Ned Flanders
Nedward "Ned" Flanders, Jr. is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Harry Shearer, and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". He is the next door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally loathed by Homer Simpson. A devout Christian with an annoyingly perfect family, he is amongst the friendliest and most compassionate of Springfield's citizens and is generally considered a pillar of the Springfield community.
He was one of the first characters outside of the immediate Simpson family to appear on the show, and has since been central to several episodes, the first being season two's "Dead Putting Society". His last name comes from Flanders St. in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of Simpsons creator Matt Groening. When he was created, he was intended to just be a neighbor who was very nice, but whom Homer loathed.
Read more about Ned Flanders: Role in The Simpsons, Reception, Cultural Influence
Famous quotes containing the words ned and/or flanders:
“Where is the world we roved, Ned Bunn?
Hollows thereof lay rich in shade
By voyagers old inviolate thrown
Ere Paul Pry cruised with Pelf and Trade.
To us old lads some thoughts come home
Who roamed a world young lads no more shall roam.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,”
—John McCrae (1872–1918)