"Bart's New Friend" was written by Judd Apatow. Bob Anderson is the director of the episode. Apatow wrote the episode in 1990, 25 years before it was shown on television. The episode first started as a spec script (a screenplay that was not asked for by the show). He wrote spec scripts for many other shows. He gave his script to the writers of "The Simpsons", but they did not want it at the time. 25 years later, Al Jean (the executive producer) said to Apatow "Hey, we'll make it now!"