Growing up in Quebec, Joshua Biasotto developed a fondness for watching The Simpsons in Québécois French. He cherished the show’s quirky characters, irreverent humor, and satirical portrayal of life while also admiring the Quebec dubbing. After 35 years, Corus Entertainment’s Télétoon chose not to renew the Canadian broadcast rights for the 36th season of the show, endangering Les Simpson.
Distraught by this decision, 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 believed that losing the Quebec version would mean losing a part of their cultural identity. The Quebec adaptation incorporated local expressions and cultural references, making it distinctively Quebecois.
The Quebecois version featured regional accents and swapped U.S. references for local ones. Ian Lafrenière, Quebec’s deputy premier and a devoted Simpsons fan, emphasized the need to preserve the Quebec version, praising its cultural and geographical references as “sublime.” The public outcry to save Les Simpson tapped into a deeper sentiment beyond mere nostalgia.
Dubbing has been integral to Quebec’s cultural identity, offering audiences international entertainment in their language with familiar voices and references. Daniel Béland from McGill University highlighted the importance of dubbing in preserving Quebec’s unique language and culture. The Quebec dubbing industry emerged post-World War II, ensuring that foreign content resonated with local audiences.
For the voice actors, the potential loss of Les Simpson was deeply personal and reminiscent of a cultural icon like poutine. Thiéry Dubé, the voice of Quebecois Homer Simpson, described the show as an integral part of Quebec’s cultural identity. The return of Les Simpson in May, following a successful petition by Biasotto, brought relief to fans and the dubbing industry.
The revival of Les Simpson signifies not only the show’s enduring popularity but also the loyalty and influence of its fans. Despite challenges in the dubbing industry, the return of the show in Quebecois French reaffirms the importance of preserving local language and culture.