The Simpsons immortalised on stamps
Updated on 08 May 2009
Dysfunctional cartoon family The Simpsons have been immortalised on US postage stamps.
Key crew and voice-cast members of the world-famous TV series were on hand for an unveiling of the five stamps featuring Lisa, Bart, Marge, Homer and baby Maggie, at the Twentieth Century Fox lot in Los Angeles, where the show is produced.
Simpsons executive producer James L Brooks described the accolade as "surreal".
He said: "The gypsy was right about everything but the cost of the stamp, I think. We have a lot of things happen to us, where suddenly I find myself in a place and I say, 'This can't be happening.' This is the top of whatever that mountain is."
And Simpsons creator Matt Groening, who drew the images for the stamps, said: "Well, it is impossible for me to draw the characters in model.
"If I walked in in disguise to the animation studio, they would not hire me because I can't draw the characters well enough, but this was my opportunity. Look, they're not right. But they've got personality. And that's been the story of my life."
The stamps are part of a year-long celebration dubbed Best. 20 Years. Ever. It culminates on Jan 14 next year, the 20th anniversary of the show's debut.
Frasier actor Kelsey Grammer, who gives Krusty the Clown his voice, said: "Today we are celebrating a historic moment. The United States Postal Service has chosen to honor the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons with the dedication of a stamp set.
"Of course, I can only imagine the pleasure one feels when one is to be documented on a stamp, since I didn't make the cut."
Meanwhile, Lisa's "voice", Yeardley Smith, said: "If this isn't the measure of iconic status in our culture, then I don't know what is. Lisa would say, 'This is awesome. I have made it. We won!!"
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