What was preventing The Simpsons to use Michael's "Happy Birthday Lisa" ?

[Themidwestcowboy]

I know that it was b/c of a contract issue but i never really knew the exact details.. If anyone knows it would be more than appreciated if you could share some light on this issue

 

[Erandi]

All I know is what I've heard from these guys, the actors and producers of the show (who, by the way, don't talk too nicely about Michael:scratch:



Maybe Michael didn't want one of his songs to be owned by the show's producers. Ah, but I do know that he helped produce some of the songs on the Simpson album, like Do the Bart Man.

 

[ChrisC]

So easy to portray a situation like that and make it sound funny or ludicrous years later.

I bet the reality was much more mundane. Contractually Sony wouldn't let him do it.

As I remember, although there are some jokes along the way, the people behind the Simpsons speak much more favourably about Michael on the commentary for the his episode on the DVD.

And The Simpsons hasn't been worthin watching for at least 12 years now.

 

[analogue]

All I know is what's I've heard from these guys, the actors and producers of the show (who, by the way, don't talk too nicely about Michael:scratch:



Maybe Michael didn't want one of his songs to be owned by the show's producers. Ah, but I do know that he helped produce some of the songs on the Simpson album, like Do the Bart Man.

Here's a video of Dan Castellaneta (Voice of Homer Simpson) talking about Michael

I just wanted to show that not everyone who works on The Simpsons is an ass to Michael

 

[LaNixie]

^
I've heard James L. Brooks talk nicely about Michael, too. Only Al Jean (the curly hair in the video) and Harry Shearer - as far as I know - are really idiots about him. The jokes were stupid, but an easy and a safe laugh at the time.

 

[analogue]

^
I've heard James L. Brooks talk nicely about Michael, too. Only Al Jean (the curly hair in the video) and Harry Shearer - as far as I know - are really idiots about him. The jokes were stupid, but an easy and a safe laugh at the time.

Matt Greoning as also talked nicely about Michael and i think Nancy Cartwrite (Voice of Bart Simpson) as also spoken nicely about him

I gotta give credit to The Simpsons for not taking any cheap shots at Michael. Yeah they've made fun of him but they never went below the belt like some cartoons have done. I'm looking at you Family Guy