The Simpsons

For nearly two decades, The Simpsons has given television audiences countless reasons to laugh at the antics of the dysfunctional yellow-orange tinged family from Springfield.  Part of the reason behind its success are the actors that lend their voices to the characters.  One of those vocal talents is Yeardley Smith, who has provided the voice of smart, talented and pint-sized Lisa Simpson for years.

Smith has been voicing Lisa for the animated sitcom's entire run.  Smith took time out to offer insight on her Simpsons toon persona when she spoke to the U.K. Telegraph this month.

Smith talked about what it's like being Lisa Simpson for 19 seasons and discussed how her cartoon alter ego has evolved (albeit without aging) over the years.

“As soon as I get a script and see the name Lisa on the page I hear her voice instantly,” Smith admitted.  “I don't ad-lib as Lisa Simpson though.  I don't make things up as her, like some of the other voice actors like Hank [Azaria] and Dan [Castellaneta].”

“I think in the last 10 years Lisa has become more of a constant than she was in the first 10,” Smith added, explaining that Lisa has grown from her original role as a mere counter for her mischievous brother.  “When we first started doing short slots on The Tracey Ullman Show, Lisa was a foil for Bart.  She was just a bratty little sister who didn't really have much of a personality.”

She explained that eventually, when they became an independent half-hour program, executive producer James L. Brooks wanted Lisa to become a prodigy, which has been their mold ever since.

As a parting shot, Smith recounted her most bizarre encounter with a Simpsons fan:  “There was a guy who had a huge tattoo of Homer on his belly – and his belly button was Homer's butt-hole.  That was a bit much.”


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: UK Telegraph
(Image Courtesy of Viewimages)