Keeping score for 'Simpsons'

Simpsons veteran Alf Clausen has composed most likely probably the most original scores for just about any primetime series, with 483. "The Simpsons" hits a milestone Sunday having its 500th episode, nevertheless it has furthermore quietly handled to destroy another record in route: most likely probably the most original musical scores ever composed for just about any primetime series."Gunsmoke" went 635 episodes, but under another of those were acquired with original music "Law & Order," like "Gunsmoke," also went for twenty five years, but that relate ended after 456 episodes.Alf Clausen has written 483 of people 500 scores, beginning while using show's first Halloween episode in October 1990. He's won two Emmys and received another 21 nominations for his "Simpsons" tunes and scores. "It is actually challenging. Sometimes difficult to not repeat myself," Clausen mentioned.The overall "Simpsons" statistics, as totalled by music editor Chris Ledesma (that's been in "The Simpsons" right from the start), are equally impressive: nearly 15,000 individual items of music and many 28,000 "takes" or tracks inside the show's 23 seasons.And every episode, unlike most series nowadays, has featured an orchestra around 35 players. Vince Trombetta, leader of Local 47 in the American Federation of Artists, came by Clausen's recording session Feb. 3 in Glendale to supply him getting a plaque for his "exceptional work within the last 22 years."Clausen credited "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening for insisting on real artists, not synthesized scores, immediately. Clausen, whose other credits include "Moonlighting" as well as the sitcom "Alf" ("no relation," he quips), mentioned he'll stick to "The Simpsons" towards the finish."I have made a decision to ride this stage to the sunset," he mentioned. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com