Sam Simon, Who Helped Shape ‘The Simpsons,’ Dies at 59

NYT ^ | 3/9/2015 | WILLIAM YARDLEY

[ozzymandus]

And the Flintstones were ripped off from the Honeymooners, who were undoubtedly ripped off from somebody else. Which is why I crack up when the Simpsons complain about other shows copying them.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Borges]

The Honeymooners was lifted from a radio show called The Bickersons. Done Ameche and Frances Langford played a constantly squabbling married couple named John and Blanche Bickerson. It’s still funny stuff...

B: You used to be so considerate. Since you got married to me you haven’t got any sympathy at all.
J: I have, too. I’ve got everybody’s sympathy.
B: Believe me, there’s better fish in the ocean than the one I caught.
J: There’s better bait, too.
B: I don’t see how you can go to bed without kissing me good night.
J: I can do it.
B: You’d better say you’re sorry for that, John.
J: Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
B: You are not.
J: I am too. I’m the sorriest man that was ever born.
B: Is there any milk for breakfast?
J: No.
B: Then you’ll have to eat out.
J: I don’t care, I’ve been doing it all week.
B: What for? I left you enough food for six days. I cooked a whole bathtub full of rice. What happened to it?
J: I took a bath in it.
B: Why didn’t you eat it?
J: I’ve told you a million times I can’t stand the sight of rice.
B: Why not?
J: Because it’s connected to the saddest mistake of my life.
B: You stopped loving me the day we were married.
J: That wasn’t the day at all.