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Food with Mark Bittman: The Simpsons!

Eating guacamole off seabirds.

Published May 21, 2025

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Photo courtesy The Simpsons © 2025 by 20th Television

A couple weeks ago, we got one of the most fun pitches we’ve seen thus far. It was from a longtime executive on The Simpsons, and she wanted to know if we’d have a couple of the show’s producers on the podcast. An episode of The Simpsons was about to air, and it’s called “Full Heart, Empty Pool,” and avocados play a pivotal role. 

Listen to Rob LaZebnik and Jeff Westbrook on Food with Mark Bittman

It made my day. It would have made my day back in the early 90s, when I was a rabid Simpsons fan, and it made my day in the present, in general, but also because my family has been watching The Simpsons together, from the start. We’re currently on season eight and it’s so good and so funny. 

Of course we said yes. So today’s interview is with Rob LaZebnik and Jeff Westbrook, both co-executive producers on The Simpsons—and Jeff is also the writer of the episode of “Full Heart, Empty Pool,” which also pokes fun at pickleball, so if you’re into that kind of ribbing (so many of us are!) you really need to watch it. But first—listen to us chat with these guys.

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