What Else is our Favorite Family Up To? (Matchflick column RE: Simpsons talent)

 

 

 

Spare him your euphemisms! 

 In my last column, I had the opportunity to talk about the sexy and talented Hank Azaria and his work outside of The Simpsons, which got me to thinking about the other amazing artists involved with The Simpsons but whose careers are not limited to the show. It’s hard to imagine these brilliant artists have the time and energy to do more than create our favorite show about our favorite family, but indeed they do!

For example, the people who supply some of our favorite voices have no shortage of work, such as Russi Taylor and Tress MacNeille, who work together also on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Taylor provides the voice of one of my faves, Martin Prince, and as well as Sherri & Terri, among others. MacNeille also supplies many character voices; among my faves are Jimbo, Brandine, and Agnes Skinner (quite the range, eh?)

Yeardley Smith is best known for being the voice of Lisa Simpson, but she also starred in the ever-cherished Herman’s Head, played the only likeable character in AS GOOD AS IT GETS (1997), and was Putter in THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN (1985). And sisters, if you have not seen BILLIE JEAN, do yourself a favor and put it on your queue! It’s even more feminist, provocative, and energizing now than it was back when I was a tweener, when “Fair

 

He looks sweet and mild, but don’t tick him off.

is fair” struck me as more than just an illogical catchphrase and “Invincible” by Pat Benatar was an inspiring anthem.

Harry Shearer is the voice behind many of the funniest and/or most beloved Simpsons characters, such as Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Burns, Smithers, Otto, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny, and, of course, Scratchy (among many, many others). But with his versatile voice and terrific singing ability, Shearer has appeared in oodles of films, including his role as G. Gordon Liddy in DICK (1999) and perhaps most famously as Derek Smalls in THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984). He also shows off those pipes in A MIGHTY WIND (2003), which might be the most underrated of the Guest, et al films.

David Silverman has been with the The Simpsons since its birth on The Tracey Ullman Show as animator, producer, creative consultant (whatever that is) and director – in addition to directing many episodes of the show, Silverman brilliantly directed THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007). In 2005, he got in front of the camera to teach a drawing lesson (watch “Goo Goo Gai Pan” on Hulu or wherever if you don’t know what I’m talking about. You’ll thank me).

Silverman has also worked for Pixar and DreamWorks – he co-directed THE ROAD TO EL DORADO and the sassy MONSTERS,

 

I really liked her on Dharma and Greg, too.

INC. with UP and WALL-E’s Pete Docter (a fellow Minnesotan, I might add) and was storyboard artist on ROBOTS.

Clearly, Silverman’s career of the last 20 years or so is impressive, sure, but perhaps the most intriguing thing you’ll find on Silverman’s IMDb page is the head animator credit (albeit spelled incorrectly) for the short TOM WAITS FOR NO ONE. In the 1990s, other Tom Waits fans and I spoke in hushed, revered tones of this film, not knowing whether to believe those who claimed to have seen it, but being jealous of them all the same just in case it could be true. If only we’d had YouTube, like the spoiled college kids of today:
According to Variety, Silverman is slated to direct a live-action film for MGM, an adaptation of the children’s book The Facttracker. Also on his schedule, IMDb reports Silverman will be directing a Disney film called THE PET,

 

Drawin’ Krusty. Just another day at the office.

in which a group of aliens make a human their pet. Let’s just hope he’s not a businessman, which is a big responsibility. (Inside Kids in the Hall reference, which I hope you get).

If you’re not already following Silverman on Twitter*, do so now (tubatron). He’s funny, announces his groups’ appearances around LA (They are called Vaud and the Villains– hint: his handle is “tubatron” for a reason!) and likes to share the occasional photo (like the one I borrowed above). And maybe eventually he’ll share some 140-character anecdotes about his upcoming films with his followers as he sees fit (hint hint).

*If you’re not already following me on Twitter, what’s wrong with you? You can follow me (duve) and/or the awesome duo of Dr. Karma and me (Simpsonology).

Happy Father’s day, fathers!
xoxo,
Du

 

I Heart (the brilliant and underrated) “Weird Al” Yankovic

Weird Al Yankovic:  Actor, director, singer, songwriter, accordion enthusiast, performer. Brilliant, underrated, and handsome.

It saddens me that so many think of Al as “The ‘Eat It’ Guy.” Even some urban hipsters with whom I hang have called him “just a parody artist.” I have two major issues with this. Number One: Indeed, he is not just a parody artist, and Number Two: What’s that supposed to mean, “just a parody artist”? Do you think it’s easy? Would you say that Christopher Guest is “just” a mockumentary filmmaker because he is most famous for the films This Is Spinal Tap and Best In Show? Hell no you wouldn’t, and Weird Al deserves the same respect. It takes Al’s singular talent to create parody with scathing satire and a keen wit that’s also listenable.

Because Al is often erroneously seen as fluffy, I am sharing my top ten best original Weird Al songs. And by “original,” I mean songs that are not parodies of any one song (although the style of music may be inspired by a specific artist or genre).

11. Since You’ve Been Gone (1996)

Al has a myriad of terrific breakup songs, and this one is my favorite to sing along with in the car, not to mention that it showcases yet another of Al and the band’s amazing talents: singing a capella do-wop style. Sure, anyone can try it, but few can pull it off as mightily as Al and the band.

10. Trigger Happy (1996)

In the style of a zippy Beach Boys tune, “Trigger Happy” cleverly juxtaposes the happy-go-lucky, hanging at the beach feel of the music with lyrics that offer insight into the disturbing mind of a gun nut.

9. One More Minute (1985)

This song magically whisks the listener back to the time of sock hops, malt shops, and suicide doors.  It marks the the moment the romance dies, not unlike Elvis’s’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”  However, while Elvis’s backup singers never had the chance to sing “leeches,” Al also gives us the best line that Elvis never could: “I’m stranded all alone in the gas station of love / And I have to use the self service pump.”

8.  Christmas At Ground Zero (1986)

While the song is brilliant on its own, the video (which is the first video directed by Al himself) adds even more. The label didn’t know what they were asking for when they wanted Al to do a Christmas song. What they got is a perfect little holiday ditty juxtaposed by horrifying images of nuclear holocaust which begs the question: how do we go about shopping, humming, and baking with unrelenting terror constantly hanging over our heads?  But then again, how do we not go about our business?

Or, don’t ponder and just enjoy the song. Fun to sing along with.

7. Melanie (1988)

“I have to go through your garbage /  Just to learn more about you.” Need I say more?

6. Dare to Be Stupid (1986)

This song has been described by Devo members as “the perfect Devo song.” The combination of Grandma’s cliches and commercial slogans is deeper than you think.

5. The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota (1989)

Al often ends his albums with a big ole extra long track. “Albuquerque” and ”Trapped in the Drive-Thru” are others of note, but “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota” is my favorite. And with good reason. It’s a funny jab at the campier sides of U.S. culture, but it’s not completely free of respect. In some ways, Al is picking on himself for getting some kitschy joy at the silly things.

4. Weasel Stomping Day (2006)

If you liked The Simpsons episode “Whacking Day,” you’ll love this catchy exploration of the Appeal to Tradition logical fallacy: “It’s tradition; that makes it okay.” Translation: the argument “this is how it’s always been done” does not hold water. And the use of music strikingly similar to the “Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner” commercials reminds me of another episode of The Simpsons, “Lisa The Vegetarian.” Remember the edutational film: ”I was a ’Grade-A’ moron to ever question eating meat.”

3. Truck Drivin’ Song (1999)

Al shows that he fully understands country music: the flavor, the themes, the passion, the joy.

2. You Don’t Love Me Anymore (1992)

In this beautiful, elegiac ballad, the narrator woefully ponders the subtle clues he’s picking up on that his partner might not love him anymore.

1. Frank’s 2000″ TV (1993)

A perfect little pop song that satirizes our cultural love of excess, television, and outdoing the neighbors. And I don’t say “perfect” lightly. There are only a few songs that I think are perfect pop songs:  “Overkill” by Men at Work, “What’s So Funny (’bout Peace, Love & Understanding), and  “Frank’s 2000″ TV.”