The nineteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons originally aired on the Fox network between September 23, 2007, and May 18, 2008. It was the final complete season to be broadcast in 4:3 and in standard definition, although the first half of season 20 would also retain this standard.
DVD cover featuring Homer Simpson
Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., PhD, better known as Sideshow Bob, is a recurring character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Kelsey Grammer and first appeared in the episode "The Telltale Head". Bob is a self-proclaimed genius who is a graduate of Yale University and a champion of high culture, including the adoption of a transatlantic accent, similar to that of Grammer's portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane from the sitcoms Cheers and Frasier. He began his career as a sidekick on Krusty the Clown's television show, but after enduring constant abuse, Bob framed his employer for armed robbery in "Krusty Gets Busted", only to be foiled by Bart Simpson, and sent to prison. Bob started seeking revenge against Bart while in prison, and the two became feuding arch-enemies.
Kelsey Grammer based Bob's voice on his experiences with actor Ellis Rabb.
Sideshow Bob's brother Cecil was designed to resemble actor David Hyde Pierce, who also played the brother of Grammer's character on the show Frasier.
Actress Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, said in her book My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy that Grammer's performance brings "deliciously vile energy" to the show.
