On today’s AUDIO ONLY show we talk about the value of anonymity, how to try and not let The Simpsons take over your life, being writers and actors, bad auditions, the value of improv, The Tracey Ullman Show, Chicago (the city), singing dancing, the thoughts behind jokes, being actors and writers, the origin of The Simpsons, how actors often know their characters better than writers, being a creative couple, improvising plays, how to not be precious about your ideas, visual art, do we need an audience, the joys of being a character actor, Krusty the Clown, John Waters, and Marlon Brando! Bio: DAN CASTELLANETA is Co-Executive Producer and four-time Emmy recipient for his work (Homer, Grandpa, Krusty, etc.) on The Simpsons. Besides acting in numerous film, TV, and theater roles, he has written for The Simpsons (WGA Nominated “Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore”), and The Tracey Ullman Show. He performed his acclaimed one-man show WHERE DID VINCENT VAN GOGH? in LA, NYC, Chicago, Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Aspen HBO Comedy Festival. He starred as the acerbic Oscar Levant, in his play FOR PIANO AND HARPO (Garry Marshall Theater, Burbank). His play A PURPLE DAWN premiered at Geneva College and Northwestern College, Iowa, BINKY PETUNIA (Little Renegade Theatre, LA). Other plays, co-written with Deb Lacusta: THE BANANA TREE (Telluride Playwrights Festival, Adirondack Theater Festival, Bloomington Playwrights Project), FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (Here for Now Theatre, Stratford, Ontario), FORTUNES, as well as FOOD COURT, and THE SONS OF MOTHERS. A Second City alum, Dan co-founded the improv scenario group Instant Theater Chicago and the Improv Co-op LA. He also co-wrote and co-directed the award-winning film The Long Isolation. DEB LACUSTA is a writer, improvisational actress, and video artist. She has written numerous episodes of The Simpsons (WGA Nominated “Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore”). Co-writing with Dan Castellaneta: THE BANANA TREE (Telluride Playwrights Festival, Bloomington Playwrights Project, Adirondack Theater Festival), SHOCK & AWW (Sci-Fest LA, Outstanding Short Plays, Vol. 4), ROSEBUD and DYNAMITE SALES (UCSB, Dramatic Publishing); EARTHERS and PIECES OF EIGHT (Organic Theater/Chicago, Theatre 6470/LA), FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER (Here for Now Theatre, Stratford, Ontario), FORTUNES, and OLD MAN IN A BIG CAR (Fanatic Salon Theatre, starring Paul Dooley).  She starred in and produced Castellaneta’s play FOR PIANO AND HARPO premiering at the Garry Marshall Theatre LA. She co-founded, with Castellaneta, the improv scenario group Instant Theater Chicago, and the Improv Co-op LA. She also co-wrote, co-directed and produced The Long Isolation, which has won numerous film festivals awards, and the art film Starring Marlon Brando. BGS University of Michigan, BFA Otis College of Art, MFA Art Center College of Design. Her art and video performance work has been seen in museums and art galleries here and abroad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices