Growing up in Quebec, Joshua Biasotto developed a deep affection for watching The Simpsons in the Quebec French dialect. He cherished the show for its unique characters, humor, and satirical portrayal of life, while also gaining a strong appreciation for Quebec dubbing.
After 35 years, Corus Entertainment’s Télétoon decided not to renew the Canadian broadcast rights for the 36th season of Les Simpson, putting the beloved show at risk. Distraught by this decision, Biasotto took action by creating an online petition on Change.org to preserve the Quebec dub of The Simpsons.
The Quebec version of the show was cherished for its incorporation of local expressions and cultural references, making it distinctively Quebecois. The adaptation included regional Quebec accents and replaced U.S. references with local Quebec settings.
The public outcry to save Les Simpson highlighted the significance of dubbing in Quebec, a practice deeply rooted in adapting international content to reflect the province’s language, humor, and culture. Dubbing plays a crucial role in preserving Quebec’s mother tongue and unique identity.
For the voice actors involved, the potential discontinuation of Les Simpson was deeply personal. The Quebec dubbing team faced challenges, including the loss of prominent voice actors, but the unwavering support of fans kept their spirits high.
Thanks to Biasotto’s petition that garnered over 35,000 signatures, Les Simpson was saved, and a deal was struck with Bell Media to broadcast the show’s new season. The return of the show was welcomed by difuze, a major French dubbing facility in Canada, emphasizing the importance of keeping Quebec audiences connected to the content they love.
The revival of Les Simpson signifies not just the show’s popularity but also the dedication and influence of its fans. The Quebec dubbing industry is thriving, facing new challenges with increased demand but continuing to uphold the tradition of providing audiences with content in their own language.