Quebec’s Love for “The Simpsons” in Jeopardy Due to Dubbing Rights Issue
Growing up in Quebec, Joshua Biasotto developed a fondness for watching “The Simpsons” in Québécois French. He not only enjoyed the show’s quirky characters and satirical humor but also developed a deep appreciation for Quebec dubbing, knowing the voice actors behind each character.
After 35 years, Corus Entertainment’s Télétoon, the broadcaster holding the Canadian rights for “The Simpsons” and overseeing its dubbing, decided not to renew the rights for the 36th season, putting the Quebec version, known as “Les Simpson,” at risk. Distraught over the potential loss, Biasotto took action by launching an online petition called “Sauvons le doublage québécois des Simpsons” (“Let’s save the Quebec dub of The Simpsons”).
The Quebec version of the show incorporated local expressions and cultural references, making it uniquely tailored to Quebecois audiences. For instance, regional Quebec accents and colloquial dialects were used, and U.S. references were swapped for local ones to enhance the local connection.
The public outcry to save “Les Simpson” resonated deeply with Quebecers, reflecting the importance of dubbing in preserving the province’s language, humor, and culture. Dubbing has been a longstanding tradition in Quebec, providing audiences with a familiar and culturally relevant viewing experience.
The potential discontinuation of “Les Simpson” deeply affected the voice actors, such as Thiéry Dubé, who has voiced Québécois Homer Simpson since 2017. The uncertainty surrounding the show’s future compounded the loss of key team members and made for a challenging period.
Fortunately, Biasotto’s petition garnered over 35,000 signatures, leading to a deal between Bell Media and Disney Entertainment to revive “Les Simpson.” The return of the show was met with enthusiasm by difuze, the largest French dubbing facility in Canada, which is proud to be part of bringing back the beloved series.
As Quebec’s dubbing industry thrives, driven by the increasing demand for dubbed content on streaming platforms, challenges like tight production schedules persist. Despite concerns about AI-generated dubbing, the commitment to preserving local talent in dubbing remains strong.
The revival of “Les Simpson” not only celebrates the show’s popularity but also highlights the influence of dedicated fans, attracting both existing and new audiences to the iconic series.