Disney Isn’t Censoring The Simpsons, Says Producer

Although The Simpsonshas moved to Disney+, producer Michael Price confirms that it will not look very different moving forward, as the family-friendly Mouse House is not planning to censor the series. The Simpsons is an animated sitcom that needs no introduction, having graced American television sets since 1989. Matt Groening’s satirical lampooning of middle-class American life has aired – since its inception – on Fox, and Disney’s acquisition of the studio is one of the biggest shakeups in the show’s history. Disney+ promotional material placed The Simpsons at the forefront of advertising for the streaming service, but the show made it clear that its new parent wasn’t safe from its wit and criticism, calling Disney its “corporate overlord.”

Fan fears of The Simpsons changing in uncertain times continue to loom in the background, as the pop cultural phenomenon has become of staple of life in many American homes. Minor controversy shook fans of the series upon discovering that earlier seasons of The Simpsons were being presented on Disney+ in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, as opposed to the original 4:3, meaning that many visual gags were ruined by cropping. The problem took six months to fix. The series is no stranger to controversy either, and has occasionally been dragged into the national conversation. Most recently, senior legal advisor to President Donald Trump, Jenna Ellis, mockingly compared Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris’ voice to that of Marge Simpson – and Marge fired back. So, it wouldn’t be off-base for fans to worry that Disney may not be willing to have its properties jump into political squabbles like that, but as its loyal viewers have argued, what would The Simpsons be without its fighting spirit?

Fortunately, producer Michael Price confirmed recently that The Simpsons will not be censored or majorly changed by Disney. Speaking in an interview with CBR, Price allayed fan concerns, saying that he hasn’t noticed any change in content since the show’s acquisition. He also went on to praise the decision to make The Simpsons available on Disney+ and says the folks at Disney have been very helpful to the production staff:

As far as the content of the show [and any difference since the acquisition], not that I’ve noticed; they more or less let us do what we do. The show was on Fox, originally, so we’re still working for the Fox Network; the Fox Studio is now owned by Disney. I haven’t had any direct interactions with anyone from Disney as far as I can tell. They just let us do what do and make the show that we’ve been doing for 32 years. They know that everyone knows what they’re doing. They’ve been very helpful and it’s been great that they’ve put the show on Disney+.

Aside from the aspect ratio snag, Disney appears to be making an effort with The Simpsons, one of hundreds of properties that have been brought under its umbrella, but easily among the most beloved. Disney+ features groupings of episodes based on themes the show has tackled countless times, such as travel, sports, and even the series’ famous future predictions. It’s no doubt that the way we view The Simpsons is changing and, as it has countless times over 32 years, the series itself continues to evolve. Oftentimes, it’s for the better; just this year the producers confirmed that white actors will no longer voice non-white characters.

In the interview, Price also alluded to the potential for both Disney and The Simpsons to benefit one another and help promote each other’s content. The producer pointed to this year’s Playdate with Destiny short, modeled after classic cartoons and starring baby Maggie, was shown ahead of Disney/Pixar’s Onward, which was also the last film Price says he saw in theaters. The Simpsons thrives on people, fads, and properties to lampoon, and falling under the Disney umbrella is like bringing a fox into the chicken coop, comedically. Before the series even hit its season 32 premiere, lovable oaf Homer had already assumed his mantle as a Disney princess. Thankfully, it seems the hilarity, after 32 years, isn’t in any immediate danger.

Source: CBR

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