TRP / Simpsons

[Erik T. Burns]

How The Simpsons Brought Reclusive Author Thomas Pynchon to TV (cbr.com)
<https://www.cbr.com/the-simpsons-thomas-pynchon-cameos/>

According to *The Simpsons*' executive producer and showrunner Al Jean
<https://www.cbr.com/the-simpsons-al-jean-feliz-navidad-interview/> in the
audio commentary for *The Simpsons Complete 15th Season*, Pynchon was
initially drawn to the show because of his son Jackson, a professed fan of
the series. But Pynchon might also be something of a fan himself, given
that he made some slight tweaks to his appearance in "All's Love in Oven
War." Jean's fellow executive producer Matt Selman tweeted
<https://twitter.com/mattselman/status/505082780561051649> that Pynchon
actually sent the script back with some notes and different gags. Notably,
he refused to call Homer a "fat ass," as the author considered Homer
something of a "personal hero" and didn't want to insult him. All of this
made *The Simpsons* one of the very few times Thomas Pynchon has ever
broken his rule against appearing in public -- and let the author poke fun
at that legacy at the same time.