Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons Hardcover – June 12, 2018

It stands to reason a book authored by a long-time multiple-award-winning writer for “The Simpsons” would be funny and unpredictable like the TV show. “Springfield Confidential” by Mike Reiss with Matthew Klickstein delivers all you want. And then some.He answers questions from viewers — like “Where is Springfield?”There is insider stuff like the show was almost canceled before it got on. And that power plant mogul Burns’ assistant Smithers was African-American but changed after they saw the show in color and decided having a prominent black character kiss up to his cruel, white boss was wrong.There is celebrity gossip: “I’ve heard that Bruce Willis is so monstrous that one of his directors, a cancer survivor, said, ‘I’d go through another round of chemo rather than work with Bruce again.'”Insider stuff: Some think “The Simpsons” never won an Emmy. “That’s because our awards aren’t handed out at the boring televised ceremony. Our awards are handed out at the super-boring un-televised ceremony, the Creative Arts Awards.”On his colleague Nancy Cartwright playing male characters Bart, Nelson and Ralph: “Not since Lassie had a TV actor played a classic character of the opposite sex.”There’s even stuff about Tom Cruise which I won’t mention because Cruise sues.The book is sprinkled with interludes like this “True Fact”: There is a Macon, Ga., resident named Homer Simpson who works in a nuclear power plant. Says Reiss, “Poor guy. Having to live in Macon, Georgia.”In the chapter titled “Gay for Pay” Reiss admits his favorite project was not “The Simpsons” or “The Critic” but a web series called “Queer Duck” (He can’t even fly straight.) It was enormously popular, Britain’s Channel 4 viewers named it one of the 100 greatest cartoons of all time. Notes Reiss, “Now, mind you. England is the world’s only exclusively gay country. Britain’s an island — it’s like a big gay cruise that doesn’t go anywhere.”He writes about the art of comedy — “k” words are funnier. But there are exceptions. “My cousin Kenny was killed by the Ku Klux Klan,” for instance. And he recommends some great comedy flicks you may have missed. And some books about being funny.Reiss finally answers the burning question of why “The Simpsons is so successful. “… the valuable input of network executives. We don’t have any.”The book is written with the same comic timing and cleverness that Reiss brings to everything he does. My regret is that it is not twice as long.

I've been a Simpsons fan as long as the series has been on. It is great to have a book that offers a look inside the world that created this comedy legend, and refreshing to read one that doesn't delve on dirt and infighting. Mike Reiss in fact clearly cherishes his work he and his unbelievably talented colleagues have done over the decades, and still creates Simpsons episodes that are funny, wry, and adaptable to the changing times and the screwed up society they often reflect. I have always attributed the show's staying power to the inspiration derived from life itself and how we as humans react to whatever stimulus is presented. He affirms this assessment and figures as long as there's people doing crazy things, there will never be a lack of ideas for Homer and company to draw from. Plus, we get a look at the voice actors who bring the animation to life. We learn that Dan Castellenata as the voice of Homer and many others is totally unlike the character. Where Homer is stupid, selfish and drunk a lot of the time, but always revealing goodness when it counts, Dan is a teetotaler and scholar, very private and kind. Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart, Nelson Muntz, and other boy characters is a grandmother! We are more familiar with Harry Shearer, who has done tons of projects, not the least of which is playing the bassist in Spinal Tap, Derek Smalls. ("Smalls" has a solo album out now, by the way). Reiss is very funny and calls it like he sees it. You can tell from reading him where some of the personality of the show comes from, but what is really amazing is that various "show runners", or bosses, writers, etc. have come and gone in 30 years but the quality of the show has never faltered. It's a great book to sandwich in between more serious novels, and makes us love the Simpsons even more when we read how much work goes into each episode. It takes nearly a year to complete one 22 minute show! And now I know why the Simpsons are yellow, and I ain't tellin'! Check out "Springfield Confidential" and find out for yourself. It's worth the read.

What a perfect book on, about The Simpson’s but also about all the energy, wit, hard work and luck that went into it. Reis is so honest and self aware with so much clear DGAF energy, you’ll lose it a moments of sheer wicked hilarious truth.

If you want an in depth look at the making of, production and behind the scenes secrets of America’s number one animated family you’ve come to the wrong place, this ain’t the Belcher’s (you know, from Bob’s Burgers? Those Belcher’s.) So Mike Reiss’s Springfield Confidential will have to hold you over till someone spills the beans on Fox’s other funnier than funny prime time family misfits. I know what you’re saying to yourself, hey Amazon critic, what about Family Guy. I said funny, remember?Springfield Confidential is probably the best book ever written about the Simpsons, which isn’t saying much but it is saying something. Mike Reiss, a self confessed Jew and Harvard guy, not necessarily in that order, spends the 300 or so pages of this hilarious and fascinating book dishing the dirt and oh yeah telling fascinating stories about everything Simpson’s related. And the best part is he worked and still works for the show for at the time of its writing 28 of it’s 30 years. Mike’s all time favorite guest star? Smokin Joe Frazier... he had trouble with his line. Mo’s voice? Hank Azaria’s really bad impression of Al Pacino. Quack doctor Nick Riviera? Another bad impression of Desi Arnez (Rickey Ricardo).But, yeah, this is just the tip of the yellow iceberg, buy Springfield Confidential, plenty of laughs and information about things you never even thought to ask, like- Hey Mike, did you write jokes for the Pope? The answer is yes, or Why are the Simpson’s yellow? Read the book and find out, enough with all these questions!

I wrote my masters thesis on The Simpsons and this book was invaluable. It helped me so much because I got an insider look from a writer, a perspective I needed. He's a comedian, so don't take it too seriously. Very fun and a good read, definitely didn't feel like research.

Excelente libro, los relatos directo de quienes iniciaron un fenómeno mundial son invaluables, las horas de trabajo y como es que lograron ser un referente en la comedía. Si te gustan los Simpsons es algo que te va a dejar un excelente sabor de boca, si no lo eres igual es un libro excelente para los que inician algún proyecto y quieran ver lo que cuesta iniciar.

O autor conta sua passagem pelos simpsons desde quando foi criado. Varias curiosidades, muito humor e menções a episódios. É muito legal saber mais sobre o desenho de maneira tão engraçada. Valeu cada centavo!

Really enjoyed the background and history of my favourite show and how it is made. Thank you for making this book

Buen libro para cualquier fan de los Simpsons, muy entretenido y se lee rápido. Algunos chistes son medio flojitos, pero bien vale la pena.