Do you like the Stonecutters song? How about "See My Vest"? Were you impressed when Bart Simpson and Michael Jackson sang a birthday song to Lisa? How do you feel about the celebrity-laced barn-burner "We're Sending Out Love Down the Well"? Do you like the stage musicals of "Checking In," or "Stop the Planet of the Apes! I Want to Get Off!"? I'm personally fond of the song about Spirngfield's brothel, "Spring in Springfield," a throwback to bawdy farces of the 1930s. And who could forget when Lyle Lanley led the entire town in a musical number about a monorail? Or when Homer, Apu, Seymour Skinner, and Barney formed a barbershop quartet to perform "Baby on Board"?
Point being "The Simpsons" has featured many, many original songs in its 850-year tenure on television, and that doesn't even count the hit record "The Simpsons Sing the Blues" from 1990. Many of the...
Point being "The Simpsons" has featured many, many original songs in its 850-year tenure on television, and that doesn't even count the hit record "The Simpsons Sing the Blues" from 1990. Many of the...
- 3/31/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
“Moonlighting” lovers are a dedicated crew — it was the kind of wildly imaginative, smart, sophisticated series that inspired passionate loyalty over the course of its 66 episodes (the two-part pilot is shown as a single episode) and five seasons on the air. What’s even more remarkable about fans’ dedication is the relative rarity of the series; the Glenn Gordon Caron-created genre hybrid has rarely been in regular syndication and its DVD releases have been out of print since 2013.
Not that the DVD releases really satisfied the die-hard fans. Sure, they got to relive just what all the fuss was about when the show took the country by storm back in 1985, as former model Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and wise guy detective David Addison (a pre-“Die Hard” Bruce Willis) investigated crimes, bickered, broke the fourth wall, and generally served as television trailblazers up to and including the “Moonlighting” curse...
Not that the DVD releases really satisfied the die-hard fans. Sure, they got to relive just what all the fuss was about when the show took the country by storm back in 1985, as former model Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and wise guy detective David Addison (a pre-“Die Hard” Bruce Willis) investigated crimes, bickered, broke the fourth wall, and generally served as television trailblazers up to and including the “Moonlighting” curse...
- 10/10/2023
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
Chris Ledesma, who served as the beloved music editor of The Simpsons on every one of its first 734 episodes, from the Fox animated series’ premiere in 1989 through a 34th-season installment in November, has died. He was 64.
Ledesma died Dec. 16 in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for the show told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was revealed.
Ledesma had been hired to fill in as a music editor on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, where The Simpsons began as a series of shorts playing in and out of commercials. He then started on the spinoff on Nov. 22, 1989.
“I was skeptical of turning the little 30- and 60-second featurettes on Tracey into a full-fledged, half-hour show,” he wrote on his blog in 2011. “All that went out the window as soon as I saw the first two shows.”
Ledesma noted on Twitter in September...
Chris Ledesma, who served as the beloved music editor of The Simpsons on every one of its first 734 episodes, from the Fox animated series’ premiere in 1989 through a 34th-season installment in November, has died. He was 64.
Ledesma died Dec. 16 in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for the show told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was revealed.
Ledesma had been hired to fill in as a music editor on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, where The Simpsons began as a series of shorts playing in and out of commercials. He then started on the spinoff on Nov. 22, 1989.
“I was skeptical of turning the little 30- and 60-second featurettes on Tracey into a full-fledged, half-hour show,” he wrote on his blog in 2011. “All that went out the window as soon as I saw the first two shows.”
Ledesma noted on Twitter in September...
- 1/4/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alf Clausen, the longtime “Simpsons” composer who was fired in 2017, has dropped his wrongful termination lawsuit, in which he accused Fox of age and disability discrimination.
Clausen, 80, filed the suit in August 2019, alleging that Fox and Gracie Films had fired him because of his age and Parkinson’s diagnosis. Clausen worked on the show for 27 years, and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards.
In August 2020, a judge dismissed part of the suit, ruling that Clausen had not shown enough evidence of age discrimination, but could proceed with his disability discrimination claim, among others. Fox appealed that ruling, arguing that the entire lawsuit should have been dismissed, and the case was argued in December.
Clausen’s attorney, Ebby Bakhtiar, told Variety that the justices appeared likely to rule against him. Rather than wait for the ruling — which could have exposed Clausen to the risk of having to pay Fox’s attorneys’ fees...
Clausen, 80, filed the suit in August 2019, alleging that Fox and Gracie Films had fired him because of his age and Parkinson’s diagnosis. Clausen worked on the show for 27 years, and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards.
In August 2020, a judge dismissed part of the suit, ruling that Clausen had not shown enough evidence of age discrimination, but could proceed with his disability discrimination claim, among others. Fox appealed that ruling, arguing that the entire lawsuit should have been dismissed, and the case was argued in December.
Clausen’s attorney, Ebby Bakhtiar, told Variety that the justices appeared likely to rule against him. Rather than wait for the ruling — which could have exposed Clausen to the risk of having to pay Fox’s attorneys’ fees...
- 1/25/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
A judge has dismissed an age discrimination claim brought by former “Simpsons” composer Alf Clausen, who was fired from the show in 2017.
Judge Michael L. Stern granted a motion to strike the claim in a ruling on Friday, finding that Twentieth Century Fox had a free speech right to choose the composer for the show.
The producers have said in court filings that they decided to terminate Clausen after they became dissatisfied with his work on a hip-hop themed episode. The producers felt that Clausen, who was 75 at the time, was not comfortable with rap or hip-hop music, and they were worried about keeping the show relevant.
They also became concerned that Clausen was farming out much of the work to his son, according to court filings. The show ultimately hired Bleeding Fingers Music, a composer collective that made greater use of synth music, cutting the show’s music costs by 40%.
In his ruling,...
Judge Michael L. Stern granted a motion to strike the claim in a ruling on Friday, finding that Twentieth Century Fox had a free speech right to choose the composer for the show.
The producers have said in court filings that they decided to terminate Clausen after they became dissatisfied with his work on a hip-hop themed episode. The producers felt that Clausen, who was 75 at the time, was not comfortable with rap or hip-hop music, and they were worried about keeping the show relevant.
They also became concerned that Clausen was farming out much of the work to his son, according to court filings. The show ultimately hired Bleeding Fingers Music, a composer collective that made greater use of synth music, cutting the show’s music costs by 40%.
In his ruling,...
- 8/25/2020
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
As the 2020 Emmy nominations loom, multiple Emmy winner and former longtime The Simpsons composer Alf Clausen has called out Disney, 20th Century Fox TV and Films and James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films for their alleged “lies and deceit” over his 2017 termination.
“Through Defendants’ own documents and subterfuge of lies, Mr. Clausen can demonstrate that the decision to terminate his lengthy employment was not only unrelated to the furtherance of free speech, but motivated by discriminatory animus, in an effort to avoid having to accommodate an old, ailing employee,” attorneys for Clausen declared in opposition paperwork to the defendants’ collective effort to see the August 2019-filed age-discrimination case tossed.
“Since the lenient anti-slapp standards now require this Court to accept Mr. Clausen’s evidence as true and draw all reasonable inferences therefrom in his favor, Defendants’ Motion must be denied,” the July 22 filing adds (read it here).
Headed next to a...
“Through Defendants’ own documents and subterfuge of lies, Mr. Clausen can demonstrate that the decision to terminate his lengthy employment was not only unrelated to the furtherance of free speech, but motivated by discriminatory animus, in an effort to avoid having to accommodate an old, ailing employee,” attorneys for Clausen declared in opposition paperwork to the defendants’ collective effort to see the August 2019-filed age-discrimination case tossed.
“Since the lenient anti-slapp standards now require this Court to accept Mr. Clausen’s evidence as true and draw all reasonable inferences therefrom in his favor, Defendants’ Motion must be denied,” the July 22 filing adds (read it here).
Headed next to a...
- 7/28/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
As the old saying goes, no business is like show business. For one thing, show business is speech business. But what acts by an entertainment producer are legitimately free speech, and what acts are plain ol' discrimination? That's not always clear. Just look at the ongoing case of Alf Clausen, the 79-year-old who was fired as Simpsons composer after 27 years of celebrated work on the animated classic. As his lawsuit heads toward an important hearing next week, Clausen looks to undercut Fox's positioning that this dispute relates to an important First Amendment issue.
Clausen is suing Disney ...
Clausen is suing Disney ...
- 7/27/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
People lose their jobs for a variety of reasons, but delegating your work out to other people when it’s expected of you to turn in Your handiwork is one of the dumbest reasons to be certain. Alf Clausen, a long-time composer and one of the reasons that The Simpsons has been remembered and loved by so many, was fired a few years back when he decided to delegate his responsibilities to his son Scott. Given that Clausen had developed Parkinson’s disease and was getting on in years he believed that he was being fired for simply being old and being
Why The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen Was Fired Three Years Ago...
Why The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen Was Fired Three Years Ago...
- 5/4/2020
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
In November 2016, the creative team behind “The Simpsons” began work on a special hour-long episode. It was a hip-hop parody of “The Great Gatsby” — laden with references to the Fox soap “Empire” — that would succeed or fail based on the music.
The problem, in the view of executive producer James Brooks, was the show’s 75-year-old composer. Alf Clausen had scored more than 500 episodes in 27 years on the show, penning such immortal work as “We Put the Spring in Springfield.” But the producers knew that hip-hop was well outside his comfort zone.
“Brooks questioned whether Clausen was the right person to prepare rap music and questioned his work more generally,” said Richard Sakai, a producer on the show, in a court declaration filed on Tuesday.
In a few months, Clausen would be ousted from the show. Last year, he filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Fox and Brooks’ company, Gracie Films,...
The problem, in the view of executive producer James Brooks, was the show’s 75-year-old composer. Alf Clausen had scored more than 500 episodes in 27 years on the show, penning such immortal work as “We Put the Spring in Springfield.” But the producers knew that hip-hop was well outside his comfort zone.
“Brooks questioned whether Clausen was the right person to prepare rap music and questioned his work more generally,” said Richard Sakai, a producer on the show, in a court declaration filed on Tuesday.
In a few months, Clausen would be ousted from the show. Last year, he filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Fox and Brooks’ company, Gracie Films,...
- 4/30/2020
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Three years ago, Simpsons fans were surprised to learn that Alf Clausen was exiting the show after serving as the animated comedy's composer for 27 years and earning nearly two dozen Emmy nominations for his work. Then, last August, the 79-year-old Clausen fired off a lawsuit against Disney and its Fox divisions with the claim that his firing was due to age discrimination. Now comes more revelations as the dispute turns quite ugly, with Simpsons producers arguing that Clausen's suit is a frivolous one that impinges its First Amendment rights.
Until now, Fox has been fairly quiet about the ...
Until now, Fox has been fairly quiet about the ...
- 4/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
There’s no getting around the new health-driven realities of care and prevention disrupting the planet, but as with most stressful reconfigurings of our social, work and home lives, those with disabilities are typically hit hardest.
Ableism is still one of the most ignored and unaddressed prejudices, which makes the arrival via Netflix of the smash Sundance-premiered documentary “Crip Camp” a timely one for sequestered movie-watchers open to being reminded of our world’s diversity of experiences.
Highlighting an under-celebrated chapter of rights activism and revolution — starting in the late ’60s at a woodsy idyll for disabled teenagers, transferring to Berkeley, California’s counterculture openness, and finally to DC and the signing of groundbreaking civil rights legislation — the film tells the story of a landmark movement with verve, humor, and fiery righteousness. In the category of documentaries that demand we assess the kind of society we want, Nicole Newnham and...
Ableism is still one of the most ignored and unaddressed prejudices, which makes the arrival via Netflix of the smash Sundance-premiered documentary “Crip Camp” a timely one for sequestered movie-watchers open to being reminded of our world’s diversity of experiences.
Highlighting an under-celebrated chapter of rights activism and revolution — starting in the late ’60s at a woodsy idyll for disabled teenagers, transferring to Berkeley, California’s counterculture openness, and finally to DC and the signing of groundbreaking civil rights legislation — the film tells the story of a landmark movement with verve, humor, and fiery righteousness. In the category of documentaries that demand we assess the kind of society we want, Nicole Newnham and...
- 3/23/2020
- by Robert Abele
- The Wrap
Too often, we define marginalized groups as targets of oppression or as social justice fighters, but rarely as just regular people who wake up every day, pee, go to work and have sex like the rest of the world. Director Richard Wong attempts to offer this more humanized narrative that centers on disabled characters in his surprisingly tender new comedy, “Come As You Are.”
But in doing so, he provokes a similarly important thought: Why are all the leads played by able-bodied actors?
Inspired by Asta Philpot’s real-life journey, “Come As You Are” is an intriguing rom-com slash coming-of-age tale along the lines of “American Pie,” except told through the perspective of three disabled young men with dreams of escaping their fiercely guarded lives and getting laid. The abrasive Scotty, who uses a wheelchair, lives with his mother and caregiver, Liz (Janeane Garofalo), who is tethered to him so...
But in doing so, he provokes a similarly important thought: Why are all the leads played by able-bodied actors?
Inspired by Asta Philpot’s real-life journey, “Come As You Are” is an intriguing rom-com slash coming-of-age tale along the lines of “American Pie,” except told through the perspective of three disabled young men with dreams of escaping their fiercely guarded lives and getting laid. The abrasive Scotty, who uses a wheelchair, lives with his mother and caregiver, Liz (Janeane Garofalo), who is tethered to him so...
- 2/13/2020
- by Candice Frederick
- The Wrap
Alf Clausen, the longtime composer for The Simpsons who was fired from the show in 2017, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Fox and the show, claiming he was dismissed because of his age, Variety reports.
Clausen joined The Simpsons during its second season and worked on the show for 27 years. When he was let go in 2017, he said he received a call from Simpsons producer Richard Sakai, who said the show was seeking “a different kind of music.”
In his new lawsuit, filed Monday, Clausen countered, saying, “This reason was pretextual and false.
Clausen joined The Simpsons during its second season and worked on the show for 27 years. When he was let go in 2017, he said he received a call from Simpsons producer Richard Sakai, who said the show was seeking “a different kind of music.”
In his new lawsuit, filed Monday, Clausen countered, saying, “This reason was pretextual and false.
- 8/6/2019
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Alf Clausen, longtime composer for “The Simpsons” who was let go in 2017, says he was wrongfully terminated because of his age and disability in a lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles.
Clausen, who served as composer on “The Simpsons” beginning with the show’s second season in 1990, was let go in August of 2017, saying on Twitter at the time that he’d been told the show was going in a different direction, musically. But, Clausen says in his lawsuit, “this reason was pretextual and false. Instead, Plaintiff’s unlawful termination was due to perceived disability and age.”
Clausen, who was replaced as composer by Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music outfit, said in the suit that he “believes and thereon alleges that he was thereafter replaced by someone substantially younger in age, who was not only paid less but was not disabled.”
Also Read: 11 Most Memorable 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Moments:...
Clausen, who served as composer on “The Simpsons” beginning with the show’s second season in 1990, was let go in August of 2017, saying on Twitter at the time that he’d been told the show was going in a different direction, musically. But, Clausen says in his lawsuit, “this reason was pretextual and false. Instead, Plaintiff’s unlawful termination was due to perceived disability and age.”
Clausen, who was replaced as composer by Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music outfit, said in the suit that he “believes and thereon alleges that he was thereafter replaced by someone substantially younger in age, who was not only paid less but was not disabled.”
Also Read: 11 Most Memorable 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Moments:...
- 8/6/2019
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
There have been 662 episodes of The Simpsons so far, but the upcoming 31st and 32nd seasons might be singing a different tune thanks to a new lawsuit from the Matt Groening-created series’ former longtime composer.
Pink-slipped in 2017 after 27 penning the tunes for Marge, Homer, Bart and crew, Alf Clausen has hit Disney as well as producers 20th Century Fox Television and James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films with an age-discrimination action. Seeking a jury trial and claiming the then-stated reason for his exit — “taking the music in a different direction” — was “false,” two-time Emmy winner Clausen says his “unlawful termination was due to perceived disability and age.”
“Defendant treated plaintiff in the herein alleged manner, in conscious disregard for his rights and safety, rendering its acts and omissions despicable,” reads the 18-page complaint (read it here), which seeks unspecified damages.
As offered proof of such ageism, Clausen’s injunctive...
Pink-slipped in 2017 after 27 penning the tunes for Marge, Homer, Bart and crew, Alf Clausen has hit Disney as well as producers 20th Century Fox Television and James L. Brooks’ Gracie Films with an age-discrimination action. Seeking a jury trial and claiming the then-stated reason for his exit — “taking the music in a different direction” — was “false,” two-time Emmy winner Clausen says his “unlawful termination was due to perceived disability and age.”
“Defendant treated plaintiff in the herein alleged manner, in conscious disregard for his rights and safety, rendering its acts and omissions despicable,” reads the 18-page complaint (read it here), which seeks unspecified damages.
As offered proof of such ageism, Clausen’s injunctive...
- 8/5/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Somehow, in 29 years of The Simpsons, I still have not run out of things to ask showrunner Al Jean. And this year, there have been some pretty monumental changes to address. Longtime composer Alf Clausen ended his run with season 28. The Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox makesThe Simpsons now a Disney-produced show, […]
The post ‘The Simpsons’ Showrunner Al Jean Addresses Disney Merger, Composer Shake-up and Returning Characters [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Simpsons’ Showrunner Al Jean Addresses Disney Merger, Composer Shake-up and Returning Characters [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 2/20/2018
- by Fred Topel
- Slash Film
“The Simpsons” put the laughs on hold during Sunday night’s season premiere to call on viewers to send aid to Puerto Rico for hurricane Maria relief efforts. The episode ended with a still image of the characters somberly holding a Puerto Rican flag. Standing behind the flag, Marge holds a sign reading “Unido.” Bleeding heart Lisa is int he foreground, a single tear in her eye. The image included references to various relief organizations, including Unicef, Save the Children, and One America Appeal. The show posted the image on its Twitter account with the status “How you can help.”
Many on social media expressed their gratitude for the heartfelt gesture, while pointing out the stark contrast between the cartoon family’s response and the president’s botched one. President Trump attacked the mayor of San Juan for exhibiting “poor leadership,” while defending his administration’s slow response.
Twitter user...
Many on social media expressed their gratitude for the heartfelt gesture, while pointing out the stark contrast between the cartoon family’s response and the president’s botched one. President Trump attacked the mayor of San Juan for exhibiting “poor leadership,” while defending his administration’s slow response.
Twitter user...
- 10/2/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Sunday’s (29th!) season premiere of The Simpsons transported viewers to a fantasy world where Hobbits are on the menu, Narnia‘s Aslan moonlights as a door-to-door evangelist and Genital Smurfs are among the fastest-spreading STDs in all the land.
PhotosFall TV Predictions: Lost Spinoff, Super This Is Us Plan, Rent Meets Disney (?!), Freshman Hits & Misses and More
Even though this land’s version of Homer’s family goes by a different name — the Serfsons, a not-so-subtle nod to their low social standing — each member fulfills its usual role. Marge cooks whatever she can scrape up, including the occasional three-eyed...
PhotosFall TV Predictions: Lost Spinoff, Super This Is Us Plan, Rent Meets Disney (?!), Freshman Hits & Misses and More
Even though this land’s version of Homer’s family goes by a different name — the Serfsons, a not-so-subtle nod to their low social standing — each member fulfills its usual role. Marge cooks whatever she can scrape up, including the occasional three-eyed...
- 10/2/2017
- TVLine.com
The early success of CBS’ new “The Big Bang Theory” prequel “Young Sheldon” is a reminder that often the most successful spin-offs look or feel completely different from their mother ship. “The Simpsons” was nothing like “The Tracey Ullman Show.” “Mork and Mindy” was set in a different time frame than “Happy Days.” And “Maude,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times” featured characters with a completely different mindset from “All in the Family’s” Archie Bunker.
Try as TV executives and creators might, it’s nearly impossible to replicate success in the same world or with many of the same characters. (Looking at you, “Joey” and “AfterMASH.”) Some of the best TV spinoffs succeed specifically because they approach a familiar template from a completely different angle. Spin-offs come in many forms: Some are continuations of series that have ended. Others follow popular characters on their own journeys. And some are simply planted into a hit show,...
Try as TV executives and creators might, it’s nearly impossible to replicate success in the same world or with many of the same characters. (Looking at you, “Joey” and “AfterMASH.”) Some of the best TV spinoffs succeed specifically because they approach a familiar template from a completely different angle. Spin-offs come in many forms: Some are continuations of series that have ended. Others follow popular characters on their own journeys. And some are simply planted into a hit show,...
- 9/27/2017
- by Steve Greene and Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
After almost 30 years of working for the franchise and for creating one of the most memorable music in all of animated TV’s history, Alf Clausen was fired by the Fox Network earlier this week. The Emmy-winning composer has been orchestrating the music for The Simpsons for 27 years to date. It’s been a working relationship for so long, but Fox seems to be trying a new direction. This might be a necessary shake up for the famous show, but we wonder why Clausen couldn’t have been a part of that change. We’ll always be fans of his music and
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Alf Clausen...
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Alf Clausen...
- 9/2/2017
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Fox’s Gotham is ready to Pyg out, with the help of a Tony Award-winning Fringe vet.
Michael Cerveris, whose TV credits include Fringe (as the Observer named September), The Good Wife and Amazon’s The Tick, will bring DC Comics baddie Professor Pyg to life during Season 4, TVLine has learned exclusively.
VideosGotham’s Bruce Wayne Batsuits Up in Season 4 Promo
“Michael is one of my best friends,” Gotham executive producer Danny Cannon told TVLine during our Fall Preview Q&A. “He was in my film school graduation movie, when we were both amateurs. And now he’s joining the fold as Professor Pyg,...
Michael Cerveris, whose TV credits include Fringe (as the Observer named September), The Good Wife and Amazon’s The Tick, will bring DC Comics baddie Professor Pyg to life during Season 4, TVLine has learned exclusively.
VideosGotham’s Bruce Wayne Batsuits Up in Season 4 Promo
“Michael is one of my best friends,” Gotham executive producer Danny Cannon told TVLine during our Fall Preview Q&A. “He was in my film school graduation movie, when we were both amateurs. And now he’s joining the fold as Professor Pyg,...
- 9/1/2017
- TVLine.com
Alf Clausen is offering more details about his departure from “The Simpsons” after 27 years as composer for the Fox animated series. A day after announcing that he had been fired from the show, Clausen took to Twitter on Thursday to answer some questions from fans. When asked what will happen to the 35 musicians who performed in his orchestra for each episode, Clausen tweeted, “They have sadly been let go as well …” Also Read: How Steve Guttenberg Feels About 'Simpsons' Jab in Alf Clausen's Stonecutter Song (Video) Another fan wrote that Clausen was let go by the show via a phone.
- 9/1/2017
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Wrap
Alf Clausen, who has been let go after 27 years as composer of “The Simpsons,” is responsible for a slew of memorable music numbers on the show. One person who was surprised but pleased to have been name-dropped in one of them is actor Steve Guttenberg. “Homer the Great,” a Season 6 episode that aired in January 1995, centers on Homer Simpson joining an elite brotherhood known as the Stonecutters. Clausen wrote the group’s Emmy-nominated tune, “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song),” which features the members boasting about their less-than-impressive accomplishments. “Who holds back the electric car?” the gang sings. “Who makes...
- 9/1/2017
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Wrap
Update: The Simpsons producers have commented on Alf Clausen's dismissal in a statement released today, saying that they "tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to The Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain committed to the finest in music for The Simpsons, absolutely including orchestral. This is the part... Read More...
- 8/31/2017
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Alf Clausen, who has composed for The Simpsons for the past 27 years, has been fired from the show. Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen Fired Clausen reported that he received a call from Simpsons producer Richard Sakai, who said the company wanted “a different kind of music.” He confirmed the news on Twitter and thanked his fans for their […]
Source: uInterview
The post Alf Clausen, ‘The Simpsons’ Composer, Fired After 27 Years appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Alf Clausen, ‘The Simpsons’ Composer, Fired After 27 Years appeared first on uInterview.
- 8/31/2017
- by Hillary Luehring-Jones
- Uinterview
Alf Clausen, the man responsible for providing music on animated TV show “The Simpsons” for the past 27 years, has been abruptly fired, reports Variety. Clausen told the industry publication that he was called by longtime Simpsons producer Richard Sakai, and was told that Fox was looking for “a different kind of music.” The TV veteran, who […]...
- 8/31/2017
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Yesterday, we reported that longtime Simpsons composer Alf Clausen had been unexpectedly fired from the show after 27 years, with producer Richard Sakai telling him that The Simpsons was looking for “a different kind of music.” That reasoning seemed silly, since The Simpsons has had a very specific kind of music for…
Read more...
Read more...
- 8/31/2017
- by Sam Barsanti
- avclub.com
Producers of “The Simpsons” are weighing in on Alf Clausen’s announcement yesterday that he was fired after 27 years as the Fox series’ composer. “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to ‘The Simpsons,’ and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show,” the producers’ statement read. “We remain committed to the finest in music for ‘The Simpsons,’ absolutely including orchestral.” “This is the part where we would make a joke, but neither Alf’s work nor the music of ‘The Simpsons’ is treated as anything but seriously by us,” the statement continued. Also Read: 'The Simpsons...
- 8/31/2017
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Wrap
The sound of Springfield is going to be a little different when The Simpsons returns for its 29th season. Why? Because the show's longtime composer (we're talking 27 years here!) Alf Clausen has been fired. Per Variety, Clausen received a call from producer Richard Sakai informing him that the series was looking for "a different kind of music" and he wasn't the one they wanted to hear it from. His last complete score for the series will be the Season 28 finale, with the identity of the composer for the Oct. 1 season premiere not yet known. Clausen addressed his firing on Twitter, writing, "Thank you for all of the support...unfortunately, the news is true..." He takes his...
- 8/31/2017
- E! Online
Producers of The Simpsons are speaking out following reports of the ouster of longtime composer Alf Clausen from the show. "We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to the Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show,” producers said in a statement provided to Deadline. “We remain committed to the finest in music for the Simpsons, absolutely including orchestral. This is the part where we would make a joke but neither Alf’s work nor the music…...
- 8/31/2017
- Deadline TV
Alf Clausen has been let go after 27 years as composer of “The Simpsons.” “Thank you for all of the support,” Clausen tweeted on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, the news is true…” He said he received a phone call from “The Simpsons” producer Richard Sakai saying the show was going in a different direction. Also Read: Is 'Hellboy' Whitewashing Proof of Hollywood 'Genocide Through Script Revisions'? The composer has scored the show since Season 2 but is not responsible for the theme music, which was written by Danny Elfman and is expected to continue to open the Fox animated series when it returns in the fall.
- 8/31/2017
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Wrap
Updated with quote from producers: Veteran film and television composer Alf Clausen has lost his longtime gig with The Simpsons. Deadline confirmed a report by Variety that Clausen was let go from the show. Clausen was told he was fired because the company was seeking "a different kind of music,” Variety reported. "We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to the Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show,” producers said Thursday in a…...
- 8/31/2017
- Deadline TV
The Simpsons might sound a little different when the Fox cartoon returns for Season 29 this fall.
Alf Clausen, who’s served as The Simpsons‘ musical composer for 27 years, has been fired, according to our sister site Variety. Clausen tells Variety he received a call from producer Richard Sakai, who told him the show was looking for “a different kind of music.”
The producers of The Simpsons provided the following statement to Deadline regarding Clausen’s departure: “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to The Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain...
Alf Clausen, who’s served as The Simpsons‘ musical composer for 27 years, has been fired, according to our sister site Variety. Clausen tells Variety he received a call from producer Richard Sakai, who told him the show was looking for “a different kind of music.”
The producers of The Simpsons provided the following statement to Deadline regarding Clausen’s departure: “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to The Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain...
- 8/30/2017
- TVLine.com
Alf Clausen wrote the music for all your favorite songs.
- 8/30/2017
- by jesse david fox
- Vulture
After 27 years of faithful service to America’s favorite four-fingered family, two-time Emmy winning composer Alf Clausen has been fired from The Simpsons. Variety first broke the news, reporting that Clausen received a called from “Simpsons” producer Richard Sakai informing him that the show would be using “a different kind of music” from now on.
Reached for comment through email, producers issued the following statement: “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to ‘The Simpsons’ and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain committed to the finest in music for ‘The Simpsons,’ absolutely including orchestral. This is the part where we would make a joke but neither Alf’s work nor the music of the Simpsons is treated as anything but seriously by us.”
Read More: Amy Poehler and ‘The Simpsons’ Alums Developing New Fox Animated Comedy — First Details
Though the famous theme song is composed by Danny Elfman,...
Reached for comment through email, producers issued the following statement: “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to ‘The Simpsons’ and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain committed to the finest in music for ‘The Simpsons,’ absolutely including orchestral. This is the part where we would make a joke but neither Alf’s work nor the music of the Simpsons is treated as anything but seriously by us.”
Read More: Amy Poehler and ‘The Simpsons’ Alums Developing New Fox Animated Comedy — First Details
Though the famous theme song is composed by Danny Elfman,...
- 8/30/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
After 27 years of making jaunty cartoon music for The Simpsons, longtime composer Alf Clausen has been fired from the show. That’s according to Variety, which reports that Simpsons producer Richard Sakai recently called Clausen and told him that the show is looking for “a different kind of music,” so someone different…
Read more...
Read more...
- 8/30/2017
- by Sam Barsanti
- avclub.com
For Halloween, we celebrate The Simpsons' best Treehouse Of Horror stories, feat. zombies, Hitchcock and Kubrick spoofs and more...
“Nothing seems to bother my kids but tonight's show, which I totally wash my hands of, is really scary.”
For anyone who grew up watching The Simpsons, the Treehouse Of Horror Halloween specials are an annual horror staple, from spooky couch gag to horror-themed credits. You can learn an awful lot of things just from watching the show, but for younger audiences, these episodes gave us our introduction to certain iconic horror stories.
Having ditched the early framing device of the family telling scary stories to one another, with Springfielders cast in key roles, the format is now closer to a mini-anthology of terror with three stories that take place outside of canon. This has usually given the writers licence to be more gruesome and outlandish than in the regular series,...
“Nothing seems to bother my kids but tonight's show, which I totally wash my hands of, is really scary.”
For anyone who grew up watching The Simpsons, the Treehouse Of Horror Halloween specials are an annual horror staple, from spooky couch gag to horror-themed credits. You can learn an awful lot of things just from watching the show, but for younger audiences, these episodes gave us our introduction to certain iconic horror stories.
Having ditched the early framing device of the family telling scary stories to one another, with Springfielders cast in key roles, the format is now closer to a mini-anthology of terror with three stories that take place outside of canon. This has usually given the writers licence to be more gruesome and outlandish than in the regular series,...
- 10/29/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
There's no point of reviewing Sunday (September 14) night's The Simpsons Take The Bowl show from The Hollywood Bowl, at least not in a traditional way. Sunday's presentation was the third and final night for The Simpsons Take The Bowl and, alas, if you didn't catch one of the shows... That's it. Sorry. Timed to loosely synchronize with the classic comedy's 25th anniversary, the show's recent syndicated move to Fxx and Sunday, September 28 premiere for the new season, The Simpsons Take The Bowl was a terrific two hours of live music, singing and dancing, culminating in fireworks. The event featured an assortment of new animation tailored around the venue, but also included classic "Simpsons" bits including Homer's plummet down the Springfield Gorge, Homer's gambol through The Land of Chocolate and the transition from the Ajax Steel Mill into The Anvil. I'm not sure that all of my favorite "Simpsons" musical moments were acknowledged.
- 9/15/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
[As you probably already know, starting on Thursday, August 21, Fxx is running the Every Simpsons Ever Marathon, running through all 552 episodes of "The Simpsons," plus "The Simpsons Movie." To aid in your viewing process, Team HitFix is selecting our favorite episodes from each day, plus an episode or two that you can skip and use as a bathroom or nap break.] Day 7 of Fxx's Every Simpsons Ever Marathon goes from "Simpsons Tall Tales" (the end of Season 12) through to "The President Wore Pearls" (the beginning of Season 15). I must admit: The "Simpsons" fans on Team HitFix are beginning to drop like flies. Josh Lasser's fandom carried through the Tomacco episode, but no further. David Lewis wrote a blurb here for "Simpsons Tall Tales," the episode he says ended his active support of the show. Fortunately, Sepinwall and I had a pair of favorites apiece and Katie Hasty also had a preferred episode, so we've got some recommendations for you, plus a couple episodes you can avoid. [And while I only wrote up two episodes I love, there are at least 10 more that I'll be happy to rewatch if I'm around and another 10 more that I'd enjoy having on in the background. Possibly more. This may be the worst period for "The Simpsons" thus far, but I'll always maintain that middling-to-poor "Simpsons" is still more rewatchable than nearly anything else on TV.] Check out our recommendations for Day 7 and chime in with your own favorites... Katie Hasty Recommends: "She Of Little Faith" (3 a.m.) Episode #275 Why...
- 8/27/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg, Alan Sepinwall, Dave Lewis and Katie Hasty
- Hitfix
Fox
Many of The Simpsons’ finest, funniest and most memorable moments have sprung – top hat in one hand, cane in the other – from its rich array of musical numbers. From all-too-brief commercial jingles to overblown theatrical stage shows, each of its 25 seasons (and counting) boasts a jukebox full of the sharp, surreal and sublime. This comes not only from a range of guest appearances – from Aerosmith to The Dixie Chicks – but also the fictional bands that exist solely within the show, such as the Bee Sharps, Party Posse and Sadgasm. And let’s not forget the outstanding work of show composer Alf Clausen, whose range of musical pastiches has doubtless contributed to the show’s success.
Some songs, sadly, were too short to be included in this list: ‘Mr Plow’, ‘Paint Your Wagon’ and just about everything the Parson has ever said. And someday, somewhere Kirk van Houten’s ”Can I Borrow a Feeling?...
Many of The Simpsons’ finest, funniest and most memorable moments have sprung – top hat in one hand, cane in the other – from its rich array of musical numbers. From all-too-brief commercial jingles to overblown theatrical stage shows, each of its 25 seasons (and counting) boasts a jukebox full of the sharp, surreal and sublime. This comes not only from a range of guest appearances – from Aerosmith to The Dixie Chicks – but also the fictional bands that exist solely within the show, such as the Bee Sharps, Party Posse and Sadgasm. And let’s not forget the outstanding work of show composer Alf Clausen, whose range of musical pastiches has doubtless contributed to the show’s success.
Some songs, sadly, were too short to be included in this list: ‘Mr Plow’, ‘Paint Your Wagon’ and just about everything the Parson has ever said. And someday, somewhere Kirk van Houten’s ”Can I Borrow a Feeling?...
- 12/11/2013
- by Dan Wakefield
- Obsessed with Film
Today ended our three-week Sitcom Smackdown to determine the best sitcom of the past 30 years, and The Simpsons emerged as the ultimate champion. And what better way to celebrate this victory than through song? So we asked the writers of The Simpsons to come up with their list of their ten favorite muscial numbers from the show's 24-year history. Check out their selections, with commentary from showrunner Al Jean. Prepare to be rocked, Dr. Zaius–style. 10. “Capital City” from season two's “Dancin' Homer.” In this song by Jeff Martin and Alf Clausen, Tony Bennett extols the virtues of Springfield’s state capital, which includes the crosstown bridge, the Penny Loafer, and 4th Street and D. The song helped Tony Bennett reach a younger audience, but did nothing to help The Simpsons reach an older audience. [Co-creator] Sam Simon reached out to Bennett. There was an internal debate over whether or...
- 3/18/2013
- by Al Jean
- Vulture
Disney's "Wreck-It-Ralph" was the big winner at the 40th Annie Awards held Saturday taking home the Best Animated Feature award. It is now officially the Oscar frontrunner in the Best Animated Film category.
Here's the complete list of winners/nominees; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies this season, click here:
Animated Feature
"Brave" . Pixar Animation Studios
"Frankenweenie" . Walt Disney Studios
"Hotel Transylvania" . Sony Pictures Animation
"ParaNorman" . Focus Features
"Rise of the Guardians" . DreamWorks Animation
"The Pirates! Band of Misfits" . Aardman Animations
"The Rabbi.s Cat ". Gkids
Winner "Wreck-It Ralph" . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Animated Special Production
"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" . Warner Bros. Animation
"Before Orel" . Trust . Starburns Industries, Inc.
Winner "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" . Illumination Entertainment
"Disney Tron: Uprising . Beck.s Beginning" . Disney TV Animation
"Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury" . DreamWorks Animation
"Justice League: Doom" . Warner Bros. Animation
Animated Short Subject
"Brad and Gary" . Illumination...
Here's the complete list of winners/nominees; for winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies this season, click here:
Animated Feature
"Brave" . Pixar Animation Studios
"Frankenweenie" . Walt Disney Studios
"Hotel Transylvania" . Sony Pictures Animation
"ParaNorman" . Focus Features
"Rise of the Guardians" . DreamWorks Animation
"The Pirates! Band of Misfits" . Aardman Animations
"The Rabbi.s Cat ". Gkids
Winner "Wreck-It Ralph" . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Animated Special Production
"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" . Warner Bros. Animation
"Before Orel" . Trust . Starburns Industries, Inc.
Winner "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" . Illumination Entertainment
"Disney Tron: Uprising . Beck.s Beginning" . Disney TV Animation
"Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury" . DreamWorks Animation
"Justice League: Doom" . Warner Bros. Animation
Animated Short Subject
"Brad and Gary" . Illumination...
- 2/3/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
I love the art of animation, and it's amazing to see how far things have come and advanced over the years. The industry is changing in terms of technology, but what it all really comes down to is telling good stories. There's been a lot of great animated movies this year, and many of them are up for several awards at the 40th Annual Annie Awards.
Some of the movies nomainated include Brave, Frankenweenie, Hotel Transylvania, ParaNorman, Rise of the Guardians, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, and Wreck-It Ralph. Out of those films my favorite is a toss up between Wreck-It Ralph and ParaNorman, those were two pretty incredible films. I think ParaNorman has the edge though.
Some of the other animated properties nominated are Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, Disney Tron: Uprising, Justice League: Doom, Robot Chicken ‘DC Comics Special', South Park ‘Raising the Bar’, and several others.
Some of the movies nomainated include Brave, Frankenweenie, Hotel Transylvania, ParaNorman, Rise of the Guardians, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, and Wreck-It Ralph. Out of those films my favorite is a toss up between Wreck-It Ralph and ParaNorman, those were two pretty incredible films. I think ParaNorman has the edge though.
Some of the other animated properties nominated are Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, Disney Tron: Uprising, Justice League: Doom, Robot Chicken ‘DC Comics Special', South Park ‘Raising the Bar’, and several others.
- 12/4/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The International Animated Film Society (Asifa-Hollywood) has announced the nominees for the 40th Annie Awards also known as Animation's Highest Honor. Disney/Pixar led the nominees with "Brave," "Frankenweenie," and "Wreck-It-Ralph" getting Best Picture nods. The 40th Annual Annie Awards will take place on February 2, 2013 at UCLA.s Royce Hall, in Los Angeles, California.
And the nominees for the 40th Annual Annie Awards are:
Best Picture nominees:
Brave - Disney/Pixar)
Frankenweenie -The Walt Disney Studios
Hotel Transylvania - Sony Pictures Animation
ParaNorman - Focus Features
Rise of the Guardians - DreamWorks Animation
The Pirates! Band of Misfits - Aardman Animations
The Rabbi.s Cat - Gkids
Wreck-It Ralph - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 . Warner Bros. Animation
Best General Audience Animated Television Production
Archer .Space Race, Part 1. . Weissman Markovitz Communications for FX
Bob.S Burgers .Earsy Rider...
And the nominees for the 40th Annual Annie Awards are:
Best Picture nominees:
Brave - Disney/Pixar)
Frankenweenie -The Walt Disney Studios
Hotel Transylvania - Sony Pictures Animation
ParaNorman - Focus Features
Rise of the Guardians - DreamWorks Animation
The Pirates! Band of Misfits - Aardman Animations
The Rabbi.s Cat - Gkids
Wreck-It Ralph - Walt Disney Animation Studios
Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 . Warner Bros. Animation
Best General Audience Animated Television Production
Archer .Space Race, Part 1. . Weissman Markovitz Communications for FX
Bob.S Burgers .Earsy Rider...
- 12/3/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The American Federation of Musicians (Afm) is suing both NBC Universal and 20th Century Fox for breach of a contract agreement for using the theme song to The Simpsons for a rollercoaster ride at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.
Business Insider reports the Afm filed the complaint Oct. 2 in Los Angeles claiming the action breaches a former agreement originally made with Fox when the Afm initially recorded music for the sitcom. The Hollywood Reporter adds that Universal obtained the recording without giving Afm any notice.
"The producer agrees that all music sound track already recorded, or which will be recorded prior to the expiration of this Agreement, will not be used at any time for any purpose whatsoever except to accompany the picture for which the music sound track was originally prepared," an excerpt from the agreement reads.
NBC Universal is claiming the soundtrack usage is for purely promotional purposes.
Business Insider reports the Afm filed the complaint Oct. 2 in Los Angeles claiming the action breaches a former agreement originally made with Fox when the Afm initially recorded music for the sitcom. The Hollywood Reporter adds that Universal obtained the recording without giving Afm any notice.
"The producer agrees that all music sound track already recorded, or which will be recorded prior to the expiration of this Agreement, will not be used at any time for any purpose whatsoever except to accompany the picture for which the music sound track was originally prepared," an excerpt from the agreement reads.
NBC Universal is claiming the soundtrack usage is for purely promotional purposes.
- 10/11/2012
- by Huffington Post Canada
- Huffington Post
"The Simpsons," which airs its 500th episode tonight, also boasts another record: "'The Simpsons' hits a milestone Sunday with its 500th episode, but it has also quietly managed to break another record en route: the most original musical scores ever composed for a primetime series ... Alf Clausen has written 483 of those 500 scores, starting with the show's first Halloween episode in October 1990. He's won two Emmys and garnered another 21 nominations for his 'Simpsons' songs and scores." Chicago Tribune Academy members aren't always who you'd think: "Which two of these four entertainment names — Woody Allen, George Lucas, Meat Loaf, Erik Estrada — are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences? It'd be understandable if you guessed Allen and Lucas: The directors made such classics as 'Annie Hall' and 'Star Wars.' But neither filmmaker is a member. On the other hand, the ma...
- 2/19/2012
- Gold Derby
The nominations for the 63rd Emmy Awards were announced this morning. Here are the music-related categories:
Outstandig Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score):
Mildred Pierce – Part Five – Music by Carter Burwell
The Pillars of the Earth - Anarchy – Music by Trevor Morris
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece) – Part 2 – Music by Dan Jones
Sherlock: A Study in Pink - Music by David Arnold and Michael Price
Thurgood - Music by Rob Mathes
Outstandig Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score):
Family Guy – Road to the Northpole – Music by Ron Jones
American Masters -J ohn Muir in the New World – Music by Garth Neustadter
The Simpsons – Treehouse of Horror Xxi – Alf Clausen
Family Guy – And Then There Were Fewer – Music by Walter Murphy
30 Rock – 100 – Music by Jeff Richmond
Original Main Title Theme Music:
The Borgias – Music by Trevor Morris
Mildred Pierce – Music by...
Outstandig Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score):
Mildred Pierce – Part Five – Music by Carter Burwell
The Pillars of the Earth - Anarchy – Music by Trevor Morris
Any Human Heart (Masterpiece) – Part 2 – Music by Dan Jones
Sherlock: A Study in Pink - Music by David Arnold and Michael Price
Thurgood - Music by Rob Mathes
Outstandig Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score):
Family Guy – Road to the Northpole – Music by Ron Jones
American Masters -J ohn Muir in the New World – Music by Garth Neustadter
The Simpsons – Treehouse of Horror Xxi – Alf Clausen
Family Guy – And Then There Were Fewer – Music by Walter Murphy
30 Rock – 100 – Music by Jeff Richmond
Original Main Title Theme Music:
The Borgias – Music by Trevor Morris
Mildred Pierce – Music by...
- 7/14/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (Ascap) has published the acceptance speeches at this year’s Ascap Film and Television Music Awards. As reported last month, Angelo Badalamenti (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive) received the Ascap Henry Mancini Award, which was handed to him by director David Lynch at the event on June 23, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Alf Clausen (The Simpsons, Moonlighting) received the Ascap Golden Note Award. Watch both acceptance speeches after the jump.
- 7/7/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (Ascap) has announced today that composers Angelo Badalamenti and Alf Clausen will be honored at the 26th Annual Ascap Film and Television Music Awards on June 23, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Badalamenti will be receiving the Ascap Henry Mancini Award, which is awarded to composers in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to the world of film and television music. The composer is best known for his scores for director David Lynch who will be presenting Badalamenti with the award at the ceremony. His credits include Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, The City of Lost Children and A Very Long Engagement. He also has been nominated for two Golden Globes for his scores for The Straight Story and Mulholland Drive. Previous recipients of the award include James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer, Marc Shaiman, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri and Randy Newman.
- 6/2/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
Grey's Anatomy's emotional musical episode was Thursday night's TV event. But it's not the first unsuspecting series to do a song and dance. From Gilligan's Island to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, see 10 other shows with singing specials!
Grey's Anatomy: "Song Beneath the Song" (2011)
Related story on The Daily Beast: 10 Ads Too Hot for TV
Throughout its seven seasons, ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy has had few light moments-from the traumas in the hospital to the dramas of their romantic lives. When its creator Shonda Rhimes announced plans for a musical episode last November, many were therefore skeptical about how the Broadway tropes would work on the hour-long show. But Rhimes had a formula to make the episode, which aired Thursday night, work-Grey's used songs from Snow Patrol, The Fray, and similar indie bands that were popularized in earlier episodes instead of trying to go the route of the Great White Way.
Grey's Anatomy: "Song Beneath the Song" (2011)
Related story on The Daily Beast: 10 Ads Too Hot for TV
Throughout its seven seasons, ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy has had few light moments-from the traumas in the hospital to the dramas of their romantic lives. When its creator Shonda Rhimes announced plans for a musical episode last November, many were therefore skeptical about how the Broadway tropes would work on the hour-long show. But Rhimes had a formula to make the episode, which aired Thursday night, work-Grey's used songs from Snow Patrol, The Fray, and similar indie bands that were popularized in earlier episodes instead of trying to go the route of the Great White Way.
- 4/1/2011
- by The Daily Beast
- The Daily Beast
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.