This story was originally published on August 30, 2017, following the news that Alf Clausen had been fired from The Simpsons. We are recirculating it now in light of the Emmy-winning composer’s death ...

This is FRESH AIR. The familiar theme song to the long-running animated TV series "The Simpsons" was written by Danny Elfman. But for the next 27 seasons from the show's launch in 1990 until 2017, all ...