{"id":2070979,"date":"2025-10-05T21:43:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T21:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2070979"},"modified":"2025-10-05T21:43:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T21:43:56","slug":"the-simpsons-showrunner-would-be-shocked-if-universal-lost-theme-park-rights-it-would-destroy-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-simpsons-showrunner-would-be-shocked-if-universal-lost-theme-park-rights-it-would-destroy-them\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe Simpsons \u201dshowrunner would be &#8216;shocked&#8217; if Universal lost theme park rights: &#8216;It would destroy them&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Key points<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Simpsons<\/em> co-showrunner Matt Selman tells EW he&#8217;d be &#8220;shocked&#8221; if Universal removed the show from its theme parks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Selman, who says he is &#8220;not party to those negotiations,&#8221; speculates that losing <em>The Simpsons<\/em> &#8220;would destroy&#8221; the parks in Hollywood and Orlando.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The producer also pitches a seasonal update to the Springfield-themed lands in the parks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-simpsons\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Simpsons;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>The Simpsons<\/em><\/a> holds a special place at Universal Studios&#8217; theme parks \u2014 and the cartoon&#8217;s co-showrunner doesn&#8217;t think that should ever change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Fans have speculated that <em>The Simpsons<\/em> could move to Disney parks like Disneyland after the House of Mouse acquired the show in its 2019 purchase of 20th Century Fox.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, Matt Selman, who has worked on the animated series since 1997 and was involved with <em>The Simpsons<\/em> Ride, tells <em>Entertainment Weekly<\/em> that it would be misguided to remove Springfield from Universal&#8217;s parks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I would personally be shocked if <em>The Simpsons<\/em> did not continue at Universal,&#8221; the series&#8217; co-showrunner says, noting, &#8220;I don&#8217;t have any inside information, so I&#8217;m just a fan. This is not an official announcement. I&#8217;m not party to those negotiations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Alberto E. Rodriguez\/WireImage<\/p>\n<p> &#8216;The Simpsons&#8217; Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Simpsons<\/em> has a presence in both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando. Both parks feature <em>The Simpsons <\/em>Ride, a motion simulator attraction that follows a 3D-version of the titular family as their visit to Krustyland goes off the rails.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Five years after <em>The Simpsons <\/em>Ride opened in 2008, both parks expanded the franchise&#8217;s footprint to surround the ride with an entire Springfield area, complete with restaurants like Krusty Burger, Lard Lad Donuts, Cletus&#8217; Chicken Shack, and Moe&#8217;s Tavern. Orlando&#8217;s version of Springfield also includes an additional ride: Kang &amp; Kodos&#8217; Twirl &#8216;n&#8217; Hurl.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Speaking for the Southern California location, Selman can&#8217;t even fathom what could possibly replace Springfield. &#8220;Think about it, what would they put there?&#8221; he asks. &#8220;They&#8217;d have to close it, shut it down for what, two years? And build another area, right in the middle of Universal. I was just there. They&#8217;re building a giant <em>Fast and Furious<\/em> outdoor rollercoaster right there. And they just built all this Mario stuff. Like how would they\u2014 it would destroy them!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Selman goes on to sing the praises of the Springfield areas of the parks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;<em>The Simpsons Ride <\/em>is, even though its technology is 20 years old, is great,&#8221; he says. &#8220;The in-line experience is funny. People ride it again and again. The Springfield food court is amazing. Cletus&#8217;s fried chicken on the bone is so good. The Krusty Burger is so good. The branding and level of Springfield specificity is fantastic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Universal Studios Hollywood Moe's Tavern at Universal Studios Hollywood\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/jCp_DTxjb4mw6pB8f_O08Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/3f8ddbb5ccd4ad6ee5bd575b2842f841\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>Universal Studios Hollywood<\/p>\n<p> Moe&#8217;s Tavern at Universal Studios Hollywood<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The co-showrunner reiterates his position. &#8220;Just as a <em>Simpsons<\/em> fan, it does not seem logical to me that they could close that, or that they would be so shortsighted to do that,&#8221; he says. &#8220;But that&#8217;s not an announcement. That&#8217;s just me speculating. What would they possibly do?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There&#8217;s one particular Springfield snack that Selman can&#8217;t imagine disappearing. &#8220;You know what the most popular thing is? The giant donut,&#8221; he says of the oversized donut from Lard Lad. &#8220;They would walk away from the giant donut? Nothing is printing more money. It&#8217;s not even that expensive! Honestly, I thought it&#8217;d be like $50, since theme parks upcharge. How could they possibly change it? The donut is so good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"David Sprague Lard Lad Donuts at Universal Studios Hollywood\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/JnH8_yFQEXsm_mfzMIfoPA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/entertainment_weekly_785\/eb58386e80878377953de29921707a27\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<p>David Sprague<\/p>\n<p> Lard Lad Donuts at Universal Studios Hollywood<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><em>Sign up for <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.dotdashmeredith.com\/ew-tv-inline-offer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Entertainment Weekly's;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly&#8217;s<\/a><em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.dotdashmeredith.com\/ew-tv-inline-offer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> free daily newsletter<\/a> to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Selman also pitches a seasonal update for Springfield. &#8220;Look, I do not have any time for more <em>Simpsons<\/em> side projects,&#8221; he begins. &#8220;However, it is insane that they never Treehouse-of-Horror-ified Universal for Halloween Horror Nights. Why we didn&#8217;t spooky-ify it, when <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/tv\/simpsons-treehouse-of-horror-episodes-ranked\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Treehouse of Horror;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Treehouse of Horror<\/a> is like our main, most beloved thing \u2014 that seems like someone dropped the ball. Possibly me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Simpsons<\/em> airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET\/PT.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/the-simpsons-showrunner-shocked-universal-theme-park-rights-11822760\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Entertainment Weekly;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key points The Simpsons co-showrunner Matt Selman tells EW he&#8217;d be &#8220;shocked&#8221; if Universal removed the show from its theme parks. Selman, who says he is &#8220;not party to those negotiations,&#8221; speculates that losing The Simpsons &#8220;would destroy&#8221; the parks in Hollywood and Orlando. The producer also pitches a seasonal update to the Springfield-themed lands [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2070980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[388075,381477,309364,388077,361142,388076,346469,30360,336100,388074],"class_list":["post-2070979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-krusty-burger","tag-matt-selman","tag-springfield","tag-springfield-area","tag-the-simpsons","tag-the-simpsons-ride","tag-theme-parks","tag-universal","tag-universal-studios-hollywood","tag-universal-studios-orlando"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The-Simpsons-showrunner-would-be-shocked-if-Universal-lost-theme.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2070979"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2070981,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070979\/revisions\/2070981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2070980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2070979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2070979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2070979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}