- Although my focus is on George Meyer, it’s important to acknowledge that the comedy on The Simpsons has always been a collective
achievement. In particular, Meyer is quick to praise Jon Swartzwelder, who has written five dozen episodes, more than double any other
writer in show history. Other contributors with many writing credits include Joel Cohen, John Frink, Dan Greaney, Al Jean, Tim Long, Ian
Maxtone-Graham, Carolyn Omine, Don Payne, Matt Selman, and Jon Vitti. Of course, Meyer notes, this list doesn’t include the creators
and many other writers, producers, and animators who have shaped the show’s success. Meyer started sharing credit early on. “In Army
Man, I felt if people were going to write, they should get credit for it, especially since they were doing it for free.” He used a unique
Army symbol to acknowledge each writer’s contribution. “It was a bad decision,” Meyer says, laughing, “because I had to cut all of them
out with an X-Acto knife, and rubber-cement them to this board I was using. It was hard to find them in the pattern on my bedspread.”
michael s
(Michael S)
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