Nihilism in American comedy came along way before 'The Simpsons.' There was a fairly nihilistic point of view to 'Saturday Night Live,' for instance, back in the beginning, and a lot of really dark comedy had a really anti-sentimental take on life.

You can't keep blaming yourself. Just blame yourself once, and move on." Homer Simpson

Since I was there in the very beginning, I know the history of the characters. So, I make comments about the tone and sometimes remind the writers that we've done that before.

Humor does depend on surprise, and the things that people remember as the funniest things in the world, you look at later and you go, "What? What was that all about?"

You just have to keep in mind that the important relationship is the relationship with the audience. That's what I try to do. Everything else is secondary.

I think when 'The Simpsons' first came on, there was an uproar. People got used to it. They realized the show's really funny, it's got a heart, so I think it's pretty safe.

You know, the courts may not be working any more, but as long as everyone is videotaping everyone else, justice will be done.