Al Jean Interview - The Simpsons: When Billie Met Lisa
The Simpsons has been going strong for 33 years and, thanks in part to showrunner Al Jean's ability to constantly reinvent the wheel, remains in the hearts and on the minds of American audiences. With the advent of streaming and Disney's acquisition of Fox, the long-running animated comedy series has also found a new way to entertain folks at home: shorts exclusively airing on Disney+.
«When Billie Met Lisa» is the next short on the docket, premiering April 22 on the streaming service. It follows in the footsteps of the Emmy-nominated "Maggie Simpson In: The Force Awakens From Its Nap" and the incredibly popular "The Good, the Bart, and the Loki." This time, of course, the sibling in the spotlight is Lisa Simpson (voiced by Yeardley Smith). In the course of finding the perfect spot to practice her sax, she runs into megastar Billie Eilish and unleashes a jam session heretofore unknown to humankind.
Related: Every Albert Brooks Character In The Simpsons, Ranked
Jean spoke to Screen Rant about what inspired the crew to tackle «When Billie Met Lisa,» how The Simpsons has stayed relevant for over three decades, and what it was like to work with Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas.
You have been working on The Simpsons from the moment of my birth, as a personal celebration of my existence. In that time, so much has changed in terms of animation and storytelling, yet The Simpsons still remains at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. How do you do it?
Al Jean: Well, I can give you an analogy. You're old as the Simpsons, but people never ask you, «When are you going to end?» We just keep going! We're having a lot of fun. This year has been one of the most exciting in the history of the show. The show's been great; we've
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