There was an episode of South Park called “The Simpsons Already Did It.” In the episode, the character Butters comes up with all sorts of ideas to wreak havoc on his arch enemies, the four main characters*, only to have his pre-school-aged sidekick point out each time that his idea had already been done on an episode of The Simpsons.
The idea came from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s repeated problem of coming up with a great story idea, developing an episode around it, then having one of their staff point out that it had already been done on an episode of The Simpsons. They were never deliberately ripping off The Simpsons, but there have been so many episodes over the years, it’s very easy to come up with the same ideas either through coincidence or some unconscious memory.
It was a huge problem at South Park, because they literally produce each episode in one week. (There are a few exceptions for technically complex episodes, which tend to be the first episode after a hiatus. See the episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.”) If Trey and Matt work on a story for a day and a half, only to have to throw it out and start over, they’re seriously behind schedule and they have to scramble like crazy to catch up.
When the guys asked the staff member who broke the bad news why no one had said anything sooner, he or she just kind of shrugged and said, “Well, you were having so much fun with it.” So a rule was instituted at South Park Studios that the second an idea came up that a staff member recognized from The Simpsons, that person had to speak up immediately.
So, knowing this whole story, connan said, “Finally, something the Simpsons didn’t do first.” Meaning, "Har, har, har. Look at this mid-80s Bloom County, doing an idea that was later done on The Simpsons, in that wonderful episode “Trash of the Titans,” featuring Steve Martin and a brilliantly obscure Red Foxx reference. Finally, something the Simpsons didn’t do first."
The End
*minus Kenny, who was dead and at that time was staying dead, plus Tweek, who was the replacement Kenny after Butters had been forcibly removed from his position as the replacement Kenny. If that didn’t confuse you, nothing will.
Sisyphos about 12 years ago
A load of birdshot for the pesky penguin!
thirdguy about 12 years ago
Penguin on the rotisserie, thems good eats!!!
Rodney99 about 12 years ago
A load of rock salt, that way he’s pre-seasoned.
SwimsWithSharks about 12 years ago
Opus looks funny singing there, doesn’t he.
connanraspa about 12 years ago
Finally, something the Simpsons didn’t do first.
MrSulusBrain about 12 years ago
Everybody’s a critic!
elbeck about 12 years ago
Funny, I also felt the need to reach for a shotgun the first time I heard “The Candy Man.”
elbeck about 12 years ago
Uh, connan, these strips were running before The Simpsons ever hit the air.
Vonne Anton about 12 years ago
Finally, something the Kardashians didn’t do first….[looks around bewildered]…What? What did I say wrong?
Sir Osis of Liver about 12 years ago
Needs more birdshot… er, I mean, more cowbell.
American1 about 12 years ago
Hmmm…i’d shoot him too
TnAdct1 about 12 years ago
I didn’t realize the Simpsons ripped-off this Bloom County strip.
Clobbered by Science Premium Member about 12 years ago
Okay confused folks:
There was an episode of South Park called “The Simpsons Already Did It.” In the episode, the character Butters comes up with all sorts of ideas to wreak havoc on his arch enemies, the four main characters*, only to have his pre-school-aged sidekick point out each time that his idea had already been done on an episode of The Simpsons.
The idea came from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s repeated problem of coming up with a great story idea, developing an episode around it, then having one of their staff point out that it had already been done on an episode of The Simpsons. They were never deliberately ripping off The Simpsons, but there have been so many episodes over the years, it’s very easy to come up with the same ideas either through coincidence or some unconscious memory.
It was a huge problem at South Park, because they literally produce each episode in one week. (There are a few exceptions for technically complex episodes, which tend to be the first episode after a hiatus. See the episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.”) If Trey and Matt work on a story for a day and a half, only to have to throw it out and start over, they’re seriously behind schedule and they have to scramble like crazy to catch up.
When the guys asked the staff member who broke the bad news why no one had said anything sooner, he or she just kind of shrugged and said, “Well, you were having so much fun with it.” So a rule was instituted at South Park Studios that the second an idea came up that a staff member recognized from The Simpsons, that person had to speak up immediately.
So, knowing this whole story, connan said, “Finally, something the Simpsons didn’t do first.” Meaning, "Har, har, har. Look at this mid-80s Bloom County, doing an idea that was later done on The Simpsons, in that wonderful episode “Trash of the Titans,” featuring Steve Martin and a brilliantly obscure Red Foxx reference. Finally, something the Simpsons didn’t do first."
The End
*minus Kenny, who was dead and at that time was staying dead, plus Tweek, who was the replacement Kenny after Butters had been forcibly removed from his position as the replacement Kenny. If that didn’t confuse you, nothing will.
lin4869 about 12 years ago
The song is sung to the melody of “The Candy Man” from WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Sammy Davis, Jr. had a successful recording of it.