 Ortved — using interviews with writers Bob Kushell and Brent Forrester and Mirkin 's assistant <unk> Easton — describes Mirkin as an " outsider " on the show , with the writing staff , at least initially , divided with respect to Mirkin 's comedy and leadership style . Forrester described the latter as " a little bit dictatorial " . Mirkin conducted the show 's writing sessions in one room , rather than splitting the writers into two groups , as later showrunners would do , and often worked late into the night . Some praised Mirkin 's leadership , including Appel , who felt that " the shows were great under him . " Others criticised him , including Kushell , who clashed with Mirkin over the episode " A Star is Burns " , a crossover with the The Critic . In 2004 , Mirkin stated that he " really wasn 't at all <unk> [ ed ] to join [ the show 's writing ] crew , " because he " had worked with and written with " many of his fellow writers previously and concluded that , " [ I took ] this show in a direction that is more personal to me . I did that , had a great time doing that , and everyone was very receptive to that . " Mirkin 's era and style of humor are popular amongst the show 's fans . 
