Dando Brendan - Homers Odyssey

Dedicated to our parents, who loved us as children, and our wives, who never asked us to grow up.

Have you ever heard that quote that goes something like, Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life? Its true, I am proof of that. Although my job is not without deadlines, some stress at times, and hard work, I wouldnt trade it for anything. I love it. I love what I do and I am so happy and grateful.

My adventure on The Simpsons began in 2005, when I was hired as the receptionist at a production company. Nine months into the job, having made some friends who worked on The Simpsons, a position for a production assistant in their design department opened up. I jumped at the chance to apply. I was hired and it changed my life. I have since been promoted several times, most recently to production supervisor. I have learned so much along the way, and I still learn things every day. I have met some of my best friends working on this show. I work with some of the most amazing and talented people on the planet. I got to see the animation process change from paper to digital. I am so proud to be part of something that is such a part of TV history. If you would have told 10-year-old me that I would be working on a show I watched and loved so much, I would have said you were crazy. I had no idea I would end up here, but I am so glad that I did. Everything happens for a reason, right? I believe I landed exactly where I was supposed to be.

It means so much to me to be part of The Simpsons. Every day (well, Monday through Friday at least) I get to wake up and help make one of the most important and relevant animated series ever. That to me is so magical. It really means the world to me to be so lucky. Everything really is coming up Milhouse!

I am so excited for you to have this book in your hands! Its such a love letter to a show that has had an impact on so many lives. Brendan and Mitch are Simpsons experts and two devoted fans. The Four Finger Discount podcast is so fun and a really great listen. I was so honoured when the guys asked me to be a guest and I was completely touched and flattered when they asked me to write this foreword. Its so incredible to be part of this book!

I am so happy for the guys and so proud of how far they have come and where Four Finger Discount has taken them. They deserve all the recognition and praise. They ask the right questions and really show their passion for this production. I have had such a great time watching their endeavours grow. Their expertise and fervour for this show really shines through on the pages of this book. Whether you are new to the show or a long-time fan, this guide has something for everyone. This book will give you so much insight and knowledge about the episodes and what this production is about. These two have really done a marvellous job at writing the supreme Simpsons guide for fans out there. They capture the love and spirit of the show and serve it up to you in a fun and enjoyable read!

Nikki Isordia

Welcome to Four Finger Discounts guide to The Simpsons! Congratulations on your excellent decision to purchase this book. It is, undoubtedly, one of the few sound investments you could have made in these troubled times. Presuming you did buy it, of course, and arent just standing in a bookstore idly leafing through pages for what by now has already started to feel like a little bit too long. You can feel the eyes upon you, the silent indignation from the staff that screams This isnt a library! Guiltily, you put the book back, and are no longer reading this.

OK, now that those guys are gone, we can get stuck in. We dont like to give away the good stuff for free! Well, technically thats not true. See, for those unaware, Four Finger Discount is a free just the same amount of fun!

The idea behind this book is to explore the unique impact that The Simpsons had on our lives, and on the lives of our generation from all over the world. Through a collection of conversations about individual seasons, specific breakdowns of the episodes that had a big impact on us as fans of the show, our favourite guest stars and exclusive interviews, well be trying to remind you of a time when The Simpsons was the most important show on television. Everybody who is a Simpsons fan will have their own favourite episodes, quotes they still use every day, and memories of watching the show when they were younger. We hope that by reading about ours, it will remind you of yours. Essentially, if youre feeling a little melancholy and your doctor has prescribed a big ol dose of nostalgia, then consider your script filled.

Well also be throwing in the ultimate trivia challenge for diehard fans and exclusives from behind is still around at all. Oh well enjoy.

Did you watch The Simpsons last night?

Growing up in the 90s, there was no single more important question that you could get asked at school on any given day. What is Pythagoras theorem? What is Newtons Second Law? Where is your homework? None of those questions would have as much bearing on your future as your ability to wax lyrical about Homer and Barts antics on TV the night before. That was the question that would drive and define friendships, and has had more importance in my life than trigonometry ever will.