Joshua Biasotto, a native of Quebec, developed a deep affection for The Simpsons by watching the show’s Québécois French version during his childhood. He not only enjoyed the show’s eccentric characters, irreverent humor, and satirical outlook on life but also cultivated a strong appreciation for Quebec dubbing, identifying which actor lent their voice to each character.
However, in August, Teletoon, owned by Corus Entertainment and responsible for the Canadian broadcast rights and dubbing of the show, chose not to renew the rights for the 36th season after a 35-year run. This decision endangered the future of Les Simpson.
Distressed by this development, Biasotto took action by launching an online petition on Change.org titled Sauvons le doublage québécois des Simpsons — “Let’s save the Quebec dub of The Simpsons.” He emphasized the significance of preserving this aspect of Quebec’s identity, citing the incorporation of local expressions and cultural references that made the Québécois version unique.
The Quebec adaptation included regional accents and replaced American references with local ones. Notably, in one episode, references to upstate New York were replaced with nods to the Lac-Saint-Jean region and towns like Jonquière and Alma in the Québécois version.
Ian Lafrenière, Quebec’s deputy premier and a devoted Simpsons fan, advocated for saving the Quebec version, praising the show’s cultural and geographical references as “sublime.” The public outcry to preserve Les Simpson tapped into a larger sentiment beyond nostalgia, reflecting Quebec’s tradition of adapting global entertainment to reflect its language, humor, and culture.
The dubbing industry in Quebec, which emerged post-World War II, enabled audiences to experience international content in their language with familiar voices and references. Dubbing involves more than just direct translation, especially concerning humor, as some jokes may not resonate when directly translated. This process ensures that Quebec’s distinct culture and language are preserved.
The Quebec dubbing team faced challenges, including the loss of voice actors such as Béatrice Picard and Benoît Rousseau. However, the fans’ unwavering support played a vital role in the eventual revival of Les Simpson. Due to a successful campaign led by Biasotto, Bell Media secured a deal with Disney Entertainment to bring back the show, set to premiere on Noovo on September 9.
The return of Les Simpson signifies a resurgence in Quebec’s dubbing industry, with difuze, a prominent French dubbing facility, witnessing increased demand for their services. Despite the growth, challenges such as tighter production timelines persist, requiring teams to work diligently to meet deadlines.
The revival of Les Simpson not only underscores the show’s popularity but also highlights the influence of its dedicated fan base. This resurgence is seen as an opportunity to attract new viewers while showcasing the enduring power of fan support in preserving cultural icons.
