gasps) A smile! Goodnight!
Backup Singers: She didn't do it! She didn't do it! edit »
Ozzy Osbourne: Right and the award for best hardcore thrash metal goes to "Simpsons Christmas Boogie"?! edit »

Narrator: The Simpsons' star continued to rise, like a plastic bag caught in an updraft.

The shot of the plastic bag caught in an updraft is similar to the video Ricky Fitts shoots in the 1999 film American Beauty. edit »
Homer: I'm king of the world!

This was one of Leonardo DiCaprio's lines from the movie Titanic. edit »
The scene with the young female "Simpsons" fans in the Hysteria Ward is accompanied by the Beatles' song "Twist and Shout." edit »
When making his first short the narrator refers to Homer as a "penniless Peckinpah." This is a reference to the late maverick film-maker Sam Peckinpah. edit »
The episode title is a spoof of the VH1 series, Behind the Music. edit »

9
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therealmoose
member since: Feb 24, 2007
Behind the Laughter
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
Brillant ...Continue »
04/15/08 08:23pm | report abuse
8.2
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Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
Behind the Laughter
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
Never really fell in love wit this episode from the start, but good to say the least. ...Continue »
01/29/08 04:22pm | report abuse
10
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spigelwii
member since: Feb 13, 2007
Behind the Laughter
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
The Simpsons take a look back at their "past". ...Continue »
03/22/07 06:30pm | report abuse
9
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rayan36
member since: Sep 12, 2004
Behind the Laughter
The Bottom Line: "Series finale"
Behind the scenes with The Simpson's ...Continue »
01/03/07 11:16pm | report abuse
9.8
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rkmcd
member since: Mar 25, 2006
Behind the Laughter
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
Clever thought of. ...Continue »
11/09/06 01:42am | report abuse