Mike Reiss has won four Emmys in his three decades writing for "The Simpsons."  In this lecture, he will share backstage stories, secrets and scandals from the show in this hilarious presentation, richly illustrated with rare cartoon clips. Following the talk, Reiss will sign copies of his book Springfield Confidential, a best-selling memoir of his three decades at “The Simpsons."

In addition to his Emmys, Reiss has also won a Peabody Award during his twenty-eight years writing for “The Simpsons.”  He ran the show in Season 4, which Entertainment Weekly called “the greatest season of the greatest show in history.”  In 2006, Reiss received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus.

He has authored nineteen children’s books include the best-seller “How Murray Saved Christmas” and the award-winning “Late for School.” He has also written jokes for such comedy legends as Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling… and Pope Francis!  For his comedic contributions to the charitable group Joke with the Pope, in 2015 Pope Francis declared Reiss “A Missionary of Joy.”

In addition to his work with "The Simpsons", Reiss co-created the animated series “The Critic” and created Showtime’s hit cartoon “Queer Duck” (about a gay duck). “Queer Duck” was named one of “The 100 Greatest Cartoons of All Time” by the BBC. Queer Duck: the Movie was released to rave reviews in July 2006, winning awards in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Sweden, Germany and Wales.

Mike Reiss has been a contributing writer to more than two dozen animated films, including four Ice Ages, two Despicable Mes, The Lorax, Rio, Kung Fu Panda 3, and The Simpsons Movie – with a worldwide gross of $14 billion.

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Please note seating is on a first come basis; an RSVP does not guarantee admission as we generally overbook to ensure a full house.