The Complete Simpsons Bibliography

Part VI - Magazine and Newspaper Articles - 1999

It's good to know that in 1999 The Simpsons are still being featured on covers, because The Simpsons will still sell a magazine.

Simpsons Quiz (not supplied)

TV Star Posters, undated (1999), cover (reference), inside back cover

Australian publication with ten relatively easy Simpson quiz questions, but an interesting lead in for those of us not down under. "Is your Simpson savvy Marge-inal? Homeric knowledge negligent? Could you graduate from Bart school? Don't spit the dummy, you won't need a lisa brain to solve the Mmmm... Simpsons Quiz".

Some Famous Cats Get Revenge on Itchy (Artist: Darren Carney, Writer: A. J. Eldridge)

A MAD Peek Behind the Scenes at The Simpsons Studio (Artist: Sam Viviano, Writer: Charlie Kadau)

Simpson Rip-Offs We'll Undoubtedly Be Seeing (Artist: Sam Viviano, Writer: Frank Jacobs)

n113 Australian MAD Super Special #113 (Australia), cover (not MG), p12-13, 20-21, 38-39

Usual MAD antics.

The Next Century

v70n39 Advertising Age Special Issue, (October) 1999, Cover, p3

This special issue of Advertising Age is titled "The Next Century" and features a Futurama cover. The entire magazine features the future of advertising. The Letter from the editors has the following; "In the lighter half of the issue, we set writers and artists loose to explore their imaginations and serve up more fanciful views of things to come. That begins with the cover, created especially for this issue by Matt Groening of The Simpsons and Futurama fame."

Tales From our Inner Lives:Homer's Diary

v1n2 Joe Magazine, 1999, Cover and p46-47

See Joe Magazine,(Sep) 1999.

An American Portrait: 1950 - 1959 TV Families

Life: The Way We Were (special issue), 1999, p117

This special issue of Life titled "The Way We were: Decades of the Twentieth Century" oddly enough features Simpsons under TV Families in the 1950's. "Though animated, Marge Simpson was a more fully drawn character than Donna Reed's Donna Stone. But for both TV moms, a good coif was the key." Illustrated with picture of The Simpsons.

Picture Perfect (Story: Billy Rubenstein, Pencils: Chris Harmon, Inks: Tim Bavington, Letters: Karen Bates, Colors: Chris Ungar, Editor: Bill Morrison, Art Critic: Matt Groening)

v9n3 Disney Adventures, Winter 1999, p76-79

A four page Bongo Simpsons Comics within the pages of this magazine.

Mid-Season Toon-Up If we watch another episode of Felicity, we'll cry. To the rescue: a trio of crass cartoon series from Fox - the network that brought us King of the Hill. (author not supplied)

v3n1 Maxim #15, Jan/Feb 1999, p82

Small write-up on Futurama, Family Guy and The PJs. For Futurama they write;

Name that toon:Futurama, in which a frozen guy name Fry thaws out 1,000 years from now in a world full of aliens and neurotic robots.

Rough sketch: The Simpsons mixed with The Jetsons - and a shot of Encino Man.

Drawing Power: Created by Matt Groening, the warped mind behind The Simpsons. Bonus: Katey Segal (Peg Bundy) voices a tarty E.T.

Bart Simpson Postere

v19n3 Filles d'aujourd'hui, Jan 1999, Cover and centerfold.

Cover if this French Canadian teen magazine (Today's Girls) advertises the Simpson centerfold on the cover: "Poster g�ant Les Simpson"

Poster of Our Favorite family, 22" by 17"

Where Matricide is a Family Value (Caryn James)

Vol 148 n51417 The New York Times, Jan 22 1999, pE29

Rave review of Family Guy repeatedly compares the show to our favorite family. "Family Guy stands to become the best satire of all-American dysfunction next to The Simpsons." "If comparisons to Frasier and The Simpsons seen equally comfortable, that suggests how well-written Family Guy is..." (No, that suggests how well-written The Simpsons is.) "And like The Simpsons it takes full advantage of the freedom animation offers..." Listen up writers; animation will set you free! "A bumptious, irresponsible Dad like Homer Simpson is lovable only because he is a cartoon kept at a non-threatening distance from reality."

Groening's New World, 1,000 Years From Springfield (Anita Gates)

v148n51412 The New York Times, Jan 24 1999

Another Futurama article with repeated Simpson references. We could quote our way through it, but you can find the entire article thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Vying for Guys' Remote-Control Finger (Anita Gates)

v148n51413 The New York Times, Jan 25 1999, pE1, E6

Discusses how shows that attract young male viewers, like The Simpsons, can command a premium rate for commercial air time. "Because advertisers are dying to get young men's attention, companies will pay amazingly high sums for commercials on shows that they watch." "Consider the cost of 30 seconds on 'The Simpsons' ($230,000), a favorite amoung young male viewers, with the same 30 seconds on 'Cosby' ($115,000) whose audience is older and includes more women." Later in a review of these types of shows she says "Seeing shows that are among my favorites near the top of the Neilsen list of series watched by the greatest number of young men frightens me a little, so I analyzed several recent reruns of this animated hit. I have concluded that while I am laughing at the clever references (often only a few seconds long) to old Broadway musicals and to films like Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining (it was so cute when Maggie's alphabet blocks spelled out 'redrum') the young men are laughing at Homer Simpson's threat to paint a funny face on his rear end." Hey, maybe she dates those type of men, but I prefer to think that children are attracted to the simple humour and adults to the elegant humour. If this was not the case then all the other stupid cartoons would be raking in the big advertising dollars. My favorite character is Lisa.

Move Over, Y2K -- In Matt Groening's Brave New World It's The Year 3000 We Should Be Worried About (David Wallis)

Salon Magazine (online publication), Jan 28 1999

Interview of Groening about Futurama. "What I told Fox was that it would be just like The Simpsons, and they jumped up and down. And when I showed them what I came up with they said, 'This isn't like The Simpsons.' I said, 'Yeah it is. It's new and original, just like The Simpsons.' " We could quote more, but you can find the entire article thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Give the 'Guy' a break ...even if you wouldn't want him next door (Michele Greppi)

v198n75 The New York Post, Jan 29 1999, p121

Review of Family Guy accomplished by comparison with The Simpsons.

"...The Griffins' Rhode Island is a state of loony-lunacy we can relate to. It's a state of mind in which The Brady Bunch or The Partridge Family could never survive. But The Simpsons and The King of the Hill live just a middle-American stoner's throw away from the Griffins." "...Peter Griffin, the titular head of the family, looks like Jackie Gleason and screws up like Homer Simpson". "...The teenagers ...do not have the star quality of Bart and Lisa Simpson..."

One-Eyed Aliens! Suicide Booths! Mom's Old-Fashioned Robot Oil! Kevein Kelly tours the theme park inside Matt Groening's Brain (Kevin Kelly)

7.02 Wired, Feb 1999, p114-121, 158

This issue featured four different Futurama covers, and of course, people like me had to run out and buy them all....

Interview of Matt Groening about The Simpsons and Futurama.

Wired: "...As a counterculture guy, what do you think of other people's use of your creations?"

Groening: "Personally, I don't have a problem with it. This is part of the price of being successful and being part of the culture. I love it when there is a crude painting of Bart in the window of a bakery in East Los Angeles. I love the dreadlocked Bart Marleys. ...I don't care if some kids appropriate my stuff for their Web site, or some fraternity guys make a bootleg Bart T-shirt... I have been accused of being a big bad guy because Fox has come down heavily on people. All I can say is, I don't own the copyright on The Simpsons - Fox does." We could quote more, but you can find the entire article thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Next Month: Sex and Music Issue

v46n2 Playboy, Feb 1999, p176

Just a teaser for next months issue, includes a picture of Homer and Marge in bed titled "Homer is Hot"

TIME IN: A selective guide to what's on

n177 Time Out New York, Feb 11-18 1999, p160-161

Recommends and previews the Feb 14, 1999 episode AABF11 "I'm With Cupid" saying "When Apu bestows lavish gifts upon his wife (voiced by Jan Hooks) Homer looks even stoogier than usual."

TIME IN: A selective guide to what's on

n179 Time Out New York, Feb 25-Mar 4 1999, p154-155

Recommends and previews the Feb 28, 1999 episode AABF12 "Make Room for Lisa" saying "Lisa has a cow because she has to share a room with Bart, so Homer gives her a session in a sensory deprivation tank."

Los Simpson �por qu� gustan tanto?

n362 Supertele, Feb 26 1999, Cover and pp.8-9

Oversized telvision magazine from Spain features Bart Simpson on the cover with the caption "Los dibujos m�s animados de la televisi�n: Bart Simpson - Un grosero con muchos fans", or, we hope, "The most animated show on television: Bart Simpson, crude with many fans"

Article titled "The Simpsons - Why are they so good" asks the question how a show that is crude, insulting and has no respect for the father can be so popular. Of course, my own kids don't see why this would be a problem.

Someday when we have more time we'll transcribe and translate this!

Bart on Budget? (Daryl Coon)

PeopleTalk, March-May 1999, p2, 18

This trade advertisement magazine from PeopleSoft illustrates an article about Fox with our favorite family. "On the TV production side, we know on a very up-to-date basis what our actual spending is for a given television episode at the account level so we can track actual against budgets." Excuse me while I go PeopleVomit.

The Mother Jones Interview: Matt Groening The creator of 'The Simpsons' on his new sci-fi TV show, why it's nice to be rich, and how the ACLU infringed on his rights (Brian Doherty)

Mother Jones, March/April 1999

A great interview of Matt Groening, which you can find online here!

Where Has All The Flour Gone? (Story: Terry Delegeane, Pencils: Erick Tran, Inks: Steve Steere, Jr., Letters: Karen Bates, Colors: Nathan Kane, Editor: Bill Morrison, Weevil Inspector: Matt Groening)

v9n4 Disney Adventures, March 1999, p84-87

A four page Bongo Simpsons Comics within the pages of this magazine

Hot TV

v46n3 Playboy, Mar 1999, p86-87

After last months teaser article we get this month's disappointment; As Jacques would say, the anticipation is better than the actual.. article. "Cartoon Coitus - All Hail The Simpsons! Sex between Marge and Homer makes that of their flesh-and-blood competition seem two-dimensional. They have sex all over Springfield - inches from people in a parlor, outside on the lawn, in a hazard at the miniature golf course and even in a hot-air baloon. The following exchange says it best. Marge: 'The fear of getting caught is kind of a turn-on!' Homer: 'There's the dirty girl I married. Come on, have a disgusting idea!' ".

Los Simpsons Entretelones de una familia cualquiera (Rodrigo Barria Reyes)

El Sabado de El Mercurio (Chile), Mar 13 1999, cover, p36-42

Oversized glossy Saturday insert to El Mercurio newspaper in Chile features our favorite family on the cover with caption "Los Simpsons puertas adentro".

Nice seven page article summarizing our favorite family, discusses the original voice actors (perhaps they subtitle but don't dub over the original voices in Chile) Matt Groening, Futurama, guest stars and so forth. In addition to a classic early pose of OFF, it includes pictures of Scully y Mulder, Krusty holding his "Me Bajo Los Pantalones por Comida" sign, and Moe holding a flaming Moe.

Toon Boom (Bill Brioux) (Art by Rene Zamic)

Post TV, Mar 13 1999, Cover and pp4-5

TV Insert to the Toronto 'National Post' newspaper

Cover features strange Homer and Marge drawing (Not Matt Groening artwork, of course) with other characters from South Park (Stan and Kyle) and King of the Hill (Hank and his son Billy) and title "Loonie Toons: Broadcasters Chase Big Bucks With Animated Series"

pp4-5 General article about animation craze uses same strange Homer and Marge drawings

Sputate il rospo: di buonismo ci si ammala (Egle Santolini)

n164 Specchio Della Stampa, Mar 13 1999, Cover and pp48-49

Full cover of this Italian magazine features Homer saying "D'oh!" after detting struck on the dead by Bart hanging above him

Article discussing various controversal television shows, including The Simpsons: "Era l'aprile 1987 quando, all'interno del Tracey Ullman Show, fece la sua prima apparizione la pi� rozza, brutta, cattiva famiglia mai apparsa in tv." which means, It was in April of 1987, when within the Tracey Ullman Show, it made it's first appearance as the most radical, ugly and baddest family that ever appeared on television. I think.

How Teens Got The Power Gen Y has the cash, the cool - and a burgeoning consumer culture (Andrew Clark)

v112n12 Maclean's, Mar 22 1999, p42-46

Article about teen trends is illustrated with the overused "Simpsons in the opera box" scene from 7G02 "Bart the Genius". In a chart on "The Pop Culture Parade" The Simpsons, Friends and Dawson's Creek are listed as television shows of the 1990s.

Futurama: A Feeling We're Not in Springfield (Ron Wertheimer)

The New York Times, Mar 26 1999

Yet another article comparing The Simpsons and Futurama. It begins; "Lisa Simpson would be charmed by "Futurama," but her brother Bart might reach for the clicker to see what else was on. That's just a guess. For a better bead on Bart's preferences, you'd have to ask a certified expert, like Matt Groening." Later, it asks the question Groening asks: "Is it unfair to use The Simpsons as a yardstick to measure the new show? Old Sophocles probably lamented: 'Come on, guys, don't compare it to 'Antigone.' Just tell me how you like the new one, about the king and his mama.' But the temptation is irresistible." It later proceeds to do so, after complimenting the animation, saying " "But the writing, from the conception of the characters forward, lacks the bite of its predecessor. A root of the Simpsons' appeal is that under their crayon-colored faces are people far more real than those on any other current sitcom. They're lifted (with a bit of inspired exaggeration) right out of real life. The characters in Futurama are right out of a hundred movies and television shows."

Of course, if you'd prefer to read the entire article, then thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles you'll find it right here!

Life in the 31st Century, Matt Groening: Past, present Futurama (Robert Lloyd)

LA Weekly, Mar 26 1999

Long article about Futurama and the history of Matt Groening and The Simpsons. A sample; "The success of The Simpsons, for which series Groening serves as human mascot, executive producer and "creative consultant," was, of course, unreckonable; 10 years on, it cannot be measured merely in the numberless numbers it has caused to be entered in ledgers the globe over. The show's influence is massive and historic; in a small but pervasive way, it has altered and infected the world. Some of you may not remember a time when it did not exist."

After a taste, may we suggest a full course? The entire article transcribed, thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

'Simpsons' soul lives in 'Futurama' (Mike Duffy)

Detroit Free Press, Mar 26 1999

Futurama article raves about The Simpsons; "...So a decade after he sprung the ga-ga genius of The Simpsons on an unsuspecting world, Groening has come up with his highly anticipated follow-up to the fractured family tales of Homer, Marge, Bart and the rest of their screwball Springfield crew." Later, though, they compare Futurama to The Simpsons saying "On first encounter, Futurama isn't as instantly memorable as The Simpsons. But then, The Simpsons is Groening's Citizen Kane, a certified animation masterpiece."

Of course, if you'd prefer to read the entire article, then thanks to our friends at Futurama Chronicles, go right here!

Back to the Futurama (Rob Salem)

StarWeek, Mar 27 1999, Cover and pp3-5

TV Insert to the Toronto Star newspaper

Full Futurama cover with Fry, Leela and Bender and a Simpson reference - "Y3K - The Simpsons meet The Jetsons in Futurama, Matt Groening's new prime-time 'toon"

p3 Contents has Futurama picture

p4-5 Article illustrated with Futurama pictures and a picture of Matt Groening holding a Bart doll discusses Futurama, of course. "This week, The Simpsons, prime-time television's most successful animated sitcom, spins itself off into Futurama, a very similiar show - with some essential differences - set in the 21st century." (They mention 21st century twice - it's the year 3000, so it's the 30th century). A Groening quote; "...The Simpsons is still on TV a thousand years from now. With original episodes. And the fans on the Internet are complaining that the last 500 years aren't as good as the first 500."

Future looks bright for Fox's Futurama (Tom Shales)

Washington Post, Mar 27 1999

Somehow even with it saying Futurama is "smart, brisk, etc." this still smells of a back-handed compliment. "This new animated sitcom is not likely ever to be as popular as The Simpsons, because it doesn't have characters as endearing, but it's still a smart, brisk, intelligently silly half-hour."

See the entire article yourself, transcribed by our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Toon in Tomorrow: 'Simpsons' creator Matt Groening unveils 'Futurama' George Orwell? Meet George Jetson. (Kendall Hamilton)

Newsweek, Mar 29 1999

Interview of Matt Groening about Futurama gives appropriate credit to The Simpsons. First it indicates that Matt Groening ".. created the revolutionary animated sitcom The Simpsons, which through 10 seasons has become the longest-running and perhaps most-obsessed-over comedy on television." It subsequently mentions that "Ten years ago Groening's Simpsons slashed and burned a clearing for animation on prime-time TV.".

Obsessed? Who's obsessed?

If you want to read the entire text of this article, you can find it thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Ready for Y3K? (Bill Frost)

Salt Lake City Weekly, Mar 29 1999

In comparing The Simpsons and Futurama, the note; "Groening's trademark sight gags are packed into Futurama to maximum density, even more so than an average Simpsons episode."

If you want to read the entire text of this article, you can find it thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

A future that isn't so bright (Hal Boedeker)

Orlando Sentinel, Mar 31 1999

Negative review of Futurama, comparing it, as Groening predictably feared, to The Simpsons. "But on the basis of its premiere...this widely anticipated series falls short of The Simpsons in two respects: It isn't especially funny. And the characters aren't that appealing." Subsequently they continue in the same vein... "Hapless Fry lives down to another character's description of him as 'just another poor kid from the Stupid Ages.' His style of stupid, though, has little of Homer Simpsons' charm."

Homer Simpson has charm?

If you want to read the entire text of this article, you can find it thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

A Collectors Guide to White Rap Players (Mike Rubin and Mark Dancey)

Motorbooty #9, Spring 1999

Alternative magazine publishing a parody of sports cards reviews has one card titled "Fox All-Stars" with David Faustino and Bart Simpson.

How TV Shaped America (Todd Brewster)

Life, Apr 1999, Cover and pp71-78, 81-84, 86

Cover prominently features Bart Simpson leaning on his skateboard with caption "The Shows That Changed America"

p84 Introducing the 1990s has almost full page picture of The Simpsons on the Jerry Springer show from episode AABF01 "Treehouse of Horror IX". The caption reads "The Simpsons have a noble lineage. Nelsons, Petries, Partridges, Huxtables: The American family. This latest generation is different, of course. Dad is a trial, Mom is burdened. The girl, a sharp one, is bound for glory. They are the millennial family unit: struggling, skeptical, disrespectful, ironic, hopeful. Bart, a savvy cynic and a bad boy - an anti-hero - readies us for Bill Clinton. The Simpsons verify our country's strength: If they can make it in today's America, who can't?

Matt to the Future (not supplied)

n50 Nickelodeon, Apr 1999, Cover and p10-11

Futurama cover of Fry, Leela and Bender says "A new show from the creator of The Simpsons"

Nickelodeon (children's magazine) interview of Groening.

(Nickelodeon) Why aren't the characters yellow on your new show, Futurama?

(Groening) The joke reason is that Futurama is real and The Simpsons is just a cartoon. The real reason is that we don't want people to think this is a Simpsons spin-off.

If you want more, the entire article can now be found online thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Future Hair (Heather Landau)

American Salon, Apr 1999, p25

Full page picture of Leela from Futurama with a smaller picture of Marge Simpson on the corner. Text in it's entirety; "FUTURE HAIR Simpsons creator Matt Groening is at it again. As if Marge Simpson's sky-blue, hair tower wasn't enough, Groening designed a purple ponytailed cyclops named Leela in his newest show, Futurama, about life in the year 3000, which debuted on the Fox Television Network March 28. Beauty pros will easily interpret Groening's message - the quest for beauty will survive the centuries."

But Is It Bart?Matt Groening, creator of the most popular and influential series on TV, talks to Esquire about his latest animated masterpeice, Futurama (David Wallis)

v9n4 Esquire (UK), Apr 1999, p114-116

Nice interview of Matt Groening about Futurama, to be transcribed.

Sci-Fi TV Network Fare (not supplied)

n4 Sci-Fi TV, Apr 1999, p8-9

Just mentions that Stephen Hawking will guest star.

Matt Groening: When reality grows cartoonlike, a realist cartoons (David Bianculli)

Slate Magazine, Apr 9 1999

Great article about why Matt Groening whould be listed in Comics Journal Top 100. Ironic that he's not, since Bart and Bongo were featured on their cover. "The Simpsons is justly celebrated for the density of its cultural allusions and the rich detail of its visuals. The best episodes project two dimensions into three better than any animation since Disney's features of the 1940s or the great Chuck Jones Merrie Melodie shorts for Warner Bros. But the show's real achievement is in its characters, a range of comic types as vivid as any in Dickens or Shakespeare. While Bart is the franchise and Lisa the feminist-intellectual icon, the heart of The Simpsons is the extraordinary marriage of Homer and Marge, a marriage that has had its tests (Remember that slinky French bowling instructor? That country-and-western diva? The six-foot hero sandwich? The nervous breakdown on the freeway?), but has endured since the end of the disco era. When George Bush sneered during the 1992 campaign that America needed more families like the Waltons and fewer like the Simpsons, you knew it was over for him--and not only because he seemed to be wishing for an end to electricity and indoor plumbing. The Simpsons are our truest, best selves: stupid--maybe; lazy--you bet; suspicious of authority--always; willing to do anything about it--not really; but above all, loyal to our spouses, our children, our little sisters, our friends, our hometowns, our bad haircuts, and our favorite brand of beer. The Simpsons may be hip and ironic, but unlike, say, South Park or Ren & Stimpy, it has never been cynical." If you want more, the entire article can be found online thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles right here!

Futurama creator Matt Groening at odds with Fox (David Bianculli)

New York Daily News, Apr 10 1999

Groening complaining that because he won't let Fox executives interfere with his creative content they interfere by moving the shows around. Read about it more, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

People should risk

Veja Magazine edition 1593, Apr 14 1999, p128-129

This Brazilian magazine features a Groening interview which you can find translated by Filino Carvalho Neto on the archive right here!

Space Cadets Simpson Creator Matt Greoning Creates a Brave New World in Futurama (David Kronke)

v23n16 TV Guide Issue 1164 (Canadian Edition), Apr 17 1999, Cover, p22-25

Covers says "Matt Groening's Futurama".

Discussing animation since The Simpsons; "When The Simpsons hit the air a decade ago, it was the only prime-time animated series, and many would-be imitators have since come and gone. Now prime-time animation is rampant - a half-dozen new series have been scheduled or announced by networks since January. Groening's ingenious vision - that the entire family can enjoy cartoons - has resulted in direct competition for the eyeballs that at one time were only watching The Simpsons.

TIME IN: A selective guide to what's on

n188 Time Out New York, Apr 29-May 6 1999, p159-161

Recommends and previews the May 2, 1999 episode AABF17 "Monty Can't Buy Me Love" saying "Mr. Burns finds a kindred spirit when another billionaire (voiced by Michael McKean) sets up shop in Springfield."

The Springfield Blessing: The Theology of the Simpsons! (Stephen Strange and Robert Darden)

Harry Shearer (Becky Garrison)

n164 The Door, May/Jun 1999, Cover, inside cover, p1, p6-11

Great cover on this issue of The Door, "The World's Pretty Much Only Religious Satire Magazine", featuring three stained glass windows featuring Rev. Timothy Lovejoy (left), Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky (right) and Ned Flanders (center). Caption reads "The Springfield Blessing: The Theology of Homer Simpson". Top right hand corner insert reads "Inside: An interview with Harry Shearer, the voice of the Simpsons."

Great articles to be transcribed.

Using the Simpson Look to Update Stale Appearances (Stan Hart) (Artist: Greg Theakston)

A MAD Peek Behind the Scenes at "The Simpsons" Studio (Charlie Kadau) (Artist: Sam Viviano)

MAD Super Special #137, May 1999, Cover, p12-13, p20-21

Cover features Our favorite family drawn by Mort Drucker. Homer is pulling a head 'mask' off of Bart Simpsons to reveal Alfred E. Neuman.

p12-13 Drawings of others with Simpson features; Margaret Thatcher with Maggie's hair and pacifier, Barbara Bush with Marge's hair (I wonder if they did this knowing what she initially said about The Simpsons?), Mike Tyson with Bart Simpson hair, etc.

p20-21 Interesting look behind the scenes includes drawings of an unidentified but obvious Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and others

Sci-Fi All-Stars Welcome to Futurama, the spacey new show from the Simpsons people. Now showing in America. Previewed in Sky so you can stay ahead of pub chat. (not supplied)

n153 Sky, May 1999, cover, p130-131

Cover says "Simpsons: The Sequel - Gag-by-gag Futurama guide"

Article introducing the Brits to Futurama (which wasn't expected there for several months) makes repeated references to our favorite family. It begins:

It's the TV show that's a thousand years ahead of its time. It's called Futurama amd it's the new toon from Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons. The US is made for it. The first episode has just aired and sofa fist-fights are already breaking out all over who's the best character and whether it's better than The Simpsons. Chances are we aren't going to get a look-in until autumn. But that shouldn't stop us getting excited now.

Rememebr TV cartoons before The Simpsons? Kiddie humour and rodents being splattered? Well Groening rewrote the rulebook, and now he's set to do it all over again. After 10 seasons The Simpsons is still one of the greatest things on TV. But of late, the likes of South Park and King of the Hill have been giving Bart's skateboard a run for its money. Futurama should re-establish Groening as king of animation. But don't worry, The Simpsons ain't over, it's set to run and run - the characters even watch it in Futurama.

Someday we'll finish transcribing this...

Tycoon Tug O' War (not supplied)

Issue #51, Nickelodeon, May 1999, p28, p42

p27-28 of this children's magazine has a game in which kids guess which show will win the kids choice awards 99. For "Favorite Cartoon" the choices are Catdog, Men in Black, Rugrats and (of course) our favorite family, The Simpsons.

p42 has a comparison between Montomery Burns and Bill Gates.

"When it comes to making and spending money, who is the better billionaire: Mr. Burns of The Simpsons or Microsoft's Bill Gates?" Some of the comparisons;

"Spoiled Brat Factor; Burns: Very high. While Mr. Burns sits in the tub in a top hat, eating extra-fancy potato chips, he makes his assistant wash him. 'Careful!' Mr. Bruns scolds. 'That sponge has corners, you know!' " (Taken from 1F16 "Burns' Heir", to which Smithers replies, "I'll go find a spherical one, sir") "Gates: High. Mr. Gates doesn't flip his own light switches. A computer in his $53 million mansion automatically turns on the lights and sets the TV in each room to a channel that he likes."

"A Big Splurge; Burns: Spends lots of money running for governor, but he only wanted to get elected to prevent his nuclear plant from being shut down (7F01 "Two Cars in Every Garage, Three Eyes on Every Fish"). Gates: Bought the Codex Leicester, one of Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks written around 1508, for $31 million."

Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (Zev Borow)

v15n5 Spin, May 1999, p94-98, 100

Futurama article that starts off exclusively about The Simpsons and couldn't be more complimentary.

"There's something exceptionally pathetic about watching people retell an episode of a television show. Especially a sitcom. Their eyes go all big and goofy as they describe how some make-believe person went berserk in a coffee shop, or was belittled by a tall blond, or got hit by a boat. They way they'll bounce up on their toes, face overcome with an anticipatory glee so aggressive that it's easy to mistake for a mild form of dementia. Often, one can't help but want to lay a gentle hand upon the person's shoulder, and whisper, 'Easy friend. it's only a TV show.'

Except, of course, when it's The Simpsons."

We're happy to say that the entire article can now be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Editoriale: Lisa & Heidi (Enrico Casarini)

L'altra copertina di Max (not supplied)

Casa Simpson (Franco Busatta)

Matt da legare? (Fabiana Giacomotti)

v15n5 Max, May 1999, Cover and p5, p14, p232-234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, 246, 252, 254, 256-257, 258-259

Cover of this Italian magazine features Bart Simpson on the upper left corner with title "Simpson: Personaggi, Storie e Segreti" (and has Sports Illustrated model Heidi wearing painted bathing suit)

p14 Picture of Bart Simpson.

From page 232 to 259 in this large format men's magazine (13" x 9") features one of the longest and most lavishly illustrated Simpson articles we've ever seen as it goes through different aspects of Simpson life. They review The Simpsons house, then la scuola (the school) (including boxes on Skinner, Hoover, Krapapal and the La lavagna (the blackboard)), then La centrale nucleare (SNPP), Kursty il clown and Telespalla Bob, Signor Montgomery Burns, the Jet Market (Kwik-E-Mart), La taverne di Boe (Moe's Tavern), and more. If then has a cardboard insert with four Too Hot for TV collectors cards. It indicates you can complete the collection by purchasing the Too Hot for TV videocassette. (Not available in the U.S., incidentally.)

Days of Futurama Past (Bill Warren)

Brave New Toon Tooning up tomorrow, Matt Groening envisions the world of Futurama (Bill Warren)

Starlog Number 262, May 1999, Cover (reference) and pp39-47

Cover reference: "Futurama: Matt Groening toons up tomorrow"

pp39-42 is a huge four-way folded Futurama poster

pp43-47 is a Matt Groening Futurama interview to be transcribed.

A Cara Engra�ada Do Fim (Proximo) Milenio Futurama (Marcelo Alencar)

v2 SCI-FI News #21, May 1999, p32-33

Nice two page write-up of Futurama, including a list of shows to come over the next few months. Too bad I don't know more Brazilian Portuguese...

Les Simpson sont-ils vulgaires? (not known)

n18 7 Extra, May 5 1999, Cover and pp?

Cover of this Belgium magazine prominently features a 1990 or earlier drawing of The Simpsons

TIME IN: A selective guide to what's on

n189 Time Out New York, May 6-13 1999, p177-179

Recommends and previews the May 9, 1999 episode AABF18 "They Saved Lisa's Brain" saying "After writing a motivational plea to the citizens of Springfield, Lisa is admitted into the town's chapter of Mensa. The insanely intelligent British physicist Stephen Hawking provides the voice for a cartoon rendering of himself."

Family Values The Simpsons will have clocked up 200 episodes by the end of its ninth season, currently airing here. Yet, this animated clan shows no sign of aging (Paul Calder)

8 Days TV Guide, May 15-22 1999, Cover and p4-5

Cover of this Singapore publication has great picture of our favorite family holding a four foot doughnut labelled "200 EPISODES", with Marge glaring at Homer for taking a bite out of it. Page 4 has an unattributed drawing of our favorite family in Adams's Family style. "Given the life cycle of most sitcoms, The Simpsons should have burned out and wound up long ago. Okay, Bart's faddish sayings 'aye Carumba' and 'Cowabunga' by now seem as passe as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. But, unlike those pizza-livin' reptiles, The Simpsons have survived its 15 minutes of fame as pop-cultural phenom. A decade on, it remains one of television's freshest, most incisive chucklefests." After it gushes on some more, it gives reasons why The Simpsons are role models; "They're Educational' WHo says you can't learn anything from a cartoons? A 10-year old successfully performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on his choking brother after seeing it demonstrated on The Simpsons.

Just Freeze It! In Futurama, The Simpsons' creator Matt Groening warns that the only way to get some jokes is to rewind and freeze-frame... (Joe Rhodes)

TV Week, May 29 - June 4 1999, p6

This Australian TV Guide reprints an article that first appeared in the US TV Guide. Perhaps the Futurama issue? To be continued...

The Best Programs for Children (not supplied)

The Sunday Telegraph TV Guide, May 30 - June 5 1999, p8

This Australian TV Guide insert for the Sunday Telegraph newspaper does what it's American counterpart never does; specifically recommends The Simpsons for children, listing it as one of just five shows. "Despite having a decade under its belt, The Simpsons is as fresh and sharp as it was when it started. It's greatest strength as a family show is the fact that it works on several levels, none of which cross during the course of a show. Certainly there are "adult themes" but rarely, if ever, do they interrupt the level of the show kids tend to tune into. Unlike its animated cousin, South Park (which puts new meaning into the word blunt) The Simpsons, for grown-ups, is a clever play on life."

Pop Goes the Force Something Funny is Going on in the Galaxy Far, Far Away (Mike Stokes)

v2n1 Sci-Fi World, Summer 1999, p24-28.

Article opens with a one-and-a-half page spread Simpsons illustration, Homer as bodyguard with Mayor Quimby and Luke Skywalker. The last paragraph mentions Hamill's appearance on The Simpsons; "On an episode of The Simpsons, Hamill appears at a convention in full Luke Skywalker's garb, where he's rescued from the unruly crowd by Homer." It closes the article with the line "As Homer Simpson would say, 'It's funny, 'cause it's true.'"

Le futur Selon Matt Groening Le createur des "Simpson" fait un tabac aux USA avec sa nouvelle serie, "Futurama". Interview exclusive d'un subversif qui a rendu la contre-culture grand public (Kevin Kelly)

n114 Max, Jun 1999, p132-135

Title in english: "The Future According to Matt Groening"

This French men's magazine (replete with topless bikini clad models) (Hey! I bought it to read the article) features an interview of Matt Groening. Noting however, that at the end of the interview we see "(c) 1999 Wired", so we then compare it to the interview that took place in Wired and see it's largely a subset of that interview, translated into French, naturellement. That entire article (and not just the subset!) can be found on-line, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

What's Your Maxim Guy-Q? (David Jacobson)

v3n5 Maxim #19, Jun 1999, p128-130, 132

Male humour with no reference to but illustrated with a picture of Krusty the Klown on page 132 (I guess he qualifies as a Maxim Man) with the caption "The good, the bad, and the Krusty".

Television: Futurama (Steve Pond)

v46n6 Playboy, Jun 1999, p38, 160-161

A decent Futurama article, particularly if we had caught it back in May of 1999, but most of it is now echoed elsewhere. Includes the third "exclusive" Matt Groening interview to be included in Playboy. Selected quotes; "We have seen the future, and it looks a lot like... Homer Simpson?" Groening: "Fox has wanted to do a spinoff of The Simpsons, Simpsons movies, whatever. So finally I said, "Let's just do another show." (Later in the same article) "I think if you love The Simpsons, your going to dig Futurama. If you hate The Simpsons, this show will be just annoying to you."

On our list to be transcribed.

Future Sci-Fi TV Network Fare (not supplied)

n5 Sci-Fi TV, Jun 1999, p4-6

Standard inside cover compendium of information on upcoming shows includes a standard Futurama picture with the caption "Reminisce about the future weekly on Matt Groening's animated Futurama (Fox, Tuesdays, 8:30 pm).

Fox Does Have Standards - and Double Standards (Howard Rosenberg)

The Los Angeles Times, Jun 2 1999

Article discusses how Fox Censors are cutting jokes out about Catholicism and Christianity. We could quote liberally, but the entire article can be found on the archive right here!

Geezers are still pleasers (David Bianculli)

Daily News, Jun 3 1999, p96

Talking about the ten oldest prime-time series, with The Simpsons in ninth place. "The oldest entertainment series on TV continues to perform creatively, but is the first member of this Tenured 10 list to lose ground in the seasonal rankings. A year ago, it finished 17th. This year, it fell to 25th." Illustrated with (black and white) photo of Homer in bed with Kim Basinger and Alex Baldwin from episode 5F19 "When You Dish Upon a Star".

Ou jee, Simpsonit Suomessa vuodesta 1991 esitetty Simpsonit kuuluu sunnuntaip�iv��n yht� oleellisesti kuin itseaiheutettu apeus ja Hanna Karpo. Viisihenkisen piirosperheen seikkailuista on tullut monelle viikon pelastava rituaali, jota ilman ei voi el��. Simpson-fanit saavat lievityst� orastavaan eksistenssikriisiins� t�n� viikonloppuna, kun MTV 3 esitt�� 27 jakson Simpson-maratonin. T�m�n session j�lkeen sarja loikkaa tauolle. (not supplied...I think)

n23 Katso!, Jun 5 - 13 1999, Cover and p12-14

Great Marge and Homer Simpson cover on this Finnish magazine. Cover says "Sylin t�ydelt� SIMPSONEITA Selviytymisopas viikonlopun maratoniin".

Now let's see if I can get this transcribed....never mind translated!

More Than Sight Gags and Subversive Satire (Jeff MacGregor)

The New York Times, New York, Jun 20 1999, pE27

Another "best show on television" review, and we'll never grow tired of hearing them. "Since the passing of Seinfeld last year, The Simpsons is left alone as the only laugh-out-loud show on television. It is the antidote to what ails most of the medium, at once smart and anarchic, subtle and raucous. After more than a decade it remains colorful proof that 'excellence' and 'television' needn't be concepts of mutual exclusion." Our favorite line is something we've noted before; The Simpsons are more real than the 'people' on other shows. "But what makes the show such a standout, and perhaps accounts for its continued success, is its commitment to character. More human that the cardboard cutouts that pass for characters on creatively bankrupt series like Jesse, or It's Like, You Know..., the Simpsons are a fun-house mirror reflection of the 'average' American family, as it still persists in our national imagination."

Of course, if you like what you read so far, then perhaps you should be reading the entire article on the archive right here!

Life in (Legal) Hell The pen may be mightier than the sword but what about the...Gavel!? (author free!)

n165 The Door, Jul/Aug 1999, p44-46

After the great May/Jun issue, Fox shows it's appreciation for the cover story by threatening to sue them for not seeking permission first. So of course, The Door, in it's typically apologetic way, challenges them to battle. Interested? It can be found right here! (Note: the hardcopy article had "mighter" vs. "mightier" in the title)

Gods Not Men (author not supplied)

v3n6 Maxim #20, Jul/Aug 1999, p166-170, 172

A list of the top 50 men in the world lists the top ten as 1) Fat Elvis, 2) Muhammad Ali, 3) Evel Knievel, 4) Clint Eastwood, 5) Hank Aaron, 6) Bill Murray, 7) Harry Truman, 8) Any Rock Star Who Choked On His Own Vomit (John Bonham, Hendrix and Bon Scott of AC/DC), 9) Bruce Lee and 10) Homer Simpson. Once again we find The Simpsons as the only cartoon listed amongst 49 'real' people. "His needs are simple - TV, beer, and doughnuts. He's lazy (once gorged himself to 300 pounds to get on disability).." (That's episode 3F05 "King-Size Homer".) "...he's foul-mouthed (called his daughter 'a lyin' scumbag');..." (That's in reponse to Lisa saying he could lose weight without dieting or lifting a finger, in episode 8F22 "Bart's Friend Falls in Love".) "...he never returns anything he borrows. Wait a second - he's us!"

Reviews TV: Futurama (Paul Spragg)

Reviews Merchandise: The Simpsons (Dan Ranger)

TV Zone (UK) Issue 116, Jul 1999, p72, 78

p72 Great full page review of Futurama season 1 that ends with the line "All in all, an impressive start for this new series: great characters, great scripts, with not a duff episode between them."

p78 Review of "The Simpsons Go Hollywood" video being released which includes four episodes, of which the reviewer favours all except the last; AABF09 "Homer to the Max", 2F08 "Fear of Flying", 9F19 "Krusty Gets Kancelled" and 8F08 "Flaming Moe's". We want our DVD's!

For a list of all The Simpsons Audio and Video releases, see our list on the archive right here!

The Gospel According to Homer For prime time's most accurate and nuanced reflection of real life in contemporary America, tune in to TV's current crop of cartoons (Tom Carson)

Esquire, Jul 1999, p32, 34-35

Hmmm. This needs to be transcribed...

But is it Bart? Matt Groening, creator of the most popular and influential series on TV, talks to Esquire about his , latest animated masterpiece, Futurama (David Wallis)

Esquire (UK), Jul 1999, p114-116

Esquire US and Esquire UK published Groening/Simpson articles in the same month and year that are different? Wow! To be transcribed.

FOXTEL Cover

FOXTEL The Magazine, Jul 1999, Cover

This Australian magazine for FOXTEL features Bart Simpson on the cover with a megaphone saying "I Want My Movies".

He's Homer, but This Odyssey Is His Own (Paul Brownfield)

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Jul 6 1999

Interview of Dan Castellaneta, which can be found on the archive right here!

Life With The Simpsons An Interview with one of the Simpsons Writers (and ex-Wilmingtonian) Don Payne

V16 Pub. 4 Encore, Wilmington, NC, Jul 22-28 1999, Cover

This needs to be transcribed...

Futurama: Bringing an Alien and a Robot to TV Life (James Sterngold)

The New York Times, Jul 22 1999

Interview of Matt Groening about Futurama credits The Simpsons for the birth of adult-oriented animation. "Adult-oriented animated series have become big, in large part because of the success of Groening's first show, The Simpsons, which began in 1990. When Groening sat down years later to create his next show, a sort of futuristic science fiction sendup, he used much of what he had learned about what works and what does not in this realm of television. The veteran took his hard-won experience and created an ensemble of bunglers living in the year 3000, hoping that such a show would stand out in a crowded animation field." For the full text, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, check right here!

Drawing Power The animated antics of the Simpsons household appear to be totally far-out - until you venture out into the real world and meet bigger brats like Martina Hingis (Gates Chong)

n459 8 Days TV Guide, Jul 24 - Jul 31 1999, p6-7

TV Guide insert for 8 Days publication in Singapore has the following article written by a fellow Simpsons fanatic.

My mum has warned me that if I ever have kids like those brats in The Simpsons, she'll disown me and all my descendants thereafter. I told her not to worry and lied that my children will be as cute as The Brady Brunch and as wholesome as Donny and Marie. But I also threatened to run away with my shorts and my saxophone if she ever stops me from watching Bart & Co.

I don't know about you but let me just say this - Bart, Homer, Marge, the whole brood, including Principal Skinner and his mother, make me a prime candidate for the Intensive Care Unit every time they come on. I laugh so hard I think a heart attack's a'coming.

I know people say those fellas in Under Our Roof are Singapore's funniest family, but, I tell you this - in the history of television anywhere, ever, the grand poohbah, the imperial wizard, the mother of all funniest families has absolutely got to be The Simpsons. Read my lips, no contest, man. Eat my shorts.

The other Wednesday night, I was all set to tape the show - I have a copy of every episode ever shown on the telly, some of them recorded twice because people today are as boh-chup (irresponsible) as Homer, borrowing things and deciding they're theirs - when I came upon Crimewatch instead.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against nailing criminals, including those played by Obi-Wan Kenobi about rogue traders, but I figure the real crime of the evening was not finding another time slot to fit in my Simpsons.

My dad, whom I address as Pa, Sir, or when we go out, Mr-Big-Who-Pays-My-Bills, is completely stumped as to why I approve of a kid who calls his father by his first name. I explain to him that it's only a cartoon and boh-tua-boh-suay (irreverent) is what the show's all about, but he's unconvinced, grumbling that I whooped the loudest the time when Bart called President Bush "George", and keeled over when Homer slugged it out with the Prez in the sewer.

Unless I'm very much mistaken, that was also Presdent Clinton's favourite episode, although I don't think he laughed as much when he was shown naked one time after being abducted by aliens. That must've been Monica's favourite though.

But you know, I may not be as smart as Homer but I think, after watching over 200 episodes, that I'm beginning to realise now why these Simpsons are so funny - it's because everyone else is too normal.

Don't you tell me you're not putting on your best behavior today, because, unlike the Simpsons, you can't get away with anything less than that. Can you flunk every subject in school like Bart? Can you loaf off at work in the nuclear power plant and still keep your job after setting off a chain reaction while munching a doughnut like Homer? Can you be as hopeless as that idiot cop Chief Wiggum and still carry a badge and a gun? I don't think so.

To me, the two best comedies of the '90s, The Simpsons and Seinfeld, are what they are - disrespectful, anarchic and selfish - because they make fun of us politically-correct types who secretly want to be like them.

I didn't think real people would reveal their true colors and take after these animated folks in a public way until I started watching those teenage girls in women's tennis. Man, nothing the Simpsons do comes close to all that dysfunctional craziness in that wacky world. When Martina Hingis lost her marbles in that French Open final and misbehaved towards Steffi Graf, the winner, the scene reminded me of the episode where Lisa couldn't bear to lose to a new girl in class. And all those kiasu parents at courtside who manipulate their kids are like Homer scheming and hoping for a free beer at Moe's bar.

Pretty soon, I tell you, life will overtake art and, don't say I didn't warn you: some day, we'll be chuckling at The Simpsons because they're so okay and everybody else is so abnormal.

In fact, I'm beginning to behave badly already. I think I'll keep the dustbin a friend of mine lent me and laugh like crazy when Homer decides to become a nice guy and return to his neighbour, Ned Flanders, that lawnmower he borrowed all those years ago.

Calculating Pie (Brenda DeKoker Goodman)

v281n2 Scientic American, Aug 1999, p30

Article about an analyses of pies for pie throwing. "...urgent concerns over the impact of dessert service on dinner guests weren't coming in from transatlantic Martha Stewart devotees but from fans of another American export, The Simpsons. It seems the bad behavior of Bart, Homer and, particularly, Krusty the Clown is rubbing off on the Brits." Yeah, yeah, blame our favorite family.

Boobtube: 10 TV-Based Projects to Watch For (not supplied)

Wizard #96, Aug 1999, p85

Just a blurb in a column; "Simpsons creator Matt Groening has admitted both he and Fox are interested in a feature film on America's favorite dysfunctional family, but no further progress has been made." Yeah, we know. Since at least 1995.

Sci-Fi TV Network Fare (not supplied)

n6 Sci-Fi TV, Aug 1999, p2-3

Standard inside cover compendium of information on upcoming shows includes information on our favorite family and Futurama.

Festival update: Groening and ITV moaning (unknown)

Media Guardian, Aug 9 1999

Article mentioning that Matt Groening will appear at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. Goes on so say that "The Simpsons began the recent US boom in cross-over animation with such shows as South Park and King of the Hill similarly bridging the gap between child and adult audiences and gaining a place in prime-time network schedules."

Voluptuous 'Miss Sally' is a Wizard in Prison Drama 'Oz' (Frazier Moore (AP))

The Times Herald Record, Middletown, NY, Aug 12 1999, p45P

Discussing shows within shows. "As for television she (Miss Sally) represents a first. On The Simpsons the cartoon siblings Bart and Lisa watch Itchy and Scratchy cartoons. But "Miss Sally's Schoolyard" however little of it Oz viewers get to see, surely qualifies as TV's first live-action series-within-a-series.." Just to be accurate here, Itchy and Scratch is a cartoon that appears on the Krusty the Clown show, which appears within The Simpsons. Just to take it to a fourth level, remember that The Simpsons appears in Futurama.

The Gospel According to Homer (Mark I. Pinsky)

The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Fl, Aug 15 1999

Discussing the recent comments by the Catholic watchdog organization, "Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights" and the producers reaction to the controversy. We could quote liberally, but the entire article can be found on the archive right here!

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror VIII (not supplied)

Sunday Telegraph TV Guide (Australia), Aug 22-28 1999, p8

A qualified endorsement for children and a recommendation for adult viewers. This appeared under "The best programs for children". "Not exactly a ringing endorsement fo an otherwise brilliant show, but a gentle reminder to parents that just because it's animated doesn't mean it's designed exclusively for kids. The Simpsons have a long and rich history of touching on the macabre with their Halloween specials, but this one is recommended viewing for adults - and kids as long as they have an adult besides them."

From the Editor: 2 cents on Y2K (Gulshan Sippy)

Marge and Homer Simpson Bare All (Gulshan Sippy)

v10n2 Sposa, Fall/Winter 1999, Cover, p5, 12-13

Cover of this Canadian made magazine for wedding brides has Homer in tux and Marge in a wedding dress in each other's arms. Caption reads: "The Simpsons: Couple of the Millennium". In smaller print: "Marge & Homer say 'I D'OH!'"

Editorial discusses why Homer and Marge were chosen as couple of the Millennium. "The couples in the news are more like cautionary tales that inspirations. Is there anybody out there who exemplifies the marriage ideal? I was getting discouraged, but then I hit on a winner. Homer and Marge Simpson are Sposa Magazine's 'Couple of the Millennium.' Why? Because Marge and Homer seem to have got it right in spite of everything. While they may not be real in one sense, they are true in their emotional responses. They maintain their humour and compassion for each other despite the most extreme provocation. They seem to understand that tolerance and taking the long view are essential to the partnership of marriage."

Article interviews Marge and Homer on the secrets of a long marriage and then lists Homer and Marge's Top Ten Tips for a Happy Marriage.

Tricks and Treats (Editors of Cinescape, with Futurama segment by Annabelle Villanueva)

v5n6 Cinescape, Sep/Oct 1999, p48-56, 58, 60-62

Futurama preview on p58 mentions how well the did show after The Simpsons time slot and how poorly it did when it was moved to Tuesdays. David X. Cohen quote; "We always thought it wasn't much of a stretch to say Futurama is half-Simpsons and half X-Files, so what better place to be than between those two shows?" They moved it back to Sunday where it belongs. We're happy to report that this entire article is now online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Future Shock (Paul Hirons)

WHAT Satellite TV, Sep 1999, (Futurama cover), p56-57

Full Futurama cover with standard shot of Bender, Leela and Fry with heading "Space Case: Futurama blasts onto Sky One".

Discussing the excitement surrounding Futurama's arrival in the UK. "Groening has put a decade into pooling the talents of writers and animators so good that The Simpsons, even with all this extra competition, remains the ratings and critical winner it always has been. The trusted team Groening has assembled has allowed him to work on other projects. Futurama is the first fruit from the Groening tree for 10 years". This entire article will be transcribed.

A Boy & His Robot (Bill Warren)

Starlog Number 266, Sep 1999, p50-55

Information on Brad Bird, who directed and co-wrote The Iron Giant. "Brad started animating at age 11, completing a film when he was 13. By 14, Milt Kahl, one of the legendary "Nine Old Men" of Disney animation, became his mentor (two of the other Nine, Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston, have vocal cameos in The Iron Giant), Brad co-scripted *batteries not included, then worked as Executive Consultant on The Simpsons for nearly 180 episodes. After a brief stint on King of the Hill, he then began work on a film." One of the more telling comments is a caption on a picture of the family from the movie; "Although a far cry from Brad's work on The Simpsons, The Iron Giant cast are loaded with their own humorous quirks." Later Brad talks about working on scripts for The Simpsons; " He feels his involvement with The Simpsons was absolutely crucial to being able to turn The Iron Giant out on a much shorter schedule and lower budget than Warner's previous animated feature, Quest for Camelot. 'There is often a snobbery between TV and feature animation.' he insists. 'On The Simpsons there were shows that we did where they were in deep trouble two weeks before they were going to air. We would all get together in a room and go through the episode, and if we didn't solve the problem before we left the room, it was forever going to be flawed. Each Simpsons story has a beginning, a middle and a end, A stories and B stories and through lines. It was the best school for seeing how things can be structured and restructured and for focusing on weaknesses, that anyone could hope to go to. I was just lucky to be there with all these brilliant people. I learned how to make decisions quickly."

Haute Times for The Simpsons Marge in fishnets? Designer pacifiers? Prime time's favorite 'toon family gets a long-overdue update (Lisa Arbetter)

v6n10 In Style, Sep 1999, p352-354, 356

Article showing The Simpsons in four sets of designer outfits.

Imagine wearing one outfit every day for ten years. We're talking a decade of pulling on the same pants, dress and top. Oh, now and then you'd get to vary things a bit for church or school, but afterward you'd be right back in the same old garb. That's how the Simpsons feel. But now there's relief from all this monotony! In honor of the start of their 11th season on Fox, the debut of a high-end clothing line bearing their likenesses, and the unveiling of their star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, designers Tommy Hilfiger, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karen and Todd Oldham have assembled new wardrobes for the animated clan. "I like their everyday clothes," says Oldham. "They're proof that if you stick to your own style, you'll never look dated. Still, everyone wants a new look once in a while." Ten-year-old underachiever Bart (talking, like all of his family, through a spokesman) is ecstatic with the results: "These are the perfect ensembles for all my passions, from keying the principle's car to belching the national anthem." Says his ever practical mother, Marge: "These fashions are just so sophisticated! They make me feel like I'm out for a glamorous night at the Olive Garden, enjoying unlimited salad." Not every Simpson was so exuberant. "I was hesitant at first," says cerebral 8-year-old Lisa. "Then I realized that my heroes have all had distinctive looks. James Joyce had his spectacles, and photos have recently emerged of Eleanor Roosevelt in a belly shirt and leg warmers." As for dad Homer, he took it all in stride. "I've always been fashion-forward. I mean, I've popularized so many classic looks: beer helmets, the T-shirt with the tuxedo printed on it. The list is endless."

Tales From our Inner Lives:Homer's Diary (Matt Groening)

v1n2 Joe Magazine,(Sep) 1999, Cover and p46-47

Date on this publication does not have a month specified, no doubt to allow it to be sold until it's sold out or replaced by the next issue. This issue was released in September 1999. This issue, sold in Starbucks coffee shops, features a full cover of a naked Homer Simpson carrying a large sign in front of him that says "My Inner Self".

pp46-47 Homer's Diary describes in comic form entries from Homer's Diary from May 3rd through May 9th:

New Year's Resolution: Write in diary every day

May 3rd: What is this thing? Oh yeah, a diary. Must remember to write in it every day. (Homer pictured bouncing on one foot having stubbed his toe on the diary)

May 4th: Horrible tragedy at the nuclear plant... (Home pictured running from plant screaming "No Donuts!"

May 5th: Some guy said "Cinco de something" to me so I punched him. Homer pictured punching Pedro, the bumblebee man

May 6th: Traditionally the day I mail in my income tax. But I'm gonna be a little late this year!

May 7th: Lisa told me I should use this diary to record my innermost feelings. Ooh, nachos! Chomp, chomp, chomp. I'm so sleepy...zzz...

May 8th: What was better: the Brady Bunch, the Brady Brides, or the Brady Bill? P.S. DON'T FORGET MOTHER'S DAY TOMORROW.

May 9th: Marge glared at me all day today. I have no idea why.

Just reread diary and all I can say is ANDY WARHOL'S GOT NOTHING ON THIS DUDE!

Universal Humour Futurama is here - a cosmic, comic creation from the man who brought us The Simpsons. (Eric Knutzen)

Cable Guide, Sep 1999, Cover, p6-7

Cover of this British TV Guide features Futurama with Fry, Leela and Bender with the caption "From the makers of The Simpsons: Futurama"

As a sidebar of this article, they give a rundown on Animation in the Nineties, and here's what they say about our favorite family;

The Simpsons - This legendary animation, created by Matt Groening is now celebrating it's 11th season with a feature film schedule for release next year. The Simpsons revolves around the satirical adventures of a borderline dysfunctional family in Springfield, a place laden with misfits who embrace both the best and the worst of American culture. Countless guest voices have been heard over the years, ranging from Michael Jackson to Stephen Hawking."

Future Stars Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, talks to Dan Snierson about his exciting new series Futurama, rocketing onto Sky One this month (Don Snierson)

Skyview, Sep 1999, Cover, p24-26

Cover of this British TV Guide features Futurama with Fry and Leela on the cover watching a television with The Simpsons. Caption says "Futurama: Meet The Simpsons creator Matt Groening as his new show gets its first UK screening on Sky One"

Rave review introducing Futurama to the British audience. A Groening quote: "'How do I beat The Simpsons?' he sighs. 'I won't. I can't. Nothing can. I just hope every review isn't 'Futurama is no Simpsons'. It's not a horse race - well, it is, sort of.'"

A Space Oddity Starburst has seen the future... and it's animated by Matt Groening! Grant Kempster investigates. (Grant Kempster)

v22n1 Starburst #253, Sep 1999, p13-14

Good general article about Futurama, with some Simpson comments. "Groening, most famous for creating The Simpsons which is now the longest running animation series in history has long wanted to father a new animation series. 'It's really hard to do more than one show. That's why there hasn't been a Simpsons movie, because we're working so hard on making shows as good as possible," the bearded cartoon artist remarks. 'One of the great things about The Simpsons is finally, after 11 years, I can sit back and turn my attention to a second show and feel like The Simpsons is going to stay on course.'"

Fall TV Preview: The Big Picture (not supplied)

v18n3 Satellite Orbit, Sep 1999

A passing and complimentary reference to our favorite family. "...You'll also find that much of the quality programs found on other networks airs on the weekend. It's a common sense move since weekend network programming, with a few exceptions such as The Simpsons, Touched by an Angel, 60 Minutes, and The X-Files, is pretty lame."

Futurama Fall Preview (Christopher Allan Smith)

Eon Magazine, Sep 3 1999

Hailing the second season of Futurama: "For those that got the sinking suspicion that Futurama was trying too hard to be the Simpsons and not trying hard enough to be a sci-fi show in its first season, then we've got good news for you: season 2 looks like it�s going to live up to the premise that only a handful of episodes managed to do during its mid-season run on Fox earlier this year." The entire article can be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Future Perfect As creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening has made TV history. With his new series he's about to change the future too. John Patterson shares his vision in an exclusive interview. (John Patterson)

The Guide, television insert to The Guardian, Sep 5 1999, Cover, p12-13, 15, 89

Futurama cover featuring standard poster from press kit

Nice Futurama article that needs to be transcribed.

Page 89 has an offer to "Have your caricature drawn by a Simpson artist".

Fathers' Day 1999 (not applicable)

Granny May's, (Advertising Flyer), Sep 5 1999, Cover, p3, p8

Yes, we're definitely cheating here, but in the spirit of including Simpson 'covers' we're documenting this "Granny May's" advertising flyer from Australia. The cover pictures Homer Simpson in his underwear holding an enormous doughnut that says "Fathers' Day 1999". The flyer was no doubt distributed a little earlier than Sep 5 1999, which was Father's day in Australia.

Page 3 advertises various Simpson merchandise and a contest to win a trip for two to Hollywood. From down under that's quite a flight!

Matt Groening Le Papa Des Simpson (not supplied)

Attention! D�barquent � Hollywood! Les Simpson (not known)

n36 7 Extra, Sep 8 1999, Cover, pp2-5, p15, back cover

Full cover of Marge and Homer on this Belgium magazine with headings "Les Simpsons d�barquent � Hollywood!" and "l'interview de Matt Groening", "des photos in�dites" and "et des tas de cadeaux Simpsons � gagner".

Impressive looking article with nice color pictures. Of course, it's not in English.

Bart Simpson's Bringing His Smart Mouth to Sunday Comics (Tim Cuprisin)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, Sep 10 1999

An initial 52 week run of The Simpsons in the Sunday comics. The complete article can be found online right here!

He's A One-Man Cast All By Himself (Steve Fritz)

Mania Magazine, Sep 15 - 21 1999

Article about Billy West, voice actor for Futurama. "Even Futurama and The Simpsons can't get away with as much as they [would] like to. In the case of The Simpsons, they only did so after a long time. The good news is the viewers are on our side. They would call up the censors and ask them why can't they get the joke. The thing is Matt never really tries to be cruel or mean spirited. He also never tries to be outrageous just to be outrageous. I've seen him run up to them and say they don't have the emotional investment he has to allow them to mess with his head." The entire article can be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Charts

Rolling Stone Issue 821, Sep 16 1999, p134

Chart showing "Rolling Stone Readers TV Top 10" lists The Simpsons as the number one show. Oddly enough the "1999 Fall Television Preview on pages 78-104 says not one word about The Simpsons. Page 86 does however have a nice full-page Butterfinger advertisement of Homer Simpson with a full-sized Butterfinger bar (with wrapper) in his mouth sideways with the title "Mmm... Bite Sized."

Tomorrow's Weird The Simpsons were the All-American Family from Hell. Now their inventor, Matt Groening, has created a new bunch of cartoon losers with Futurama. David Giammacro meets him. (David Giammarco)

The Big Issue In The North, Sep 20-26 1999, Cover, p8-9

Cover of this British publication for sale by the homeless features Leela, Fry and Bender with the heading: "Beyond Bart: Is Futurama the new Simpsons?"

Hailing the advent of Futurama, this two page article discusses The Simpsons and spends almost half the article going over a Groening biography back to Portland, Oregon. "Rupert Murdoch has a lot to thank Bart Simpson for. The bratty, wisecracking youngster from The Simpsons became an overnight success in America nine years ago and allowed Murdoch's Fox TV to muscle in on the lucrative American TV market. With its dumb, boggle-eyed characters and its appeal to adults and children alike, The Simpsons revolutionised cartoons. The sloth-like Homer Simpson and his knuckle-headed mishaps became essential viewing for millions around the globe." Well, they don't have to be so complementary.

Les Simpson Poster (not applicable)

n38 7 Extra, Sep 22 1999, poster

Bagged with or an insert to 7 Extra is this separate "poster magazine", with "Les Simpson" on the cover and a 42 x 27 cm poster within.

Ten Great Years of 'The Simpsons' (Jacob Abbott)

Badger Herald, University of Wisconsin, Sep 23 1999

Another winner of an article. Sample quote "..crisp, colorful animation, the hilarious voices, the frequent guest-stars and the near-perfect balance between brilliant satirical wit and low-brow antics..." We would quote more, but the entire article can be found on the archive right here!

The week's best TV shows (not supplied)

n34 eat, Sep 23-29 1999, p3, 98, poster insert

Cover flap of this British magazine advertises "Free! fold-out POSTER" with picture of Futurama poster below. Poster folds out to about 24" by 18".

p3 Opens with a review of the week including the following: "Also kicking off this week is the much anticipated Futurama from Simpsons creator Matt Groening on Sky One"

p98 Lists Futurama under the week's best TV shows, saying "Matt Simpson Groening's effort has already picked up after a lackluster start and we particularly dig this week's inventive vision of the Moon as a theme park.

Critic's Corner (Robert Bianco)

USA Today, Sep 24 1999, p14E

Review of the season openers on Fox. "You may find yourself drawn to Fox Sunday for the season premier of TV's three top 'toons. First up, this year's Emmy winner, King of the Hell... shows what happened to Peggy when her parachute failed to open in the cliffhanger episode finale. Next, on the best TV cartoon of all time. The Simpsons... Homer hooks up with guest star Mel Gibson (who has been known to be too animated himself). Finally, Futurama... returns with a spoof of Titanic proportions."

Simpsons still going strong as they embark on 11th year (Mark Mcuire)

PioneerPlanet/St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, Sep 25 1999

A mere eleven years! More! More! The article can be found here!

Groening's 'Futurama' is still a work in progress (Phil Kloer)

Lexington Herald-Leader, Sep 25 1999

Why Futurama, which hasn't "...exploded the way The Simpsons did 10 years ago..." is "showing promise". The entire article can be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Le Coin Des Juniors (not supplied)

C'est Homer qui l'a dit! (not supplied)

n39 7 Extra, Sep 29 1999, Cover, additional pages

Homer Simpson appears on the lower right hand corner of the cover with the caption "Homer Simpson Exclusif"

Le Coin Des Juniors (Junior's Corner) consists of drawings of Bart Simpson by various children.

Article (It's Homer who said it?!) consists of an interview of Homer..in French.

Simpsons, In Theory (Alistair Sutherland)

Montreal Mirror, Sep 29 1999

Canadian article describing a masters thesis on the translation of The Simpsons into French. As an example; "In the Quebec version of the show, the 'elite' characters--Reverend Lovejoy, Principal Skinner, Dr. Hibbert--speak upper class international French, whereas everyone else speaks basic Qu�b�cois. The local dialect is reserved for the lower classes." The entire article can be found right on the archive here!

NRBQ is worshiped by the best of them (Jim Becherman)

The Record, Bergen, NJ, September 30, 1999

Discussing NRBQ's appearance in episode BABF05 followed by a discussion of their upcoming appearances. It begins:

Some people who love NRBQ aren't even people. Cartoon character Bart Simpson has joined Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton in what must be one of the most star-studded fan bases of any band.

Not only are NRBQ the ultimate musicians' musicians, the cult band that the biggest rock stars genuflect to, but their fame has even reached the crazy cartoon town of Springfield.

Keyboardist Terry Adams, drummer Tom Ardolino, and bassist Joey Spampinato and his guitarist brother Johnny will appear, in cartoon form, in the Nov. 28 episode of "The Simpsons."

"Homer loves us," says Adams. "We're Bart's favorite band. Lisa likes us, too, because we're vegetarians."

Actually, it was "Simpsons" executive producer Mike Scully who loved NRBQ -- so much so that he got them on board to do three songs, including a rendition of the Danny Elfman "Simpsons" theme.

Keep 'em Laughing (John W. Kim)

v5n5 Scr(i)pt, Oct 1999, Cover, p38-41

Full cover of our favorite family in formal clothing.

Good interview of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, which can be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

Yellow Fever Collecting Simpsons memorabilia (Angela Dettori)

n15 Collectorholics, Oct 1999, Cover, p21-24

Full cover of this Australian magazine features Bart Simpson with the caption "The Simpsons - Yellow Fever Spreads"

To be transcribed!

Nice Planet.... We'll Take It! (Alex Needham)

n33 The Face, Oct 1999, Cover, p70-76, 78, 209

Cover features Bender; article itself has a half-dozen full colour Futurama pictures

Great article about Futurama and the history of The Simpsons preceeding it. We could quote extensively, but the entire article can be found online, thanks our friends at Futurama Chronicles, right here!

O Futuro J� Come�ou Futurama chega �s TVs brasileiras anunciando un futuro t�o maluco quanto o presente de Os Simpsons. Numa entrevista especial feita em Los Angeles, o criador Matt Groening fala por qie subverteu a fic��o cient�fica da mesma forma que subverteu a fam�lia americana com Os Simpsons (Paulo Gustavo Pereira)

v3 SCI-FI News #26, Oct 1999, Cover, p14-17

Full Futurama cover in this Brazilian publication featuring Leela, Fry and Bender and the quote (Brazilian Portugues, of course) "Entrevista exclusiva com Matt Groening"

p14-17 features an interview of Matt Groening.

Sci-Fi's Fall TV Preview (Michael Marano)

v6n4 Sci-Fi Entertainment, Oct 1999, pp66-71

Illustrated with a scene with Leela, arms crossed in defiance standing next to Zapp Branigan, they comment on the upcoming Futurama season; "Sundays will bring back Matt Groening's animated savaging of if the world or tomorrow, Futurama. With its barrage of visual gags and its new primo spot following The Simpsons, Futurama, about the adventures of a 20th century delivery boy in the year 3000, may well become the hit it deserves to be. This ain't the Futurama of the 1939 World's Fair."

Murdoch's New Life (William Shawcross)

n470 Vanity Fair, Oct 1999, pp268-273, 318-322, 324

In interview of Rubert Murdoch he has this to say; "...But originally we were attacked by television people who thought we were lowering standards with different kinds of programs. Some of the comments might have been fair, some weren't - they even attacked "The Simpsons", which I think is the cleverest program on television. They said it was anti-family, tearing down values. But that's the beauty of it, it's slightly subversive. Most really humorous things are."

Swim School (not supplied)

v3n8 Maxim #22, Oct 1999, p20, 66

Article about drug to enhance the quality of sperm with no reference but illustrated with miniature picture of Homer as sperm on page 20 in the index and same picture on "Sperm Shuttle to MIR" patch on page 66. (taken from 2F10 "And Maggie Makes Three"). What the article also does NOT tell you is about the patch itself. The patch was issued in connection with two Nasa experiments flown on shuttle missions STS-81 and STS-84 on January 12 and March 15 1997 to test movement of sperm. Dr. Joseph Tash, a physiologist at the University of Kansas Medical Center who lead the experiment, is brother to Max Tash, whose wife's sister is married to Matt Groening. Dr. Joseph Tash asked Matt Groening to design the patch for the experiment.

Moony Toons (not supplied)

n158 Sky Magazine, Oct 1999, Cover, p145

Cover of this British publication lists Homer Simpson as one of nine under the heading "Sky People".

Unfortunately, index makes absolutely no mention of what Sky People is suppose to refer to or of any of the persons listed. On page 145 however we find seven pictures of partially nude Simpsons taken from the show with the following information; "Cartoons may seem like innocent fun, but look carefully and you'll find as much depravity as in any 18 film (a British film rating). Homer Simpson is especially fond of getting his kit off."

New Colour Comics: The Simpsons (unknown)

The Newfoundland Herald, Oct 2-8 1999, Cover and p?

Cover of this magazine says "New colour comic: The Simpsons".

Not sure what is within this magazine until we get a copy!

The World of Futurama The man behind The Simpsons shows us what Earth will be like in 1,000 years in his new cult hit cartoon series (Fraser Massey)

Now, Oct 20 1999, p52-53

This British based publication featuring Futurama has this to say about our favorite family; "The longest-running animated show in TV history, The Simpsons is now in its 11th series and is going from strength to strength. Sequences in Futurama show people still watching episodes of the show in the year 3000. 'I'm still staggered by its success,' says Matt Groening, the man who created Sprinfield's most dysfunctional family. 'They're a phenomenon.'"

Cho Biz (Interview of Margaret Cho by Diane Anderson-Minshall, photography by Lori Dorn)

v6n5 Girlfriends, Nov 1999, p24-27

Interview of Margaret Cho has this as part of the introduction; "And while she's been a guest star on some of the coolest animated programs, including Dr. Katz, The Critic, and Duckman, Cho's hippiest TV moment came last season when Homer Simpson admitted he was "no Margaret Cho." From episode 3G04 "Simpson Tide".

The World of Stupid (Michael Rovner)

v1n5 Stuff #5, (Nov 1999) undated?, p90-92, 94, 134-137

p90 Article simply illustrated with a tiny Homer Simpson doing his "D'oh!" and the top of every subsequent page top has Krusty.

p134 Another article with a single partial illustration of Homer Simpson

'Y2K' is a Disaster of a Film (Hal Boedeker)

Orlando Sentinel, Nov 21 1999, pF1

In this movie review Hal Boedeker writes; "In one night [Ken Olin's character Nick Cromwell] helps a troubled plane land in darkened Washington, D.C., then hops a supersonic jet to Seattle to avert a nuclear plant meltdown. Of the latter crisis, a colleague asks, 'Who do you want taking care of this, Nick or some Homer Simpson?' Homer Simpson would be a lot more entertaining."

Simpsons Wannabees (Illustrated by Brian Douglass Ahern)

Last Toon Standing Cartoon battles you never throught you'd see: Homer Simpsons vs. Peter Griffin (Illustrated by Brian Douglass Ahern)

Residents Evil Toons Picks the 10 Biggest, Baddest and All-Around Nastiest animated villians of all time (Andrew Kardon)

Commercial Break (David Borak)

Toons, Winter 1999 Special, Cover, p11, p14-15, p52, p64-69, p76-79

Cover has a miniature picture of Charles Montgomery Burns, with caption "The Top 10 Greatest Villians: Monty Burns".

Page 11 features five drawings of celebrity guests Toons would like to see drawn in yellow and in cartoon format (not quite Simpsons format - no overbite); James Van Der Beek, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Gov. Jesse Ventura, Howard Stern and Stone Cold Steve Austin, and a prediction of what Britany Spears will look like in her upcoming guest appearance in BABF08 "The Mansion Family".

Page 14-15 has an unusual article discussing a battle between Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin from Family Guy.

On pages 64-60 we find an article listing the "10 biggest, baddest and all-around nastiest animated villians of all time" which lists Charles Montgomery Burns first! Supplies a defining quote; "Look at that pig, stuffing his face with donuts on my time. That's right, keep eating. Little do you know you're drawing ever closer to the poison donut." Quote taken from 9F09 "Homer's Triple Bypass".

Merchandise review on pages 76-79 includes the " Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons" album and two new Simpson alarm clocks.

For a list of all The Simpsons Audio and Video releases, see our list on the archive right here!

The Simpsons (author not supplied)

Twoja Wizja (Your Vision), Dec 1999 (Grudzien 1999), Cover, p24

Cover of this television magazine from Poland features our favorite family with the simple caption "The Simpsons".

Recommending the Christmas episode with Homera, Marge, Barta, Lizy and Maggie, telling us "Nie przegapcie!", i.e., Do not miss it!:

(Apologies for some of the missing accents, Windows doesn't quite support them all with the U.S. character set)

"Kolejne odcinki przyg�d sympatycznej rodzinki Simpson�w. Przed nami swiateczne (i nie tylko...) zmagania Homera Simpsonia, jego zony Marge, syna Barta oraz dw�ch uroczych c�reczek, Lizy i Maggie. Nie przegapcie!"

Drew Confessions (Drew Barrymore)

Seventeen, Dec 1999, Cover, p130-132, 134

Cover is a photo of Drew Barrymore with the caption "Drew Barrymore: on the mysteries of Christmas, her one true friend, and Lisa Simpson"

Drew Barrymore raves about The Simpsons and her role model, Lisa Simpson. She played the voice of Olive on Olive, the Other Reindeer, which was made in collaboration with Matt Groening. The article begins as follows;

Let be start by saying, I think the greatest character on The Simpsons is Lisa. I aspire to be like Lisa. Though we just all love Homer, and Bart's so great, and the way Smithers pines for Mr. Burns - he's like this little dog just trying hard to make his master happy, just to get a little stroking - is the saddest love story, I like Lisa because she's the voice of reason in a family of chaos. I aspire to be that, to be a voice of reason one day. I love that she plays the saxophone and loves these jazz and blues musicians and has these great little spiritual, anecdotal, enlightening terms that she says to her family. And I love the counterbalance of her being deep and philisophical and Homer making a really silly joke. Spiritual people need a quick reality check sometimes, because otherwise you can get a little heavy. But Lisa seems like someone who is OK on her own, someone who can handle being by herself, and that's a strength that I'm so attracted to.

The Simpsons is, to me, probably the greatest show that's ever been on television. I can watch it three times a day. It inspires me every time I watch it - just the fact that they always land on the couch differently, and Bart is always writing a different sentence on the chalkboard. It's innovative and nonpatronizing, and everybody gets it, kids and adults. So I knew that if I ever met Matt Groening, The Simpsons creator, I'd probably attack him, because I have so much love and appreciation for what he's given me for so many years. And I did.

Mind Spying Why the truth is elusive in online surveys (R. Jesse Jones)

Collectibles: Looking for a good sign (Merry Dudley)

v1n2 eBay Magazine, Dec 1999, p71, p112

p72 Asked which of the following cartoon characters they would want to be with on a deserted island 10% chose Homer Simpson. Pretty good considering Jessica Rabbit got 32% for obvious reasons and Mighty Mouse got 20% since he could fly you home.

p112 Article on collecting illustrated with five dolls of our favorite family.

You're Terminated! Now Get Back to Work! When making your boss look good doesn't work, making him look bad is the only way. (Russell Wild)

v3n10 Maxim #24, Dec 1999, p140-142, 144, 146, 148

p19 Table of contents illustrated with picture of Montgomery C. Burns labelled "Why am I dreaming of spreadsheets?"

p148 Sidebar titled "The Money Game" (about asking for a raise) is illustrated (somewhat inappropriately) with a picture of Homer, Burns and Larry Burns (Rodney Dangerfield) from 4F05 "Burns, Baby Burns" " with the Burns quote "You have sucked at my teat long enough".

Les Simpson s'offrent une compil! (not supplied)

Le Coin Des Juniors (not supplied)

n49 7 Extra, Dec 8 1999, Cover, additional pages (not paginated)

Bart Simpsons is featured on the cover of this Belgium magazine with the caption "Des super colis Simpson � gagner" or, if you prefer, "Super Simpson prize to be won".

Two pages describing the release of a new video "Les Simpson Greatest Hits" which includes five episodes, and which is being offerred in a contest.

Le Coin Des Juniors (Junior's Corner) consists of drawings of Bart, Maggie, Homer and Mr. Burns by various children.

Centerfield features "The Simpsons Story", a fantastic timeline (in the shape of a yellow 'S') showing significant events in the life of The Simpsons from the first appearance on the Tracey Ullman show ("19 Avril 1987 - Br�ve apparition des Simpson dans l'emission Tracey Ullman Show) to the 200th episode (26 Avril 1998 - 200�me �pisode: Vive Les Eboueurs!).

Two British Men Come to Land of Bart and Homer as winners of Promotional Contest (Jefferson Robbins)

State Journal-Register, Springfield, Il, Dec 9 1999

Describing a British contest wherein the winners get to visit Springfield - Springfield, Ill. They had to choose between the 33 cities called Springfield in the United States. The article can be found online, right here!

Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons (not supplied)

Salon.com, Dec 9 1999

Rave review for the " Go Simpsonic with 'The Simpsons'" album, which has been saved on the archive right here!

For a list of all The Simpsons Audio and Video releases, see our list on the archive right here!

Charts (not supplied)

n827 Rolling Stone, Dec 9 1999, p96

Chart of "Rolling Stone Readers TV Top 10" lists Simpsons second behind Friends. (??$%#@%#!)

Redrawing the Map (Diane Werts)

Newsday, Dec 12 1999

Describing the "perfect TV sitcom" yields our favorite family. We could quote liberally, but it's available on the archive right here!

10 Years? D'oh! More animated sitcom than cartoon, the Fox series has mixed belly laughs with heart, character and satire during its groundbreaking run, nearing 250 episodes (Diane Werts)

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA, Dec 18 1999, page F1, F22

The cover of the "Calendar Arts and Entertainment" section of the Saturday Los Angeles Times features a 10-inch picture of Homer and is the same article that appeared in Newsday under the title "Redrawing the Map" on December 12th. That article is on the archive right here!

Top drawers And now, the best TV shows of the millenium (Eric Kohanik)

Post TV, Dec 25 1999, Cover and pp4-5

TV Insert to the Toronto 'National Post' newspaper

Cover features Bart Simpson along with Cosby, Archie, Seinfeld and Lucy

Well, listed at #16 is better than not being listed. Only seven of the thirty-one shows are still running, and, of course, it's the only 'toon. Keep in mind also that Hockey Night in Canada was ninth. 'Nuf said.

The Simpsons (1989-present) Cartoonist Matt Groening's dysfunctional cartoon characters have turned primetime's longest-running animated show in the longest-running comedy currently on TV.

Top drawers And now, the best TV shows of the millenium (Eric Kohanik)

TV Times, Dec 25 1999, Cover, p2

TV Insert to the various Canadian newspapers.

Same cover as the Post TV Dec 25 1999 article above with one terrible difference; since they would only give up one page to this article, they truncated the list from 31 entries to thirteen, leaving out The Simpsons which were originally listed at sixteen.

The Best TV Show Ever (James Poniewozik)

v154n27 Time, Dec 31 1999, p73

An obviously wise choice for the Best TV Show ever. The entire hardcopy article is as follows; " The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening (1989- ) Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats." Online, TIME posted a far more complete explanation of why, which you can find here!

This issue also includes a Centennial News Quiz under the heading "Who Said It!" with question 24 being (who said) "I will not sell miracle cures... I did not see Elvis... The truth is not out there." with the answer, of course c) Bart Simpson.

Last but not least, the best of the '90s: The tube's second golden age (Eric Mink)

Daily News, New York, NY, Dec 31 1999, pp102-103

Lists his favorite nine shows of the '90s, starting with our favorite family.

The Simpsons (Premiered 1989)

Yes, I'm stretching things a tiny bit (since it started late '80s) but The Simpsons is unmistakably a show of the '90s. Animation has freed it from any visual limitations, but reality, not fantasy lies at the center of The Simpsons, Simply put, this show never met an aspect of contemporary society but it couldn't satirize mercilessly, brilliantly and hilariously.

The Simpsons delivers more comedy per minute that any other show on the air, and its strangely shaped, oddly colored, two-dimensional beings have become thoroughly human in our minds.