John Swartzwelder is both a beloved and enigmatic figure in Simpsons lore. Responsible for more scripts than any other writer in Simpsons history — 59 in total — he played a crucial role in developing the show’s voice. But as something of a recluse, he’s almost never given interviews, lending him an almost mythic aura in Simpsons history.
So when Swartzwelder finally broke his silence to speak with The New Yorker over the weekend, it was big news. In the wide-ranging interview,…