Sam Simon ( born c. 1955 ) is an American television producer and writer , most notable as one of the original developers of The Simpsons , along with Matt Groening , James L. Brooks , and Richard C. Harner . Sam Simon ( born June 6 1955 ) is an American director , television producer and writer , most notable as one of the original developers of The Simpsons , along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks .