{"id":2033659,"date":"2026-07-08T10:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T07:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2033659"},"modified":"2026-07-08T10:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T07:04:17","slug":"the-simpsons-showrunner-explains-why-they-avoid-politics-just-watch-south-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2033659","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 showrunner explains why they avoid politics: \u201cJust watch \u2018South Park\u2019\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Simpsons-South-Park.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><span>TV News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 showrunner explains why they avoid politics: \u201cJust watch \u2018South Park\u2019\u201d<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Matt Selman spoke to NME about the difference between the shows<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Victoria Luxford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-08T11:04:17+01:00\">8th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Simpsons-South-Park-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"The Simpsons South Park\" title=\"The Simpsons South Park\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Homer Simpson and &#8216;South Park&#8217;s&#8217; Eric Cartman. CREDIT: Paramount+ and Disney\/Sky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><em>The Simpsons<\/em> showrunner Matt Selman has spoken to <em>NME<\/em> about why the cartoon avoids current political events, as well as the differences between his show and <em>South Park<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong><strong>\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 silly, subversive video game legacy isn\u2019t done yet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The beloved animated series has been on our screens since 1989, and while it has satirised world leaders in the past, including former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, it has stayed away from anything pointed at the current Donald Trump administration.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Speaking to <em>NME\u2019s<\/em> Ali Shutler ahead of a new collaboration with the mobile game <em>Monopoly GO!<\/em>, Selman was asked why the show stays out of current events. \u201cJust watch <em>South Park<\/em>,\u201d he replied, before explaining the difficulty in covering anything too current. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for us with our lead time [because episodes are written months in advance] but they can respond to the crisis of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like The Simpsons, <em>South Park<\/em> has been on the air for decades, but takes a much more adult view of the world, and has not shied away from making fun of the current US president. Far from being competitors, Selman says \u201cI feel like the shows are complimentary. We tell stories about a family in the modern world, so we\u2019ll show how politics affects them. We\u2019re not backing away from what\u2019s going on by any means. It\u2019s a big deal to show how our divided country affects real people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we do it in a macro way,\u201d he continued, \u201cwhereas <em>South Park<\/em> does it in the smartest, sharpest way by tackling the unbelievable tragedy of the week. We\u2019re never going to out <em>South Park<\/em>, <em>South Park<\/em>.\u201d You can read<em> NME\u2019s<\/em> full interview with Selman here, exploring the show\u2019s video game legacy and enduring popularity.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, fans of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> pointed to a \u201cprediction\u201d related to Mexico\u2019s World Cup performance that was thwarted by their recent loss to England. Elsewhere, long-time cast member Harry Shearer revealed he has never watched the show, despite being in over 800 episodes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>South Park<\/li>\n<li>The Simpsons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Trueno\u2019s politically charged rap is putting him on the path to global success<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Step right up! 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class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><em>The Simpsons<\/em> showrunner Matt Selman has spoken to <em>NME<\/em> about why the cartoon avoids current political events, as well as the differences between his show and <em>South Park<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong><strong>\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 silly, subversive video game legacy isn\u2019t done yet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The beloved animated series has been on our screens since 1989, and while it has satirised world leaders in the past, including former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, it has stayed away from anything pointed at the current Donald Trump administration.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Speaking to <em>NME\u2019s<\/em> Ali Shutler ahead of a new collaboration with the mobile game <em>Monopoly GO!<\/em>, Selman was asked why the show stays out of current events. \u201cJust watch <em>South Park<\/em>,\u201d he replied, before explaining the difficulty in covering anything too current. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for us with our lead time [because episodes are written months in advance] but they can respond to the crisis of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like The Simpsons, <em>South Park<\/em> has been on the air for decades, but takes a much more adult view of the world, and has not shied away from making fun of the current US president. Far from being competitors, Selman says \u201cI feel like the shows are complimentary. We tell stories about a family in the modern world, so we\u2019ll show how politics affects them. We\u2019re not backing away from what\u2019s going on by any means. It\u2019s a big deal to show how our divided country affects real people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we do it in a macro way,\u201d he continued, \u201cwhereas <em>South Park<\/em> does it in the smartest, sharpest way by tackling the unbelievable tragedy of the week. We\u2019re never going to out <em>South Park<\/em>, <em>South Park<\/em>.\u201d You can read<em> NME\u2019s<\/em> full interview with Selman here, exploring the show\u2019s video game legacy and enduring popularity.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, fans of <em>The Simpsons<\/em> pointed to a \u201cprediction\u201d related to Mexico\u2019s World Cup performance that was thwarted by their recent loss to England. Elsewhere, long-time cast member Harry Shearer revealed he has never watched the show, despite being in over 800 episodes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/the-simpsons-showrunner-explains-why-they-avoid-politics-just-watch-south-park-3955645&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Simpsons-South-Park.jpg&#8221;] NewsTV News \u2018The Simpsons\u2019 showrunner explains why they avoid politics: \u201cJust watch \u2018South Park\u2019\u201d Matt Selman spoke to NME about the difference between the shows By Victoria Luxford 8th July 2026 Homer Simpson and &#8216;South Park&#8217;s&#8217; Eric Cartman. CREDIT: Paramount+ and Disney\/Sky The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman has spoken to NME about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2033659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2033659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033659\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2033659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2033659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2033659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}