Growing up in Quebec, Joshua Biasotto developed a deep affection for watching The Simpsons in Québécois French. He cherished the distinctive charm of the long-standing American animated sitcom, as well as his fondness for the Quebec dubbing of the show.
After 35 years, Corus Entertainment’s Télétoon chose not to renew the Canadian broadcast rights for the 36th season, jeopardizing Les Simpson. Distressed by this decision, Biasotto initiated an online petition on Change.org titled Sauvons le doublage québécois des Simpsons — “Let’s save the Quebec dub of The Simpsons.”
The Quebec version of the show integrated local expressions and cultural references, making it uniquely Quebecois. Characters spoke with regional Quebec accents, including the colloquial dialect joual, and local references replaced American settings in episodes.
The public outcry to preserve Les Simpson highlighted the significance of dubbing in Quebec, where adapting international entertainment to reflect the province’s language and culture has been a longstanding tradition. Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, emphasized the importance of dubbing in maintaining Quebec’s distinct cultural identity and language.
The potential loss of Les Simpson deeply impacted voice actors like Thiéry Dubé, who voices Québécois Homer Simpson. The revival of the show, following a successful petition with over 35,000 signatures, brought relief to fans and the dubbing industry in Quebec.
Elizabeth Pélissier, vice-president of dubbing at difuze, expressed pride in contributing to the return of Les Simpson, amid a burgeoning dubbing industry in Quebec driven by the demand for content on streaming platforms like Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.
The resurgence of Les Simpson not only underscores the show’s enduring popularity but also highlights the dedication of its fans in Quebec, showcasing the impact of community support in reviving beloved cultural icons.
