On recent adult-oriented animation, Groening praised King of the Hill and South Park, and noted they escaped factory-style animation. "None of these shows look anything like each other." Other topics of conversation included The Simpsons' origins, the show's anti-authority philosophy and Groening's embarrassed confession that, as a one-time music journalist, he panned Danny Elfman's group Oingo-Boingo. Then again, Groening had no qualms about offending Simpsons viewers who didn't "get" the show. "It's like we're Daffy Duck and they're Elmer Fudd. When someone reacts to us like Elmer, there's no feeling like it..."

In the same vein, Groening gleefully read out his favourite censor notes from Fox -- "Where we get our inspiration!" For example: "Although it is only a dream, it is not acceptable to show Homer holding a sign saying, 'Kill My Boy.'" Or a highly specific directive about Itchy and Scratchy: "It is not acceptable for Scratchy to stab Itchy in the gut, yank out his intestines and use them as a bungee cord." Groening presented a montage of favourite Itchy and Scratchy moments, along with choice Simpsons extracts. The latter included Homer's ill-fated effort to skateboard a ravine, the gay steel mill episode and a "full-frontal nude" Bart from a European commercial.

Midway through the session, there was a surprise bonus as Groening called down fellow Simpsons creatives from the audience. These were supervising director Jim Reardon; casting director Bonnie Pletila; writer-producer Al Jean; executive producer Mike Scully; writer-producer George Meyer; animation director Mark Kirkland; stage director Ian Maxtone-Graham; and Lisa Simpson herself, Yeardley Smith.

The funniest anecdote from the subsequent discussion was about a spoof corporate ad in one episode. The steamy, meaningless ad images were attributed, with typical irreverence, to that well-known corporation the Catholic Church. After a storm of complaints, Fox timidly suggested, "Change it to Methodist?" On another theological note, George Meyer confessed he had no idea why God had five fingers in his episode "Homer the Heretic." Then again, perhaps that was the point...

The session ended with the team giving generally favourable reactions to Blighty. Yeardley Smith offered, "British reaction has been overwhelming, and you have great yoghurt." Groening reflected he was now walking three simultaneous treadmills -- Simpsons, Futurama and his Life in Hell strip. He also had a cryptic comment on what might happen when The Simpsons finally does reach its end. "I've always had an idea of what the last part could be," he said. "But it's rather twisted. I don't know if we'll have the nerve."

The Simpsons-Mania Tour 2000 in Britain was organized by the satellite channel Sky One. British viewers enjoyed a special weekend September 2-3, when the channel delivered special events celebrating ten years of Simpsons screenings.

Andrew Osmond is a freelance writer specializing in fantasy media and animation.