David Cooper

0219 - Scott Christian

Added 2023-05-11 08:00:01 +0000 UTC

This is one I've been looking forward to covering for a while. Specifically: what's the 'real deal' with Scott Christian?

I had thought this was some weird joke where Kent Brockman would theoretically never appear (like Maris in Frasier), and Scott would be the permanent replacement but - spoiler - Kent also appears later in this very episode, so I'm not sure what the gag is here, if there is one.

It's not long before Kent is established as the main news anchorman of Springfield, making Scott seem pointless as a character, but he still shows up often reporting on the scene:

And sometimes in studio:

And the thing I keep bumping up against is:

Why?

The Simpsons is quite economic with its characters as it develops. There is usually one character for each role in any situation - there is one reverend to cover any reverend based humour, one groundskeeper at the school, one sea captain for all the many nautical jokes and scenarios. Even when there is overlap, for example with Maude Flanders and Helen Lovejoy, there is enough distinction for both to exist.

But with Kent firmly established as the voice of the news media quite early on, Scott is just...there. Kent does in studio appearances and field reporting, but they still use Scott from time to time. His intentionally boring demeanour is not commented directly upon enough to be a source of humour, as it sometimes is with Skinner.

His final appearance to date is in season 32's "Burger Kings", in which he is consumed by a wave from a ruptured dam. Kent implies Scott has died from this, so perhaps his redundancy has solved itself.

In conclusion, the 'real deal' with Scott Christian is that he's a reporter. He's in his early forties, is unmarried and currently resides in Springfield. Thanks for reading!

This post is part of my "Every Simpsons Character Ever" series. For a list of my rules in this project, click here.