Matt Selman

Last updated

Matt Selman
Matt Selman by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Selman in 2010
Born1971or1972(age 53–54)
NationalityAmerican
Occupations
  • Television writer
  • producer
Years active1990s–present
Known for The Simpsons

Matt Selman (born1971or1972) [1] is an American television writer and producer.

Contents

Early life and education

Selman grew up in Watertown, Massachusetts. [1] He is Jewish. [2] He graduated from Beaver Country Day School in 1989 and the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. [1] [3] [4]

Career

The Simpsons

In 1997, Selman joined the writing staff of The Simpsons , where he has remained, rising to the position of executive producer. [5] He has written or co-written 28 episodes of the show, including "Natural Born Kissers" which the show's creator Matt Groening listed as his eighth favorite episode in 2000, [6] "Behind the Laughter", "Trilogy of Error", "Sky Police" and "The Food Wife". He also co-wrote the 2007 film adaptation of the show, as well as co-writing the video games The Simpsons: Road Rage , The Simpsons: Hit & Run and The Simpsons Game .[ citation needed ]

Selman has won six Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the show, sharing them with the other producers. [7] Selman received an Annie Award in 1999 for writing "Simpsons Bible Stories". [8] He also won a Writers Guild of America Award in 2004 for writing the episode "The Dad Who Knew Too Little". [9] In the episode, Homer's e-mail was said to be chunkylover53@aol.com. Selman registered the e-mail and received thousands of messages after the episode aired. [10] He responded to some of them in the character of Homer, but gave up when he forgot the password. [11]

Of his writing of The Simpsons, Selman said: "The hardest thing is we have to try and make each episode as good as everything that's come before it. We have a legacy of greatness, and you don't want to be the person that ruins The Simpsons." [12]

Other work

Selman formerly wrote for Time.com's Techland "Nerd World" blog alongside Lev Grossman, [13] and is also the creator and writer of the Icebox.com webtoon "Superhero Roommate." [14] Selman also has written jokes for many animated movies. He appeared alongside Groening and voice actor Hank Azaria to judge on a The Simpsons-themed challenge on an episode of Top Chef: Masters in 2010. [15] [16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kahn, Joseph P. (June 10, 2008). "Names". The Boston Globe . p. 7B. Watertown native Matt Selman, 36...
  2. Pinsky, Mark I. (October–November 2007). "The Simpsons Have Skeletons in the Closet. And They're Shaped Like Menorahs..." (PDF). Moment . p. 68. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  3. Gross, Dan (February 28, 2008). "'Geator' takes a heart break". Philadelphia Daily News . p. 39.
  4. Haralson, Jessica (April 25, 2008). "Meeting Marge at the Button: Revisionism Rules!". The Pennsylvania Gazette .
  5. Kennedy, Gerrick D. (July 24, 2010). "Comic-Con 2010: 'The Simpsons' get 'Glee'-ful for upcoming season". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  6. Snierson, Dan (January 14, 2000). "Springfield of Dreams". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved August 26, 2007.
  7. "Primetime Emmy Awards Advanced Search". Emmys.org. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  8. "Arts Beat". Dallas Morning News . November 8, 1999. p. 23A.
  9. "'Translation,' 'Splendor' Honored". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Associated Press. February 23, 2004. p. D-8.
  10. "Simpsons fans get e-mails from Homer". BBC News. January 30, 2003. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  11. Leyden, John (July 14, 2008). "Homer Simpson's email address hacked". The Register . Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  12. Dudley, Jennifer (May 15, 2003). "Hands Down". The Courier Mail . p. What's On 007.
  13. "About Matt Selman". Techland.com. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  14. Botwin, Michele (June 16, 2000). "These Days, Web Sites Are Becoming Fairly Animated". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  15. Ramirez, Elva (May 13, 2010). "'Top Chef Masters,' Season 2, Episode 6: TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  16. Walker, Tim (April 30, 2009). "A good day at the office for Gervais". The Daily Telegraph . p. 007.