The premiere of the thirty sixth season of “The Simpsons” was novel. Matt Groening’s animated sitcom has been airing for thus lengthy — so … so lengthy! — that audiences have often begun to surprise how the zeitgeist-defining hit ought to come to an finish. Will it faucet out at season 40? At 50? And if that’s the case, how would the collection really shut? Maybe to take the strain off, the showrunners determined that the premiere of season 36 needs to be a preemptive collection finale, giving a retrospective of the whole “Simpsons” oeuvre earlier than the present really ends. The episode, referred to as “Bart’s Birthday,” was offered as an awards-show-style screening, projected in a theater filled with celebrities (“Bizarre Al” Yankovic! Penn & Teller! The Unknown Comedian!). Conan O’Brien, enjoying himself, hosted the finale in wistful phrases, bidding farewell to the long-running collection.
In fact, many well-known individuals are in attendance, and sharp-eyed followers will be capable of scan the viewers of the finale theater and spot any variety of celebrities. Along with the few talked about above, Tony Hawk was there, as have been Mick Jagger, Gordon Ramsay, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Dolly Parton, Ron Howard, John Waters, Serena Williams, Seth Rogen, Mr. T, and plenty of others. One may catch Rogen’s laughter, however none of those celebrities have any traces (though Hanks will chime in in a while).
In a fast cutaway from considered one of O’Brien’s jokes, one can see celebrated director Kevin Smith in attendance as nicely, carrying his trademark trenchcoat, backward ballcap, and outsize hockey jersey. Smith’s cameo got here as an enormous shock, it appears, to Smith himself. On his Instagram account, Smith posted a screenshot of “Bart’s Birthday,” declaring that he was “shocked and delighted” to see himself on display.
Kevin Smith discovered he was on The Simpsons similtaneously everybody else
Smith’s complete put up learn:
“I used to be shocked and delighted to find that I used to be on the season premiere of ‘The Simpsons!’ I haven’t got any traces (like the primary time I used to be on the present) however you may see me in an viewers shot, Silent Bobbing it! Honored to be included as an additional on a present I’ve liked since day considered one of its existence! Holy s***! Every little thing’s developing Milhouse!”
“Silent Bobbing it” refers to Silent Bob, a largely non-speaking character that Smith has performed in most of his personal directorial efforts.
The primary time Smith was on “The Simpsons” was within the episode “Freeway to Nicely” (March 22, 2020), an episode that follows Marge (Julie Kavner) as she takes a job a Sprinfield’s latest hashish dispensary. Marge is shocked that she is promoting weed, however proves to be a great saleswoman. Her effectivity impresses her boss, and Marge will get invited to host the opening of a brand new weed-based resort. She additionally, alongside the way in which, shuts down an try by Homer (Dan Castellaneta) to open a rival dispensary.
Homer, attempting to sabotage Marge’s resort opening, sneaks into the opening, claiming to be Kevin Smith’s father. Smith, as his followers nicely know, is an open marijuana advocate. Later within the episode, Smith randomly seems on-screen and, maybe bafflingly, calls Homer “dad.”
As of this writing, “Bart’s Birthday” and “Freeway to Nicely” are the one two instances Smith has appeared on “The Simpsons.” In 2020, Smith was interviewed by NJ.com and stated he thought of his cameo on “The Simpsons” to be a “profession milestone.” Smith later discovered, as he sort of predicted, that he wasn’t the producers’ first alternative for “Freeway.” They initially needed Seth Rogen.
No matter. Rogen’s loss is Smith’s acquire.
