Kent Brockman

The self-centered anchor who once welcomed giant space ants and later demanded a raise after being fired for Splenda dust.

Kent Brockman is the recurring fictional news anchor for Springfield's Channel 6, voiced by Harry Shearer since his debut in the episode "The Telltale Head." A grumpy and self-centered figure, he hosts a wide array of programs including weekday news, Smartline, Bite Back! With Kent Brockman, Eye on Springfield, the game show Springfield Squares, and Springfield Action News. He also delivers the personal commentary segment "My Two Cents" during the 6:00 p.m. broadcast. While often seen as a pompous authority figure, his career is defined by specific on-air controversies, fluctuating salaries, and complex hints regarding his ethnic and religious background.

Quick Facts

Series: The Simpsons
First: "Krusty Gets Busted"(1990)
Creator: Matt Groening
Designer: Brad Bird
Voice: Harry Shearer
Full name: Brock Kentman
Gender: Male
Occupation: News anchor

Lore & Background

Hints suggest he is ethnically Jewish, having changed his surname from Brockelstein; this was shown in a 1960s flashback in "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" (Season 9, Episode 1) where he was known as Kenny Brockelstein. Yet, he frequently attends Reverend Lovejoy's Protestant church and stated belief in the Book of Revelation in "Marge on the Lam." His family life includes a wife (only referred to as Mrs. Brockman) and an adult daughter (whose name is never given in canon). In "Kamp Krusty," his resume was expanded to include reporting on the Vietnam War, the 1979–89 Soviet–Afghan War, and the 1991 Gulf War. He maintains an ongoing feud with traffic reporter Arnie Pye, once chuckling when Pye was thought dead in a helicopter accident, only for Pye to later reveal he had made out with Brockman's "grown up" daughter.

Reader's Guide

Brockman is best defined by his dramatic delivery and specific catchphrases. He is responsible for popularizing the snowclone "I, for one, welcome our new [fill-in-the-blank] overlords," which originated in the 1994 episode "Deep Space Homer." In this classic moment, after an ant colony was released from a spacecraft and appeared gigantic on camera due to proximity, he contemplated if they would consume or enslave humanity before uttering the line. This scene is cited by author Chris Turner as perhaps his finest hour as a journalist. Beyond his comedic legacy, Brockman co-hosted an award show with Britney Spears in "The Mansion Family." His journalistic style is often criticized for glibness and sensationalism, earning him a spot on MSN's list of worst TV news anchors.

Did You Know?

Brockman's salary increased from $500,000 to $750,000 a year after he was rehired following his firing over a Splenda misunderstanding.
The character was modeled after anchorman Ted Koppel by director Brad Bird and based on LA anchors Hal Fishman and Jerry Dunphy.
He won a $50 million lottery jackpot in "Dog of Death" (Season 3, Episode 19) and quit his job, but returned after the money was lost because he spent it all on frivolous purchases and bad investments.
His famous quote about "giant space ants" from the 1994 episode "Deep Space Homer" became a widely used internet meme.