Morgan Spurlock To Document ‘The Simpsons’ 20th Anniversary

The Simpsons

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me and 30 Days fame) has been tapped by 20th Century Fox to document the rise and continued fame of America’s favorite family, The Simpsons.

That’s right, the Super Size Me guy is going to be producing and directing the upcoming Fox special, The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3D on Ice (love that title). The special, planned for early next year, will look at all the cultural impact The Simpsons has had during its two-decade run on television. For all those who have been claiming in the last few years that The Simpsons has lost all relevance, you’re wrong. There, I said it. As far as the documentary special: I’m guessing that Spurlock’s “man on the street” approach is largely what made Fox decide on him. Hopefully we’ll be treated to many hilariously ironic interviews with everyday people, mashed up against hilariously ironic Simpsons clips – and there better be a montage of people quoting their favorite lines.

Said Spurlock about getting the gig:

Morgan Spurlock

When they first called me about this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up…And then my agent called back and said, ‘No, no, this is for real,’ at which point I fainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was the coolest thing I could ever get to do in my career.

GOOD NEWS: For those of you attending this year’s San Diego Comic-Con next week: Spurlock will be in attendance on Saturday July 25th to audition lucky fans for a chance to appear in The Simpons 20th Anniversary Special in 3D on Ice. If you think you resemble a real-life version of any Simpsons character, send a note with your contact info to RealLifeSimpsons@gmail.com

Do you look like a Simpsons character? If so, be at Comic-Con!

The Simpons 20th Anniversary Special in 3D on Ice will air on Fox Thursday, January 14, 2010.

Source: Slash Film

Tags: Comic-Con, the simpsons movie

Andy S

I love The Simpsons, still. I think the show has lost some of it's edge since the first 7 or 8 seasons, but there are still some gems in there. I thought that the Simpsons Movie recaptured the original Simpsons and that last season also had some strong writing. I still can't believe that the Simpsons have had a 20 year run, especially considering the backlash against it when it was released. Looking back at those early episodes, it's hard to see what was so controversial considering shows on the air now such as Family Guy and Two and a Half Men (both which I love). I'm hoping that the Simpsons are around for another 10 years!

Steve

Love Spurlock's work. I can only imagine he will treat this with a lot of love and do it right.

Daniel F

It hasn't lost it's relevance, but it's lost it's funny. It went from being a funny show that made fun of pop culture and some politics to being a show that makes commentary on politics that is clearly one sided and biased and smashes you over the head with it. Most of it isn't even a joke anymore. Hey I guess he is the perfect choice because he does the same thing in his documentaries he presents a one sided extreme situation and uses it to try and prove his point which is pretty much the same ideology as the simpsons. They will work well together.

LL

I used to love The Simpsons, and I thought the movie was great, but the brand has certainly lost its relevancy with me and my friends. We all have different opinions as to why this is. I think its because the show's original writers were raised on classic sitcoms and gave it some classic sitcom weight and wit. And even though the show was animated, it had some sense of realism and what cartoon gags they used were more for the situational comedy rather than play god with everything. Now you have zany episodes where Bart and Skinner have an acrobatic sword fight atop of a moving bus and Homer can survive multiple cobra bites. I used to think it was just a phase the show was going through, but lately I've noticed the "bad seasons" are outnumbering the good ones.

Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking

I agree completely with the love of Spurlock's work (his politics are zany at times but he's got me on content for sure), and that he's got love for the subject matter is only going to make it that much more entertaining. Hit a home run, Morgan! Make us PROUD!