Round Springfield

6 years, 3 podcast titles, 2 networks, 1 friendship that started it all. In this very special very last episode of Simpsons Pod, Allie and Julia reflect on all the life that happened from the moment they pressed "Record" all those years ago. The fans, the friends, the book deals, the live tours -- the guests that got away! The guests they couldn't get enough of, the crazy instance of getting to even be in the same room as their heroes. Between the very last 'Krusty Q' and fond farewells from previous guests, it's a sweet 'Sayonara' to their Simpsons corner of the world and a celebration of all that can happen when you take a chance on a silly idea with a sweet friend. So grab your disgruntled goat doll, tighten that Bart baseball cap and take solace in the fact that A&J will forever be your twitter home for exchanging Frinkiac Simpsons memes. It's not a good bye, it's a "Smell ya later". This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE. Allie and Julia round out the home stretch of RS with the heavy hitters of the heavy hitters -- the Papi of the Pod, the Sultan of the Simps, the Cartoonist Creator who started it all... a young upstart named Matt Groening! In this multi-hour (!) super-mega-episode, the girls dig into Matt's early days in Oregon, the go-go '80s of Hollywood and how he's never lost the spirit of the 'drawing kid' who landed here with a dream and a scrappy sense of humor. Will this episode unlock secrets to the show's many mysteries? Do they uncover Fry from Futurama's true origin story? Is he an *overachiever* and proud of it?! Only one way to find out (hint: by immediately downloading this episode and listening to it in its entirety). IT'S THE PENULTIMATE POD! Our last episode is out July 19th! Heads up: We recorded this episode in December 2020, and this episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Mike Scully returns! Come for the tales of his early writing career (meeting the legendary Don Knotts on his first staff job, "What a Country"!), stay for the lessons in being within eyesight of a producer when another writer quits so you can take their job! Mike's ascension of the Entertainment Industry ladder is riddled with mysterious tragedy -- and you bet your sweet, sweet can we get into it. From working as an "Audience Hype Man" to feeling terrible for pranking unsuspecting bystanders in a failed hidden camera show. This episode has everything -- including a sweet plug for Season 2 of "Duncanville" airing now on FOX every Sunday night! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

This week, Allie and Julia talk to Simpsons co-executive producer, Jeff Westbrook! Together, he regales them with his unconventional path to the writers room – starting as an algorithms researcher, then a professor at Yale, then an engineer at AT&T Laboratories! We discuss his friendship and collaborations with Ken Keeler – finding his way from science to The Simpsons and crafting the voice of early Futurama. It's a must listen with one of the smartest "Are you SURE you didn't waste your life writing silly jokes?" guests we've ever had. 3 more episodes to go! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Heads up: Half way through the conversation Jeff's cat starts scratching a table and wall, you'll hear quite a bit of that.

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, BABIES. Our first ep in the final 5 of Round Springfield are here! Just in time for Father's Day – we're kicking off with the father-daughter writing team behind the episode, "Yokel Hero" – Jeff and Samantha Martin! You may remember Jeff from ECUS where he gabbed about being part of the writing team in the early days and the go-to songwriter for hits like "Streetcar! The Musical" and "Baby On Board" (which Sam was the inspiration behind!). Samantha always thought of herself as a performer, but explains the moment she realized she wanted to become a writer – but still NEVER thought she'd write a Simpsons with her Dad. It's a sweet hang with a family steeped in Simpsons history and the kind of chat you immediately call your Dad after. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

There's only five more episodes left in our limited series Round Springfield! We're so excited to share some of the folks we have lined up in the near future -- but we're taking a bit of a step back from our regular schedule to secure and record with those heavy-hitters to bring you a star-studded final five episodes. We can't wait for you to check out what we have in store. This message was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

An absolute legend – the great Donick Cary joins us on the latest episode. He's written some truly classic Simpsons episodes: "In Marge We Trust," "The Last Temptation of Krust," "Treehouse of Horror IX & X," "Thirty Minutes over Tokyo," and more! He throws it back to working at Late Night with David Letterman – and running around a bear suit in New York with Letterman feeding him tasks through an earpiece. We also chat about his Netflix film "Have a Good Trip." Plus, the story and inspiring hard work behind his charity organization Musack. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

The podcast table's are turned as Allie's joined by friend of the show Jordan Morris ("Jordan, Jesse, GO!", "Bubble") to interview Julia about penning the latest "Treehouse of Horror" on The Simpsons. Together, they talk favorite moments, the thrill of killing Gil and all the extra stuff that didn't make it to air. Keep the Halloween holiday spirit going because time is a flat circle when you're in quar, baby! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

There's only seven episodes left in this limited series! Allie and Julia share an update on the podcast – we'll be taking a short break as we secure more Simpsons folks. Stick around, Allie and Julia also catch up on what we've been up to in their quar corner. They've got movie and reality tv recommendations. Plus, hot tips on how to make your own peanut butter and mustard. Here's the story mentioned in this episode about limited series where Round Springfield was interviewed! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Dana Gould! Dana Gould! Dana Gould! Long time stand up comedian, and a prolific television writer joins us for a trip down memory lane. Dana served as co-executive producer for The Simpsons from 2002 to 2008, with an astonishing 145 episode credits according to IMDB –meaning Dana Gould has helped produce nearly 1/5 of the entire Simpsons catalog! He shares some wisdom he's learned along the way during his time in showbiz. Plus, we ask him about one of his most beloved voice acting gigs – a little character named Gex. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Simpsons' consulting producer Christine Nangle joins us on the latest episode! Before The Simpsons Christine was a writer for Inside Amy Schumer, Saturday Night Live, Kroll Show, and The President Show – we get into all of it! Plus, we dig into her time studying improv and how it helped her find herself in the world of comedy. She'll also reflect on her childhood and why it took her so long to try to give comedy a try. We get deep everyone … like therapy session DEEP with this one. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call … because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

We'll welcome back actor, director, writer, producer, Jay Kogen! He's probably best known for his Emmy-award winning work on Frasier, and contributions on Malcolm in the Middle and the Austin Powers film series. On The Simpsons he wrote some truly classic episodes like "Lisa the Greek," "Homer's Odyssey," "Last Exit to Springfield," and more. He worked on The Simpsons at a time when it was still finding its footing – he co-created characters like Mr. Burns and Edna Krabappel … we get into it! Plus, we take a look back at the short-lived Nickelodeon show Wendell & Vinnie and why it's one of the things he's most proud of. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

It’s the final week of the #MaxFunDrive 2020! Thanks to everyone who has joined or upgraded their Maximum Fun membership so far. Right now is the best time to support this show and all of the Max Fun podcasts you love by starting a monthly membership or upgrading your existing one! Listen carefully and find out how you can help out during the drive. Visit https://maximumfun.org/join/ to become a member.

We’re joined by legendary Simpsons director David Silverman! He's currently a consulting producer on The Simpsons – but he's contributed to the show in so many ways including animation and writing. We'll take a deep dive into old school cartoons. David throws us back to his childhood and explains how his mother's career as an art historian changed his life. He'll chat about some run-ins he had with some of his heroes. Plus, BURNING MAN and his FLAMING TUBA. So many truly unbelievable stories! The MaxFunDrive continues! Right now is the best time to support this show and all of the MaxFun podcasts you love by starting a monthly membership or upgrading your existing one! Listen carefully and find out how you can help out during the drive, and get your very own Round Springfield enamel pin. Plus, learn about other great gifts for becoming a member. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

It's week two of the #MaxFunDrive! Right now is the best time to support this show and all of the Max Fun podcasts you love by starting a monthly membership or upgrading your existing one! Listen carefully and find out how you can help out during the drive, and get your very own Round Springfield enamel pin. Plus, learn about other great gifts for becoming a member.

The MaxFunDrive kicks off this week! Right now is the best time to support this show and all of the MaxFun podcasts you love by starting a monthly membership or upgrading your existing one! Listen carefully and find out how you can help out during the drive. We’re joined by legendary Simpsons voice actor Maggie Roswell! She’ll give us a behind the scenes look at her iconic Simpsons characters and how she brought them to life: Maude Flanders! Helen Lovejoy! Miss Hoover! Luann Van Houten! Maggie chats about her journey in voice-over – and her road to The Simpsons. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes (this one sounds like a zoom call ... because it is!) – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

We're thrilled to share this conversation with author and illustrator, Liz Climo! She'll tell us about her longtime stint at The Simpsons where she was a character artist and storyboard revisionist. Her path to The Simpsons is truly something else! She's the author of Please Don’t Eat Me, Rory the Dinosaur, The Little World of Liz Climo, Lobster is the Best Medicine, and more. She shares a very touching story about her book: You're Mom: A Little Book for Mothers. Liz also talks about her line of greeting cards, upcoming projects, working on The Simpsons Movie, and shares an incredible story about Julie Kavner! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

This week, we welcome back Simpsons writer Brian Kelley! Last time on "ECUS" we talked to him about the Season 29 premiere episode "The Serfsons". This time, we expand the conversation to include his experiences writing on Futurama, NewsRadio and the much-maligned Friends spin-off Joey! Brian's impressive resume is as long as his spirit is embiggening to the smallest man (which is to say, a LOT). Join Allie and Julia as we venture down this '90s-centric walk down Brian's memory lane -- including the time he wrote sketches for his comedy hero Steve Martin on SNL! This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. If you’d like to support the Black Lives Matter movement here’s some of the organizations Max Fun staff have been donating to over the past couple weeks: NAACP Legal Defense Fund Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter LA Reclaim the Block Know Your Rights Camp Equal Justice Initiative ActBlue – Various Bail Funds Breonna Taylor Petition Max Fun shows mentioned: Minority Korner FANTI

We’re joined by long time “Simpsons” writer Mike Price! He’ll tell us how he got his start as a writer, and various odd jobs he picked up along the way. Mike is the creator of “F is for Family” and gives us the scoop on the latest season. You can check out new episodes on Netflix starting June 12th. This episode was recorded remotely during quarantine. You might notice differing audio quality from previous episodes – but we’re trying to make it work for you! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.