Lisa, the Simpson!

Why do u think Lisa is as brainy as she is because it dosent come from Homer or Marge or is it a simple talent?

I believe that it is that third option. She is intellectually gifted, and she likes to learn things on her own, too.

The answer: Because James L. Brooks said so.

ALM
Threadkiller.

And i'll revive it by saying that imho Lisa isn't only a little genius, but also someone who tries very hard and puts a lot of effort in studying and homework and stuff. So she might have taken those from her mommy, i guess.
As for her good hearted spirit, well, that's something everyone has or hasn't. She has  :D

I see it as, a desire to progress, she wants to acheive more and more. Either that or, a general fear of regret. Afriad of looking back and knowing she could have done more. I know for a fact there are people like this in real life so, its not a case of 'creating the perfect girl', which is why, Lisa has the depth that gives her so much attention. :)

George - It's true though.

ALM
Threadkiller indeed!

On-topic:
I think Lisa inherited most of her good merits from Marge. In the recent seasons, Marge acts more like Homer (maybe he finally affected her?), but in the older episodes, Marge sometimes acted very much like her older daughter. What can I say to Lisa? Never marry a guy like Homer :D Also, Marge's childhood looks very similar to Lisa's sometimes (even if we don't know much about it) - loneliness, misunderstanding from the others, much of work...

why so? it was groening who developed all characters, not brooks.
brooks wasnt in groening team since the beginning, but lisa was kinda smart in the tracey ulman shorts already.
since when brooks gives orders to matt groening :-)

I think her brains is a gift from birth supported by her constant brain exercises she makes for herself everytime. I'm not so envy to her intellect at this times (I was in past :red: ), and now I see first of all her spiritual qualities. What anyone can develope no matter of the present IQ. But, what to say, to talk with her would be a problem for me (maybe...or maybe not ;) ). There's two differences between the business dialogue with her and easy conversation for relaxation. For the first is ok for me as like with most of the people, second case would be quite problematic :D
I still curious how would she react at me if we meet and had a talk. She tries to be equally unprejudiced with a new and unknown people. And as long as she goes to understand who's she sees, she can change her mind properly. But she perfectly knows her own value, and the recent story with Milhouse getting orphane proves that she can change her attitude to man almost in seconds, just you be "appropriate" to her. What I don't know how to estimate, really. From one side she did inconstant and it's not so good. But I clearly support her with it. It is just reasonable - to treat someone by his value and acts.

My theory, not like any one needs to hear it, is that she was born with a gift, but she was also born with determination which is why she is so smart and is able to keep this up. Sure, she has natural talent, but she builds on and improves it by studying hard and playing her sax. She is also secure in the fact that even though she is unappreciated now, her talents will one day allow her to make a life for herself, without the need to rely on others. She probably does get her determination from Marge, because she may not show it often, but Marge does refuse to give up on her dreams in several episodes.

It was Brooks who pitched the character for Lisa when starting the series, all Groening had during the shorts was that she was just a girl version of Bart, Brooks pitched that Lisa should play an instrument, Silverman suggested that she plays the Tuba (much like he does) and it was quickly changed to the sax. Groening had only made minor character personalities up until 1989, the writers then fleshed them all out in the writers room.

Brooks gives orders to Groening because he owns the company that makes the show, i.e. Gracie Films, so Groening is second in command on the show only to Brooks. This is why the episode "A Star is Burns" aired. Brooks liked it, and Groening didn't, Groening had his name removed from the credits. Brooks was able to go over Groening and get the episode aired.

ALM
Those are very interesting facts... I had no idea about that story around "A Star Is Burns". It's weird though - to me it was one of the most funny, very well done episodes, why would Groening try to suppress it. At least the "Eeexcellent!" moment in the Burns' movie always makes me LOL, no matter how many times I watched it. :)

I guess we all owed a little "thanks" to Brooks, then... if Simpsons family had two Barts and no Lisas, some of us would probably be the fans of something else instead of the Simpsons show...

Well, although Lisa was more "bratty" in the Ullmann shorts than in the actual show, she was always smarter than Bart. And who knows, if the producers would have decided to age the characters over the time, Maggie might have grown to the genius that Lisa represents now. :)

The reason is because Brooks tried to use "The Simpsons" to promote "The Critic" (the show that Jay Sherman is from) which was moving from ABC to FOX and airing directly after that episode aired. Brooks was able to have the crossover, because The Critic was created by Al Jean and Mike Reiss and was also part of Gracie Films.

Groening didn't like the idea of the crossover, stating that the two shows are their own universe (which is true) and didn't want to partake in this which was done mostly for business reasons.

Though it should be mentioned that some staff members of The Critic later went on to work on The Simpsons, and even Futurama.

In the credits of 2F31 you'll notice that Al Jean and Mike Reiss are credited as Executive Producers and David Mirkin is credited in Matt Groening's place as Exec Producer as well, along with Sam Simon (despite leaving in Season 4) is the Executive Creative Consultant in place of Groening. Also the "Created by" Credit is missing and Groening's name is removed entirely in the "Developed by" credit.

Thank you for the very interesting info, ALM! I actually never noticed that those credits were missing, heh... Well, i guess we need indeed to thank Brooks for seeing Lisa the way we see her :D

Honestly i think it was a great move to "turn" Lisa from a female Bart to basically her diametrical opposite. Not only because she's so more likeable like this, but even because, as it was proven, it was great fuel for plotlines based on sibling rivalry.

I'd rather thank all of the producers instead. David Silverman, Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Jon Vitti, John Swartzwelder, Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky, Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein, Mike Scully, Yeardley Smith, Sam Simon, Matt Groening, Wes Archer, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Jace Richdale, Conan O'Brien, Jim Reardon, Mark Kirkland must've all played a part. :P

It was just Brooks and Silverman about the sax thing. Can you imagine Lisa playing a Flaming Tuba? :P

Well, if you want to get technical, everybody has their inspirations. But I reckon most of Lisa's behaviour is 'written' out of spontanious situations.

But I still think thats a crude and, pretty crap way of looking at it. Lisa is to most people here, more than just a script. A bit like the bible is more than just a bunch of dead sliced trees with ink on them to religious people.

Though, comparing Lisa to the bible is probably a bad idea.

Casper
Uhh... was there really any need for that? I know we're primarily atheists on here, but keep in mind that there are religious folk abroad. And I don't pretend to know what you were trying to say, but some could read it as offensive. Remember the Chain of Courtesy ;)

ALM
Huh, I'd never known any of that :) Seems pretty interesting, I just never noticed it before. I guess that shows how much of us really care about the credits, and how much recognition it really gets for people ;)

I could probably build a timeline of credit trivia about the show. From commentaries, interviews, presentations and such. :P

Probably not. I couldnt think of a better example. Books are dead trees though... :x

Yup, I agree with Casper. If we will explain everything with script writers' desire, what's the point of any Simpsons-dedicated forum then? Lisa is an alive creature to me. Just not from this world (which is probably good, because honestly speaking, this rotten reality is definitely not for angels like she). So she has her personality, her beliefs, her good and bad sides. The cartoon is only a reflection of all that.

Well, you could theorize a number of things. Some could say that Lisa was born a child prodigy, having unusually advanced maturity and mental agility (oh dear, I sound like such a nerd :D). And this is probably true... in a lot of situations, she seems like she's even smarter than the adults around. Although that's Springfieldians for you... :P

Another reason could be that she's simply trying to break free of her family. I know this is said over and over again, but it's most likely true :P She sees how Homer and Bart are, and it makes her feel like she needs to overcome the image of "Simpson". Some people just have the personality that pushes them toward success, no matter what stands in their way. I think Lisa is one of them. If only we could all be overachievers! :P