The Simpsons to poke fun at The Smiths and Morrissey in new episode
Panic on the Streets of Springfield
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
Creators of The Simpsons have announced that they will poke fun at The Smiths and Morrissey in a new episode that airs Stateside this weekend.
The new episode if called Panic on the Streets of Springfield – of course, a play on The Smiths’ classic 1986 song ‘Panic’ – and it sees Lisa unite with a new imaginary friend, a somewhat morose character called Quilloughby who sports a quiff and is from 1980s England.
Morrissey himself doesn’t lend his idiosyncratic voice to Willoughby. Instead, The Simpsons drafted in multi-award-winning British A-list actor Benedict Cumberbatch for the role.
Simpsons writer Tim Long has shared a still from the episode which features Lisa and the Morrissey-esque cartoon character clutching an obligatory bunch of flowers and standing outside Springfield Lads Club.
The image is an overt nod to the famous Stephen Wright photo of The Smiths outside Salford Lads Club, which appeared on the inside sleeve of their 1986 masterpiece ‘The Queen is Dead.’
Panic on the Streets of Springfield will air on Fox in the US on Sunday 18th April 2021. The UK release date has yet to be announced.
Last month, a trailer premiered for a much-derided movie loosely based on the music of The Smiths called Shoplifters Of The World.
Take a look at some of the biggest solo artists who were once in a band:
Paul Simon
Paul Simon's career has spanned over six decades. After releasing five albums as one half of duo Simon & Garfunkel, he went on to record some huge solo hits including 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard'!
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks was a powerful force in legendary band Fleetwood Mac but has also achieved enormous success on her own, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her hits 'Edge of Seventeen' and 'Gold Dust Woman' continue to inspire songwriters everywhere.
Noel Gallagher
Songwriting powerhouse and mastermind behind Oasis' biggest hits, Noel Gallagher released his first solo project in 2011 as Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. They have since gone on to release numerous singles and two more albums, 'Chasing Yesterday' and 'Who Built The Moon?'
Liam Gallagher
Noel's little brother Liam is at home on stage, so it's no surprise the frontman returned to music as a solo artist in 2017 with his first single 'Wall of Glass'. He continues to play with Oasis co-founder Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and has released two albums, 'As You Were' and 'Why Me? Why Not.'
Johnny Marr
Fellow Mancunian and legendary guitarist Johnny Marr first gained success with massively influential band The Smiths. After their split in 1987, he embarked on a solo career and has released solo music as well as collaborations like Electronic and Modest Mouse.
George Michael
George Michael was one half of duo Wham! and enjoyed huge hits like 'Club Tropicana'. However, he rose to international stardom on his own and played sold-out tours after the release of solo efforts including 'I Knew You Were Waiting For Me' alongside Aretha Franklin and 'Faith'.
Eric Clapton
Guitar hero Eric Clapton has won a total of 17 Grammy Awards spanning his career, including during his time in bands the Yardbirds and Cream. He has supplied rock fans with classics 'Lay Down Sally' and 'Wonderful Tonight'.
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox rose to fame in 80s outfit Eurythmics but went on to enjoy a successful solo career and release six albums! She is a multi-Grammy Award-winner and has even won an Oscar for her song 'Into The West' which featured in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Peter Gabriel
Original lead singer of rock band Genesis, Peter Gabriel has enjoyed solo success, launched by his solo debut single 'Solsbury Hill'. His song 'Sledghammer' was famed for its incredible music video which won Peter a Brit Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards and three Grammy nominations.
Sting
Sting, aka Gordon Sumner, left hugely successful band The Police and triumphed over the charts with singles like 1985's 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles' and 1991's 'The Soul Cages'.
Paul Weller
It is incredible to think Paul Weller had EVEN MORE success after his time in mod band The Jam. He went on to have further hits with The Style Council and established himself as a solo artist in 1992 with his self-titled debut.
Diana Ross
She is one of the most legendary performers ever. Diana Ross left Motown sensations The Supremes in 1970 and embarked on an amazing solo career. Her version of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' in 1970 scored her a number one and a Grammy nomination.
Phil Collins
Fellow Genesis bandmember Phil Collins went from behind the Genesis drumkit to behind the microphone as lead singer after the departure of Peter Gabriel. He also enjoyed huge solo success with hits including 'Face Value' and 'In The Air Tonight'.
Sir Paul McCartney
Like former bandmate John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney had huge success after the breakup of The Beatles. He enjoyed success with band Wings and on his own, with hits including 'Maybe I'm Amazed' and 'Band On The Run'.
Now read:
John Lennon: A celebration of the Beatles legend