James L. Brooks is a famous writer for TV shows. He first appears as a still in the 138th Episode Spectacular, although here he is portrayed as fat, wealthy tycoon with many entertainment awards. In a later appearance, Ned Flanders dreams about the horrors of Hollywood and sees him. James offers Ned a sponge cake with brandy icing, to which Ned screams, "No!" He also asks if Ned likes football (then laughs as he tells Ned that LA has no team).