Dave Mirkin Unfiltered: Writing Bart, Guest Star Legends & The Human Soul of The Simpsons

In this deep-dive Ask Me (Bart) Anything episode of Simpsons Declassified, legendary showrunner and writer Dave Mirkin joins Nancy Cartwright for an uncensored, laugh-packed, and surprisingly emotional conversation about what truly made The Simpsons endure.

Pulled directly from fan questions, the episode explores how iconic characters like Bart, Homer, Marge, Ralph, and Lisa were written—and why Bart’s rebellious genius came straight from Dave’s own childhood as a “school terror.” Dave explains why Bart isn’t dumb, just misunderstood, and how that philosophy shaped some of the show’s most memorable episodes.

Fans get rare behind-the-scenes stories about celebrity guest stars, including why stars like Paul McCartney, James Taylor, and Sting only appeared briefly, and how Meryl Streep’s turn as Bart’s girlfriend became one of the show’s most unforgettable performances. Dave also shares hilarious, candid stories about directing legends like Kirk Douglas and Mickey Rooney, plus the real rules behind cameo casting versus full-character roles.

The conversation dives into the evolution of animation, from hand-painted cels to digital color—and why Dave believes modern perfection has stripped away some of the “human breathing” that made early Simpsons episodes feel alive. He also tackles AI, technology, and why human imperfection is essential to art.

Of course, no Simpsons Declassified episode is complete without chaos: expect multiple donut tastings, brutally honest ratings, one donut declared a “hostile food,” and another crowned a true Homer-level classic.

Thoughtful, hilarious, irreverent, and deeply insightful, this episode is a must-listen for Simpsons fans, animation writers, voice actors, and anyone who loves the messy humanity behind great storytelling.

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