The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman has spoken to NME about why the cartoon avoids current political events, as well as the differences between his show and South Park.
READ MORE: ‘The Simpsons’ silly, subversive video game legacy isn’t done yet
The beloved animated series has been on our screens since 1989, and while it has satirised world leaders in the past, including former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, it has stayed away from anything pointed at the current Donald Trump administration.
Speaking to NME’s Ali Shutler ahead of a new collaboration with the mobile game Monopoly GO!, Selman was asked why the show stays out of current events. “Just watch South Park,” he replied, before explaining the difficulty in covering anything too current. “It’s hard for us with our lead time [because episodes are written months in advance] but they can respond to the crisis of the day.”
Like The Simpsons, South Park has been on the air for decades, but takes a much more adult view of the world, and has not shied away from making fun of the current US president. Far from being competitors, Selman says “I feel like the shows are complimentary. We tell stories about a family in the modern world, so we’ll show how politics affects them. We’re not backing away from what’s going on by any means. It’s a big deal to show how our divided country affects real people.”
“But we do it in a macro way,” he continued, “whereas South Park does it in the smartest, sharpest way by tackling the unbelievable tragedy of the week. We’re never going to out South Park, South Park.” You can read NME’s full interview with Selman here, exploring the show’s video game legacy and enduring popularity.
Recently, fans of The Simpsons pointed to a “prediction” related to Mexico’s World Cup performance that was thwarted by their recent loss to England. Elsewhere, long-time cast member Harry Shearer revealed he has never watched the show, despite being in over 800 episodes.
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