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Morning News

Voice of 'Bart Simpson' Nancy Cartwright Discusses 'My Life As a 10-Year-Old Boy'

Aired October 30, 2000 - 11:52 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Nancy Cartwright is an actress who has a special claim to fame. Since 1987, 13 years ago, she's been the voice of the cartoon character Bart Simpson. That role figures prominently in Cartwright's new autobiography, "My Life As a 10-Year- Old Boy." Great title.

Cartwright live in L.A. to talk more about the book and the career and the show.

Hey, Nancy, good morning.

NANCY CARTWRIGHT, AUTHOR, "MY LIFE AS A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY": Hi, Bill. How are you doing.

HEMMER: I'm doing just fine. You want to give us a quick sample here for our viewers?

CARTWRIGHT: Oh, gosh, a quick sample? Like just tell you what's inside?

HEMMER: Am I putting you on the spot to go ahead and give us a little Bart?

CARTWRIGHT: Oh, what's happening, man? I tell you, it's a little bit illusioning -- you know, disillusioning to see this face when, you know, this is the guy right here that's really speaking.

HEMMER: You know, I have to tell you, I was channel surfing over the weekend, I knew you were going to be on on Monday and I was listening and I thought, boy, that woman does not look like him at all.

(LAUGHTER)

CARTWRIGHT: It's much better to close your eyes when you hear me do, "no way, man!" you know.

HEMMER: There it is.

Hey, 13 years running. Why do you think that show has been so successful?

CARTWRIGHT: I really believe that it's because, you know, Bart and the rest of the family, even though we're -- the Simpsons are dysfunctional, there's that, deep down inside, they really do care about each other. And I think it just strikes a cord of honesty with everybody that watches the show.

HEMMER: What about the writers who incorporate a lot of social issues oftentimes in the script? Do you think that contributes?

CARTWRIGHT: Oh, absolutely. The great think about that is it doesn't really matter what age you are because, like, little kids will watch the show, you know, for the animation and the pretty colors and the flashing pictures and all that. And as you get older, you can appreciate some of the references that the writers put into the show.

HEMMER: Now, you're a mother of two, right Nancy?

CARTWRIGHT: Yes, that's right.

HEMMER: How old are your kids?

CARTWRIGHT: Well, believe it or not, they're Bart and Lisa's age.

HEMMER: Is that right?

CARTWRIGHT: Yes.

HEMMER: Do they watch? And if so, what's their reaction?

CARTWRIGHT: Well, they watch it more and more. I mean, my daughter was -- my water broke -- when I was pregnant with my daughter, my water broke the night that we had our very first premier party when we went to a half hour. Lucy will be 11. She's the one that's Bart's age. And my son actually just turned 9. So, anyway, they're big fans of the show and I'm the most popular mom at school.

HEMMER: I'm sure you are.

I want to take you back 13 years ago. There is a -- the role of Bart was described to you this way: age 10, personality devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent and clever. What did you like or not like, or all of it above?

CARTWRIGHT: Oh, how juicy. I mean, for any actor to get a character like that to sink their teeth into, that's the challenge. And it's a joy because Bart gets away with everything, right? Doesn't he sort of represent the little -- the Bart in all of us that wishes that we could do things and get away with it?

HEMMER: I think you have a point there, Nancy.

CARTWRIGHT: Yes.

HEMMER: Hey, of all the guest stars who've been on the show, do you have a favorite?

CARTWRIGHT: Well, in the book I go into it. In my book I go into about 12 diary chapters. I kept date books and calendars. I mean, it's pretty, you know, get a life, you know. But I kept diaries of when I worked on the show and special celebrities that we worked with. But Meryl Streep, that was a particularly good one. And I was -- I totally embarrassed myself when Ernest Borgnine came onto the show because.

HEMMER: And you said?

CARTWRIGHT: I was like, Marty! I mean, it wasn't McHale, but I knew him as McHale also, but it was Marty that he did with that film that just really -- it struck the heart of me because, I don't know, I think a lot of people could probably relate to that movie.

HEMMER: Quickly, in the short time we have left, where does the family go from here? How does it grow, how does it change?

CARTWRIGHT: The Simpson's, well, I don't know that -- I think Bart has flunked the fourth grade at least four or five times now. They're not going to get any older because that's the success of the show, right? I don't know. And in terms of changing, we've got wonderful characters on the show, like 50 supporting characters, and our, you know, our premier episode next week is going to kick off episode number 250. It's huge.

HEMMER: Good deal.

CARTWRIGHT: And we've got a lot in store. You can find out behind the scenes with my book.

HEMMER: OK, good luck, OK?

CARTWRIGHT: Thanks so much, Bill.

HEMMER: Nancy Cartwright, "My Life As a 10-Year-Old Boy." I wish I could remember my time as a 10-year-old boy.

Hey, Nancy, thanks.

Want to let our viewers know, if you have more questions or thoughts for Nancy, you can chat online with her today, 1:00 Eastern, about 60 minutes from now, at CNN.com/chat. Also, the first chapter from her book is online at CNN.com as well. So check it all out right there.

Nancy Cartwright, thanks again, live in L.A.

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