Behind the Laughter
- Episode aired May 21, 2000
- TV-14
- 30m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
Fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at "The Simpsons," revisiting some of the most memorable experiences the family has been through.Fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at "The Simpsons," revisiting some of the most memorable experiences the family has been through.Fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at "The Simpsons," revisiting some of the most memorable experiences the family has been through.
Photos
Dan Castellaneta
- Homer Simpson
- (voice)
- …
Julie Kavner
- Marge Simpson
- (voice)
Nancy Cartwright
- Bart Simpson
- (voice)
Yeardley Smith
- Lisa Simpson
- (voice)
Hank Azaria
- Moe Szyslak
- (voice)
- …
Harry Shearer
- Lenny
- (voice)
- …
Buzz Aldrin
- Buzz Aldrin
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
Gary Coleman
- Gary Coleman
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
Jim Forbes
- Narrator
- (voice)
Stephen Hawking
- Stephen Hawking
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
Willie Nelson
- Willie Nelson
- (voice)
Butch Patrick
- Butch Patrick
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
Marcia Wallace
- Edna Krabappel
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
Karl Wiedergott
- Jimmy Carter
- (voice)
- …
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe narrator announces "this northern Kentucky family...", so with this information, Springfield is generally thought to be in Kentucky. However, the narrator was indicating that the family originally came from Kentucky, but that is not where they live currently. Furthermore, the DVD subtitles say "southern Missouri" instead of "northern Kentucky", emphasizing the gag that the location of Springfield is unknown.
- Alternate versionsIn the episode "Behind the Laughter", the first time it aired on Fox, it said that the "real" Simpson family was from northern Kentucky; the second and third time Fox aired the episode, it was changed to southern Missouri.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Times The Simpsons Roasted Other Shows (2022)
Featured review
Season 11: Really only memorable for how far it falls in almost no time at all
Although I watched a lot of The Simpsons when it came to the UK, I think around this time in the run was when I lost touch, since in this period of rewatching the series, it was now that I found myself watching the majority of the episodes for the first time. This chance was, if I recall, because I lost Sky (or the show moved to Sky from Channel 4 – I don't remember), and I just never watched it again due to it not being accessible. Having watched the eleventh season now, I do think that there was an element of good fortune to this, because by far the most memorable aspect of this season is how far and how fast it falls from the quality of the seasons before. I had of course read of the decline of the show, but I had assumed it would occur nearer season 20, not so close to the glory days I remembered – but here it was.
There are still some laughs, but generally the plots are silly and do not have the charm or wit needed to sell them in the way the show at its best did. Many feel lazy and really lacking in the level of crafting and finesse that they should have. I'm not meaning to ignore everything that has gone before because, like the last episode of this season highlights, the show has never had the most realistic plots – in particular putting Homer through a lot of punishment; however this season is different as there is not that strong foundation of smartness, character, charm, and wit. It is hard to describe, but having watched these first eleven seasons in a comparatively short period, I was really surprised by just how jarring the drop in comparative quality was here. Needless to say the animation remains very good, and the voice cast have their usual great timing and delivery, but the material is really below the show's high standard and it is this that does it in.
The reason I started watching through the seasons from the first one, was mainly to catch up on a show I stopped watching around season 10. This eleventh season made me consider whether I should just call it a day at this point and, although I will continue and give it a chance, it was surprising to see the drop-off.
There are still some laughs, but generally the plots are silly and do not have the charm or wit needed to sell them in the way the show at its best did. Many feel lazy and really lacking in the level of crafting and finesse that they should have. I'm not meaning to ignore everything that has gone before because, like the last episode of this season highlights, the show has never had the most realistic plots – in particular putting Homer through a lot of punishment; however this season is different as there is not that strong foundation of smartness, character, charm, and wit. It is hard to describe, but having watched these first eleven seasons in a comparatively short period, I was really surprised by just how jarring the drop in comparative quality was here. Needless to say the animation remains very good, and the voice cast have their usual great timing and delivery, but the material is really below the show's high standard and it is this that does it in.
The reason I started watching through the seasons from the first one, was mainly to catch up on a show I stopped watching around season 10. This eleventh season made me consider whether I should just call it a day at this point and, although I will continue and give it a chance, it was surprising to see the drop-off.
helpful•1317
- bob the moo
- Aug 14, 2015
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content