The Simpsons season 25

The twenty-fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons began airing on Fox on September 29, 2013, and ended on May 18, 2014. The season was produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. This was the second of two new seasons ordered by Fox. The primary showrunner for the season was Al Jean. In October 2013, the series was renewed for a twenty-sixth season.

This is Al Jean's 13th consecutive season as showrunner and 15th overall. Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Matt Selman, and John Frink serve as executive producers. Executive producer Al Jean stated that Edna Krabappel was retired from the show following the death of Marcia Wallace on October 25, 2013.

In this season, Homer sells his Mapple stock to buy a bowling ball; Marge blames herself and Kiss for Bart's rebellious streak ("Four Regrettings and a Funeral"); Lisa becomes a cheerleader for Springfield's football team; and Homer delivers a baby ("Labor Pains"). Guest stars for this season include Judd Apatow, Will Arnett, Anderson Cooper, Harlan Ellison, Zach Galifianakis, Stan Lee, Eva Longoria, Rachel Maddow, Elisabeth Moss, Joe Namath, Daniel Radcliffe, Aaron Sorkin, Max von Sydow, Kristen Wiig, and Kelsey Grammer.

No episodes aired in February due to Fox airing the Super Bowl XLVIII, the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2014 Daytona 500 and the 86th Academy Awards.

This season of The Simpsons won three Primetime Emmy Awards out of four nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Character Voice-Over Performance to Harry Shearer, who was the last member of the main cast to earn the award. It also won one Writers Guild of America Award and was nominated for three others. It was also nominated for five Annie Awards.

Main cast

 * Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, Barney Gumble, Kodos, Arnie Pye, Hans Moleman, Mayor Quimby, Rich Texan, Squeaky-Voiced Teen, Sideshow Mel, Itchy, Gil Gunderson, Louie, Santa's Little Helper, Mr. Teeny and various others
 * Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier and Selma Bouvier
 * Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson, Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz, Todd Flanders, Kearney Zzyzwicz and various others
 * Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson
 * Hank Azaria as Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Carl Carlson, Lou, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Comic Book Guy, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick, Cletus Spuckler, Kirk Van Houten, Superintendent Chalmers, Coach Krupt, Professor Frink, Luigi Risotto, Duffman, Sea Captain, Old Jewish Man, Wiseguy, Snake, Julio, Disco Stu, Legs, Drederick Tatum and various others
 * Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Dr. Hibbert, Principal Skinner, Kang, Lenny Leonard, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, Jasper Beardly, Rainier Wolfcastle, Dewey Largo, Otto Mann, Scratchy and various others

Supporting cast

 * Pamela Hayden as Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones and various others
 * Tress MacNeille as Agnes Skinner, Dolph Shapiro, Mrs. Muntz, Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon, Kumiko Albertson, Shauna Chalmers, Lunchlady Dora, Brandine Spuckler and various others
 * Chris Edgerly as additional characters
 * Maggie Roswell as Elizabeth Hoover, Luann Van Houten, Helen Lovejoy and various others
 * Russi Taylor as Martin Prince, Wendell Borton, Sherri, Terri and Üter Zörker

Guest stars for the season included Kristen Wiig, journalist Rachel Maddow, Elisabeth Moss, Eva Longoria, writer Harlan Ellison, comic book writer Stan Lee, Daniel Radcliffe, and Zach Galifianakis.

Production
The season was ordered with the previous season in October 2011 after negotiating a new deal with the cast. Six episodes were holdovers from the previous season, and one continued to be held until next season. Executive producer Al Jean continued his role as primary showrunner, a role he had since the thirteenth season. Executive producer Matt Selman was also the showrunner for several episodes, a role he performed since the twenty-third season. Commenting on the series' longevity in its twenty-fifth season, Jean stated that the writer continue to generate ideas based on their own present-day lives as well as their childhoods in addition to current events.

This season featured the final performances by Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel prior to her death. In honor of her, the character was retired. It also featured the final episodes written by Don Payne prior to his death. As a tribute to both, Edna Krabappel and Payne were shown with halos and angel wings in the opening sequence for "White Christmas Blues." In addition, it featured the final episode written by Billy Kimball and Ian Maxtone-Graham before their departure from the series.

To promote the season, Jean stated that a recurring character would be dying. After the death of Wallace, Jean clarified that her death was not related to his prior statement. However, the episode featuring this event was held back and aired as the premiere of the twenty-sixth season.

For the 550th episode, the setting takes place mostly in a Lego world and is primarily composed of 3-D animation. Production for the episode took two years, and producers needed approval from The Lego Group.

Ratings
For the 2013–2014 television season, the season earned a 3.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic, which was the 32nd best performing show. It averaged 5.67 million viewers, which was the 81st best performing show.

Awards and nominations
At the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, actor Harry Shearer won the award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work in "Four Regrettings and a Funeral." Color design director Dmitry Malanitchev and background designer Charles Ragins won awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for their work in "Treehouse of Horror XXIV." In addition, Re-Recording Mixers Mark Linden and Tara A. Paul were nominated for a Outstanding Sound Mixing for their work in "Married to the Blob."

At the 67th Writers Guild of America Awards, writer Brian Kelley won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation for his script for "Brick Like Me." Writers Michael Nobori, J. Stewart Burns, and David Steinberg were also nominated for the same award for episodes written this season.

At the 41st Annie Awards, the episode "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design and Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding. At the 42nd Annie Awards, writers Tim Long and Rob LaZebnik were nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Writing, and guest animator Michał Socha was nominated for Best Animated Short Subject for his couch gag in "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting."