About this episode
With an epic marathon of 552 (!) episodes of "The Simpsons" launching this week (on cable channel FXX), Gilbert and Frank decided to sit down with someone who's been there from the very beginning (way back in 1988), writer, producer and former show runner, Mike Reiss. Mike joined the boys in Gilbert's Chelsea apartment to share a few "dark secrets" behind TV's longest-running prime time series, including the true story behind Itchy & Scratchy, how Groundskeeper Willie became a national hero, and why Marge's bouffant is so tall (bet you don't know the story behind that one.) Also, Mike recalls writing fake "letters to Santa" for Johnny Carson and working on one of our all-time favorite sitcoms, "It's Garry Shandling's Show." You want more? How about Michael Jackson's sound-alike, hookers in helicopters and Raymond Burr does Tiny Tim? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices