- The Simpsons co-showrunner Matt Selman tells EW he’d be “shocked” if Universal removed the show from its theme parks.
- Selman, who says he is “not party to those negotiations,” speculates that losing The Simpsons “would destroy” the parks in Hollywood and Orlando.
- The producer also pitches a seasonal update to the Springfield-themed lands in the parks.
The Simpsons holds a special place at Universal Studios’ theme parks — and the cartoon’s co-showrunner doesn’t think that should ever change.
Fans have speculated that The Simpsons could move to Disney parks like Disneyland after the House of Mouse acquired the show in its 2019 purchase of 20th Century Fox.
However, Matt Selman, who has worked on the animated series since 1997 and was involved with The Simpsons Ride, tells Entertainment Weekly that it would be misguided to remove Springfield from Universal’s parks.
“I would personally be shocked if The Simpsons did not continue at Universal,” the series’ co-showrunner says, noting, “I don’t have any inside information, so I’m just a fan. This is not an official announcement. I’m not party to those negotiations.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage
The Simpsons has a presence in both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando. Both parks feature The Simpsons Ride, a motion simulator attraction that follows a 3D-version of the titular family as their visit to Krustyland goes off the rails.
Five years after The Simpsons Ride opened in 2008, both parks expanded the franchise’s footprint to surround the ride with an entire Springfield area, complete with restaurants like Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, Cletus’ Chicken Shack, and Moe’s Tavern. Orlando’s version of Springfield also includes an additional ride: Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl.
Speaking for the Southern California location, Selman can’t even fathom what could possibly replace Springfield. “Think about it, what would they put there?” he asks. “They’d have to close it, shut it down for what, two years? And build another area, right in the middle of Universal. I was just there. They’re building a giant Fast and Furious outdoor rollercoaster right there. And they just built all this Mario stuff. Like how would they— it would destroy them!”
Selman goes on to sing the praises of the Springfield areas of the parks.
“The Simpsons Ride is, even though its technology is 20 years old, is great,” he says. “The in-line experience is funny. People ride it again and again. The Springfield food court is amazing. Cletus’s fried chicken on the bone is so good. The Krusty Burger is so good. The branding and level of Springfield specificity is fantastic.”
Universal Studios Hollywood
The co-showrunner reiterates his position. “Just as a Simpsons fan, it does not seem logical to me that they could close that, or that they would be so shortsighted to do that,” he says. “But that’s not an announcement. That’s just me speculating. What would they possibly do?”
There’s one particular Springfield snack that Selman can’t imagine disappearing. “You know what the most popular thing is? The giant donut,” he says of the oversized donut from Lard Lad. “They would walk away from the giant donut? Nothing is printing more money. It’s not even that expensive! Honestly, I thought it’d be like $50, since theme parks upcharge. How could they possibly change it? The donut is so good.”
David Sprague
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Selman also pitches a seasonal update for Springfield. “Look, I do not have any time for more Simpsons side projects,” he begins. “However, it is insane that they never Treehouse-of-Horror-ified Universal for Halloween Horror Nights. Why we didn’t spooky-ify it, when Treehouse of Horror is like our main, most beloved thing — that seems like someone dropped the ball. Possibly me.”
The Simpsons airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
