Matt Selman
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Matt Selman (born }) is an American
writer A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles and techniques to communicate ideas. Writers produce different forms of literary art and creative writing such as novels, short stories, books, poetry, travelogues, p ...
and producer.


Early life

Selman is a native of
Watertown, Massachusetts Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and is part of Greater Boston. The population was 35,329 in the 2020 census. Its neighborhoods include Bemis, Coolidge Square, East Watertown, Watertown Square, and the West End. Watertown ...
. He graduated from
Beaver Country Day School Beaver Country Day School is an independent, college-preparatory day school for students in grades 6 through 12 founded in 1920. The school is located on a campus in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, near Boston. Beaver is a member ...
in 1989 and the
University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...
in 1993.


Career

After considering a career in
journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (profes ...
, he decided to try to become a
television writer A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...
. After two years of failed
spec scripts A spec script, also known as a speculative screenplay, is a non-commissioned and unsolicited screenplay. It is usually written by a screenwriter who hopes to have the script optioned and eventually purchased by a producer, production company, or s ...
he was eventually hired to write an episode of ''
Seinfeld ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, over nine seasons and List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It stars Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld ( ...
'' in 1996.


''The Simpsons''

In 1997, Selman joined the writing staff of ''
The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...
'', where he has remained, rising to the position of
executive producer Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the making of a commercial entertainment product. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights o ...
. He has written or co-written 28 episodes of the show, including "
Natural Born Kissers "Natural Born Kissers" is the twenty-fifth and final episode of the ninth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 17, 1998. Homer and Marge discover th ...
" which the show's creator
Matt Groening Matthew Abram Groening ( ; born February 15, 1954) is an American cartoonist, writer, producer, and animator. He is the creator of the comic strip ''Life in Hell'' (1977–2012) and the television series ''The Simpsons'' (1989–present), ''Fut ...
listed as his eighth favorite episode in 2000., "
Behind the Laughter "Behind the Laughter" is the twenty-second and final episode of the The Simpsons (season 11), eleventh season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It first aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox network in the United Sta ...
", "
Trilogy of Error "Trilogy of Error" is the eighteenth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 266th episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 29, 2001. In the ...
", "
Sky Police "Sky Police" is the sixteenth episode of the twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 568th overall episode of the series. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 8, 2015. Pl ...
" and "
The Food Wife "The Food Wife" is the fifth episode of the twenty-third season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 13, 2011, and was seen by around 7.5 million peo ...
". 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 and Run ''The Simpsons: Hit & Run'' is a 2003 action-adventure game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. It is based on the American animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'', and is the twenty-second installment in the ...
'' and ''
The Simpsons Game ''The Simpsons Game'' is a 2007 platform game based on the animated television series ''The Simpsons'' made for the Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. The game was published, and distributed by Elec ...
''. Selman has won six
Primetime Emmy Awards The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...
for his work on the show, sharing them with the other producers. Selman received an
Annie Award The Annie Awards are accolades which the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood, has presented each year since 1972 to recognize excellence in animation shown in cinema and television. Originally desi ...
in 1999 for writing "
Simpsons Bible Stories "Simpsons Bible Stories" is the eighteenth episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999. It is the first of ''The ...
". He also won a Writers Guild of America Award in 2004 for writing the episode "
The Dad Who Knew Too Little "The Dad Who Knew Too Little" is the eighth episode of the fourteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 12, 2003. In the episode, Homer disa ...
". In the episode,
Homer Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
's e-mail was said to be chunkylover53@aol.com. Selman registered the e-mail and received thousands of messages after the episode aired. He responded to some of them in the character of Homer, but gave up when he forgot the password. 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''." As of 2020, he is joint showrunner with
Al Jean Alfred Ernest Jean III (born January 9, 1961) is an American screenwriter and producer. Jean is well known for his work on ''The Simpsons''. He was raised near Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Harvard University in 1981. Jean began his wri ...
.


Other journalistic endeavors

Selman formerly wrote for
Time.com ''Time'' (stylized in all caps) is an American news magazine based in New York City. For nearly a century, it was published weekly, but starting in March 2020 it transitioned to every other week. It was first published in New York City on Mar ...
's Techland "Nerd World" blog alongside
Lev Grossman Lev Grossman (born June 26, 1969) is an American novelist and journalist who wrote ''The Magicians Trilogy'': '' The Magicians'' (2009), ''The Magician King'' (2011), and ''The Magician's Land'' (2014). He was the book critic and lead technology ...
, and is also the creator and writer of the
Icebox.com icebox.tv was an animation company founded in 1999 by Jonathan Collier, Howard Gordon, Rob LaZebnik, Scott Rupp, and Tal Vigderson. The founders stated that the company was created to capitalize on the inherent "freedom of the medium" which th ...
webtoon "Superhero Roommate." Selman also has written jokes for many animated movies. He appeared alongside Groening and voice actor
Hank Azaria Henry Albert Azaria ( ; born April 25, 1964) is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for voicing many characters in the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' (1989–present), most notably Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, ...
to judge on a ''The Simpsons''-themed challenge on an episode of '' Top Chef: Masters'' in 2010.


Personal life

Selman is married to Renee Ridgeley and they have two daughters.


Credits

*''
Seinfeld ''Seinfeld'' ( ) is an American television sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, over nine seasons and List of Seinfeld episodes, 180 episodes. It stars Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld ( ...
'' (1996) – writer, program consultant **" The Wait Out" *''
The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...
'' (1997–present) – writer, producer, story editor, supervising producer, executive producer **"
Natural Born Kissers "Natural Born Kissers" is the twenty-fifth and final episode of the ninth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 17, 1998. Homer and Marge discover th ...
" (1998) **"
Simpsons Bible Stories "Simpsons Bible Stories" is the eighteenth episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999. It is the first of ''The ...
" (along with
Tim Long Tim Long (born June 14, 1969) is a comedy writer born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Long calls Exeter, Ontario, his home town and has written for ''The Simpsons'', ''Politically Incorrect'', '' Spy'' magazine and the ''Late Show with David Letter ...
and Larry Doyle) (1999) **"
They Saved Lisa's Brain "They Saved Lisa's Brain" is the twenty-second and penultimate episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 9, 1999. In the episode, after w ...
" (1999) **"
Eight Misbehavin' "Eight Misbehavin is the seventh episode of the The Simpsons (season 11), eleventh season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox network in the United States on Novembe ...
(1999) **"
Behind the Laughter "Behind the Laughter" is the twenty-second and final episode of the The Simpsons (season 11), eleventh season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It first aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox network in the United Sta ...
" (along with
George Meyer George Meyer (born 1956) is an American producer and writer. Meyer is best known for his work on ''The Simpsons'', where he led the group script rewrite sessions. He has been publicly credited with "thoroughly shap ng... the comedic sensibility ...
, Tim Long, and
Mike Scully Michael C. Scully (born October 2, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. He is known for his work as executive producer and showrunner of the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' from 1997 to 2001. Scully grew up in West Springfield, ...
) (2000) **"
Lisa the Tree Hugger "Lisa the Tree Hugger" is the fourth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 19, 2000. In the episode, Lisa falls in love ...
" (2000) **"
Trilogy of Error "Trilogy of Error" is the eighteenth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 266th episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 29, 2001. In the ...
" (2001) **"
Simpsons Tall Tales "Simpsons Tall Tales" is the twenty-first and final episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 20, 2001. In the episode, Homer ref ...
" (2001) **" Jaws Wired Shut" (2002) **"
The Dad Who Knew Too Little "The Dad Who Knew Too Little" is the eighth episode of the fourteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 12, 2003. In the episode, Homer disa ...
" (2003) **"
All's Fair in Oven War "All's Fair in Oven War" is the second episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 14, 2004. In the episode, Marge gets her ...
" (2004) **"
Pranksta Rap "Pranksta Rap" is the ninth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 13, 2005. It guest stars 50 Cent as himself, and Dan ...
" (2005) **"
Future-Drama "Future-Drama" is the fifteenth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. The 350th episode overall, it originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 17, 2005. In the episode, ...
" (2005) **" Girls Just Want to Have Sums" (2006) **" The Haw-Hawed Couple" (2006) **" Husbands and Knives" (2007) **"
That '90s Show ''That '90s Show'' is an upcoming American television period teen sitcom set during the summer of 1995, featuring characters and locales which debuted in its predecessor, ''That '70s Show.'' It is set to premiere on Netflix on January 19, 2023 ...
" (2008) **" Bart Gets a 'Z' (2009) **" O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" (2009) **"
Flaming Moe "Flaming Moe" is the eleventh episode of the twenty-second season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on January 16, 2011. It follows the efforts of Waylon Smit ...
" (2011) **"
The Food Wife "The Food Wife" is the fifth episode of the twenty-third season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 13, 2011, and was seen by around 7.5 million peo ...
" (2011) **"
The Day the Earth Stood Cool "The Day the Earth Stood Cool" is the seventh episode of the twenty-fourth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 9, 2012. Plot Homer becomes up ...
" (2012) **"
Gorgeous Grampa "Gorgeous Grampa" is the fourteenth episode of the twenty-fourth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 522nd episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 3, 2013. Plo ...
" (2013) **"
Covercraft "Covercraft" is the eighth episode in the twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 560th episode of the series overall. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 23, 2014. P ...
" (2014) **"
Sky Police "Sky Police" is the sixteenth episode of the twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 568th overall episode of the series. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 8, 2015. Pl ...
" (2015) **" There Will Be Buds" (2016) **"
The Great Phatsby "The Great Phatsby" is the twelfth and thirteenth episodes of the The Simpsons (season 28), twenty-eighth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'', and the 608th and 609th episodes of the series overall. The first part w ...
" (along with
Dan Greaney Daniel Greaney is an American television writer. He has written for ''The Simpsons'' and ''The Office''. He was hired during ''The Simpsons'' seventh season after writing the first draft of the episode " King-Size Homer", but left after season e ...
) (2017) **"
Heartbreak Hotel "Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with credit being ...
" (along with Renee Ridgeley) (2018) **" The Clown Stays in the Picture" (2019) **" Treehouse of Horror XXXIII" (2022) *'' The Simpsons: Road Rage'' (2001) – co-writer *''
The Simpsons Hit and Run ''The Simpsons: Hit & Run'' is a 2003 action-adventure game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. It is based on the American animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'', and is the twenty-second installment in the ...
'' (2003) – co-writer *''
The Simpsons Movie ''The Simpsons Movie'' is a 2007 American Animation, animated comedy film based on the long-running animated sitcom ''The Simpsons''. The film was directed by the show's supervising director David Silverman (animator), David Silverman and star ...
'' (2007) – co-writer *''
The Simpsons Game ''The Simpsons Game'' is a 2007 platform game based on the animated television series ''The Simpsons'' made for the Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. The game was published, and distributed by Elec ...
'' (2007) – co-writer


References


External links


Nerd World Blog
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Selman, Matt Living people The Daily Pennsylvanian people Writers Guild of America Award winners American television writers American male television writers Beaver Country Day School alumni University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences alumni Year of birth missing (living people) Jewish American comedy writers