{"product_id":"springfield-confidential-jokes-secrets-and-outright-lies-from-a-lifetime-writing-for-the-simpsons-isbn-9780062748034","title":"Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-Finalist for the 2019 James Thurber Award * \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of \u003cem\u003eVulture's\u003c\/em\u003e Top-10 Comedy Books of 2018 * \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \"Must\" pick by \u003cem\u003eEntertainment Weekly * \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn \u003cem\u003eA.V. Club \u003c\/em\u003eBest Books selection * \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \"New and Noteworthy\" selection by \u003cem\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn celebration of \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFour-time Emmy winner Mike Reiss—who has worked on\u003cem\u003e The Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e continuously since episode one in 1989—shares stories, scandals, and gossip about working with America’s most iconic cartoon family ever. Reiss explains how the episodes are created, and provides an inside look at the show’s writers, animators, actors and celebrity guests. He answers a range of questions from \u003cem\u003eSimpsons\u003c\/em\u003e fans and die-hards, and reminisces about the making of perennially favorite episodes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his freewheeling, irreverent comic style, Reiss reflects on his lifetime inside \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e—a personal highlights reel of his achievements, observations, and favorite stories. \u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e exposes why Matt Groening decided to make all of the characters yellow; dishes on what it’s like to be crammed in a room full of funny writers sixty hours a week; and tells what Reiss learned after traveling to seventy-one countries where \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e is watched (ironic note: there’s no electricity in many of these places); and even reveals where Springfield is located! He features unique interviews with Judd Apatow, who also provided the foreword, and Conan O'Brien, as well as with Simpsons legends Al Jean, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and more. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike Cary Elwes’ \u003cem\u003eAs You Wish\u003c\/em\u003e, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s \u003cem\u003eSeinfeldia\u003c\/em\u003e, and Chris Smith’s \u003cem\u003eThe Daily Show: An Oral History\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e is a funny, informational, and exclusive look at one of the most beloved programs in all of television land.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe longest-serving Simpsons writer and all-around funnyman Mike Reiss delivers the ultimate fan guide to the most popular animated show in American history\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMike Reiss has spent his lifetime—well, thirty years—at \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons,\u003c\/em\u003e since the show’s debut in 1989, as a writer, producer, and showrunner. As such, he knows a lot about these four-fingered freaks and their crazy antics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential,\u003c\/em\u003e he shares his behind-the-scenes stories about his work on the most iconic American cartoon family ever. Reiss pulls back the curtain for those curious about how \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e works, answers burning questions from \u003cem\u003eSimpsons\u003c\/em\u003e die-hards, and shares never-before-told stories about creating favorite episodes and characters. In his freewheeling, irreverent comic style, Reiss reflects on his lifetime inside \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e—a personal highlight reel of his achievements, observations, and favorite anecdotes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe’ll reveal why the Simpsons are yellow; how Lisa became one of the first “deep” cartoon characters ever; what it’s like to be in the writing room stuffed with funny guys (and one hilarious woman); what he’s learned after traveling to every country where the show is watched (many have \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e, but not flush toilets); and lots of inside dish on the show’s animators, actors, and celebrity guests.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReiss also sheds light on the writing he’s done for cult series (\u003cem\u003eThe Critic, ALF, Sledge Hammer!), \u003c\/em\u003ehit movies (five \u003cem\u003eIce Age\u003c\/em\u003e films, two \u003cem\u003eDespicable Me\u003c\/em\u003es, and a dozen more), and comedy legends (Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, and, yes, even Pope Francis!).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e is a treat for not only devout \u003cem\u003eSimpsons\u003c\/em\u003e fans but comedy fans everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“Not until \u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e has one really nailed what it’s like to work in the mystical promised land of The Simpsons’ offices. Reiss shares the pride, joy, frustration, gratitude, grueling labor, and sense of luck that are a part of bringing Springfield to life.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVulture\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Extremely funny and fascinating.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVanity Fair\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e offers a wealth of great anecdotes, all peppered with punchlines that make Reiss’s memoir as hilarious as whichever season of \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e you recall most fondly.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e spills all of the juicy secrets from behind the scenes of your dad’s favorite cartoon, and after reading it, he may never be able to look at Homer the same way again.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBustle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Founding \u003cem\u003eSimpsons\u003c\/em\u003e writer Reiss offers a funny and factoid-filled glimpse behind the curtain — or, brown couch — of the beloved sitcom...a surprising view of Springfield you’ve never heard before.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In \u003cem\u003eSpringfield Confidential\u003c\/em\u003e, Reiss offers a breezy history of the show from his insider’s perspective, from its dismal early prospects to its astonishing success, with insights aimed squarely at the Comic Book Guy variety of \u003cem\u003eSimpsons \u003c\/em\u003efans.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe A.V. Club\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Always entertaining and frequently laugh-out-loud-hilarious. There have been a lot of books written about \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e, some of them good but most not so much, and this is hands down one of the very best.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mike Reiss is a great example of somebody who writes for a living and does it so well in so many different ways. And, of course, he helped write this thing called \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons.\u003c\/em\u003e” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDan Castellaneta, longtime voice of Homer Simpson\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mike Reiss always brings his own unique, quirky, eccentric genius with him.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNancy Cartwright, longtime voice of Bart Simpson\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e is one of America’s greatest cultural products of last few decades, and Mike Reiss was and remains one of its key creators. So if you like \u003cem\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/em\u003e, why wouldn’t you read this entertaining, charming and informative insider’s chronicle? I did, and I’m better for it.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKurt Andersen, novelist and SPY magazine founder\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Besides providing a hilarious look at what is perhaps the greatest TV show of all time, Mike Reiss has also created a staggering literary work that is almost completely devoid of typos and grammatical errors. It’s well worth the price of this book for the proofreading skills alone.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e“Weird Al” Yankovic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Always honest, playful, and engaging, the book will provide fans with deep insight into the show’s history but also into its daily production and future...A charming look at a cherished American show.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Reiss has done a masterful job of compiling this laugh-filled account of his long years as a writer on this beloved show. It’s the sort of book that makes you wish your dinner guests would go the hell home so you can get back to reading it.”           - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDick Cavett\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The good is always rare. A truly great comic is rare. Mike Reiss, by definition, is a rarity.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eConan O’Brien\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dey Street Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888488444133,"sku":"NP9780062748034","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062748034.jpg?v=1730229197","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/springfield-confidential-jokes-secrets-and-outright-lies-from-a-lifetime-writing-for-the-simpsons-isbn-9780062748034","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}