The Simpsons Producer Reveals Origins Of Poochie Episode
Former The Simpsons showrunner and writer Josh Weinstein reveals that Poochie's debut episode had in fact been inspired by a Fox executive's request. Titled "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show," the episode was part of the animated sitcom's eighth season in 1997. Weinstein served as co-showrunner from the show's The Simpsons seasons 7 and 8.
In season 8, episode 14, "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show," Krusty the Clown's (Dan Castellaneta) complaints about his show's falling ratings are met by executives gathering a focus group featuring Lisa (Yeardley Smith) to find out why viewers are losing interest in the show. Concluding that the show needs a new character, Poochie the Dog joins the cast of The Itchy & Scratchy Show, with Homer (Castellaneta) voicing the cool hound. When Poochie is received poorly, the character is killed off despite Homer's pleas and emotional bids, with Homer ultimately concluding it as simply being part of the life in showbusiness. As The Simpsons continues its popularity on new platforms, former co-showrunner and writer Weinstein has opened up about one of his tenure's most referenced episodes, and how the story was inspired by real conversations surrounding the show's production.
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Speaking to THR, Weinstein revealed that "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" was inspired by real-life conversations about The Simpsons' future with Fox executives. While the studio couldn't directly interfere with the production, Weinstein stated that he and fellow showrunner Bill Oakley instead had to have yearly meetings with Fox's president and executives to discuss the show. During one such meeting, one executive suggested that the two
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