Longtime Angeleno Alf Clausen is the man behind much of the music on “The Simpsons.” But after 27 years composing for the Fox cartoon, he’s been canned.
“Simpsons” producer Richard Sakai called Clausen, 76, to say the company was seeking “a different kind of music” and that he would no longer be scoring the show, he told Variety.
Clausen’s daughter said via Twitter: “Nice to fire my dad who gave you 27 years of his life & told him via email.”
EW called it a surprising move.
“Clausen came aboard the animated Fox comedy in 1990’s season 2, and has scored the animated Fox comedy ever since, earning a whopping 23 Emmy nominations for his joyful songs and soundscapes along the way, including a pair of wins in 1997 and 1998,” EW said.
“It is unclear at this point if the 35-piece orchestra that Clausen used for each episode will be retained. (Series creator Matt Groening [said] The Simpsons theme music, which was created by Danny Elfman, is likely to remain in place.)”
The show’s 29th season begins Oct. 1.
Clausen confirmed the news and heard other sour notes:
Thank you for all of the support…unfortunately, the news is true… https://t.co/jBQH0b40cz
— Alf Clausen (@TheAlfClausen) August 31, 2017
Nice job @TheSimpsons. Nice to fire my dad who gave you 27 years of his life & told him via email. https://t.co/4xryCpG3at @thealfclausen
— Karen Clausen (@karleighclausen) August 31, 2017
this news is gross and sad. just call it a day and cancel the show already. https://t.co/7kbWELNcQ5
— Corey Atad (@CoreyAtad) August 30, 2017
Alf Clausen is as important to that show as some cast members, so the decision, like the daily decision to let the show live, is appalling.
— Kaleb Horton (@kalebhorton) August 30, 2017
Alf Clausen is one of THE most respected composers in Los Angeles, and one of the few “old souls” who can handle super traditional writing
— Austin Wintory (@awintory) August 30, 2017
Alf Clausen is a musical genius. I’ll always be in awe of his ability to elevate the most sentimental scenes. https://t.co/iRQNDb3jva
— : – ) ALLIE GOERTZ (@AllieGoertz) August 30, 2017