The Simpsons

[domino harvey]

Rewatching the sixth season and per earlier discussion, I just want to throw this out there-- Meryl Streep: Best celebrity guest voice?

[flyonthewall2983]

A more interesting and specific discussion would be the best celebrity non-cameo voice, where they come in for a specific character.

[dx23]

Rewatching the sixth season and per earlier discussion, I just want to throw this out there-- Meryl Streep: Best celebrity guest voice?

I imagine we are not counting Phil Hartman in this, right?

[mfunk9786]

I wouldn't think so, he was practically a cast member.

In terms of one-time guest appearances, I still think that Dustin Hoffman takes it for me. That's the only episode that brings an actual physical tear to my eye every time I see it, and it's largely because of the personality that Hoffman lends to his character.

[flyonthewall2983]

What about Albert Brooks then, funk? He's been less frequent than Phil was, but quite memorable every time out.

In other news, Fox is finally ready to shop the show around for cable. Dear God, don't go to TBS.

[Titus]

Donald Sutherland was fantastic in "Lisa the Iconoclast." That one doesn't seem to get singled out very often, presumably because of how subdued and relatively serious the role is. That whole episode is shockingly underrated.

[Matt]

It's had a different kind of lasting influence: try to visit any nerd culture website/blog/social media without encountering the word "embiggen."

[domino harvey]

I don't really consider Albert Brooks and Phil Hartman to be guest stars, they showed up so often and too deeply ingrained in the structure to be considered outsiders in the fashion that most guest stars are. I respect the Hoffman and Sutherland suggestions but what makes Streep's perf so good is her ability to create a fully-fleshed character that is wholly independent from tics or recognition of its source. It's full-on acting and if you didn't read the end credits you'd think it was a professional voice actress and not a movie star's one-time appearance

[FakeBonanza]

The number of outstanding performances by female guest stars is quite staggering:
Kathleen Turner
Winona Ryder
Michelle Pfeifer
Meryl Streep
Anne Bankcroft
Susan Sarandon
Glenn Close

There are also a plethora of excellent guest star performances from the Oakley/Weinstein era:
Lawrence Tierney
Donald Sutherland
Kirk Douglas
Jeff Goldblum
Johnny Cash
John Waters
David Hyde Pierce
Dave Thomas
Willem Defoe
Martin Sheen

[domino harvey]

The Kirk Douglas perf is great and a fitting bow on Douglas' career given that he had that debilitating stroke shortly after recording his part

[FakeBonanza]

The Kirk Douglas perf is great and a fitting bow on Douglas' career given that he had that debilitating stroke shortly after recording his part

It was the Kirk Douglas performance, along with the previously mentioned Sutherland performance, that made me reconsider that specific run. And even with the number of great performances, Kirk Douglas' is probably the standout for me. He's given some of the most bizarre (and some of the best) dialogue that a guest star has had to grapple with, and he nails every line so perfectly that it never feels like a performance. That's probably why it's so great--we get a memorable guest character that perfectly blends into the show's universe, rather than something that stands out as a memorable performance.

[swo17]

FWIW, I never realized until now that those performances were by Streep or Douglas.

[mfunk9786]

And let's not forget Jack Lemmon, turning in one of his last performances as the Pretzel Wagon guy. I always love his delivery of the millipede line.

[flyonthewall2983]

James Earl Jones in the first "Treehouse Of Horror". Up until I had that season on DVD, I just thought he did the voice-over bit during the Poe segment. Wasn't until I heard the audio commentary that he was in the other two segments as well.

Overall, I'd have to agree with domino on his choice. Would have been interesting if she did it uncredited or (like Hoffman) as an alias.

[Professor Wagstaff]

When the question came up, my first instinct was mfunk's choice of Dustin Hoffman. His final exchange with Lisa at the train station with the note is a real tearjerker.

Part of what made the celebrity cameo very funny in earlier Simpson seasons was that they often picked older or character actors with distinct personas to fill those guest spots. Any episode commentary where the writers had a chance to work with an old Hollywood veteran is worth listening to, particularly when Lawrence Tierney guest starred. James Woods may give the best "as himself" performance from the series.

As far as non-actors, the baseball players in "Homer at the Bat" give some incredibly funny line readings and hold their own with some great gags, in particular Wade Boggs' fight with Barney over who was the greatest English Prime Minister ("Pitt the Elder!" "Lord Palmerston!") and Don Mattingly's sideburn issue ("Mattingly, I thought I told you to trim those sideburns?!")

[FakeBonanza]

James Woods may give the best "as himself" performance from the series.

He is my absolute favourite guest star. Everyone of his lines is great and his performance is fantastic. He brought something to the role that few other actors (playing themselves) were able to.

[Murdoch]

and Don Mattingly's sideburn issue ("Mattingly, I thought I told you to trim those sideburns?!")

I don't know what it is about that running joke but every time I think of classic Simpsons that's where my mind immediately goes.

[Robin Davies]

Am I right in thinking that Jose Canseco is the only guest star who's been criticised in a commentary?

[FakeBonanza]

They found Christopher Guest difficult to work with. And then there's Lawrence Tierney, of course.

[flyonthewall2983]

and Don Mattingly's sideburn issue ("Mattingly, I thought I told you to trim those sideburns?!")

I don't know what it is about that running joke but every time I think of classic Simpsons that's where my mind immediately goes.

I've heard that the occasional baseball announcer will still reference that bit at Dodger games anytime Don is on screen.

[dx23]

Season 16 DVD and BD set coming December 3rd. This one has Prof. Frink's face in the cover.

[Cold Bishop]

In other news, Fox is finally ready to shop the show around for cable. Dear God, don't go to TBS.

There's been some speculation that FXX is wanting it, which would certainly make sense.

[flyonthewall2983]

That would be a good move of publicity for the network, in tandem with putting shows like Sunny and other FX comedies as well.

[dx23]

A character will be killed this 25th season on The Simpsons according to Al Jean. Worst. Ratings. Stunt. Ever.

[jindianajonz]

Because that worked great with Maude Flanders...

Also, not sure if anybody cares, but Lego will be releasing a Simpsons line next year. I believe the Kwik-e-Mart, Simpson House, and Homer's Nuclear Plant console have been unofficially confirmed, among others.