The Simpsons will parody Morrissey in new episode starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Promotional art for the episode contains several nods to the iconic British band

Annabel Nugent
Friday 16 April 2021 10:33 BST
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The Simpsons is set to parody The Smiths in a new episode starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Writer Tim Long shared a promotional still from the forthcoming episode on Twitter, accompanied by the caption: “Um, guys? I’m very excited about this.”

The image sees Lisa and a Morrissey lookalike standing outside a building called “Springfield Lads Club”. It is a direct reference to a photograph of The Smiths outside Salford Lads Club, which was used inside the sleeve of the band’s 1986 album The Queen is Dead.

The unnamed character is also holding a bouquet in a nod to Morrissey’s penchant for performing with flowers – usually gladioli – swinging in his hand or in the back of his trousers.

When asked whether the character would be voiced by the band’s frontman, Long revealed that another British icon would be playing the part instead.

He quipped: “Don’t know who this ‘Morrissey’ is you speak of, but the fellow on the left is played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Really.”

It has previously been reported that Morrissey declined an appearance in the season 15 episode titled “The Regina Monologues”, in which the Simpsons family travelled to the UK.

The episode featured guest appearances from the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and JK Rowling.

Long also revealed that the new episode would feature songs written by himself and Bret McKenzie from the New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.

“I’m not gonna lie – it’s a banger,” said the writer.

According to NME, the instalment – titled Panic On The Streets of Springfield – will see Lisa dream up an imaginary friend who is a depressed indie singer from Eighties Britain. 

Long has also asked fans on social media to comment “Simpsons Smiths songs”, with the best three ideas winning a promotional poster “for their mopey bedroom wall”.

So far, among the competition entries are: “Lurleen is Dead”, “Oscillate Wildly” and “Carl’s Friend in a Coma”.

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