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Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons
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In celebration of The Simpsons thirtieth anniversary, the show’s longest-serving writer and producer offers a humorous look at the writing and making of the legendary Fox series that has become one of the most revered artistic achievements in television history.
Four-time Emmy winner Mike Reiss—who has worked on The Simpsons continuously since episode one in 1989—shares stories,on ...more
Four-time Emmy winner Mike Reiss—who has worked on The Simpsons continuously since episode one in 1989—shares stories,on ...more
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Start your review of Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons
SPRINGFIELD CONFIDENTIAL is chock full of exactly what every Simpson fan would want-behind the scenes information, (so to speak, it's a cartoon), a little background on the main writer and all the others, a bit of name dropping, (and maybe a little dirt?), on the hundreds of guest stars, and finally, the stories about how certain jokes came about. It's a quick, breezy, informative and fun book.
Mike Reiss has been writing for The Simpsons from almost day one. He and everyone else on the show never thought ...more
Mike Reiss has been writing for The Simpsons from almost day one. He and everyone else on the show never thought ...more
"Like most things on The Simpsons, we didn't plan it."
You should know something about me: The Simpsons is my favorite show.
I mean it. I know people out there have five or six answers when asked the question, "What's your favorite show?" and that's awesome, but for me, it's always been The Simpsons. I can admit that tons of new shows have come out since that are funnier and stronger and better animated.
But I will always choose The Simpsons, and that's a fact.
So when I heard ...more
It's certainly okay. Breezy, geeky, slight and silly fun. Perfectly fine as a mechanism for adorable Simpsons errata, but Mike Reiss's occasional hackery gets in the way. Its transformation from Springfield Confidential to Mike Reiss memoir happens a bit oddly, even if I did appreciate hearing about my dearly beloved The Critic. He boasts about a "That's what my wife said at my wedding night" moment (barf), throws in some Muslim jokes for good measure, and has a bizarre assessment of Richard Pryor "per
...more
Review of the audiobook narrated by the author.
The Simpsons is my favorite show that I haven't watched in a decade. At one point I had the DVD box sets for the first 13 seasons of the show (maybe I still have them... I don't know anymore now that everything is streaming). I used to watch each episode and then watch them again with commentary. So, I had listened to Mike Reiss many times before in those commentaries (season 1-4 and occasionally afterwards) and listening to him narrate ...more
The Simpsons is my favorite show that I haven't watched in a decade. At one point I had the DVD box sets for the first 13 seasons of the show (maybe I still have them... I don't know anymore now that everything is streaming). I used to watch each episode and then watch them again with commentary. So, I had listened to Mike Reiss many times before in those commentaries (season 1-4 and occasionally afterwards) and listening to him narrate ...more
A peek into the world of comedy writing, animation, television production, world travel and more by Mike Reiss. This guy has been around since the beginning of the Simpsons show and has a lot of fun and funny stories to share.
Whether you're a die hard fan, a casual watcher, or not really into the Simpsons (who?!), everybody can get some laughs from the book while learning how this animated show is made. Despite the jokes about the writer's room (people sleeping or doing crosswords all day) it's ...more
Whether you're a die hard fan, a casual watcher, or not really into the Simpsons (who?!), everybody can get some laughs from the book while learning how this animated show is made. Despite the jokes about the writer's room (people sleeping or doing crosswords all day) it's ...more
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Springfield Confidential reads very much like a Simpsons version of a biography - irreverent, sarcastic, self effacing, and never taking itself too seriously. But at the same time, I actually want the serious version here - all the endless jokes and "no not really" after reading four paragraphs of 'truths' was frustrating. I don't read biographies for comedy nor fluff and at some point it was getting really hard to tell what was real and what was made u ...more
Shopkeeper: Take this object, but beware it carries a terrible curse!
Homer: Ooh, that's bad.
Shopkeeper: But it comes with a free frogurt!
Homer: That's good.
Shopkeeper: The frogurt is also cursed.
Homer: That's bad.
Shopkeeper: But you get your choice of toppings.
Homer: That's good!
Shopkeeper: The toppings contain potassium benzoate.
[Homer looks puzzled]
Shopkeeper: ...That's bad.< ...more
Homer: Ooh, that's bad.
Shopkeeper: But it comes with a free frogurt!
Homer: That's good.
Shopkeeper: The frogurt is also cursed.
Homer: That's bad.
Shopkeeper: But you get your choice of toppings.
Homer: That's good!
Shopkeeper: The toppings contain potassium benzoate.
[Homer looks puzzled]
Shopkeeper: ...That's bad.< ...more
RATING: 3 Stars
2018; Dey Street Books/HarperCollins Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
The Simpsons is a show that most everyone in my family could agree on, if not always for the same reasons. I was the same age as Bart when the show started, and felt this kinship with Lisa for books and not fitting in. It is hard to characterize this book -it's a mix of trivia, behind the scenes and biography of the show. I read the first few chapters and then found myself skimming to the "good" ...more
2018; Dey Street Books/HarperCollins Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
The Simpsons is a show that most everyone in my family could agree on, if not always for the same reasons. I was the same age as Bart when the show started, and felt this kinship with Lisa for books and not fitting in. It is hard to characterize this book -it's a mix of trivia, behind the scenes and biography of the show. I read the first few chapters and then found myself skimming to the "good" ...more
It’s exactly the kind of book you’d expect a writer for The Simpsons to write but it has some truly funny and insightful moments and it makes me want to watch the show again.
Despite wandering away from their contemporary adventures, The Simpsons is important to me. Not just me, but most people from my generation. Rarely a day goes by without at least one quote deliberately or unconsciously slipping its way into an unrelated conversation. A show so fiendishly clever in its in-tric-acies. See, there I go.
At any rate, we owe much of it to this feisty feline Mike Reiss. Taking us through his time before The Simpsons, during the The Simpsons, after The Simpsons, and back again at The Simpsons, Reiss ne ...more
At any rate, we owe much of it to this feisty feline Mike Reiss. Taking us through his time before The Simpsons, during the The Simpsons, after The Simpsons, and back again at The Simpsons, Reiss ne ...more
I confess, I am not a big fan of the Simpsons, Homer tends to annoy me too much to be able to watch the show religiously.
I am though a fan of trivia and behind the scenes information and this book certainly delivers. Brilliantly fascinating read, with a author who is not afraid of voicing his opinion, without any shame or disclaimers. Quite refreshing really.
I am though a fan of trivia and behind the scenes information and this book certainly delivers. Brilliantly fascinating read, with a author who is not afraid of voicing his opinion, without any shame or disclaimers. Quite refreshing really.
An episode about Grandpa going fishing is entitled "the Old Man and the She". Or, one of the writers suggested a gag where Homer see a form which says, 'Do Nott write in the box', and Homer writes,
"OK." Then, there's the joke about Brook Sheilds being so bad playing the role of Ann Franks that when the actors playing Nazis came onstage, the audience yelled, 'she's in the attic'.
Much of this book is funny, enlightening about how the show gets written, acted, and animated, and mu ...more
"OK." Then, there's the joke about Brook Sheilds being so bad playing the role of Ann Franks that when the actors playing Nazis came onstage, the audience yelled, 'she's in the attic'.
Much of this book is funny, enlightening about how the show gets written, acted, and animated, and mu ...more
Springfield Confidential by Mike Reiss is a book that takes you behind the scenes of one of the longest running shows in American television history, The Simpsons. Springfield Confidential is hilarious. The book is fast paced, irreverent and packed with jokes, similar to a Simpsons episode. While the book does have confidential in the title, and Reiss does give you a behind the scenes look at how the show is made, there is little attention paid to any of the juicy drama between the producers, wr
...more
I somehow missed rating this one. Probably because I was moving at the time.
An audiobook is a great friend when you're moving. Because you basically have a lot of time to perform a lot of boring tasks.
My life fantasy will always be gaining enough wealth to have a move go like this:
1. I tell my Alfred that we're moving.
2. I pick out a house on Zillow, hire someone to check it out for me.
3. I tell Alfred my moving dates.
4. I leave on vacation for a week.
...more
An audiobook is a great friend when you're moving. Because you basically have a lot of time to perform a lot of boring tasks.
My life fantasy will always be gaining enough wealth to have a move go like this:
1. I tell my Alfred that we're moving.
2. I pick out a house on Zillow, hire someone to check it out for me.
3. I tell Alfred my moving dates.
4. I leave on vacation for a week.
...more
You know what you get from me when your book slams Nichols and May?
A two-star rating.
A two-star rating.
So, SO Ghostwritten. It's basically a transcript of a long interview with Mike Reiss. The guy's a professional writer, I don't understand why he needs a ghostwriter. Reiss is an interesting and engaging subject, but I was looking for a little more in-depth detail about how The Simpsons is written, especially in the 90s, when it was good. He spends about two chapters on this part of his life, the rest, while interesting, isn't really what I wanted out of this book. Good but a little disappointing
...more
This is a very pleasant trivia book. If you are a big fan, you have probably read it already. If you are not too impressed with the Simpsons, than you might find yourself asking "so what?"
As most human beings, I love The Simpsons. In fact, I love the show so much I just couldn't think of a favorite episode to include here because so many come to mind! (I spent like 45 minutes trying to decide, not joking).
I've spent countless hours watching the show but, for some reason (looking at you, John Swartzwelder), I read about this book for the first time only three days ago!
And, of course, I decided to stop everything and start reading it immediately.
In Springfield Confidential, Mike Reiss ...more
I've spent countless hours watching the show but, for some reason (looking at you, John Swartzwelder), I read about this book for the first time only three days ago!
And, of course, I decided to stop everything and start reading it immediately.
In Springfield Confidential, Mike Reiss ...more
A solid 4.5 stars. Can’t quite give 5, because although Mike Reiss is an excellent writer, I’m pretty sure Jesus was the only perfect Jew. See what I did there? That’s the kind of witty one-liner you’ll expect to find throughout this book and these are the kind of quips the Simpsons writers have used throughout the series, rendering it both endearing and ENDURING. (Although Reiss’ jokes are much funnier and this book actually made me chuckle. OUT LOUD). Reiss’ homage to Springfield’s favourite f
...more
A fun little memoir filled with lots of great little behind-the-scenes anecdotes and also inside opinions on stories I had already heard. It was well placed and never dwelled on any one subject for too long, so I found it really easy to read through quickly.
Reiss packs a bunch of little joke asides in constantly and for the most part they are pretty funny, but one problem I had (which I'm sure Reiss would find hilarious) is that sometimes I couldn't tell if something actually happened or was ju ...more
Reiss packs a bunch of little joke asides in constantly and for the most part they are pretty funny, but one problem I had (which I'm sure Reiss would find hilarious) is that sometimes I couldn't tell if something actually happened or was ju ...more
Mike Reiss is funny, like really funny. This book was an absolute delight, and if you're more than a casual fan of the Simpsons, you're sure to love it. It's a story of Reiss's journey through three decades with the Simpsons, complete with inside stories and little nerd trivia and tidbits along the way. And all throughout, the book is really genuinely funny. Little witty quips throughout, and you can really see how sharp-witted and smart and humorous a writer like Reiss must have to be to write
...more
I am a HUGE Simpsons fan...of the early seasons, not so much not. This book has a lot of inside tidbits of info on how the show came to be. Sometimes it is all over the place with its narrative but the love that the original creators had for this show is all too real. Personally, the humor in this show shaped my understanding of what I find funny and how I go about telling jokes. For that, it will forever remain as my favorite show of all time.
This book rekindled my passion for The Simpsons and offers amusing insights into the like of a tv (and other media) writers. Best of all, this book is funny, often laugh-out-loud funny. It also had a lively pace and, dare I say, impeccable timing. A really enjoyable read for fans of the Simpsons and comedy in general. Not recommended for Tim Allen or Kim Kardashian.
Awesome biography. Lots of really funny and interesting stories about the making of The Simpsons. Plenty of gossip about the celebrity guest stars, and great insults (Louis CK: Actor, Writer, Masturbator). Regardless of how big of a Simpsons fan you are, this is a great read.
This laugh-out-loud peek at the machinery behind the uber-successful Simpsons is a must for any Simpsons fan. Not only did I chuckle my head off, I learned a lot about how an animated TV show is put together.
I think this is the third book I've read about the Simpsons. It's definitely the best.
Reiss' book was breezy, funny, and full of little details that delighted this long time Simpsons fan.
Really, really, fun; a wonderful book to have found after reading the crap I've read lately. A soothing balm. A palette cleanser.
Reiss' book was breezy, funny, and full of little details that delighted this long time Simpsons fan.
Really, really, fun; a wonderful book to have found after reading the crap I've read lately. A soothing balm. A palette cleanser.
Great read for anyone who grew up watching The Simpsons! I learned a lot and it was cool to have a behind-the-scenes look and tidbits of information to some of the funniest and memorable gags!
D'oh!
A solid 3.5 stars for all the pages except the one about Apu which is mushy .5 stars
The Kenny Bania of books.
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