Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright

Actor, comedian, musician, and Big Time Rush fan-favorite Stephen Kramer Glickman joins Nancy Cartwright for a hilarious, inspiring, and surprisingly emotional conversation about resilience, creativity, and embracing unexpected opportunities. From nearly starring as Shrek on Broadway to becoming Gustavo Rocque on Big Time Rush, Stephen shares the winding path that shaped his remarkable career. Stephen opens up about one of the biggest disappointments of his life—being cast as Shrek in the Broadway development of Shrek the Musical, only to be replaced before opening night. What felt like a devastating setback ultimately led to a life-changing opportunity when a chance meeting and a powerful piece of career advice helped open the door to Nickelodeon and Big Time Rush. The conversation dives into Stephen’s experiences touring the world with Big Time Rush, performing in front of massive crowds, working in animation, voice acting, stand-up comedy, and building a successful career across multiple entertainment industries. He shares stories about bullying, persistence, learning to appreciate the journey rather than focusing only on the destination, and finding success in unexpected ways. Stephen also reveals the incredible story behind his viral TikTok music success, how a simple cover song unexpectedly climbed the Billboard charts, and how that momentum helped launch a new chapter in his music career. Along the way, he reflects on working with legends like Mel Brooks, collaborating with top creators in animation, and why maintaining perspective is essential in a business filled with ups and downs. Nancy and Stephen exchange stories about animation, auditions, creative risks, Broadway, social media, family support, career reinvention, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Filled with laughter, donuts, memorable fan questions, and inspiring career lessons, this episode is a must-watch for aspiring performers, creatives, and longtime fans alike. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this behind-the-scenes episode of Simpsons Declassified, Jay Renshaw, the Nancy Cartwright sits down with Jay Renshaw, longtime writer, producer, and creator of the famous character 'Chit', to uncover how Springfield’s most iconic stories are built—from the first joke pitch to the final table read. Jay shares what it’s like crafting episodes for the longest-running primetime animated series in television history, revealing how stories are broken, how jokes survive (or don’t), and why collaboration is the secret ingredient to keeping The Simpsons fresh after decades on air. From the pressure of maintaining legacy characters to the joy of discovering unexpected emotional beats, this conversation explores the art and discipline behind animated comedy writing. Nancy and Jay dive into: How a Simpsons episode begins in the writers’ room The balance between heart and humor What makes a joke “Springfield-worthy” The evolution of storytelling over 30+ seasons How writers protect each character’s voice Jay also reflects on the responsibility of writing for characters that audiences have grown up with—characters who feel like family. What’s the process of pitching a story for Bart, Homer, or Lisa? How do writers keep the humor sharp while honoring the emotional core that’s made the show timeless? Beyond the craft, the episode explores the human side of the process: the late nights, the rewrites, the laughter around the table, and the creative risks that sometimes lead to iconic television moments. For aspiring writers, Jay offers insight into breaking into television, building discipline, and developing the resilience necessary for a career in entertainment. His perspective is both practical and inspiring, making this episode a must-listen for creatives looking to understand how great comedy is truly made. Whether you’re a lifelong Simpsons fan, a comedy nerd, or an aspiring television writer, this episode offers a rare, candid look at the storytelling engine behind one of the most influential shows in history. Donuts are rated. Stories are dissected. Springfield secrets are revealed. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode of Simpsons Declassified, producer Monica Gil-Rodriguez pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to survive—and succeed—in Hollywood. From navigating studio politics to developing major franchise films, Monica shares candid stories about her journey through the entertainment industry, including her pivotal role in championing projects at the highest level. She discusses the realities of being a producer, the difference between creative vision and corporate pressure, and why persistence matters more than prestige. The conversation dives into what studio executives actually do, how projects get greenlit (or killed), and what aspiring filmmakers misunderstand about breaking into Hollywood. Monica also reflects on female leadership in entertainment, career pivots, and the moments when trusting your instincts can change the trajectory of a film—or even a franchise. As always, Simpsons Declassified blends insight with fun, so expect laughs, behind-the-scenes industry truths, and a few unexpected turns along the way. Whether you’re a die-hard movie fan, an aspiring producer, or simply curious about how Hollywood really works, this episode delivers honest advice, inspiring perspective, and a rare look inside the machine. A must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone who’s ever wondered how stories actually make it to the screen. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Voice acting legend Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain, Futurama, The Simpsons, Zootopia) joins Nancy Cartwright for an unforgettable, laugh-out-loud episode of Simpsons Declassified packed with fan questions, iconic voices, and surprising emotional depth. From the very start, Maurice dives into classic characters as fans ask about world domination schemes, the genius of Pinky and the Brain, and why the show’s rare moments of heart made it so timeless. He breaks down why the writing was so strong that ad-libbing was rarely needed—and how the “informed idiot vs. uninformed idiot” dynamic made the series work. Simpsons fans will love the deep cuts, including Maurice’s first Simpsons contribution (yes, it involved legendary burps), behind-the-scenes stories from The Critic crossover, video game voice sessions, theme park recordings, and why writers eventually “write to the actor’s voice.” There’s also a masterclass in belch technique, complete with live demonstrations and tongue placement tips you probably didn’t know you needed. Of course, no Simpsons Declassified episode is complete without chaos—enter multiple donut tasting segments, complete with synchronized bites, accidental finger chomping, brutally honest ratings, and one donut that earns a historic minus-one score. The episode takes a powerful turn as Maurice opens up about loss, recovery, creativity, and resilience, sharing why comedy matters—especially now—and how making people laugh for even a few minutes can genuinely change lives. He also teases future projects, including Zootopia 2, possible Futurama returns, and a deeply personal one-man show inspired by his own life journey. Funny, raw, nostalgic, and unexpectedly moving, this episode is a must-listen for Simpsons fans, animation lovers, voice actors, and anyone who believes laughter really can save the world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special Ask Me (Bart) Anything episode of Simpsons Declassified, Nancy Cartwright—the iconic voice of Bart Simpson—is joined by Sofy for a fan-driven conversation packed with behind-the-scenes stories, laughs, and classic Simpsons energy. Pulled straight from fan questions, this AMA covers everything fans have always wanted to know about Bart, voice acting, and life inside Springfield. Nancy shares candid insights into performing Bart across decades, switching between characters, and how she keeps the voice fresh after thousands of episodes. Along the way, she reflects on career lessons, creative instincts, and the unexpected moments that shaped one of television’s most recognizable voices. The episode blends heartfelt storytelling with playful banter as Nancy and Sofy react to fan prompts, riff on Bart’s personality, and explore what makes The Simpsons endure across generations. From vocal technique and character evolution to fan culture and personal growth, this AMA feels intimate, funny, and unscripted—just like Bart himself. Whether you’re a lifelong Simpsons fan or discovering the magic behind Bart Simpson for the first time, this episode delivers insider knowledge, warmth, and plenty of “Eat My Shorts” energy—straight from the source. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Simpsons) joins Simpsons Declassified for a hilarious, revealing conversation that jumps from Springfield to Hollywood—and straight into the stories fans beg for. Beverly finally explains the infamous “crotch grab” moment on Christmas Vacation, why she did it, and how it accidentally became the take they had to use. Then the episode dives deep into her Simpsons legacy as Lurleen Lumpkin, including the wild truth that Beverly wrote “Finally Bagged Me a Homer” with her brother in about ten minutes—and how that song became a long-term “gift that keeps on giving.” You’ll also hear how she met Matt Groening through Frank Zappa, why musical theater rules made the Lurleen episode work so well, and what it was like recording in the early days of the show (plus the best Simpsons perks—yes, the luggage!). The conversation turns personal as Beverly shares advice she’d give her younger self: self-validate, trust your creative engine, and don’t conform for approval. Packed with classic improv, behind-the-scenes trivia, and real-life wisdom—this one’s a must-listen. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices