Now youre about to experience him in a new way: live.
EW: So, how long have you been toying with the live concept?
AL JEAN:Its funny.
Credit: The Simpsons ™ and © 2016 FOX
We talked about doing a Homer-going-live thing onThe Tonight Showfor a promotion forThe Simpsons Moviewith motion capture.
So we looked back at the motion capture [technology], which had advanced.
The other thing thats terrific is Dan Castellenata does improv all the time.
Fox
Hes one of the best improvvers there is.
We couldnt have somebody better to be doing it.
EW: Why only three minutes?
Did you explore the idea of a longer segment, or even an entire episode?
AJ:[Motion capture technology] used to have electrodes wired into the person.
However, you could only do that with one or at most two characters.
The backgrounds dont change and the character cant really interact with somebody in the background.
We have background jokes that are pre-set.
For three minutes, thats fine.
For 30 minutes, I think people would get pretty tired of it.
EW: You mention that you could have done it with two characters.
AJ:We thought about it, but then it was like, Who would the other person be?
Would we get a celebrity?
And we thought the better thing would be for Homer to interact with the fans.
EW: But couldnt you have Homer answering questions with Bart or Marge?
Maybe we would do that someday.
EW: Will those characters or others make cameo appearances in the background?
AJ:They appear in the background doing some stuff, but they dont speak.
EW: I assume youve run some tests of this.
Any funny glitches that you had to work out?
AJ:We havent had any glitches yet.
I always feel and this is the wholeSNLphilosophy: If theres a little glitch, thats fun, too.
Thats the excitement of live television.
And to my knowledge, no animated show has done this before…
I think this is going to be really incredible or incredibly terrible.
What types of questions will you be screening out and what will he answer?
AJ:A question like, What actor does what?, that wont get by.
It would have to be a question to Homer, not a question breaking the fourth wall.
Theres still a wide variety of questions you’re free to ask him.
EW: How will this work?
Where will Homer be?>
AJ:Hell be in a Fox secret bunker in an undisclosed location.
Thats the background weve drawn.
(See photo below.)
EW: But that doesnt break the fourth wall?
EW: Whats the set-up to get him in the bunker?
And Bart says, Take it, Homer.
He just thinks: Hes been an astronaut.
Hes done a lot of things.
Whywontpeople want to ask him questions?
AJ:Hes game for everything.
Hes a very brave man and very funny and didnt blink.
Hes up for the challenge.
EW: Dan will be answering questions off the cuff, right?
But will the writers be there to help him out, frantically slipping him material?
So it really will be him.
God only knows, if Donald Trump says something stupid, we might make a joke to lead off.
But in general, its just going to be Dan.
Thats what makes it live.
Thats what makes it exciting.
EW: And youll prove its live by making a couple of topical references?
Its not a trick.
EW: It is a tightrope walk to do a live segment like this.
What appealed to you most about it?
The excitement of the unknown?
AJ:Yeah and I wanted to do it before any other animated shows did it.
(Laughs)
EW: Your animation process is usually very lengthy.
What will the motion capture look like to viewers who are used to the shows specific visual style?
AJ:It shouldnt look any different.
Thats why were not doing any more than three minutes.
We do everything we can in the three minutes thats possible.
EW: What is your biggest fear with this segment?
Whats the worst that can happen?
But as I say, that proves its live.
Well have a seven-second delay, so its not going to be any Janet Jackson sort of thing.
Homers not going to take off his clothes.
How will this compare withGrease Live?
AJ:A lot less danger to the performers.
EW: How will the phone system work?
And Homer will be interacting on social media as well?
AJ:The phone number will be released to the public in plenty of time.
Were trying to answer as many questions as we can.
EW: If you could ask Homer anything, what would you ask?
AJ:Hmm, thats a good question… What does Marge possibly see in him?
EW: Any advice for fans calling in?
Were not looking for people to ask trivia questions about season 23.
