The twenty-fifth season of the American animated television series '' The Simpsons'' began airing on

Fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...

on September 29, 2013, and ended on May 18, 2014. The season was produced by Gracie Films and

20th Century Fox Television 20th Television (formerly 20th Century Fox Television, 20th Century-Fox Television, and TCF Television Productions, Inc.) is an American television production company that is a division of Disney Television Studios, part of The Walt Disney Compa ...

. This was the second of two new seasons ordered by Fox. The primary showrunner for the season was Al Jean. In October 2013, the series was renewed for a twenty-sixth season. This is Al Jean's 13th consecutive season as showrunner and 15th overall. Matt Groening,

James L. Brooks James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of Gracie Films. His television and film work includes ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'', ''Taxi'', ''The Simpsons'', '' Broadcast News'', ''As G ...

, Matt Selman, and John Frink serve as executive producers. Executive producer Al Jean stated that Edna Krabappel was retired from the show following the death of Marcia Wallace on October 25, 2013. In this season, Homer sells his Mapple stock to buy a bowling ball; Marge blames herself and Kiss for Bart's rebellious streak ("

Four Regrettings and a Funeral "Four Regrettings and a Funeral" is the third episode of the twenty-fifth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' and the 533rd episode of the series. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 3, ...

"); Lisa becomes a cheerleader for Springfield's football team; and Homer delivers a baby (" Labor Pains"). Guest stars for this season include Judd Apatow, Will Arnett,

Anderson Cooper Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3, 1967) is an American broadcast journalist and political commentator from the Vanderbilt family. He is the primary anchor of the CNN news broadcast show ''Anderson Cooper 360°''. In addition to his duties at C ...

Harlan Ellison Harlan Jay Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) was an American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction and for his outspoken, combative personality. Robert Bloch, the author of '' Psycho'' ...

Zach Galifianakis Zachary Knight Galifianakis (born October 1, 1969) is an American actor and comedian. He appeared in ''Comedy Central Presents'' special and presented his show ''Late World with Zach'' on VH1. Galifianakis has starred in films including ''Th ...

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...

, Eva Longoria,

Rachel Maddow Rachel Anne Maddow (, ; born April 1, 1973) is an American television news program host and liberal political commentator. Maddow hosts ''The Rachel Maddow Show'', a weekly television show on MSNBC, and serves as the cable network's special eve ...

, Elisabeth Moss,

Joe Namath Joseph William Namath (; ; born May 31, 1943) is a former American football quarterback who played in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets. He played college foot ...

, Daniel Radcliffe, Aaron Sorkin, Max von Sydow, Kristen Wiig, and Kelsey Grammer. No episodes aired in February due to Fox airing the Super Bowl XLVIII, the

2014 Winter Olympics , ''Zharkie. Zimnie. Tvoi'') , nations = 88 , events = 98 in 7 sports (15 disciplines) , athletes = 2,873 , opening = 7 February 2014 , closing = 23 February 2014 , opened_by = President Vladimir Putin , cauldron = , stadium = Fisht Olympic ...

, the

2014 Daytona 500 The 2014 Daytona 500, the 56th running of the Daytona 500, event, was held on February 23, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Contested over 200 laps and on the asphalt tri-oval, it was the first race of the 2014 ...

and the

86th Academy Awards The 86th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2013 and took place on March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. ...

. This season of ''The Simpsons'' won three

Primetime Emmy Award 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 ...

s out of four nominations, including a

for Character Voice-Over Performance to Harry Shearer, who was the last member of the main cast to earn the award. It also won one

Writers Guild of America Award The Writers Guild of America Awards is an award for film, television, and radio writing including both fiction and non-fiction categories given by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America West since 1949. Eligibility Th ...

and was nominated for three others. It was also nominated for five Annie Awards.

Voice cast & characters

Main cast

* Dan Castellaneta as

Homer Simpson Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the American animated sitcom ''The Simpsons''. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared, along with the rest of his family, in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' short "G ...

, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, Barney Gumble, Kodos,

Arnie Pye The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

Hans Moleman The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

, Mayor Quimby, Rich Texan, Squeaky-Voiced Teen, Sideshow Mel, Itchy, Gil Gunderson,

Louie Louie may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Louie'' (American TV series), by comedian Louis C.K. * ''Louie'' (French TV series), animated series about a young rabbit who draws pictures which come to life * "Louie" (song), by Blood Raw * ''L ...

, Santa's Little Helper, Mr. Teeny and various others * Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier and Selma Bouvier * Nancy Cartwright as

Bart Simpson Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional character in the American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' ...

, Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz,

Todd Flanders The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

Kearney Zzyzwicz The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

and various others * Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson * Hank Azaria as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Carl Carlson, Lou, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Comic Book Guy,

Bumblebee Man The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

Dr. Nick The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

, Cletus Spuckler,

Kirk Van Houten The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

, Superintendent Chalmers,

Coach Krupt The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

, Professor Frink, Luigi Risotto, Duffman,

Sea Captain A sea captain, ship's captain, captain, master, or shipmaster, is a high-grade licensed mariner who holds ultimate command and responsibility of a merchant vessel.Aragon and Messner, 2001, p.3. The captain is responsible for the safe and efficie ...

Old Jewish Man The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

, Wiseguy, Snake,

Julio Julio is the Spanish equivalent of the month July and may refer to: *Julio (given name) *Julio (surname) *Júlio de Castilhos, a municipality of the western part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil * ''Julio'' (album), a 1983 compilation albu ...

Disco Stu The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

Legs A leg is a weight-bearing and locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts". The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element ...

, Drederick Tatum and various others * Harry Shearer as

Mr. Burns Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as Mr. Burns, Monty, or C. Montgomery Burns, is a recurring character and the main antagonist of the animated television series ''The Simpsons'', voiced initially by ...

Waylon Smithers Waylon Joseph Smithers Jr., usually referred to as Mr. Smithers or simply Smithers, is a recurring fictional character in the animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'', voiced by Harry Shearer. He first appeared in "Homer's Odyssey", although his voice co ...

, Ned Flanders,

Dr. Hibbert Dr. Julius Michael Hibbert, M.D. is a recurring character on the television animated sitcom ''The Simpsons''. He is Springfield's most prominent medical professional. Although he has a kind and warm persona, he is also often characterized as gree ...

, Principal Skinner,

Kang Kang may refer to: Places * Kang Kalan, Punjab * Kang District, Afghanistan * Kang, Botswana, a village * Kang County, Gansu, China * Kang, Isfahan, Iran, a village * Kang, Kerman, Iran, a village * Kang, Razavi Khorasan, Iran, a village * Kham ( ...

Lenny Leonard The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman,

Jasper Beardly The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

Rainier Wolfcastle The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

Dewey Largo The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

Otto Mann The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The write ...

, Scratchy and various others

Supporting cast

Pamela Hayden Pamela Hayden (born November 28, 1953) is an American actress and voice actress, known for providing various voices for the animated television show ''The Simpsons'', such as Milhouse Van Houten. Biography Hayden provides voices for characters ...

Milhouse Van Houten Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten is a recurring character in the Fox animated television series ''The Simpsons'' voiced by Pamela Hayden and created by Matt Groening. Milhouse is Bart Simpson's best friend in Mrs. Krabappel's fourth grade class at ...

Rod Flanders The American animated television series ''The Simpsons'' contains a wide range of minor and supporting characters like co-workers, teachers, students, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople, local celebrities, and even animals. The writ ...

, Jimbo Jones and various others * Tress MacNeille as Agnes Skinner, Dolph Shapiro, Mrs. Muntz, Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon, Kumiko Albertson, Shauna Chalmers, Lunchlady Dora, Brandine Spuckler and various others * Chris Edgerly as additional characters * Maggie Roswell as Elizabeth Hoover, Luann Van Houten, Helen Lovejoy and various others * Russi Taylor as Martin Prince, Wendell Borton, Sherri and Terri, Sherri, Sherri and Terri, Terri and Üter Zörker Guest stars for the season included Kristen Wiig, journalist

, Elisabeth Moss, Eva Longoria, writer

, comic book writer

, Daniel Radcliffe, and

Episodes

Production

The season was ordered with the previous season in October 2011 after negotiating a new deal with the cast. Six episodes were holdovers from the previous season, and one continued to be held until next season. Executive producer Al Jean continued his role as primary showrunner, a role he had since the The Simpsons season 13, thirteenth season. Executive producer Matt Selman was also the showrunner for several episodes, a role he performed since the The Simpsons season 23, twenty-third season. Commenting on the series' longevity in its twenty-fifth season, Jean stated that the writer continue to generate ideas based on their own present-day lives as well as their childhoods in addition to current events. This season featured the final performances by Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel prior to her death. In honor of her, the character was retired. It also featured the final episodes written by Don Payne (writer), Don Payne prior to his death. As a tribute to both, Edna Krabappel and Payne were shown with halos and angel wings in the opening sequence for "White Christmas Blues." In addition, it featured the final episode written by Billy Kimball and Ian Maxtone-Graham before their departure from the series. To promote the season, Jean stated that a recurring character would be dying. After the death of Wallace, Jean clarified that her death was not related to his prior statement. However, the episode featuring this event was held back and aired as the premiere of the The Simpsons season 26, twenty-sixth season. For the 550th episode, the setting takes place mostly in a Lego world and is primarily composed of 3-D animation. Production for the episode took two years, and producers needed approval from The Lego Group.

Reception

Ratings

For the 2013–2014 television season, the season earned a 3.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic, which was the 32nd best performing show. It averaged 5.67 million viewers, which was the 81st best performing show.

Awards and nominations

At the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, actor Harry Shearer won the award for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance, Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work in "

." Color design director Dmitry Malanitchev and background designer Charles Ragins won awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for their work in "Treehouse of Horror XXIV." In addition, Re-Recording Mixers Mark Linden and Tara A. Paul were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation, Outstanding Sound Mixing for their work in "Married to the Blob." At the 67th Writers Guild of America Awards, writer Brian Kelley (writer), Brian Kelley won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation for his script for "Brick Like Me." Writers Michael Nobori, J. Stewart Burns, and David Steinberg were also nominated for the same award for episodes written this season. At the 41st Annie Awards, the episode "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" was nominated for Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production, Outstanding Achievement for Production Design and Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production, Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding. At the 42nd Annie Awards, writers Tim Long and Rob LaZebnik were nominated for Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production, Outstanding Achievement for Writing, and guest animator Michał Socha was nominated for Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject, Best Animated Short Subject for his couch gag in "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting."

References

;Bibliography *

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons season 25 The Simpsons seasons, Simpsons season 25 2013 American animated television seasons 2014 American animated television seasons