Difference between revisions of "The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History"

|author= [[John Ortved]]

'''''The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History''''' is a non-fictional book by [[John Ortved]]. It was first published in October [[2009]] by {{W|Faber and Faber}}. It was simultaneously released in the [[UK]] by {{W|Ebury Press}} under the title '''''Simpsons Confidential: The uncensored, totally unauthorised history of the world's greatest TV show by the people that made it.'''''

Following his 2007 article, "[http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/08/simpsons200708 Simpson Family Values]" in ''Vanity Fair'', Ortved decided to expand it into a full book. Like the article, the book contains quotes from interviews with a number of people associated with the show, including main cast member [[Hank Azaria]], former director [[Brad Bird]] and former writer [[Conan O'Brien]], as well as Fox owner [[Rupert Murdoch]]. However, many of the show's central players, including creator [[Matt Groening]], co-developers [[James L. Brooks]] and [[Sam Simon]], and prominent producers like [[Al Jean]], refused to be interviewed and so are quoted solely from existing sources. Ortved believes that the producers "were upset [that] the myth of ''The Simpsons'' would be challenged,"<ref name="CBC">{{cite news|title=Inside The Simpsons, 20 years on|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2009/11/04/simpsons-ortved.html|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|accessdate=2009-11-05|date=2009-11-04}}</ref> specifically issues such as the extent of Groening's involvement in the show's development and writing, the role and actions of Brooks, and the role and departure of Simon from the series.<ref name="CBC"/><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|title=A New Oral History Of 'The Simpsons' Offers Plenty Of Facts And A Little Complaining|author=Holmes, Linda|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=2009-10-19|accessdate=2009-10-22|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/10/a_new_oral_history_of_the_simp.html}}</ref><ref name="Beast">{{cite web|title=Secrets of The Simpsons|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-13/when-homer-wont-take-your-call/?cid=topic:mainpromo1|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=2009-10-13|accessdate=2009-10-23|author=Ortved, John}}</ref> According to Ortved, "When word of this got out, Brooks sent a letter to every current ''Simpsons'' employee, and all the former ones he thought mattered, asking them not to speak to me. The writers' agents sent denial after denial for interview requests and eventually stopped responding altogether."<ref name="Beast"/>  

*It is stated that [[Maggie]] killed a man. This refers to [[Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)|Who Shot Mr. Burns?]] but she actually only rendered [[Mr. Burns|him]] comatose.

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