the simpsons Archives

I was lucky enough to see the Simpsons Take the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday. I joked with my brother in-law that we went on the best night: Friday probably felt like an experient/work in progress, Sunday the performers would probably be tired, but Saturday would be the perfect show. The event was better than I could have imagined and helped me fall in love with the Simpsons again after a long time in the “It fell off after season blah blah blah”.

The show was hosted by Hank Azaria. You may know him from such voices has Chief Wiggum, Apu, Moe, and a handful of other characters. He’s probably the most recognizable face from all the voice actors, having a considerable resume in Hollywood beyond the Simpsons, but it really is amazing to see him physically transform as he does different voices.

I confess to not having watched any episodes in a VERY long time. I’m not even sure if musicals are still part of the show’s arsenal, but that didn’t matter on Saturday. Some notable tracks that had the crowd singing along include “Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart”, the monorail song (sang by “the only writer anyone cares about” Conan O’Brien), “Put the Spring in Springfield” (David Silverman’s flaming sousaphone was insane), “Minimum Wage Nanny”, “Happy Birthday Lisa”.

Fans were also treated to a few clips made exclusively for the event like the intro “are we there yet?” sequence as we watch Simpsons’ arduous journey from the parking lot into the Hollywood Bowl.

Unfortunately, not all voices were present in the celebration, Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns) were no where to be found. Having the entire cast would have really opened the door to more live bits and also reminded me even more how much I love The Simpsons.

Yup. We did it again. Another intimate look at cosplay fans. Check out the clips below and discover who showed up at the 2011 Comikaze.

00:00	Nerfpunk (Nerf + Steampunk mashup) talks about supporting Comikaze because it’s for the geeks, by the geeks. Check her out on the web and on twitter: @MakeUpBySiryn
02:11	A psychology student cosplays Link (Legend of Zelda)
03:13	A sheriff cosplays Pyramid head and explains he loves the character’s darkness.
05:29	A 6th grade student teacher cosplays a deku from Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time) and says “no comment” when asked how to solve the education system’s problems
08:01	Ariel (Little Mermaid), cosplayed by a visual effects artist that worked on Arthur Christmas, talks about the use of 3D in movies giving her a headache. Check her out on Facebook
10:51	A TSA agent cosplays Joel Robinson (Mystery Science Theater 3000) says she likes Comikaze because it goes back to the roots of comics. If you’re a friend, add her on Facebook
14:07	Amazing Spider-Man talks reboots, the moral values of Peter Parker, the spark on kids’ face. He’ll be joining the military in a couple of years.
16:18	We weren’t able to get inside the Mark Hamill panel for Sushi Girl, but did talk to some people waiting in line. The first talks about his thoughts on Comikaze as the first convention he’s ever been to. He mentions seeing Stan Lee in person being quite a treat. I ask his buddy about Star Wars who tells me which episode is his favorite and shares thoughts about George Lucas’ revisions.
20:47	This guy was one of my favorites of this convention. I’m so glad I stumbled across this fellow. This Snow Trooper (Episode V) also talks about George Lucas’ changes, using the help of 501st.com to make his costume, and his German origins. I became instantly fascinated with his background and learned he was a marketing student who loves how friendly people are in Califorina but hates the speed limits on freeways.
24:46	A fan briefly explains why he loves the Joker. We weren’t able to talk with him more due to the line moving into the hall
25:02	A fan does a mashup of Simpsons and Dragon Ball Z to create: Hegeta (Homer + Vegeta). He offers a suggestion of how the Simpsons should end the show and talks about why the Dragon Ball Z movie was a flop and how they could make a reboot better.
29:28	We knew there would be plenty of Elvira fans since this was her last convention appearance. I caught up with one fan who explains why she loves Elvira, meeting Elvira, and if anyone else can fill Elvira’s shoes. I asked about her personal life and she explained she’s an assistant editor for a film trailer house, Ignition Creative. Check out her deviantart profile here
32:28	A fan cosplays Rainbow Dash, the fastest pony in all of Equestria, talks about putting her blood and sweat into making her costume. Follow her on twitter: @mkpresson. When I ask her about the craziest thing she’s seen, she points to a guy just to her left who turns out to be playing a character from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride.

00:00	A very chatty, original costume, cosplay fan talks about his custom work, making moccasins, and being a Hawaiian cowboy. Check out his pizza businss on Facebook
03:49	The green man we chatted with earlier ends up in a battle/dance with another full body suit guy. Hilarity ensues.
05:04	Guy Gardner (Green Lantern) loves being a total douche and says he’d reboot the Star Wars movies.
06:50	Steampunk peacock. Check out her steampunk group here and follow her on twitter: @saintchimo
08:51	Girls and Corpses representative has trouble convincing me why people have a corpse fetish
10:39	A pool boy cosplays a Tusken Raider
12:52	Phantom of the Opera talks about being dragged into conventions by her daughter
14:25	Another fan takes method acting very seriously and doesn’t get out of character as Rorschach (Watchmen)
15:07	A college student cosplays Allen Walker. She wants to be a costume designer and we think she’s onto a good start
17:05	The Red Shirt Army from Star Trek. Check out their youtube channel here and follow them on twitter: @inprovence
19:50	A steampunk couple does it right. It’s always nice to see couples get into the spirit of things together and really invest some considerable time and effort into their costumes
23:23	A fan cosplays Speed Racer and talks about his first car. Follow him on twitter: @jaysethan and check out his site
26:19	This fan cosplays Gem (Tron Legacy) and really pulls it off. She works for the Disney Channel as a satellite operator. Follow her on twitter: @annisse
28:57	This guy helps demonstrate why its fun to ask what people do for a living. He’s an optician that cosplays Cyclops.
30:59	I really love watching childhood favorites come to life. This guy obviously put serious money and time into his Predator costume. He does IT work for an elementary school.
32:25	A young industrial design student traveled all the way from Atlanta and cosplays Rydia (Final Fantasy IV). I love that the cute Anya photobombs in the beginning of the video. Follow her on twitter: @mnikalee

00:00	Costume contest: includes Spy Versus Spy, Anya (Gears of War), Rydia (Final Fantasy IV), Mandalorians (Star Wars), Predator, Deadpool, Jurassic Park, Squirrel Girl, Jedi Bob’s Big Boy, Henchman (Venture Brothers), Black Widow, Cloud (Final Fantasy VII), Dr. Doom, Cobra Commander, Joker, Belle (Beauty and the Beast), the same Poison Ivy from the Anime Expo (@megturney), Wonder Woman, Gem, Putty (Power Rangers), Master Chief (Halo), Lloyd Dobler, Pyramid Head, Rainbow Dash, Catwoman, Rogue (X-Men), Cyberman
13:20	Anya (Gears of War) talks about why she loves the game and Comikaze and says what she’ll buy if she wins the $500
14:46	Putty (Power Rangers)
15:53	Squirrel Girl turns out to be a real character in the Marvel World! I also love how animated she is! Add her on Facebook if you’re a friend and follow her on tumblr
19:24	Winners of the costume contest are announced
24:45	Jurassic Park couple
26:22	A gender bender cosplay fan talks about his character being known for being a slut. I can’t make out the name of the character. If you recognize the character, comment below!

[wu-e]

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Tag Archives: the simpsons

Review: Simpsons Take The Hollywood Bowl

2011 Comikaze: Talking with Cosplay Fans

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