Matt Groening Appears on the Show April 4th

**Datoupee** · 03-26-2004, 08:57 AM

Taken from USAToday.com.

It's Groening's show, and now he's on it.

After 15 seasons of The Simpsons, creator Matt Groening finally gets a guest spot (Fox, April 4, 8 p.m. ET/PT). “The writers wrote it in as a goof. I thought, ‘I'll show them. I'll do it,' ” he says.

He has supplied a couple of sounds — Maggie's pacifier, a Ned Flanders scream — but this time Groening plays himself. He's identified as the creator of Futurama. (He couldn't be the creator of The Simpsons on The Simpsons or “the whole universe would implode.”) Though Groening didn't draw his picture, it's closer to real life than one earlier depiction as “an eyepatch-wearing, head-shaved, right-wing gun nut.”

In the episode, Edna Krabappel runs off with Comic Book Guy to a comic convention, where Groening is autographing robot dolls of Futurama's Bender. Groening's image also appeared in an earlier episode on a wall of photos of people banned for life from Comic Book Guy's store. “I've been banned from many comic book stores,” he says.

— Bill Keveney

Click Here to view the article.

**IdRathaHavaBeer** · 03-26-2004, 09:20 AM

This is a pretty cool idea. It makes The Simpsons appear more real since Matt will be signing figures from another cartoon. Looking forward to it.

**George Cauldron** · 03-26-2004, 09:31 AM

Well, it was high time that he appeared, and even if an appearance from Matt Groening himself would have been better in the final episode, it'd still be great to see him. He's the perfect guy to make fun of himself, it definitely wouldn't be a suckup appearance.

**kuje** · 03-26-2004, 10:06 AM

So who was right about him playing the role of creator of Futurama? :smug:

He is drawn really well, I am looking forward to it.

**kevin** · 03-26-2004, 10:07 AM

Groening appearence MUST be done well.

**Tara** · 03-26-2004, 10:18 AM

Cool. I was hoping Matt Groening would appear as a guest star on The Simpsons, hopefully it would be a great episode and a great guest star appearance.

**Larson Something** · 03-26-2004, 10:21 AM

Should be good. It sounds like it makes more sense than, say, Jim Brooks in A Star Is Born Again.

**Nerd Groupie** · 03-26-2004, 10:44 AM

That's a cool idea. Glad he didn't go with being the creator of the Simpsons, that definitely wouldn't have worked. This should be good. (I hope I hope)

**Rowdy Roddy Peeper** · 03-26-2004, 11:06 AM

Well If it is a good scene, it might go something a little like this:

(The Simpsons see Matt)
Matt: Hi
Lisa: I was told not to talk to strangers
Matt: I'm no stranger, i'm Matt Groening the creator of Futurama
Bart: Didn't you know, Lis?
Homer: Oh i remember you! Um, did we go on a naked rampage through town hall once?
Matt: No, i don't think we have met.
(A Fox represent walks past)
Matt: Do you want a signed Bender doll?
FR: No thankyou, That is so last year! I'd rather cancel something new
Marge: Anyway, Matt what do you do?
Matt: I...
Bart: I can answer this one. He's the creator of Futurama and some other program which i can't remember?
Matt: Oh i know what you talking about, i'm also the creator of...
Homer: Oh My God! It's the creator of that comic with the drunken gay superhero!
(The family are hushed away by Homer, Matt sighs to himself)
Matt: (Sigh) I guess i will have to put all my attention and effort into my other work..... Life In Hell.

What do you think? I think thatscene would be pretty good.

**Citizen Kang** · 03-26-2004, 11:10 AM

Nice On My birthday!

**Wezzo** · 03-26-2004, 11:28 AM

Great, RRP

Indeed, exciting news. I hope it's done to the highest quality possible.

**Glumplich** · 03-26-2004, 11:45 AM

As a Futurama fan, I think it's good to see Futurama mentioned in another Simpsons episode (the most recent reference being Bender mentioned in "I D'oh-Bot).

**ECioffoletti** · 03-26-2004, 11:52 AM

It's about time! How he held off this long without appearing on the show is beyond me. Even James L. Brooks has been on the show before him.

**Rowdy Roddy Peeper** · 03-26-2004, 11:52 AM

Great, RRP

Thanx Wezzo, anyone else?

**DaSimpsons** · 03-26-2004, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Rowdy Roddy Peeper
Well If it is a good scene, it might go something a little like this:

(The Simpsons see Matt)
Matt: Hi
Lisa: I was told not to talk to strangers
Matt: I'm no stranger, i'm Matt Groening the creator of Futurama
Bart: Didn't you know, Lis?
Homer: Oh i remember you! Um, did we go on a naked rampage through town hall once?
Matt: No, i don't think we have met.
(A Fox represent walks past)
Matt: Do you want a signed Bender doll?
FR: No thankyou, That is so last year! I'd rather cancel something new
Marge: Anyway, Matt what do you do?
Matt: I...
Bart: I can answer this one. He's the creator of Futurama and some other program which i can't remember?
Matt: Oh i know what you talking about, i'm also the creator of...
Homer: Oh My God! It's the creator of that comic with the drunken gay superhero!
(The family are hushed away by Homer, Matt sighs to himself)
Matt: (Sigh) I guess i will have to put all my attention and effort into my other work..... Life In Hell.

What do you think? I think thatscene would be pretty good.

i hope it doesnt go like that.

**Charmy** · 03-26-2004, 12:06 PM

I'm interested in seeing how this goes- could be great. As someone (sorry, but I can't remember who) suggested, though, it would have been funny if he appeared as the 'Obscure cartoonist behind the equally obscure Life in Hell'.

I'm looking forward to it, at least.

**Paul** · 03-26-2004, 01:00 PM

Hopefully they'll make jokes about Fox for cancelling Futurama, as Matt Groening's revenge.

**Bort328** · 03-26-2004, 01:19 PM

Sounds to me like a gimmick. I really can't imagine this coming off any way other than as a gratuitous, forced cameo with some overly obvious meta-references.

Hopefully they'll suprise me and it'll all work out.

**ECioffoletti** · 03-26-2004, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Bort328
Sounds to me like a gimmick. I really can't imagine this coming off any way other than as a gratuitous, forced cameo with some overly obvious meta-references.

Hopefully they'll suprise me and it'll all work out.

I know what you mean. If they work at it though, they can actually make something funny out of it I think. The way season 15 has been going so far I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The James L. Brooks appearance was decent but I think they can top that. You have to figure the show's creator is going to give himself some good material.

**DotheBartman** · 03-26-2004, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Charmy
I'm interested in seeing how this goes- could be great. As someone (sorry, but I can't remember who) suggested, though, it would have been funny if he appeared as the 'Obscure cartoonist behind the equally obscure Life in Hell'.

I'm looking forward to it, at least.

I'm pretty sure you're referring to me. Yeah, I think it would be funnier if they did it that way, but this still sounds very promising and the caricuature is great.

**Roger Myers III** · 03-26-2004, 03:04 PM

Actually, with this appearance... the entire Groening universe could entirely implode. Unless we all close our eyes and wish real hard...

By which I mean, MG has always, always maintained that "The Simpsons is fictional" and "Futurama is real". "The Simpsons" is still on the air in the year 3000, and acknowledged as a fictional cartoon show. Matt's "real" head lives on in a jar in Futurama. Matt even extended this rule to the Bongo comics - Ian Boothby (iirc) worked within these rules to work out the crossover in the comics last year.

So, if Matt appears as the creator of the world of Futurama within the Simpsons, the entire "world of 3000 as reality" is turned inside out. Its a circular logic nightmare, from which there's no escape. (unless one wants to now fundamentally change the concept of Futurama as entirely existing in Matt's brain (a la the "St. Elsewhere" finale model,) but, again, that warps the concept and breaks the rule.

Whoa. Wrap your heads around that one for a while. Its a 'parabox' worthy of the show no longer in production...

Crotis Jivefunk · 03-26-2004, 03:08 PM

He's been featured in a couch opening before.

"Get outta ma office!"

**Channel Surfer** · 03-26-2004, 03:14 PM

Maybe Matt Groening isn't real.

**Roger Myers III** · 03-26-2004, 03:49 PM

If he wasn't real, there is no way in hell Rupert would sign his checks...

**Dark Homer** · 03-26-2004, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
Actually, with this appearance... the entire Groening universe could entirely implode. Unless we all close our eyes and wish real hard...

By which I mean, MG has always, always maintained that "The Simpsons is fictional" and "Futurama is real". "The Simpsons" is still on the air in the year 3000, and acknowledged as a fictional cartoon show. Matt's "real" head lives on in a jar in Futurama. Matt even extended this rule to the Bongo comics - Ian Boothby (iirc) worked within these rules to work out the crossover in the comics last year.

So, if Matt appears as the creator of the world of Futurama within the Simpsons, the entire "world of 3000 as reality" is turned inside out. Its a circular logic nightmare, from which there's no escape. (unless one wants to now fundamentally change the concept of Futurama as entirely existing in Matt's brain (a la the "St. Elsewhere" finale model,) but, again, that warps the concept and breaks the rule.

Whoa. Wrap your heads around that one for a while. Its a 'parabox' worthy of the show no longer in production...

Try bringing "Life in Hell" into the equation, which exists as a comic in both the Futurama and Simpsons universes yet shows both shows as TV shows...

**vox** · 03-26-2004, 05:37 PM

Wasn't Uter wearing a Futurama shirt in Mayored to the Mob? So, it already imploded.

**Tibor** · 03-26-2004, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
So, if Matt appears as the creator of the world of Futurama within the Simpsons, the entire "world of 3000 as reality" is turned inside out. Its a circular logic nightmare, from which there's no escape. (unless one wants to now fundamentally change the concept of Futurama as entirely existing in Matt's brain (a la the "St. Elsewhere" finale model,) but, again, that warps the concept and breaks the rule.

And if that happens... I'll never be born!

**Sloppy Jimbo XOX** · 03-26-2004, 05:51 PM

Is it just me, or does the Matt Groening cariacture look kind of familiar?

Hmmm....

"What would Geppetto do?" indeed.

**Charmy** · 03-26-2004, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
By which I mean, MG has always, always maintained that "The Simpsons is fictional" and "Futurama is real". "The Simpsons" is still on the air in the year 3000, and acknowledged as a fictional cartoon show. Matt's "real" head lives on in a jar in Futurama. Matt even extended this rule to the Bongo comics - Ian Boothby (iirc) worked within these rules to work out the crossover in the comics last year.

I think I've got it. You say the Simpsons is still on air during Futurama's time? Then it's not unreasonable that it would also be on the air for a significant period after Futurama ends... which leaves Matt Groening's head with the opportunity to make a documentary (Futurama) around Fry's life, and then insert a reference to it in a Simpson episode that's being produced around the time...

So 'My Big Fat Geek Wedding' must be an episode sent back from over a thousand years in the future to make it all work out! Brilliant.

**y2dave2004** · 03-26-2004, 08:45 PM

should be interesting to see.

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