- published: 16 Dec 2015
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Al Jean (born January 9, 1961) is an award-winning American screenwriter and producer. Jean is well known for his work on The Simpsons. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Harvard University in 1981. Jean began his writing career in the 1980s with fellow Harvard alum Mike Reiss. Together, they worked as writers and producers on television shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, ALF and It's Garry Shandling's Show.
Jean was offered a job as a writer on the animated sitcom The Simpsons in 1989, alongside Reiss, and together they became the first members of the original writing staff of the show. They served as show runners during the show's third (1991) and fourth (1992) seasons, though they left The Simpsons after season four to create The Critic, an animated show about film critic Jay Sherman. It was first broadcast on ABC in January 1994 and was well received by critics, but did not catch on with viewers and only lasted for two seasons.
In 1994, Jean and Reiss signed a three-year deal with The Walt Disney Company to produce other television shows for ABC and the duo created and executive produced Teen Angel, which was canceled in its first season. Jean returned full-time to The Simpsons during the tenth season (1998). He became show runner again with the start of the thirteenth season in 2001, without Reiss, and has held that position since. Jean was also one of the writers and producers that worked on The Simpsons Movie, a feature-length film based on the series, released in 2007.
John William "Johnny" Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host and comedian, known for thirty years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Emmy Awards, the Governor Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Johnny Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.
Although his show was already successful by the end of the 1960s, during the 1970s Carson became an American icon and remained so until his retirement in 1992. He adopted a casual, conversational approach with extensive interaction with guests, an approach pioneered by Arthur Godfrey and previous Tonight Show hosts Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Late night hosts David Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Craig Ferguson, and Jimmy Fallon have all cited Carson's influence on their late-night talk shows, which resemble his in format and tone.
Carson was born in Corning, Iowa, in the year 1925, to Homer Lloyd "Kit" Carson, a power company manager, and Ruth Hook Carson, who was of Irish descent. He grew up in the nearby towns of Avoca, Clarinda, and Red Oak in southwest Iowa before moving to Norfolk, Nebraska, at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, Carson found a book on magic at a friend's house and immediately purchased a mail-order magician's kit. He debuted as "The Great Carsoni" at fourteen and was paid $3; many other performances at local picnics and country fairs followed.
KPCS: Al Jean #255
The Simpsons - Interview with Al Jean, pt 1
The Simpsons, Futurama and the maths behind the comedy
Al Jean discusses various "Simpsons" characters - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
Al Jean discusses how he got hired on "The Simpsons" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
Hanging with Al Jean, Executive Producer of The Simpsons
Al Jean discusses working on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
8-time Emmy winner Al Jean talks 'The Simpsons'
Al Jean discusses "The Critic" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
Al Jean discusses "The Simpsons" opening credit sequence - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG
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'The Simpsons' Death — Al Jean to Outraged Fans: 'They're Taking it Extremely Too Far'