o rly?
You know who else is going to be pleased?
Or more to the point, you don't know them.
'Bart Simpson' punts Church of Scientology
It appears that Twentieth Century Fox is none too pleased with Nancy Cartwright's use of Bart Simpson to punt an upcoming Church of Scientology event in a "robo-calling" recording. Committed Scientologist Cartwright, who has donated $10m to her favourite cult, begins her message with “Hey, what’s happening man, this is Bart …
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Anonymous Coward
grounds keeper Willie
should sort her out with a baseball bat! unless the devil has given her super human strength.
So she gets bored some place else on Sunday, who cares.
Although before the Daily mail readers chip in is it really acceptable to prevent her using a voice that SHE created for whatever she wants? really I mean if it was you who had create the voice? OK thought not.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Anonymous Coward
Wait...
So, *before* she joined Scientology she dreamed of making a living doing voice over work on animations and since joining Scientology she's...made a living doing voice over work on animations. So, where exactly is the amazing expansion of abilities please?
In fact, she's been doing the voice of Bart Simpson (clearly her most famous and probably most wealth inducing work) since 1987 and only joined Scientology in 1989. So really, how does she think it's helped her at all. Unless she was having difficulty dealing with the $10,000,000 she gave to them and they did her a favour by taking it from her...!
Carry on!
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Fab De Marco
RETALIATE!!!!!!!!!
Perfect opportunity for the SImpsons writers to do the same kind of scientology episode that caused Isaac Hayes to leave South Park.
Lets see if Scientology will give you another career opportunity after leaving simpsons. No it won't you will be a 51 year old actress who will be known only as the voice of Bart... Fail
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Ferry Boat
Resurrection Joe
Ye gods, I was stuck on the "...I’m now auditing on new OT [Operating Thetan Level] Seven.” bit. Then I used the internet. From the main man himself, "On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level, requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE.".
Can they not just create some sort of on-line game where they can do this sort of thing? Keep it out of the real world because it really has no relation to the real world at all.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Mark McC
Scientology helped your career?
No, you signed up for a low-key voiceover gig with The Simpsons, which then became one of the most successful TV shows ever, with millions of people seeing your name across their television screens every week. I think that contributed more to your subsequent career than any Thetan voodoo nonsense.
Hail Xenu!
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Thursday 29th January 2009 12:56 GMT Mark
re: Lisa?
And the rest of the cast apart from guest speakers Paul and Linda McCartney and Apu (who is indian) take the piss out of it. Hell one line is
"Jeesz, Apu, your lot must have been at the back of the queue when they handed out gods".
"Please, Mr Homer, stop feeding my got Peanuts"
Will Nancy accept a sketch taking the piss out of CoS?
Chef in South Park didn't.
Simpsons take the piss out of religion as much as they endorse it.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:20 GMT Anonymous Coward
Anyone interested
Like me, since first learning of Cartright, I havne't watched another episode and I've been trying to get an address out of Fox to protest and send my Simpsons stuff back to them. I did get a phone numebr - 020 7753 8686
If you want to join in the protest, ask for the Press department and ask them for a postal address to which you can return your Simpson stuff.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:20 GMT Andrew Tyler
I wonder if...
Being borged by the Scientologists is just a good career move for a hollywood type similar to joining whatever country club the executives play at even though you hate golf. Of course, going on to donate $10M is just plain nuts. It can't be worth that much. I thought she didn't make all that much (relatively) doing the Simpsons anyways.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:22 GMT steogede
Copyright!! - ROFL
Fox don't have a leg to stand on - not on the copyright claim anyway. They don't own "Bart Simpson's" voice, it is Nancy Cartwright's voice - she can use it any way she likes. If Richard Wilson made a recording saying :
"You won't believe it, this is Victor Meldrew ...just kidding don’t hang up this is Richard Wilson".
Is there anything the BBC could do?
I suppose Fox can use a copyright CLAIM to get it taken off YouTube - after all YouTube will probably uphold any complaint just to make life easier for themselves. They might even, just possibly have a valid trademark claim.
Having said all that - anyone who has involvement automated robot cold calling deserves to die a horrible death.
Oliver C - Can I suggest a solution that would allow her to be sacked without changing the characters voice (except maybe for one episode) - they could record a episode where Bart takes a job doing phone robot recordings, then the rest of the town could find out and hack him to pieces. Clearly Cartwright might not agree to record this episode, so they could hire a replacement for one show; or given that it is just a single show, they could use a bit audio special effects to cut and paste samples from previous shows. -- Okay it means Bart has to die, but it is worth it if it acts as a warning to anyone else thinking of recording a robot voice for the purpose of cold calling.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:22 GMT The Fuzzy Wotnot
Boot her
If I go into work and use the company connection to get a load of films and dodgy games, all for my own personal gratification, against my employers policies, then tough, I'd end up out on my earhole!
You can't tell me that they can't find a replacement somewhere in the world? Anyway, I can imagine the show can only have a half dozen seasons left by now, they've done 20 odd.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:22 GMT Mark
RE:grounds keeper Willie
"Although before the Daily mail readers chip in is it really acceptable to prevent her using a voice that SHE created for whatever she wants?"
You'd have a point there, if that's all she did. You might want to reread the story. She used the Bart Simpson character, not merely the voice. Check out the first line of the telephone call- It's quoted in the story.
I would think she has the right to use the voice itself, unless she has signed away such a right. She has no claim whatsoever to the name or character of "Bart Simpson".
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:24 GMT Mike
@Cameron Colle
>>Posted Thursday 29th January 2009 12:13 GMT
>>@Richard: Last time I checked Buddhism was a religion, not a bunch of conmen looking for
>>more money and influence.
errr.... you obviously don't understand how the Lama class system works then (a bunch of conmen looking for more money and influence).
Religions and pseudo religions are all the same, L Ron may have been an unstable crack head wanting easy money, but at least he made no bones about it.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 14:34 GMT Anonymous Coward
Time to HELP these Victims?
CoS is a poorly written sci fi script, writen by a Sci Fi writer, used by people as a way to brain wash others into giveing them all your money!
They are growing stronger, richer and thier evil is spreading.
but we do have one weapon to fight this Sci Fi CULT
I say its time for the Jedi to take on the CoS, lets show them what a real sci fi following can do!
Im off to change the crystals in my light saber.
Blind we are, if creation of this clone army we could not see.
-- Yoda
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Thursday 29th January 2009 15:13 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: reverent lovejoy??
"so thats two religon then, no cults as yet."
Three religions - Krusty is Jewish, and his father is a rabbi (first seen in "Like Father, Like Clown" if memory serves - it's a good skit of The Jazz Singer)
There have been cults in the Simpsons - the Stonecutters (more of a freemason-type thing, with Patrick Stewart voicing the head honcho) and at least one episode featuring the Movementarians (might have been a swipe at cults in general, rather than the CoS in particular)
Personally, I prefer Futurama's take on religion: "Is there anything religion can do to help me, Father Changstein el Gamal?"
Mine's the one with the can of Slurm in the pocket.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 15:13 GMT Dave
Bart must die!!!
I suspect that the above actually has been the title of a simpsons episode, but anyway, either they have enough recordings of 'his' voice to be able to be able to piece things together without her, or its time for an interesting and terminal event.
<- Maybe a major conflagration?
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Thursday 29th January 2009 15:13 GMT michael
not that I h8 the cult at all
but she has a point a lot of my cristain friends would agree with
she joined for a minor voice part in 1987 joined a religion and now her minor voice part is making her more then $10 mill and she thinks her god is favouring her
I got a job and a good deal mortgage just before the bubble burst and I now have lost more mony then my friends and my cirstain parents say god if favouring me
not that much diffract
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Thursday 29th January 2009 15:13 GMT Anonymous Coward
@Mark
If I say “Hey, what’s happening man, this is Bart Simpson... hahaha...” does that mean I'm in breach of copyright?
If Rory Bremner impersonates a fictional character by using their catch phrase is he?
Where did they get the auto dialler from, did it have stickers with property of Professor Fink, Jimmy the scum bag, Homer, No sorry Marge's auto dialler?
Is the Reg in breach of copyright for reporting on a story incorporating to many elements that have featured in episodes of the Simpson?
I doubt the outrage would be the same if she had been encouraging people to attend her churches bring and buy sale. I understand why a religious person might object or campaigne against Scientology but as an agnostic I don't care, and I doubt you all care as much as you think you do.
(unless her involvement in Scientology has offended the flying spaghetti monster in which case "burn the heretic!")
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Thursday 29th January 2009 16:29 GMT Phil
Wise Donut Man
The next Simpson's episode now needs to introduce a new character...
Wise Beard Man!
He could get arrested for standing around on the same city block as an unnamed cult's "church", Lisa tries to stop the injustice of his wrongful arrest, while Bart joins the cult, Marge hires someone to kidnap him and bring him home. Homer will grow a beard to and start up his own MyTube video channel where he preaches about Duff beer.
Wise Beer Man
His words are wise
His face is donut. Mmmm... donut.
So what would happen? I think Nancy would leave the show over it all, and join Isaak Hayes in the unemployment line. Or they'd all hang out together in Tom Cruise's closet.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 16:29 GMT Cameron Colley
@ Mike
Fair point -- but religions generally have other aspects to them other than the acquisition of money of money and power -- such as preventing the village from getting tapeworms or calming warring tribes so that resources can be shared. I would like to point out for the record, however, that I don't condone the promotion of religion in any form.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 18:50 GMT Kenny Swan
Moron
Being sucked in by religion makes you gullible. Being sucked in by scientology makes you a fool. Giving $10m to the twats and risking your job by associating The Simpsons with something Fox didn't authorise makes you nothing but an A Grade, 5 star, award winning moron and I've lost what little respect I have for Nancy Cartwright.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 18:50 GMT RW
"just kidding"
I've heard that line before from screwy cults after they do something especially reprehensible. IIRC, the Rajneeshees tried it after spraying bacteria on salad bars in The Dalles, Oregon to sicken people and prevent them from voting contra-Rajneesh and after dosing a bunch of hobos with Haldol to keep them under control.
[Recollections may be dim and details not as stated.]
Sorry, Nancy. You are a fail.
Why do Hollywood types fall for scientological nonsense? Because, dear people, they're only actors and actresses, a breed that isn't required to do much in the way of critical thinking. All that's required is a good memory for your lines and an ability to follow the director's instructions. In the case of Nancy, all that's required is the ability to read very simple English.
From such a milieu, no flowers of intellect can be expected to emerge.
All hail Xenu, Galactic Lord!
Paris, because I still think that under the public airhead persona she's a pretty astute businesswoman who knows how to parlay notoriety into good money.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 18:50 GMT raving angry loony
bullies
Of course, the CoS being quite rich, they won't be the target of insane lawsuits by Fox or the RIAA/MPAA for illegally using the material. These folks are only interested in chasing 12 year old girls or 90 year old grannies who don't have the money to fight in court.
Of course, if they got off the pot and outlawed robocallers it would go a long way to cleaning things up. But again, profit before people.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 22:48 GMT Mark
@By Anonymous Coward Posted Thursday 29th January 2009 15:02 GMT
There's more then one Mark here, but I'm the one who originally posted.
If you used Bart Simpsons likeness to promote your own agenda without permission, yes, you are violating copyright. I'm not sure how anyone can possibly think otherwise. A employee of a company who contributes to the production of intellectual property does not own the entire intellectual property.
If she used the voice, but not the Name or the iconic catchphrases, I think she'd be in the right. Unless, of course, she already sold the rights to that voice.
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Thursday 29th January 2009 22:48 GMT jake
@Cameron Colley
"Last time I checked Buddhism was a religion"
No. Proper Buddhism is a philosophy and way of life, not a religion. The difference? There is no worship in Buddhism ... at least there shouldn't be. In fact, Buddhism doesn't ask that you drop your current religion when following the Middle Path ...
"not a bunch of conmen looking for more money and influence."
Oh, that that were true ... Somewhere, somewhen, the Gautama Buddha sheds a tear over what is being perpetrated in his name.
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Friday 30th January 2009 01:14 GMT Mark Simon
Who cares?
The Simpsons has barely turned out a good episode this century. Maybe Scientology is all that keeps it going, because it sure isn’t quality.
Cartwright is, of course, entitled to use her own voice, and if it happens to sound like Bart Simpson, well, that’s the way it goes. I believe, however, that Fox is legally entitled to govern the use of the name.
Did Warner Brothers have anything to say when Mel Blanc used his voices to promote Amex cards?
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Friday 30th January 2009 10:53 GMT Anonymous Coward
Scientology and The Simpsons
So long as she doesn't do an Isaac Hayes aka Chef from South Park, and leave the Simpsons if they lampoon Scientology again.
The Simpsons did do an episode, 11 years ago (Season 9, Episode 13) titled The Joy of Sect. In the episode, a cult called the "Movementarians" takes over Springfield, and Homer and the rest of the Simpson family become members. The Movementarians were largely inspired by Scientology [and other cults].
There are several similarities between the Movementarians and the Church of Scientology. "The Leader" physically resembles L. Ron Hubbard; the Movementarians' "trillion year labor contract" alludes to the Sea Org's billion year contract; and both groups make extensive use of litigation.
Several other similarities listed here:
http://holysmoke.org/cos/movementarians.htm
You can watch the episode here:
http://tudou.com/programs/view/EMRPuG53SBg
You can hear the robocall here
http://entertonement.com/clips/64689/Bart-Simpson-Scientology-Robo-Call
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Sunday 1st February 2009 00:20 GMT Anonymous Coward
Oddly enough.. I awoke this morning...
And when I awoke I had a funny idea about how ethical parasites like Nancy Cartwright got posts of prominence in "popular" shows.
Along the lines of how the cherch of scientology had a habit of putting it's leeches into the limelight.
The simpsons? I was THE original FAN when it came out on the Tracy Ullman Show....
And when it came on ONCE a week, it was a real treat.... now it's is or was on TV 2 X a night, every night 5 days a week with infinite repeats and a Sunday special.... for the last 5 or 10 years.... or whatever...
Yawn?
Nancy Cartwright? Who? Oh that bullshit nazi cult with that stupid woman.
This topic is closed for new posts.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
