The Simpsons charachters' origins thread

Orson · 05-21-01, 04:45 AM

Spoiler:

I was just thinking which people (real or fictional) the Simpsons characters are based on. I know of the following:

The Simpsons family are based on Matt Groening's own family. Especially Homer & Marge.

Mayor 'Diamond' Joe Quimby is based on JFK.

I know other charachters have origins in fictional TV characters from other TV shows and cartoons. e.g. Chief Wiggum. But I don't know which ones.

Any clues people??

Venusian · 05-21-01, 10:20 AM

there was an episode that gave the fictional characters some of them were based on but I can't recall them now.

cineman · 05-21-01, 10:23 AM

I think Professor Frink is supposed to by Jerry Lewis as the Nutty Professor.

Red Dog · 05-21-01, 10:36 AM

Dr. Hibbard is Bill Cosby as in the Cosby Show.

Iron Chef · 05-21-01, 11:00 AM

I think that Duffman is an original.

OH YEAH

Venusian · 05-21-01, 11:25 AM

Bart is a ripoff of Dennis the Menace...."looks like the kid thats been roughing up the Wilson Widow"

renaldow · 05-21-01, 12:18 PM

Duffman is a direct copy of the 70's BudMan (Budweiser,) for those that remember back that far.

The Spanish Bee Man from Channel Ocho is based on a character on Univision.

Rainier Wolfcastle is Arnold Schwarzenegger

These characters are named after streets in Portland, OR:
Flanders
Quimby
Lovejoy
Terwilliger
Simpson

There's a lot more '1 use' characters that pop up occasionally based on people that are escaping me now.

sundog · 05-21-01, 12:48 PM

Chief Wiggum is based on Edward G. Robinson. As was obviously noted in Roger Meyers' plea for Itchy & Scratchy:

"All the best cartoon characters are ripoffs! Barney Rubble, Yogi Bear, Chief Wiggum. Art Carney, Yogi Berra, Edward G. Robinson."

Orson · 05-21-01, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cineman
I think Professor Frink is supposed to by Jerry Lewis as the Nutty Professor.

Yep. And I believe he's named after one of the Producers.

Venusian · 05-21-01, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by renaldow

There's a lot more '1 use' characters that pop up occasionally based on people that are escaping me now.

theres the mary poppin's babysitter, the neighbor that led marge on a thelma and luise adventure...

garmonbozia · 05-21-01, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Venusian
Bart is a ripoff of Dennis the Menace...."looks like the kid thats been roughing up the Wilson Widow"

That makes sense in the context of the episode where George and Barbara Bush moved in across the street.

bothanspy · 05-21-01, 05:12 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Orson
[b]

Spoiler:

BothanSpy

Venusian · 05-21-01, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by garmonbozia

Quote:

Originally posted by Venusian
Bart is a ripoff of Dennis the Menace...."looks like the kid thats been roughing up the Wilson Widow"

That makes sense in the context of the episode where George and Barbara Bush moved in across the street.

that was actually a line from one of the episodes in case you didnt know (I couldnt tell)

Orson · 05-21-01, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bothanspy
But you didn't spell character right

BothanSpy

err.... it's the Scottish spelling. Yes, that's what it is.
So I'm right, and you're wrong. Nerrr!

milo bloom · 05-22-01, 12:35 AM

I've lost the link, but somebody posted a picture on some forum somewhere of the guy that writes those bible tracts you see in church, the kind that promise eternal damnation for playing Yahtzee, anyways the guy was a dead ringer for Ned Flanders.

MOLE · 05-22-01, 12:40 PM

Cletus the Slack Jawwed Yokel?

Orson · 05-22-01, 11:12 PM

Just remembered there was a computer programmer character, who sang Karaoke in a bar (followed by a Bart&Lisa rendition of "Shaft").

They gave his name as Richie Sakai - same as one of the Producers.

And not an actual charachter, but the Simpson family went to visit a Cider Mill, called The Swartzwelder Cider Mill, which was named after Writer/Creative Consultant John Swartzwelder.

I'm sure I'll remember more eventually...

Orson · 05-22-01, 11:15 PM

Also, the Big Daddy character (in the Wiggum/Skinner New Orleans spin-off) appeared to be a version of John Candy's character in Oliver Stone's JFK.

05-21-01, 04:45 AM	#1
Orson Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Alum Rock, Alabama Posts: 134	Spoiler: You notice how well I apostraphized that thread title? huh? God Bless British Education. Anyhoo... I was just thinking which people (real or fictional) the Simpsons characters are based on. I know of the following: The Simpsons family are based on Matt Groening's own family. Especially Homer & Marge. Mayor 'Diamond' Joe Quimby is based on JFK. I know other charachters have origins in fictional TV characters from other TV shows and cartoons. e.g. Chief Wiggum. But I don't know which ones. Any clues people??

05-21-01, 10:23 AM	#3
cineman DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,637	I think Professor Frink is supposed to by Jerry Lewis as the Nutty Professor. __________________ Blue ink is evil...

05-21-01, 12:18 PM	#7
renaldow DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 8,323	Duffman is a direct copy of the 70's BudMan (Budweiser,) for those that remember back that far. The Spanish Bee Man from Channel Ocho is based on a character on Univision. Rainier Wolfcastle is Arnold Schwarzenegger These characters are named after streets in Portland, OR: Flanders Quimby Lovejoy Terwilliger Simpson There's a lot more '1 use' characters that pop up occasionally based on people that are escaping me now. __________________ The ball is round, the game lasts 90 minutes; everything else is theoretical. www.horrortalk.com

05-21-01, 12:48 PM	#8
sundog DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,204	Chief Wiggum is based on Edward G. Robinson. As was obviously noted in Roger Meyers' plea for Itchy & Scratchy: "All the best cartoon characters are ripoffs! Barney Rubble, Yogi Bear, Chief Wiggum. Art Carney, Yogi Berra, Edward G. Robinson." __________________ and the post modern empire is ended tonight

05-21-01, 05:12 PM	#12
bothanspy DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Chicago, only a stone's throw from Chicago (even if you throw like a girl) Posts: 2,455	[quote]Originally posted by Orson [b] Spoiler: You notice how well I apostraphized that thread title? huh? God Bless British Education. Anyhoo... Spoiler: But you didn't spell character right BothanSpy __________________ Many Bothan spies died to bring you this information. Bothan's favorite post of the week: BY: Charlie Goose "Ludacris as host? That's radiculis!". (Last Update OCtober 2006) D-V-What?

05-21-01, 10:20 AM	#2
Venusian Moderator Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 34,634	there was an episode that gave the fictional characters some of them were based on but I can't recall them now.

05-21-01, 10:36 AM	#4
Red Dog DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV) Posts: 77,401	Dr. Hibbard is Bill Cosby as in the Cosby Show.

05-21-01, 11:00 AM	#5
Iron Chef DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: is everything Posts: 17,970	I think that Duffman is an original. OH YEAH

05-21-01, 11:25 AM	#6
Venusian Moderator Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 34,634	Bart is a ripoff of Dennis the Menace...."looks like the kid thats been roughing up the Wilson Widow"

05-22-01, 12:35 AM	#15
milo bloom DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2001 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 7,669	I've lost the link, but somebody posted a picture on some forum somewhere of the guy that writes those bible tracts you see in church, the kind that promise eternal damnation for playing Yahtzee, anyways the guy was a dead ringer for Ned Flanders. __________________ OAR (Original Aspect Ratio) is not about more image, or less image. It's about the right image. "...and a table made of cheese, and a chair made of cheese..."

05-22-01, 12:40 PM	#16
MOLE DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,773	Cletus the Slack Jawwed Yokel? __________________ Jesus is coming, Quick look busy The Irregulars Mole's DVDs

05-22-01, 11:12 PM	#17
Orson Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Alum Rock, Alabama Posts: 134	Just remembered there was a computer programmer character, who sang Karaoke in a bar (followed by a Bart&Lisa rendition of "Shaft"). They gave his name as Richie Sakai - same as one of the Producers. And not an actual charachter, but the Simpson family went to visit a Cider Mill, called The Swartzwelder Cider Mill, which was named after Writer/Creative Consultant John Swartzwelder. I'm sure I'll remember more eventually...

05-22-01, 11:15 PM	#18
Orson Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Alum Rock, Alabama Posts: 134	Also, the Big Daddy character (in the Wiggum/Skinner New Orleans spin-off) appeared to be a version of John Candy's character in Oliver Stone's JFK.