Simpsons tip the hat to JB

[shimp scrampi]

Don't know if anyone here has noted it, but "Frank Nelson" occasionally makes an appearance on The Simpsons. Dan Castellaneta does the voice in a not-bad impression, and he's the same old ill-mannered, rude store clerk or waiter.

There are really no shows doing "Benny" type absurdist humor on TV anymore - the last I can really think of would be "Green Acres" - but The Simpsons - brilliant in its own style - does have its occasional moments even though it tends much more toward irony and satire. It's a loving tribute to have "Frank" still asking "Yeeees?" amidst the voices of Springfield so many decades later. Cool.

[Alain]

whatever the many opinions may be of the Simpsons, i think the fact that they often include acknowledgements of comedic history - many from OTR , is a nice touch. (nb-i believe they are often more than just easy pop culture how-cool-to-reference-name-drops)

I would guess that many JB fans, like myself, are also admirers of the Simpsons.

Alain

[shimp scrampi]

Agreed! And, how funny is it that George Burns is Mr. Burns YOUNGER brother? I believe the episode is called "Rosebud". An age joke Jack Benny would be proud of!

[LLeff]

whatever the many opinions may be of the Simpsons, i think the fact that they often include acknowledgements of comedic history - many from OTR , is a nice touch. (nb-i believe they are often more than just easy pop culture how-cool-to-reference-name-drops)

I was astounded when Mr. Burns (Montgomery, not George) said something about Louise Brooks. I mean, how many people besides silent movie fans would know who she is?

[shimp scrampi]

And wasn't Harry Shearer (voice of Mr. Burns and others) a Beverly Hills Beaver? Direct lineage!

[LLeff]

And wasn't Harry Shearer (voice of Mr. Burns and others) a Beverly Hills Beaver? Direct lineage!

Sure was. I still have to interview him one of these days.

[Brad from Georgia]

Another little Benny moment from the Simpsons: In the "Marge versus the Monorail" episode, scam artist Lyle Lanley (voiced by the late Phil Hartman) gets caught with obvious plans for a con job on his desk. He sort of talks his way out of the trouble, then, alone, he picks up the plans, claps his hand to his cheek and says "I don't know WHY I keep this thing in plan sight" in a pretty fair Jack Benny impression.

[ZEjackbennykid]

the simpsons is not the only thing that has given benny tributes. for example in piglets big movie( a winnie the pooh film) shows pooh thinking it over on rabbit's plea it's your honey or your life with benny's hand to cheek stare. the same thing was pulled on the jimmy neautron show when cindy says what i'm thinking to jimmys it's your jewels or your life. also on Spongebob Squarepants there is one episodes where spongebob gives the hand to cheek stare 2 times in the episode where he loses his name tag.

[shimp scrampi]

the simpsons is not the only thing that has given benny tributes. for example in piglets big movie( a winnie the pooh film) shows pooh thinking it over on rabbit's plea it's your honey or your life with benny's hand to cheek stare. the same thing was pulled on the jimmy neautron show when cindy says what i'm thinking to jimmys it's your jewels or your life. also on Spongebob Squarepants there is one episodes where spongebob gives the hand to cheek stare 2 times in the episode where he loses his name tag.

ZE, thanks for these examples - in the other forum there is a thread about Jack Benny's fame today - it's clear that Jack's legacy is infiltrating youth culture more than some of us think, great to have a "youth spy" to keep us updated!

[ZEjackbennykid]

zach eastman: jack benny youth spy report: no jack benny mention but refrence to two other radio greats. on futurama the episode a pharao to remember the episode gives tribute to Bob Hope and Abbott and Costello