‘The Simpsons,’ Matt Groening Honored as ‘Icon of Animation’ at Annecy

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At the Annecy Film Festival, a celebration in honor of Matt Groening, the mastermind behind The Simpsons, unfolded much like an episode from this beloved animated show: It was filled with laughter, exuberance, and genuine affection, interspersed with plenty of humor, and not without one surprise gag involving flatulence.

Groening was recognized as a legendary figure in the world of animation, and awarded the prestigious Crystal prize for his exceptional lifetime achievements in this field.

40 years ago, Matt Groening dropped an animation revolution with The Simpsons, initially airing as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 and later transforming into a prime-time series on Fox. Ever since then, he’s been pushing the boundaries of animation. That’s me, a gamer, talking about how Groening has been shaping the world of animation for decades.

As a devoted fan, I was honored to witness the screening of some French renditions of Groening’s masterpieces at Annecy. The event showcased a unique spin on The Simpsons with Lisa playing an accordion and Homer savoring a snail, a twist that added a charming French touch. Additionally, they presented a Futurama interpretation inspired by Tin-Tin, further enriching the experience. To top it all off, they premiered a freshly dubbed French episode of The Simpsons, making me feel even more connected to the series I adore.

Groening thanked everyone profusely as he lifted his Cristal trophy,” he said, beaming. He acknowledged his artistic partners, studio bosses, and the French voice actors behind Homer and Marge, who were present and stood to receive applause. However, it was to his actual family that he expressed his deepest gratitude, stating that they had served as the original inspiration and named the well-known Simpson quartet, known for their four-fingered characters.

It’s not widely known, but my parents’ real names are actually Homer and Marge, not Itchy and Scratchy as some might think,” Groening humorously pointed out, alluding to the show’s characters with a violent cartoon backstory. “However, I do have a genuine father named Homer, a mother called Marge, siblings named Lisa and Maggie, and a grandfather called Abe. This often leads people to wonder if I am Bart,” he continued, building suspense. “But let me clear things up: my true Simpsons persona is Milhouse.

Later on, Groening was joined by The Simpsons’ executive producer and showrunner Matt Selman, as well as consulting producer-animator David Silverman for a lively discussion. They delved into the show’s inception, development, and how, despite being in its 36th season on Fox, it still manages to maintain its freshness and relevance.

When asked about his sense of responsibility to maintain the show’s high standards, Groening expressed that he doesn’t believe anyone on the Simpsons team often ponders responsibility. Instead, he suggested their primary drive is to astonish themselves. He added that if they can shock themselves, chances are they will also bewilder the audience.

Selman noted, “We don’t bear a heavy burden of responsibility, but there’s an abundance of joy and happiness we experience. Many young viewers, ranging from 8 to 12 years old, are discovering our show on Disney+. For them, it becomes their favorite for four years before they explore more mature content. They watch every episode, and in a way, it shapes their perspective of the world. We get an opportunity to impart our viewpoint, to guide them on how to perceive the world with a mix of skepticism, curiosity, and compassion.

However, Selman swiftly played down the program’s beneficial influence, stating, “We can’t claim to have saved the world,” he acknowledged. “In fact, we might have wrecked it instead. Is there a Fox News without The Simpsons?

Selman also acknowledged and praised the “exceptional animation team” behind the show’s long-term success, pointing out that working on The Simpsons, which is primarily “writer-focused,” can be challenging for animators. He explained that as writers, they tend to only spot mistakes while overlooking the good aspects. Using an apt analogy, he further commented: “It’s like you never get recognized for the silent suffering—the farts you hold in. I believe this sentiment rings true not just in animation but also in a relationship.

Over the past few years, The Simpsons has developed a reputation as a sort of animated soothsayer, with its creators displaying an astonishing ability to foretell future events. From predicting Donald Trump’s presidency and the NSA spying scandal, to forecasting Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, The Simpsons has shown remarkable foresight.

Groening and his team shared their vision of the future with the audience at Annecy, drawing predictions from a distinctive blue wig belonging to Marge Simpson. Among these prophecies: “The Simpsons foresee the Statue of Liberty being sent back to France, as no one in America can recall what ‘Liberty’ means.” “The Simpsons predict an innovative self-driving electric car will be developed, fueled by a remarkable new energy source – resentment towards Elon Musk.” And, hinting at the show’s enduring popularity: “Remarkably, The Simpsons will still be airing in the year 3000 [the setting of Futurama]. Unfortunately, critics may claim that the show has been on a steady decline for the past 1,000 years.

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2025-06-10 17:24