Disney+ to release 'The Simpsons' in original 4:3 format on May 28

The day has finally come. Disney seems to have hit its target to release The Simpsons in its original 4:3 aspect ratio before May ends. According to tweets from showrunner Al Jean, the new/old format will be available on Disney+ starting May 28. Disney drew flak for releasing all The Simpsons seasons in 16:9 HD format, which resulted in having cut out some key details and even jokes from some of the earlier seasons. The Simpsons only switched to this format sometime in Season 20. But now, all episodes that aired in 4:3 will be available in that format.

MobileSyrup reports that Disney also plans to release The Simpsons short "The Longest Daycare" on Disney+ on May 29. It is a Maggie Simpson-centric short that was shown in theatres before the screenings of 20th Century Fox's Ice Age: Continental Drift.

'The Simpsons' to stream on Disney+ in its correct aspect ratio by end of May

The wide aspect ratio cut out important visual gags like this scene that should show that the Duff, Duff Lite, and Duff Dry beers all come out of the same spout. (Screencap credit: Tristan Cooper/Twitter)

Disney drew a lot of flak when it launched Disney+ with The Simpsons not streaming in the correct 4:3 aspect ratio. But now, the series will be available in this aspect ratio soon. Almost six months since the launch of Disney+, the company announced that it had found a solution, and it hopes to stream The Simpsons in its proper format by the end of May.

It was sometime in Season 20 when The Simpsons switched from 4:3 to 16:9. The latter format was what Disney opted to stream the series in "to guarantee visual quality and consistency across all 30 seasons." But that came at the cost of losing visual gags because they got cropped out. And fans were unhappy about this development. Now, let's hope Disney will be able to meet the deadline they set so that The Simpsons can be enjoyed in its proper format.

Source: The Verge

Disney+ to offer 'The Simpsons' in original uncropped format in early 2020

Image courtesy of Fox

After drawing flak for its release of older The Simpsons episodes in 16:9 HD format, Disney promises that the original 4:3 aspect ratio will be made available to Disney+ users in early 2020. The problem with the 16:9 format is it cuts out some key details and even jokes from some of the earlier seasons. Disney defends its initial position by saying they launched the show with a 16:9 aspect ratio to "guarantee visual quality and consistency across all 30 seasons." But the company promises to make the first 19 seasons and some of Season 20 available in the original 4:3 aspect ratio. Disney's streaming service is the only way fans of the show can watch The Simpsons, following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

Source: Variety

‘Simpsons’ voice actor Mr. Burns isn’t going anywhere

Harry Shearer, the voice actor of one of the biggest The Simpsons characters, left the show earlier this spring following a contract dispute. The production and Shearer seems to have reached an agreement and is back on the show. He now has the same contract deal as his fellow cast members, which include a two-year deal with a two year option following that.

Showrunner Al Jean had said they intended to recast the parts Shearer played. But if you’ve voiced the likes of Mr. Burns, Kent Brockman, and Ned Flanders, it’s going to be a bit hard to fill in those roles. The Simpsons will be coming back for its 27^th season this fall with Shearer back in the cast.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter | Via: The Verge