After 27 seasons on the air, The Simpsons hasn’t run out of tricks yet! This May, Fox has set The Simpsons to go live for three minutes, a previously unheard of feat in animation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the “live” segment of The Simpsons’ May 15th episode will feature Homer Simpson answering fan questions and “discussing topical subjects… for the final three minutes of its regularly scheduled episode.” Dan Castellaneta will record Homer’s lines for both the East coast and West coast airings of the episode.
But how will The Simpsons pull this off? According to showrunner Al Jean, the animation in this segment will be using motion capture technology to depict his face and reactions as he discusses things he “could only be saying live on that day.”
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“As far as I know, this is the first time that’s been done by any animated show,” added Jean. “And Dan is a great improviser.”
Starting on Sunday, May 1, Fox will invite fans to ask Homer questions on twitter using the #HomerLive hashtag. That’s cool, but what I’d love to see a #MoeLive in which America phones Moe’s Tavern with an unending supply of prank calls while Hank Azaria improvs his way through the segment. Who’s with me on that one?
The Simpsons’ 27th season is currently airing on Fox, and it has previously been renewed for its 28th season next fall.
What would you ask Homer Simpson? Share your questions in the comment section below!
