The Simpsons: 10 Hidden Jokes Everybody Missed

3. The Location Of The Simpsons€™ Most Famous Writer Is Revealed (Hurricane Neddy)

The Simpsons Free John Swartzwelder
Fox

Many fan-favourite episodes such as 'Homer's Enemy', 'You Only Move Twice', 'Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?', and 'Krusty Gets Kancelled' have one thing in common; they were all written by John Swartzwelder.

With a total of 59 episodes, Swartzwelder is the most prolific Simpsons writer to have worked on the show. Swartzwelder also happens to be a notorious recluse who has rarely been seen or photographed and has turned down any media appearance asked of him, including recording commentaries for the show's DVD's. In fact, Swartzwelder's reclusiveness even had fans debating whether or not he actually existed and that 'John Swartzwelder' was probably just a pseudonym for writers who didn't want to take credit for writing an episode.

Due to the mythology that had been built up, the other Simpsons writers decided to lampshade Swartzwelder's existence and whereabouts in the episode 'Hurricane Neddy'.

When the Simpsons visit Ned Flanders at a mental institution, a paranoid man with long-hair and a mustache is briefly seen. For everyone who has been wondering who this man is, this is the animated likeness of Swartzwelder. To cap the joke off, at the end of the episode when Flanders is released to an adoring crowd, someone is holding a 'Free John Swartzwelder' sign.

Contributor
Contributor

My life story is nothing special. I haven't cured ebola, I'm nowhere near stopping terrorism, and I'm still working on that climate change problem. Instead, all I've done so far is put a few hundred words together in an attempt to make people laugh. You can follow me at @Fry_ying_pan but don't be offended if I don't tweet back. It's usually because I've spent too long trying to think up a witty response that the reply window has closed.