Confirmation from Simpsons writer that Duff Beer is not based on Duff McKagan

[Billy Cundy]

There’s been some lively and spirited debate on the ‘Complaints, Complaint, Complaints’ thread as to whether or not Duff beer, which made its debut on Episode #1 of the Simpsons in 1989, was named after Mr. McKagan. As we are all well aware, Duff claimed this was the case in his autobiography in 2011.

I’ve always believed this to be a ludicrous notion, as I can’t even begin to imagine  why some of the finest comedy writers and satirists of the 20th century would look to the bass player of an (at that time) popular, but still up and coming rock band for inspiration. Especially within a show satirising representations of small town American families on TV. 
 

Those with more faith in Duff’s recollections have pointed out that it may be in the Simpsons’ writers best interest to avoid admitting that Duff beer was inspired by the musician as it would leave them open to potential litigation.. a fair argument, however the fact that Mike Reiss (the showrunner who refuted the claims in Time magazine -https://time.com/5310066/duff-beer-origin/?amp=true) hasn’t had any association with Fox/Disney since 2007, and that Duff’s name was not trademarked at the time, you must concede the argument falls apart a bit. It also goes against the very spirit of the simpsons, who never once shied away from poking fun at and lampooning celebrities, with or without their consent/go-ahead. Nor have they been shy about giving credit where credit’s due. However, not once has Duff McKagan ever been alluded to in the show, let alone with regards to the beer. Ask yourself what the comedy value of naming the beer after Duff is? The fact axl introduced him as the ‘king of beers’? It’s hardly Emmy winning satire is it? Did it open the door to parody or stories about rock bands in the same way every other element of the show did for one facet of American life or another? Not once. It was entirely their gateway to write about alcoholism and drinking culture… never once bassists or rock music.

Anyway… in the Series 4 DVD commentary, Al Jean (the showrunner to this day) confirmed Series 1 writer Jay Kogen came up with the name Duff. As I expected, in the commentary, there is no mention of GNR. Learning this, I decided to take a punt and message Jay on instagram. I said I wanted to know out of interest as the debate was ongoing, and that I had personally assumed Duff beer was a parody of the monosyllabic, typically working class beer brands like ‘bud’, ‘coors’, ‘Busch’ and ‘schlitz’. Jay just happened to respond this evening - 

https://imgur.com/a/RKMv9jZ
 

Jay hasn’t worked for the show for some time, and therefore isn’t too concerned about Disney’s liability for legal recourse, of which there wouldn’t be any, due to the fact -

a. Duff McKagan not trademarking his name til much later, and

B. Duff just being a noun, like any other.
 

To those who may question the fact Jay isn’t a verified user, I have supplied some screenshots of his followers below to clarify some validity of the source.  

Bill Oakley, one of the more famous ‘golden era’ writers of the simpsons follows the account that responded to me.

https://imgur.com/a/FLSnLzV

the lovely Lisa kudrow also follows Jay (he has done a lot of writing for many sitcoms over the years)

https://imgur.com/a/4BfcUf6

Let me be clear. I love Duff McKagan. He inspired me to learn the bass, something I ended up doing professionally and to this day is my life long passion and hobby. He also seems like, by all accounts, a lovely bloke and a decent upstanding man. I’m not calling him a liar, or trying to besmirch his good name. I just assume due to the transience and chaos of his and his band mates’ lives in the 80s and 90s, coupled with his (and his entourages’) chemical intakes, memories of jokes and  conversations may have morphed into myths. Maybe whilst watching the simpsons, a hanger on/manager said in jest ‘hey, you should get a few bucks out of this’, and over the years, wires get crossed and recollections become shaky.

 

Edited April 15, 2023 by Billy Cundy

[GnR Chris]

Yeah ... I still believe Duff. 

[RnRHOFGNR]

Would they be on the line for royalties if it was official that they named it after duff?

[Tom2112]

2 hours ago, RnRHOFGNR said:

Would they be on the line for royalties if it was official that they named it after duff?

Nope. If duff man was a beer drinking, long blonde bass player that moved from Seattle to LA then maybe, but I don't believe that's the case

[DK6]

Otto's definitely got to be slash though!

[ChristmasFnatic]

3 hours ago, DK6 said:

Otto's definitely got to be slash though!

I always thought this even when I was a kid. lol

[Janabis]

Axl used to introduce Duff as the "the king of beers" so that probably fueled the rumor as well.

There's a bit of Slash in Otto for sure.

[jamillos]

Had they been created in 92, yeah, I could believe it had something to do with Duff. But in our version of the universe, nah. 

Good job btw.

[SoulMonster]

This is great, good sleuthing. Not sure it changes much though, we already knew 2-3 guys associated with the cartoon have previously refuted Duff's claims (and those claims were not only put forth in his book but also in a few interviews over the years, he seems pretty confident it happened). 

Anyway, I find it more likely now that Duff is wrong than that he isn't, so thanks. But I still can't rule out completely that someone associated with what would become Simpsons checked in with Duff when the series was in development, and that those who refute this don't know, can't remember, or finds it more opportune to not admit it. It is still possible. 

[ChristmasFnatic]

Wait. If Duff beer/Duffman is Duff.

Otto is Slash.

Which is Axl? Surely they inserted him there somewhere.

[Billy Cundy]

4 minutes ago, ChristmasFnatic said:

Wait. If Duff beer/Duffman is Duff.

Otto is Slash.

Which is Axl? Surely they inserted him there somewhere.

Laura Powers

https://springfieldbound.fandom.com/wiki/Laura_Powers?file=Laura_Powers_(Official_Image).png

 

‘my upbringing was painfully strict, ma’am’ 

[Axl_morris]

22 minutes ago, ChristmasFnatic said:

Wait. If Duff beer/Duffman is Duff.

Otto is Slash.

Which is Axl? Surely they inserted him there somewhere.

Groundskeeper Willie.

Ginger, Scottish heritage and a loose cannon

[AtlasShrugged]

It's hardly 'insane'. Famous musician known for drinking a lot of alcohol. Not the biggest stretch that they might be connected.

[Billy Cundy]

4 hours ago, AtlasShrugged said:

It's hardly 'insane'. Famous musician known for drinking a lot of alcohol. Not the biggest stretch that they might be connected.

It’s hard for diehard fans of a band to appreciate how huge the great wide world is and how generally, no one knows or cares who the bass player of a rock band is. Let alone what their proclivities might be. I’m not going to argue ‘how famous was Duff’, or how well known his alcohol intake was amongst the general population in 1988… but I know about 3 people in my life who know the names of every band member from classic line up GNR. And that’s after years of them being one of the biggest bands ever. 
 

I’ve always thought (as a massive GNR fan) it was a hilariously gigantic stretch. And now it’s confirmed 🤷 

Edited April 15, 2023 by Billy Cundy

[Rovim]

misleading thread title

[Billy Cundy]

39 minutes ago, Rovim said:

misleading thread title

What the fuck could possibly be misleading about that mate? Go on, enlighten me

Edited April 15, 2023 by Billy Cundy

[Rovim]

30 minutes ago, Billy Cundy said:

What the fuck is possibly misleading about that mate? Go on, enlighten me

sorry, I wasn't being serious.  

[Billy Cundy]

3 minutes ago, Rovim said:

sorry, I wasn't being serious.  

Oh thank god for that, even I’m bored of talking about this one! I was worried I’d have to start drafting an email to Matt Groening himself.  Moderators, lock this thread please 😂 

[JAxlMorrison]

I believe Duff on this one. Simpsons writers clearly referenced GNR, even Otto was made to look like Slash. 

[Rovim]

1 hour ago, JAxlMorrison said:

I believe Duff on this one. Simpsons writers clearly referenced GNR, even Otto was made to look like Slash. 

technically speaking, that's possible. I think I'll reserve judgement until after @Billy Cundy verifies it with Matt Groening and the entire cast and crew of The Simpsons.

[Billy Cundy]

1 hour ago, JAxlMorrison said:

I believe Duff on this one. Simpsons writers clearly referenced GNR, even Otto was made to look like Slash. 

welp, all I can do is put forward my case, present evidence, and let people make their own minds up 🤷‍♂️ (and just cross my fingers you never end up serving on a jury)

my therapist is helping me work through my inability to accept that I can’t control what other people think.

but fuck her, here’s a further list of 2743 reasons and further proof as to why I think Duff beer has nothing to do with duff.. 

*deep breath* number 1

…

just kidding. You do you, bubba! Keep on rockin’. GNR 4eva 

[TheSlashrose]

So, Comic Book Guy was inspired by Axl Rose?

[Billy Cundy]

What’s everyone’s opinion on the Kennedy Assassination? Moon landings? COVID definitely came from lab bats… don’t know who’s hiring bats to work in labs, that’s just asking for trouble ..

 

[Billy Cundy]

Do they have to order little white coats for them? With wing holes?

[D4NNY]

2 hours ago, JAxlMorrison said:

I believe Duff on this one. Simpsons writers clearly referenced GNR, even Otto was made to look like Slash. 

 

If you look up the writer you can see the inspiration. Close this conspiracy thread 😂