This week, we’re joined by one of the most important voices in The Simpsons: Mike Reiss! A four-time Emmy-winning writer and producer, Mike has been a cornerstone of The Simpsons since its inception, a run so celebrated he even earned a Peabody Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus. Beyond The Simpsons, Mike created the cult classics The Critic and Queer Duck, and has written for blockbuster animated films including The Simpsons Movie and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

Nancy Cartwright sits down with Mike Reiss to talk about everything from his humble start as a writer on a new animated show to the over three decades he spent shaping the world of Springfield. This is a deep dive into the show's history from two people who were there from the very beginning. You'll hear never-before-told stories about what it was like to be in the writers' room and behind the scenes of the most iconic animated series of all time.

But it's not all nostalgia! Mike also gets put in the hot seat to rank some of his favorite "Simpsons" characters and answers burning questions submitted by fans of the show. Don't miss this hilarious and insightful conversation!

FOLLOW NANCY:

https://www.instagram.com/nancy_cartwright/

https://www.tiktok.com/@officialnancycartwright

https://x.com/nancycartwright

https://www.facebook.com/Nancy.Cartwright.Official/

Produced and showrun by Monica Gil-Rodriguez. From Audacy Podcasts and CRE84U Entertainment—this is your all-access pass to Springfield.

This week’s guest is the one and only "Weird Al" Yankovic, a GRAMMY-winning icon known for his brilliant musical parodies and comedic anthems. With a career spanning decades, Al has entertained millions and even made memorable appearances on The Simpsons.Nancy and Al dive deep into their shared history with The Simpsons, revealing exclusive stories from the recording booth and behind the scenes. You'll hear Nancy's pure delight as she recounts her genuine "fangirl" reaction to finally meeting Weird Al after years of admiration! Then get ready for a hilarious challenge as they play a unique game, trying to distinguish truly wild scenarios from actual Simpsons plotlines or real-world headlines!" And the grand finale is something you won't want to miss: "Weird Al" grabs his accordion as Nancy channels her inner Ralph Wiggum and other characters, for an absolutely iconic musical tribute to her talented niece, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter! 

FOLLOW NANCY:

Who keeps Springfield alive when the stars can’t make it to the table read? Chris Edgerly—the show’s secret vocal chameleon. From Homer to high-profile guest stars, Chris steps in with pitch-perfect impressions that give producers and writers the full Simpsons experience before the real recording begins.

In this episode of Simpsons Declassified, Chris shares how he slips seamlessly into the voices of Homer and countless others, giving writers and producers the full Springfield experience before the official recordings. From the art of perfectly mimicking iconic voices to untold stories from behind those closed doors, this is your rare backstage pass to the hidden craft that keeps The Simpsons pitch-perfect.

Simpsons fans —THE VAULT IS OPEN!

I’m Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for 35+ years, and I’m finally taking you inside Springfield. Simpsons Declassified is your all-access pass to the world’s most iconic, animated series.

Each week, we crack open wild predictions, eerie coincidences and fan conspiracies and stories from 36 seasons (that’s 800+ episodes!) behind-the-scenes with writers, directors, the cast and celebrity superfans, PLUS…Simpsons-themed games— play along and test your Springfield IQ.

Hear exclusive stories from our guests who were there! Perhaps some scenes that almost never aired, the jokes that died, the ones that lived and the moments that still shock me at the mic.

Produced and showrun by Monica Gil-Rodriguez. From Audacy Podcasts and CRE84U Entertainment.

Follow now to get new episodes first — and drop your wildest Simpsons’ theory in a review for a chance to be featured on our uniquely unique podcast, Simpsons Declassified.