Simpsons Executive Producer Addresses Major Fan Theory

The Simpsons recently launched its 38th season with “The Children’s Book Job,” featuring guest star Emma Thompson. Owen Wilson and Meg Ryan will also appear this season alongside returning favorite Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony. Co-executive producer Mike Price discussed these details in Polygon’s recent interview, while also addressing several pressing questions from the fandom.

Recent headlines involving voice actors have sparked major fan reactions. Hank Azaria, who voices characters like Moe and Chief Wiggum, joked that AI might replace him someday, which led to discussions among fans about the future of the series. Additionally, Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, recently speculated that The Simpsons would end with its 40th season. Mike Price answered these questions and more during the interview.

Could AI ever replace any of The Simpsons voice actors?

Hank Azaria’s comments earlier this year kicked off a big discussion online about the ethics of replacing The Simpsons actors with artificial intelligence. According to Mike Price, there is little reason for concern.

“If I have anything to say about it, no,” he replied bluntly.

“I would never want to see that ever happen, ever, ever, ever. I’m sure there’s probably AI versions of characters out there that some guy’s throwing up on Instagram or something, but I don’t believe that the makers of the show would ever do something like that. These actors are so good. They take what we write and put it on a whole other level. Sure, you could synthesize any of these characters, type a sentence, and make them say it, but it won’t be a performance. It won’t be acting. It wouldn’t be worth it, as far as I’m concerned.”

What about Apu?

Since the debut of the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu, which criticized the character for reinforcing Indian stereotypes, Kwik-E-Mart proprietor Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has not spoken on The Simpsons. Up until that point, Apu had been one of the most pivotal characters outside of the Simpson family, with many episodes focusing on him. Fans constantly wonder if the show will ever bring him back.

Mike Price offered a direct answer when asked for any updates on Apu. He simply said, “No,” before adding, “We love him, but no updates on him.”

Will any past Simpsons writers be returning for the new movie?

A new Simpsons movie is currently in development and scheduled for release next year. Details remain under wraps, but some fans have wondered if the project will mirror the original film by bringing back past writers to contribute to the screenplay.

“Currently, no,” Mike Price says. “We have a very small team working on the movie right now of people who are currently also working on the show.”

Is Barney Nelson’s Dad?

Many Simpsons fan theories exist, but one theory has persisted since the early days of the show: “Is Barney the father of Nelson?” The speculation relies solely on the visual similarity between the two characters, ignoring the fact that Nelson’s actual father has appeared on the show multiple times.

Mike Price revealed he had never heard the theory before.

“This is the first I’ve heard of that,” Mike Price says. “I’d say no. We’ve seen Nelson’s father many times. Unfortunately, he’s always there for a minute and then he goes to get a pack of cigarettes and he’s gone again.”

Mike Price compares this fan theory to another rumor linking Ralph Wiggum and police officer Eddie.

“The one that I’ve heard that I don’t think we lend any credence to is that Eddie is possibly Ralph Wiggum’s father because he looks a little bit like him. They have a similar hairstyle, but that’s just a thing where, certainly in the beginning of the years of the show, a lot of people had similar looks, but I don’t think that was ever a conscious thing.”

Will The Simpsons end with season 40?

Mike Price finally addressed Nancy Cartwright’s recent comments about the series concluding with season 40.

“No,” he says. “We have no knowledge of that whatsoever. I think Nancy even kind of brought it back after she said that. The show is currently picked up through season 40 and I don’t think anyone here is planning like season 40 is the end. I would say that’s a big no.”

“We do not want it to end.”

Source: Polygon