Simpsons writer/producer Marc Wilmore announced his departure from the show in a strange series of tweets.
Previously a writer/performer on In Loving Color and The PJs, Wilmore joined The Simpsons in 2000. He was the sole black writer to have been part of the show’s writing staff (Michael Carrington, who co-wrote “Homer’s Triple Bypass” and voiced Sideshow Raheem, wasn’t technically part of the staff).
On Thursday and Friday, he tweeted self-deprecating jokes about his newfound unemployment and suggestions the parting was less than amicable. It’s most certainly all part of a comedy bit, but… what if it wasn’t…?!?
Judge for yourself…
Oh, lawdy, lawdy! Mr. Jean done let me go. Who gon put vittles in my babies bellies now? Who lawd? Who?
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
(Mr. Jean refers to showrunner Al Jean.)
Finally have time to catch up on twenty three years of Emmy screeners.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
I hear they're replacing me with three guys who were still illegal before Obama's 5:00pm speech. Nice play! Nice play indeed.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
Where do they give out the free turkeys for Thanksgiving? Asking for a friend.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
Fourteen years and I never got to meet Harry Shearer.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
Preparing for the parking lot, box of shit exit walk.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
@rawls Hmmm…
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
“@KABCRadio: Jobless Claims Fall to 291K Last Week! Get The Full Story Here–> http://t.co/7qgUiS5rJ4” Well, they just went back up.
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
It's a telegram about my season 27 pick up. Gather 'round everyone and I'll excitedly read it out loud.. We regret to inform you..Damn, damn
— marc wilmore (@marcwilmore) November 21, 2014
(There have been strong hints Season 27 is a thing, but Fox hasn’t made it public yet. It’s possible it will be officially announced in December, to coincide with the show’s 25th anniversary.)
Simpsons writers leaving the show in the modern era is actually somewhat rare, with most of the current staff having been there for over a decade. In 2009, Jean suggested there was little turnover because there weren’t many comedies poaching his writers. “What are you doing to do after The Simpsons? Write jokes for According to Jim?” writer Tim Long asked rhetorically in John Ortved’s Simpsons tell-all.
So, what does the future holds for Wilmore? Perhaps it’s no coincidence he’s leaving right before his brother Larry’s new show launches in January.