Growing up in Quebec, Joshua Biasotto developed a fondness for watching The Simpsons in the Québécois French dialect. He not only enjoyed the show’s eccentric characters, witty humor, and satirical portrayal of life but also developed a deep 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 launching 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 was cherished for its incorporation of local expressions and cultural references, making it a unique and integral part of Quebec’s identity. Characters in the Québécois version spoke with regional Quebec accents, including the colloquial dialect joual, and local references replaced U.S. people and places in the show.
The public outcry to save Les Simpson tapped into a broader sentiment beyond mere nostalgia. Dubbing has long been a tradition in Quebec to tailor international entertainment to reflect the province’s language, humor, and culture, ensuring a sense of familiarity for local audiences.
Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, highlighted that dubbing is not just about translating dialogue but also about adapting humor and cultural nuances. Quebec’s strong emphasis on preserving its French language and unique cultural identity further underscores the importance of maintaining the dubbing industry.
For the voice actors, such as Thiéry Dubé, the potential loss of Les Simpson was deeply personal, given the show’s significance in Quebec’s cultural landscape. Fortunately, the campaign spearheaded by Biasotto succeeded, with over 35,000 signatures on the petition leading to the revival of Les Simpson through a new broadcasting deal with Bell Media.
The return of Les Simpson not only brought relief to fans but also highlighted the growth of Quebec’s dubbing industry, which faces new challenges with increasing demand and tighter production timelines. Despite concerns about AI-generated dubbing, the commitment to continue dubbing Les Simpson in Quebec with local talent ensures the preservation of the show’s unique cultural adaptation.
The revival of Les Simpson serves as a testament to the power of dedicated fans and the enduring popularity of the show, attracting both existing and new audiences to enjoy the Québécois version of this iconic animated series.
