Difference between revisions of "Matt Groening"

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|surname=Groening
|surname=Groening
|image=[[File:Matt Groening.jpg|225px]]
|image=[[File:Matt Groening.jpg|225px]]
|profession=Producer and Writer
|profession=Creator<br>Executive producer<br>Writer<br>Guest voice actor
|birth date=15 {{February}}, [[1954]]
|imdb=nm0004981
|imdb=nm0004981
|wikipedia=Matt Groening
|wikipedia=Matt Groening
|commentary category=Matt Groening
|commentary category=Matt Groening
|epwritten category=Matt Groening
}}
}}


:''For the [[Futurama]] [[characters|character]], see '''[[Matt Groening's head]]'''.''
{{about|the real person|the ''[[Futurama]]'' [[character]]|Matt Groening's head}}


'''Matt Groening''' (Matt says it rhymes with "Complaining") is a cartoonist, screenwriter and producer most famous for the creations of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[Futurama]]'' (the latter together with [[David X. Cohen]]). In the ''Futurama'' universe, he appears as [[Matt Groening's head|his head in a jar]].
'''Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening''' (pronounced "Grey-ning") is a cartoonist, screenwriter and producer most famous for being the creator of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[Futurama]]'' (the latter together with [[David X. Cohen]]).


== Biography ==
== Biography ==


=== Early career (1977 - 1985) ===
=== Early career (1977 - 1985) ===
Groening got his start writing a comic strip called ''[[Life in Hell]]'' in 1977. In 1980, the strip was picked up by ''The Los Angeles Reader'', where Matt worked delivering papers and doing minor editing. In 1982, the editor gave Matt his own column, supposedly rock and roll themed, but rarely actually ''about'' rock and roll. In an attempt to add more music news to the column, Matt often wrote reviews of bands he made up, only to apologize the next week, admitting the lie. Although each time, he swore he'd never do it again, he usually did. Finally, he was asked to write a humour column instead.
Groening got his start writing a comic strip called ''{{w|Life in Hell}}'' in [[1977]]. In 1980, the strip was picked up by ''The Los Angeles Reader'', where Matt worked delivering papers and doing minor editing. In 1982, the editor gave Matt his own column, supposedly rock and roll themed, but rarely actually ''about'' rock and roll. In an attempt to add more music news to the column, Matt often wrote reviews of bands he made up, only to apologize the next week, admitting the lie. Although each time, he swore he'd never do it again, he usually did. Finally, he was asked to write a humour column instead.


=== The Simpsons (1985 - 1997) ===
=== The Simpsons ===
In 1985, [[James L. Brooks]] contacted Matt to work in animation, creating "bumpers" for the Tracy Ullman Show. Brooks originally wanted to use the ''Life in Hell'' characters, but Matt didn't want to sign over the rights, and thus created a family called [[the Simpsons]] in mere fifteen minutes.
{{main|The Simpsons}}
In 1985, {{s|James L. Brooks}} contacted Matt about adapting ''Life in Hell'' for television, creating "bumpers" for ''{{w|The Tracey Ullman Show}}''.  Matt has stated that while he was waiting in Brooks' office, he realized that he didn't want to sign over the rights to his characters, and thus created a family called the {{s|Simpson family|Simpsons}} in mere fifteen minutes.


The Simpsons premiered on the Tracy Ullman Show in 1987, and became popular enough to create their own spin-off (which has survived much longer than the Tracy Ullman show). He now serves as the Creative Consultant on the Simpsons.
''[[The Simpsons]]'' premiered on ''Tracey Ullman'' in 1987, and became popular enough to create its own spin-off series in [[1989]]. ''The Simpsons'' has survived much longer than ''Tracey Ullman'' and has become the longest running prime-time entertainment series ever in the United States. He now serves as the Creative Consultant on the show.


=== Futurama (1997 - present) ===
=== ''Futurama'' ===
{{main|Futurama}}
{{main|Futurama}}
After researching science-fiction for a few years, Matt got together with [[David X. Cohen|David S. Cohen]] to develop ''[[Futurama]]'', a sci-fi sitcom set in the [[3000s|31st century]]. The show was a mild success, but ratings were poor thanks entirely to [[Fox]]'s poor scheduling of the program when it was shown on the channel. While Futurama was never officially cancelled, Fox decided not to buy the fifth season and the program fell apart soon after.  
After researching science-fiction for a few years, Matt got together with ''Simpsons'' writer [[David X. Cohen|David S. Cohen]] to develop ''[[Futurama]]'', a sci-fi sitcom set in the [[31st century]]. The show was a mild success, but ratings were poor. This is usually attributed to [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s poor scheduling of the program when it was shown on the channel. While ''Futurama'' was never officially cancelled, Fox decided not to buy the fifth season and the program fell apart soon after.  


On 22 June, 2006, Comedy Central officially announced that they have ordered [[Direct-to-DVD Films|4 new Direct-to-DVD Movies]] of the series and that the movies would air on [[Comedy Central]] in sixteen 22-minute episodes at the beginning of 2008. After the success of viewership and DVD sales, Comedy Central announced that Futurama was to return with a [[second run]] in 2010.
Because of strong [[DVD releases|DVD]] sales, and consistent ratings for reruns on [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]], [[Comedy Central]] announced on {{date|22 June}}, [[2006]] that they would order four new direct-to-DVD ''Futurama'' films, to air on Comedy Central in sixteen 22-minute episodes at the beginning of [[2008]] as [[Season 5]]. After the success of viewership and DVD sales, Comedy Central announced that ''Futurama'' was to return with a [[second run]] in [[2010]].


== Additional Info ==
== Additional Info ==
=== Trivia ===
=== Trivia ===
*He is also in a rock band, called the Rock Bottom Remainders. Members include Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Scott Turow, Amy Tan, James McBride, Mitch Albom, Roy Blount Jr., Stephen King, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, and Greg Iles.
*He is also in a rock band, called the Rock Bottom Remainders. Members include {{w|Dave Barry}}, Ridley Pearson, Scott Turow, Amy Tan, James McBride, Mitch Albom, Roy Blount Jr., Stephen King, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, and Greg Iles.
*Matt is left-handed, as are many of the characters he designs.
*Matt is left-handed, as are many of the characters he designs.
*He and David X. Cohen were show runners for the entire series.
*He and David X. Cohen were show runners for the entire series.
*Matt is on almost every DVD Episode commentary.  In the commentary of "[[A Leela of Her Own]]", he gets a phone call in the intro and doesn't return.
*Matt is on almost every DVD episode [[audio commentary|commentary]].  In {{commentary|A Leela of Her Own}}, he gets a phone call in the intro and doesn't return.
*His jarred head appears in the Audience Scene in Into the Wild Green Yonder.
*In the {{the universe|''Futurama'' universe}}, he appears as [[Matt Groening's head|his own head in a jar]] multiple times.  He has a speaking role in "[[Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences]]" as the creator of ''[[Futurella]]''.
*He is a self-proclaimed fan of ''{{w|The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show}}''.  He uses the middle initial J. for many of his characters, as a tribute to ''Rocky and Bullwinkle'' producer {{w|Jay Ward}}.


== Episodes written ==
== Episodes written ==
:''This list is not complete.''
*{{e|1ACV01}}
*{{e|6ACV01}} (story credit)
*{{e|6ACV01}} {{small|(story credit)}}
*{{e|6ACV02}} (story credit)
*{{e|6ACV02}} {{small|(story credit)}}
==Characters voiced==
*[[Matt Groening's head|himself]]
*[[Maggie Simpson]]


[[Category:Crew|Groening, Matt]]
{{writers}}
[[Category:Executive producers|Groening, Matt]]
{{voice actors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Groening, Matt}}
[[Category:Crew]]
[[Category:Executive producers]]
[[Category:Producers]]
[[Category:Special guests]]
[[Category:The Simpsons]]
[[Category:The Simpsons]]

Revision as of 15:54, 10 December 2014

Matt Groening
Matt Groening.jpg
ProfessionCreator
Executive producer
Writer
Guest voice actor
Born15 February, 1954
IMDB profilenm0004981
Wikipedia has information unrelated to Futurama
Category of commentaries in which Matt Groening participated
Category of episodes written by Matt Groening
This article is about the real person. For the Futurama character, see Matt Groening's head.

Matthew Abram "Matt" Groening (pronounced "Grey-ning") is a cartoonist, screenwriter and producer most famous for being the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama (the latter together with David X. Cohen).

Biography

Early career (1977 - 1985)

Groening got his start writing a comic strip called Life in Hell in 1977. In 1980, the strip was picked up by The Los Angeles Reader, where Matt worked delivering papers and doing minor editing. In 1982, the editor gave Matt his own column, supposedly rock and roll themed, but rarely actually about rock and roll. In an attempt to add more music news to the column, Matt often wrote reviews of bands he made up, only to apologize the next week, admitting the lie. Although each time, he swore he'd never do it again, he usually did. Finally, he was asked to write a humour column instead.

The Simpsons

Main article: The Simpsons

In 1985, James L. Brooks contacted Matt about adapting Life in Hell for television, creating "bumpers" for The Tracey Ullman Show. Matt has stated that while he was waiting in Brooks' office, he realized that he didn't want to sign over the rights to his characters, and thus created a family called the Simpsons in mere fifteen minutes.

The Simpsons premiered on Tracey Ullman in 1987, and became popular enough to create its own spin-off series in 1989. The Simpsons has survived much longer than Tracey Ullman and has become the longest running prime-time entertainment series ever in the United States. He now serves as the Creative Consultant on the show.

Futurama

Main article: Futurama

After researching science-fiction for a few years, Matt got together with Simpsons writer David S. Cohen to develop Futurama, a sci-fi sitcom set in the 31st century. The show was a mild success, but ratings were poor. This is usually attributed to Fox's poor scheduling of the program when it was shown on the channel. While Futurama was never officially cancelled, Fox decided not to buy the fifth season and the program fell apart soon after.

Because of strong DVD sales, and consistent ratings for reruns on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Comedy Central announced on 22 June, 2006 that they would order four new direct-to-DVD Futurama films, to air on Comedy Central in sixteen 22-minute episodes at the beginning of 2008 as Season 5. After the success of viewership and DVD sales, Comedy Central announced that Futurama was to return with a second run in 2010.

Additional Info

Trivia

Episodes written

Characters voiced