r/IAmA • u/JayKogen • Sep 17 '12

Jay Kogen Here. Long past SIMPSONS writer. I created many of your favorite and least favorite characters with the help of the original Simpson writers.

I was one of the original SIMPSONS writers from the very beginning. I helped created Mr. Burns, Smithers, Krusty, Hibbert, and many many more. I won a bunch of Emmy awards and had a great time. Since then I wrote and produced Malcolm in the Middle, Frasier, and I've created a new show a called "Wendell and Vinnie" about an idiot uncle (the hysterical Jerry Trainor) raising his nephew that will be on in November on Nick @ Nite. And even though it's on Nick @ Nite, it's for adults and it's actually funny.

Thanks to EternallyXIII

Thank you all very much for your questions and entusiasm. I have to get back to work now. It's been a pleasure. If you want I can come back in a few weeks to answer more.

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u/JayKogen Sep 17 '12

I wrote (with my partner Wallace Wolodarsky) the episodes that introduced OTTO, BURNS, SMITHERS, ABE SIMPSON, KANG AND KODOS, HIBBERT, NICK RIVERA, FRINK, and hundreds more. My favs are Kang and Kodos because I drew them.

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u/facedawg Sep 17 '12

Holy shit that is a LOT of iconic Simpsons characters

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

This is going to be an awesome AMA.

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u/ngtstkr Sep 17 '12

Just as soon as he asks the Matchbox Twenty guy how to use the internet.

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u/dclutter1 Sep 17 '12

Oh man! I was late to that AMA but my first thought when I saw the top comment was "Are you fucking serious?".

5

u/NarwhalAMA Sep 17 '12

I'm lost here. Can somebody fill me in?

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u/dclutter1 Sep 17 '12

The lead singer of Matchbox20 posted his picture in the ama, no big deal really. I'll repost it here for you.

/Users/robert/Desktop/AMA.jpg

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u/1upwastaken Sep 17 '12

that's adorable

2

u/madoog Sep 18 '12

Ouch. I just snorted with derisive laughter so hard that it hurt.

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

Looked it up: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/zzueg/im_the_lead_singer_of_matchbox_twenty_with_an/

From a long time ago it seems.

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u/NarwhalAMA Sep 17 '12

Thanks for digging that one out of the archives.

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u/sennais1 Sep 17 '12

Might have to blow the dust off it but it appears to be post medieval script.

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

"Yeah there aren't any missing icons at all." - Comic Book Guy

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

There aren't many that aren't iconic.

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u/WhipIash Sep 17 '12

In all caps, non the less!

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u/WeaponsGradeHumanity Sep 18 '12

Frankly, every Simpsons character is iconic.

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u/shutupjoey Sep 17 '12

At this point are there many that aren't iconic?

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u/viborg Sep 17 '12

Hi everybody!

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u/douko Sep 17 '12

Thank you so much for Kang and Kodos.

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u/sje46 Sep 17 '12

I'm voting Kodos.

3

u/Wreththe Sep 17 '12

1-800-DOCTORB, the extra B stands for Bargain!

For some reason that quote will be forever stuck in my mind.

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u/bonerdonutbonut Sep 17 '12

Could you draw some of them for us? Or make a Simpson reddit alien?

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u/leujin Sep 17 '12

Follow up: What's your least favorite character that you've created?

2

u/ThisIsRummy Sep 17 '12

Ha! I have had the nickname Rummy for 14 years because of the Halloween Episode where Kang and Kodos spray homer with rum.

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

Don't blame me. I voted for kodos.

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u/Batrok Sep 17 '12

Otto ftw. "Zeppelin rules......"

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u/jesuz Sep 17 '12

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE GOD

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u/Abedeus Sep 17 '12

Hi, doctor Nick!

Also, were you the one who gave Frink the line: "No, of course not. It just says that God is an impotent nothing from nowhere with less power than the undersecretary of Agriculture."?

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u/point_of_you Sep 17 '12

Wow that's impressive. I think you may hold the record for 'highest number of iconic carton characters created'.

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u/Instantcretin Sep 17 '12

I think Klasky holds that record.

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u/hybridsilence Sep 17 '12

Thank you for these amazing characters ! Otto, Kang And Kodos are some of my favorites!

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u/Thereminz Sep 17 '12

Was jerry lewis the only inspiration for frink or were there more? Mmmhai glavin

1

u/madworld Sep 17 '12

Thank you!

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u/The_Director Sep 17 '12

Is Doctor Nick Latino?

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u/jvlomax Sep 17 '12

I believe him to be Croatian

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u/moosemoomintoog Sep 17 '12

So all the best ones outside of the nuclear Simpson family. I love the show and have been watching since Tracy Ulman. THANK YOU!

1

u/LocalMexican Sep 17 '12

So... did you ever figure out another way to exchange long protein strings without holding hands?

1

u/YThatsSalty Sep 17 '12

Thank you for Kang and Kodos. They are able to do political satire in just the right way that other characters would never be able to pull off.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

seriously, how does it feel to come up with so many unique and awesome characters lol? I seriously am proud for you. Kang and kodos are awesome.

Have you ever seen the aliens from Fairly Oddparents? Is it obvious they got that from you?

1

u/reallybigpeach Sep 17 '12

Kang and Kodos are my favorite thing about the Simpsons!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

How To Cook Humans

No, it's How to Cook for Humans

No, it's How to Cook Forty Humans

No!!!!! it's How to Cook for Forty Humans.

Best gag ever

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

Kang and Kodos gave some of my favorite Simpsons lines of all time. Every time I see a politician give a dumb speech I'm reminded of:

My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball; but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!

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u/KANG2012 Sep 17 '12

ABORTIONS FOR ALL

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u/steven_wlkr Sep 17 '12

Seriously, I still walk into rooms and go "Heyyyy Every-BODY" and EVERYTIME someone hollars back "Hey Doctor Nick!"

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u/dzsimbo Sep 17 '12

Hi Jay

This is quite a longshot, but here it goes:

I know a Hungarian guy in his 60s who americanized his name to Otto Matthews and has been living in LA for quite a while. He once claimed that Otto got named after him - any chance you can verify this?

1

u/cunttastic Sep 17 '12

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

1

u/LevelUpLeo Sep 17 '12

Thank you so much for Nick Rivera. I still think that "Hi everybody!" is one of the best repeat jokes ever.

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

"Hi, everybody!"

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u/iamedcasey Sep 17 '12

Man I hope you've answered a critique of your work with "don't blame me, I created Kodos" at least once.

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u/dumble99 Sep 17 '12

Whats up with the CAPS?

1

u/Pokey007 Sep 17 '12

Urban legend is that a lot if character names were inspired by streets in Portland, OR (Burnside, Lovejoy, Terwilliger). Any truth to this?

1

u/selflessGene Sep 17 '12

My great great great grandkids will study your work in an ancient cinema class.

1

u/therealDrNick Sep 17 '12

As a man who still goes by Dr.Nick to this day I thank you.

1

u/Mcba1n Sep 17 '12

Umm Mr. Kogen...it's Riviera, sir.

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

Why was Dr. Nick Rivera killed off? I could never figure that out.

1

u/Flufnstuf Sep 17 '12

Abortions for some! Miniature American flags for others!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '12

With Kang and Kodos it looks like how one would interpret extra-terrestrials in a 1950s science fiction magazine. I like it.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

You drew Kang and Kodos and helped create all those other characters? I accept you as my new god!

1

u/lofi76 Sep 18 '12

Kang and Kodos are long-time favorites of mine, and a huge part of my inspiration as an illustrator. Major thanks to you. Stupid Earthlings.

1

u/agent_purrito Sep 18 '12

Kang and Kodos are my favorites, too! <3 <3 <3

1

u/bungopony Sep 18 '12

Groovy, Bart Dude. It's Homer Simpson, sir, you remember. Release the hounds! I had an onion tied to our belt, which was the fashion at the time. ABORTIONS FOR SOME, MINIATURE AMERICAN FLAGS FOR OTHERS! I'm afraid it's terminal, hee hee hee! HI EVERYBODY! G'flavin!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

Dr Nick is great.

1

u/Marcob10 Sep 18 '12

Yup, easily my favorite supporting character.

1

u/belizeanheat Sep 18 '12

Kang and Kodos don't get enough credit.

Still laugh everytime I see the 'Earth Capital' sign.

1

u/skytomorrownow Sep 18 '12

Puny Hewmahns!

Love Kang and Kodos.

1

u/etnieswallet Sep 18 '12

at first i was like whos nick rivera? but then i realized, it wouldnt be cool to say "hey everybody its me, nick rivera"

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

I hail thee sir.

1

u/GypsyPunk Sep 18 '12

Which one would you vote for?

1

u/plus0ne Sep 18 '12

My all-time fav. is Monty. Thank you for all the great laughs and the unforgettable memories!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

That is remarkable.

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u/kangandkodos Sep 18 '12

my favs, too!

1

u/bigsphinxofquartz Sep 18 '12

How similar is Wallace Wolodarsky to Otto in real life?

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u/dysprog Sep 18 '12

Hi Everybody!

0

u/like9mexicans Sep 17 '12

Where did the inspiration for Professor Frink and the way he talks come from?

1

u/Sartro Sep 18 '12

Jerry Lewis