Bill Oakley wrote ‘Steamed Hams’ for The Simpsons. Now he’s the ‘Gordon Ramsay of Fast Food’

Bill Oakley wrote some of the most memorable episodes of The Simpsons. Now he’s an online influencer who is building a brand centered around his love of food.

From his childhood coveting McDonald’s whenever his family would make the long drive to the nearest restaurant, to cramming down fast food in The Simpsons writer’s room on long work days, Bill has always loved eating.

Before posting food content online, Bill Oakley had dozens of people following him on Instagram. Now he has 42,000+. Over on X he has more than 60,000.

“I never worked in a restaurant. I don’t know anything about cooking. I don’t know anything about restaurant sales. I only know what I like to eat, what I’m interested in. And I think a lot of my audience is the same kind of person.”

Watch now to learn about his Steamed Hams Society, writing for The Simpsons, and the future of the television industry.

Chapters:
[01:31] - Fast Food Content
[05:24] - Bill Oakley’s First Food Video
[12:16] - How to Write for The Simpsons
[16:45] - Origin of Steamed Hams
[22:49] - Collapsing Business of Television

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Episode Links:
Bill Oakley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatbilloakley/
Bill visits Cali BBQ: https://www.instagram.com/shawnpwalchef/reel/C95-eMAy7VH/
Steamed Hams Society: https://www.patreon.com/steamedhamssociety
Bill Oakley Article: https://chefirvine.com/magazine/how-bill-oakley-became-the-tastemaker
Mission Hill at San Diego Comic-Con: https://sdccblog.com/2024/06/mission-hill-co-creator-bill-oakley-celebrates-series-25th-anniversary-with-san-diego-comic-con-show/

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Takeaways:
Steamed Hams Society - Steamed Hams was born on The Simpsons. The strange bit about food has taken on a life of its own in the Internet era. Bill Oakley wrote that episode and has even created his own club called the Steamed Hams Society.

First Food Video - When Bill Oakley decided to make a video review back in 2018 about McDonald’s, he had no idea it would not only get the company’s attention on social media, but inspire a whole new career direction for the writer and show producer.

Becoming an Influencer - First and foremost Bill Oakley is a fan of food. That’s why he started making content about it to begin with. His fandom has led to a community of like-minded people following him and his regular stream of food videos.

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ABOUT BILL OAKLEY —
Former “Simpsons” head writer and showrunner Bill Oakley — author of the much-memed "Steamed Hams" sketch — is an expert on, and big fan of, fast food, snack food, frozen food and regional American delights. He has been dubbed “The Gordon Ramsay of Fast Food” (The Wrap) and is best known for his Instagram video reviews which have attracted fans worldwide, as well as attention from chefs, restauranteurs, and fast food brands themselves. When he is not eating, Bill writes and produces TV comedy shows in addition to offering workshops and giving talks on humor.


ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media - https://entreprenuer.com
Produced by Cali BBQ Media - https://betheshow.media