10 Things We Learned About The Simpsons at D23 Expo 2019

The Simpsons cast and crew took the D23 Expo stage to share milestones, upcoming guest stars, and Matt Groening's surprising reveal that the show's iconic couch gag was inspired by a 1950s Mickey Mouse Club gag. Every episode is heading to Disney+ at launch.

The Simpsons officially joined the Disney family, and the cast and crew gathered at D23 Expo 2019 to share stories, surprises, and a few well-earned doughnuts. Moderated by Yeardley Smith — the voice of Lisa Simpson — the panel featured creator Matt Groening, producer Al Jean, director Mike B. Anderson, writer-producer Matt Selman, and Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart.

Voices, Milestones, and Halloween Mayhem

Cartwright treated the crowd to a mini-masterclass in her full vocal range — Bart, Nelson Muntz, Kearney, Todd Flanders, Database, and the unforgettable Ralph Wiggum. Groening, meanwhile, dropped the kind of advice only a legend can: "Whenever I talk to kids, I say… 'Finish everything. Finish projects. Even if you get discouraged, just finish it.'"

Director Mike B. Anderson revealed the upcoming "Treehouse of Horror" marks a spooky milestone: "It's Treehouse of Horror XXX, episode 666, for real." He also admitted the animators adore the Halloween specials because they force everyone to design three complete acts from scratch — a rare creative challenge.

Thanksgiving of Horror

Matt Selman teased that the fright factor is spilling into a new holiday with a "Thanksgiving of Horror" episode. "Super scary," he promised.

Growing Up with Lisa

Asked by Groening how the character has changed her over the decades, Yeardley Smith answered with characteristic warmth: "I love my character. I always say getting to play Lisa Simpson is like getting to know someone for my entire life."

Nancy Cartwright, Writer

A lesser-known fact from the panel: Nancy Cartwright has also written for the show. "What I pitched was my story and what ended up coming out was my story, but enhanced so much," she said of her writers' room experience.

Guest Stars, Couch Gags, and the Disney Connection

The upcoming season is stacked with guest voices: John Mulaney, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jason Momoa, Dr. Jane Goodall, Olivia Colman, and the return of Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff.

Groening also traced the origin of the show's iconic couch gag back to Disney itself: "That came from the beginning of the 'Mickey Mouse Club' TV show in the 1950s. There's an amazing piece of animation… it ends with Donald Duck and he bangs on a gong. The gong gag changed from episode to episode… And I thought that'd be great, if I ever get my own cartoon show I'm going to do a Donald Duck-style gong gag."

What This Means for Disney+ Fans

With every single episode of The Simpsons landing on Disney+ at launch, fans get decades of Springfield history in one place — plus a freshly energized creative team that clearly views the Disney merger as a boost, not a brake. The couch gag has officially come full circle.