Difference between revisions of "The Simpsons A Commentary on American Culture"

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No one could have predicted that the crude drawings of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on the sketch comedy program, &quot;The Tracey Ullman Show&quot; would become an enormously popular cult hit among viewers of most ages and backgrounds. Because the longest running animated series in the history of television, it is also one of the most beloved. &quot;The Simpsons&quot; episodes are usually themed around current events ? even controversial topics such as for example gay marriage and religion in public schools. There is no such thing as taboo subject material on &quot;The Simpsons.&quot; Topics on the show are handled with humor that is evenly aimed at all ages, races, genders and religions.<br /><br />Credits<br /><br />Creator and executive producer, Matt Groening is credited with bringing the animation comedy back to prime time television with the introduction of &quot;The Simpson's&quot; series on Fox in 1989. Executive producer James L. Brooks can be an Emmy and Academy award winning writer and producer of films that include Terms of Endearment so when Good as it Gets. Al Jean may be the third executive producer and also head writer (Simpsons, 2006). Being an interesting little fact, staff writer, Daniel Chun is the younger brother of a boy this author dated in high school. Al Jean and Mike Scully are also two primary writers.<br /><br />In addition to the a huge selection of celebrity guest stars who've voiced various colorful characters on the show, it's the voices of the primary characters which are irreplaceable and integral to the show?s continued success. Most widely known for dishing out the well timed ?D?oh!? as Homer Simpson, Dan Castallaneta former Tracey Ullman cast member, is also Mayor Quimby, Grandpa Simpson and Groundskeeper Willie among others. Also a Tracey Ullman alumna, Julie Kavner lends her voice to Marge Simpson and her two surly Homer-hating, MacGyver obsessed, chain smoking sisters Patty and Selma. Nancy Cartwright is the voice of 10 year old Bart Simpson, plus Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz and Todd Flanders. Middle child, eight year old Lisa Simpson is portrayed by Yeardley Smith. Both Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer provide voices for a large number of Springfield?s memorable characters (Simpsons, 2006).<br /><br />The Simpsons? Lucrative Heyday<br /><br />In its early to mid-?90s glory days, &quot;The Simpsons&quot; had not been only at the height of popularity and ratings, however the show was raking in hundreds of millions in licensed product sales. Audiences couldn?t get enough plush Homers that drooled ?Mmmm? doughnuts? or battery operated Barts exclaiming ?Aye carumba!? at the push of his belly, plus video gaming, apparel, home furnishings and so much more. Bart?s catch phrases including ?Don?t have a cow man!? and ?Eat my shorts? were heard everywhere. Together with the ratings, sales of Simpsons licensed items have declined in recent years, but the writers? and producers? efforts to keep the show fresh and funny have not gone unnoticed by many viewers who've remained loyal to the residents of Springfield, USA.<br /><br />A Window into Our Nation<br /><br />The truth that the show is set in an unknown state indicates an effort on the part of the writers to reflect American society overall in each episode. This has enabled the show to draw viewers from all over the country. For example, a show like &quot;Sex and the town&quot; may have a particularly large following of New York viewers, while &quot;The Simpsons&quot; using its unidentified setting can interest all Americans. The two-story Simpson home on Evergreen Terrace closely resembles a typical home within an American suburb ? minus the circus-like bold colors.<br /><br />THE PRIMARY Characters ? the Simpson family<br /><br />The show is based round the Simpson nuclear family style of two parents, 2.5 children (Maggie could possibly be considered the .5 due to her inability to talk) plus cats, Snowball I, II and III and rescued greyhound, Santa?s Little Helper. The family structure and character personalities reflect traditional American norms. While the Simpsons are rather dysfunctional, (as evidenced by one of many earlier episodes where in fact the family went through shock therapy with Dr. Marvin Monroe to obtain through their issues), ultimately, most of us have problems, but by the end of the day, there is much love and solidarity in most families. This is needless to say, if you disregard the frequent displays of child abuse where Homer chokes Bart until his eyes bulge out of his head and the truth that baby Maggie appears to be frequently left home alone.<br /><br />Devoted wife and mother Marge is really a tribute to hard working American moms. She actually is the center, soul and glue of the Simpson family. Unlike her husband, Marge does not have any friends or time and energy to be social as she actually is too busy tending to her husband and kids. [https://ricksimpsonoils.net/ where to buy rick simpson oil] Homer, who has plenty of loser friends, is the bumbling fool of a husband and father. What he lacks in intellect, he accocunts for in beer consumption at his favorite watering hole, Moe?s Tavern. He could be not always completely specialized in his family and is often selfish and careless, but at the close of all episodes, he does the proper thing ? and that is where we see the spirit of the American father.<br /><br />Bart is the mischievous, free spirited oldest child who stumbles on trouble everywhere, but, like his father, usually finds redemption and a life lesson by the end of an episode. Lisa may be the living, breathing conscience of the Simpson family. A well read, caring litttle lady who follows Buddhism and current events, Lisa may also laugh with Bart at the especially gruesome episodes of the cat and mouse adversaries, Itchy and Scratchy. Baby Maggie, as the smallest and quietest character, speaks volumes with the sucking of her pacifier. Writers have always given Maggie a clear wisdom and awareness that supersedes her young age. She even has a uni-browed baby nemesis.<br /><br />Social Commentary<br /><br />In addition to the Simpson family central characters, the show features dozens and dozens of Springfield residents with unique life stories and memorable personalities, all of which represent the typical personalities most people will encounter inside our lifetimes. For instance, our country is fraught with crooked politicians and Mayor Quimby represents the ultimate sleazy political figure. He is often caught in compromising positions selling out Springfield and cavorting with ladies, yet he remains in power and no one in the town appears to bat an eye. Once he even addresses the townspeople as ?stupid hicks? plus they are not phased by it.<br /><br />Poking fun of the authorities system, The Simpsons features Police Chief Clancy Wiggum, possibly the second biggest buffoon on the show close to Homer. He is responsible for Springfield?s safety and well-being along with his two side-kicks who surpass Wiggum in intelligence. His stupidity is legendary and the town will be better off turned to terrorist cannibals with usage of weapons of mass destruction. Any police chief who says ?Aww, can?t anybody in this town take regulations into their own hands?? is probably not the most qualified candidate for the job (Simpsons, 2006).<br /><br />Value of the Elderly<br /><br />The show also makes light of the serious issue of elderly neglect. Homer?s father, Grandpa Simpson, lives in the Springfield Retirement Castle. A retired war hero, Grandpa was very difficult on Homer in his youth. As perhaps a kind of subconscious revenge, Homer put Grandpa in a house where his quality of life is poor. It is clear that Grandpa and the other residents are treated badly. His neglect is apparent when in a single instance, Grandpa refuses to let Homer answer the phone so that he is able to ?savor the rings.? Yet Grandpa appears in many episodes as a vibrant, interesting character who lends his unique, crotchety humor to the show. Possibly the writers are trying to illustrate that many elderly still have much to contribute and should not be removed as nuisances.<br /><br />Phil Hartman<br /><br />The late Phil Hartman of Saturday Night Live fame lent his voice to two very stereotypical Simpsons characters: sleazy lawyer Lionel Hutz and informational film star, Troy McClure. Troy McClure would usually make his entrance by saying something similar to ?Hi, I'm Troy McClure! You might remember me from such public service videos as ?Designated Drivers, the Lifesaving Nerds? and ?Phony Tornado Alarms Reduce Readiness?? (Troymcclurepage, 2006). Troy was an exaggeration of a character most of us saw inside our youth in perhaps hundreds of public school films that rarely held any educational value.
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No you can have predicted that the crude drawings of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on the sketch comedy program, &quot;The Tracey Ullman Show&quot; would become an enormously popular cult hit among viewers of most ages and backgrounds. As the longest running animated series in the history of television, additionally it is just about the most beloved. &quot;The Simpsons&quot; episodes are often themed around current events ? even controversial topics such as for example gay marriage and religion in public areas schools. There is no such thing as taboo subject matter on &quot;The Simpsons.&quot; Topics on the show are handled with humor that's evenly targeted at all ages, races, genders and religions.<br /><br />Credits<br /><br />Creator and executive producer, Matt Groening is credited with bringing the animation comedy back again to prime time television with the introduction of &quot;The Simpson's&quot; series on Fox in 1989. Executive producer James L. Brooks can be an Emmy and Academy award winning writer and producer of films offering Terms of Endearment and As Good as it Gets. Al Jean is the third executive producer and also head writer (Simpsons, 2006). As an interesting little fact, staff writer, Daniel Chun is the younger brother of a boy this author dated in senior high school. Al Jean and Mike Scully may also be two primary writers.<br /><br />In addition to the hundreds of celebrity guest stars who have voiced various colorful characters on the show, it is the voices of the main characters which are irreplaceable and integral to the show?s continued success. Best known for dishing out the well timed ?D?oh!? as Homer Simpson, Dan Castallaneta former Tracey Ullman cast member, can be Mayor Quimby, Grandpa Simpson and Groundskeeper Willie among others. Also a Tracey Ullman alumna, Julie Kavner lends her voice to Marge Simpson and her two surly Homer-hating, MacGyver obsessed, chain smoking sisters Patty and Selma. Nancy Cartwright may be the voice of 10 year old Bart Simpson, plus Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz and Todd Flanders. Middle child, eight year old Lisa Simpson is portrayed by Yeardley Smith. Both Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer provide voices for dozens of Springfield?s memorable characters (Simpsons, 2006).<br /><br />The Simpsons? Lucrative Heyday<br /><br />In its early to mid-?90s glory days, &quot;The Simpsons&quot; was not only at the height of popularity and ratings, however the show was raking in vast sums in licensed product sales. Audiences couldn?t get enough plush Homers that drooled ?Mmmm? doughnuts? or battery operated Barts exclaiming ?Aye carumba!? at the push of his belly, plus video gaming, apparel, home furnishings therefore a lot more. Bart?s catch phrases which included ?Don?t have a cow man!? and ?Eat my shorts? were heard everywhere. Combined with the ratings, sales of Simpsons licensed items have declined in recent years, but the writers? and producers? efforts to help keep the show fresh and funny have not gone unnoticed by many viewers who have remained loyal to the residents of Springfield, USA.<br /><br />A Window into Our Nation<br /><br />The fact that the show is set in an unknown state indicates an effort on the part of the writers to reflect American society overall in each episode. It has enabled the show to draw viewers from from coast to coast. For example, a show like &quot;Sex and the City&quot; may have an especially large following of NY viewers, while &quot;The Simpsons&quot; with its unidentified setting can appeal to all Americans. The two-story Simpson home on Evergreen Terrace closely resembles an average home within an American suburb ? without the circus-like bold colors.<br /><br />THE PRIMARY Characters ? the Simpson family<br /><br />The show is based round the Simpson nuclear family style of two parents, 2.5 children (Maggie could be considered the .5 because of her inability to talk) plus cats, Snowball I, II and III and rescued greyhound, Santa?s Little Helper. The household structure and character personalities reflect traditional American norms. As the Simpsons are rather dysfunctional, (as evidenced by among the earlier episodes where in fact the family experienced shock therapy with Dr. Marvin Monroe to obtain through their issues), ultimately, most of us have problems, but at the end of the day, there's much love and solidarity in most families. This is needless to say, if you ignore the frequent displays of child abuse where Homer chokes Bart until his eyes bulge out of his head and the fact that baby Maggie seems to be frequently left home alone.<br /><br />Devoted wife and mother Marge is really a tribute to hard working American moms. She actually is the heart, soul and glue of the Simpson family. Unlike her husband, Marge doesn't have any friends or time and energy to be social as she is too busy tending to her husband and kids. Homer, who has a lot of loser friends, is the bumbling fool of a husband and father. What he lacks in intellect, he accocunts for in beer consumption at his favorite watering hole, Moe?s Tavern. He could be not always completely specialized in his family and is often selfish and careless, but at the close of all episodes, he does the proper thing ? which is where we start to see the spirit of the American father.<br /><br />Bart may be the mischievous, free spirited oldest child who stumbles on trouble everywhere, but, like his father, usually finds redemption and a life lesson by the end of an episode. Lisa may be the living, breathing conscience of the Simpson family. A well read, caring little girl who follows Buddhism and current events, Lisa can also laugh with Bart at the especially gruesome episodes of the cat and mouse adversaries, Itchy and Scratchy. Baby Maggie, while the smallest and quietest character, speaks volumes with the sucking of her pacifier. Writers have always given Maggie an obvious wisdom and awareness that supersedes her young age. She even has a uni-browed baby nemesis.<br /><br />Social Commentary<br /><br />As well as the Simpson family central characters, the show features tons of Springfield residents with original life stories and memorable personalities, which represent the typical personalities most people will encounter inside our lifetimes. For instance, our country is fraught with crooked politicians and Mayor Quimby represents the ultimate sleazy political figure. He is often caught in compromising positions selling out Springfield and cavorting with ladies, yet he remains in power no one in the town appears to bat a watch. Once he even addresses the townspeople as ?stupid hicks? [https://ricksimpsonoils.net/ rick simpson oil buy] and they are not phased by it.<br /><br />Poking fun of the authorities system, The Simpsons features Police Chief Clancy Wiggum, perhaps the second biggest buffoon on the show close to Homer. He is responsible for Springfield?s safety and well-being along with his two side-kicks who surpass Wiggum in intelligence. His stupidity is legendary and the city will be better off turned over to terrorist cannibals with access to weapons of mass destruction. Any police chief who says ?Aww, can?t anybody in this town take regulations into their own hands?? may not be the most qualified candidate for the job (Simpsons, 2006).<br /><br />Value of the Elderly<br /><br />The show also makes light of the serious issue of elderly neglect. Homer?s father, Grandpa Simpson, lives in the Springfield Retirement Castle. A retired war hero, Grandpa was very hard on Homer in his youth. As perhaps some sort of subconscious revenge, Homer put Grandpa in a home where his quality of life is poor. It really is clear that Grandpa and the other residents are treated badly. His neglect is apparent when in a single instance, Grandpa won't let Homer answer the phone so that he can ?savor the rings.? Yet Grandpa appears in lots of episodes as a vibrant, interesting character who lends his unique, crotchety humor to the show. Perhaps the writers are trying to illustrate that lots of elderly still have much to contribute and should not be removed as nuisances.<br /><br />Phil Hartman<br /><br />The late Phil Hartman of Saturday Night Live fame lent his voice to two very stereotypical Simpsons characters: sleazy lawyer Lionel Hutz and informational film star, Troy McClure. Troy McClure would usually make his entrance by saying something like ?Hi, I'm Troy McClure! You might remember me from such public service videos as ?Designated Drivers, the Lifesaving Nerds? and ?Phony Tornado Alarms Reduce Readiness?? (Troymcclurepage, 2006). Troy was an exaggeration of a character many of us saw in our youth in perhaps a huge selection of public school films that rarely held any educational value.

Latest revision as of 02:27, 9 May 2021

No you can have predicted that the crude drawings of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on the sketch comedy program, "The Tracey Ullman Show" would become an enormously popular cult hit among viewers of most ages and backgrounds. As the longest running animated series in the history of television, additionally it is just about the most beloved. "The Simpsons" episodes are often themed around current events ? even controversial topics such as for example gay marriage and religion in public areas schools. There is no such thing as taboo subject matter on "The Simpsons." Topics on the show are handled with humor that's evenly targeted at all ages, races, genders and religions.

Credits

Creator and executive producer, Matt Groening is credited with bringing the animation comedy back again to prime time television with the introduction of "The Simpson's" series on Fox in 1989. Executive producer James L. Brooks can be an Emmy and Academy award winning writer and producer of films offering Terms of Endearment and As Good as it Gets. Al Jean is the third executive producer and also head writer (Simpsons, 2006). As an interesting little fact, staff writer, Daniel Chun is the younger brother of a boy this author dated in senior high school. Al Jean and Mike Scully may also be two primary writers.

In addition to the hundreds of celebrity guest stars who have voiced various colorful characters on the show, it is the voices of the main characters which are irreplaceable and integral to the show?s continued success. Best known for dishing out the well timed ?D?oh!? as Homer Simpson, Dan Castallaneta former Tracey Ullman cast member, can be Mayor Quimby, Grandpa Simpson and Groundskeeper Willie among others. Also a Tracey Ullman alumna, Julie Kavner lends her voice to Marge Simpson and her two surly Homer-hating, MacGyver obsessed, chain smoking sisters Patty and Selma. Nancy Cartwright may be the voice of 10 year old Bart Simpson, plus Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz and Todd Flanders. Middle child, eight year old Lisa Simpson is portrayed by Yeardley Smith. Both Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer provide voices for dozens of Springfield?s memorable characters (Simpsons, 2006).

The Simpsons? Lucrative Heyday

In its early to mid-?90s glory days, "The Simpsons" was not only at the height of popularity and ratings, however the show was raking in vast sums in licensed product sales. Audiences couldn?t get enough plush Homers that drooled ?Mmmm? doughnuts? or battery operated Barts exclaiming ?Aye carumba!? at the push of his belly, plus video gaming, apparel, home furnishings therefore a lot more. Bart?s catch phrases which included ?Don?t have a cow man!? and ?Eat my shorts? were heard everywhere. Combined with the ratings, sales of Simpsons licensed items have declined in recent years, but the writers? and producers? efforts to help keep the show fresh and funny have not gone unnoticed by many viewers who have remained loyal to the residents of Springfield, USA.

A Window into Our Nation

The fact that the show is set in an unknown state indicates an effort on the part of the writers to reflect American society overall in each episode. It has enabled the show to draw viewers from from coast to coast. For example, a show like "Sex and the City" may have an especially large following of NY viewers, while "The Simpsons" with its unidentified setting can appeal to all Americans. The two-story Simpson home on Evergreen Terrace closely resembles an average home within an American suburb ? without the circus-like bold colors.

THE PRIMARY Characters ? the Simpson family

The show is based round the Simpson nuclear family style of two parents, 2.5 children (Maggie could be considered the .5 because of her inability to talk) plus cats, Snowball I, II and III and rescued greyhound, Santa?s Little Helper. The household structure and character personalities reflect traditional American norms. As the Simpsons are rather dysfunctional, (as evidenced by among the earlier episodes where in fact the family experienced shock therapy with Dr. Marvin Monroe to obtain through their issues), ultimately, most of us have problems, but at the end of the day, there's much love and solidarity in most families. This is needless to say, if you ignore the frequent displays of child abuse where Homer chokes Bart until his eyes bulge out of his head and the fact that baby Maggie seems to be frequently left home alone.

Devoted wife and mother Marge is really a tribute to hard working American moms. She actually is the heart, soul and glue of the Simpson family. Unlike her husband, Marge doesn't have any friends or time and energy to be social as she is too busy tending to her husband and kids. Homer, who has a lot of loser friends, is the bumbling fool of a husband and father. What he lacks in intellect, he accocunts for in beer consumption at his favorite watering hole, Moe?s Tavern. He could be not always completely specialized in his family and is often selfish and careless, but at the close of all episodes, he does the proper thing ? which is where we start to see the spirit of the American father.

Bart may be the mischievous, free spirited oldest child who stumbles on trouble everywhere, but, like his father, usually finds redemption and a life lesson by the end of an episode. Lisa may be the living, breathing conscience of the Simpson family. A well read, caring little girl who follows Buddhism and current events, Lisa can also laugh with Bart at the especially gruesome episodes of the cat and mouse adversaries, Itchy and Scratchy. Baby Maggie, while the smallest and quietest character, speaks volumes with the sucking of her pacifier. Writers have always given Maggie an obvious wisdom and awareness that supersedes her young age. She even has a uni-browed baby nemesis.

Social Commentary

As well as the Simpson family central characters, the show features tons of Springfield residents with original life stories and memorable personalities, which represent the typical personalities most people will encounter inside our lifetimes. For instance, our country is fraught with crooked politicians and Mayor Quimby represents the ultimate sleazy political figure. He is often caught in compromising positions selling out Springfield and cavorting with ladies, yet he remains in power no one in the town appears to bat a watch. Once he even addresses the townspeople as ?stupid hicks? rick simpson oil buy and they are not phased by it.

Poking fun of the authorities system, The Simpsons features Police Chief Clancy Wiggum, perhaps the second biggest buffoon on the show close to Homer. He is responsible for Springfield?s safety and well-being along with his two side-kicks who surpass Wiggum in intelligence. His stupidity is legendary and the city will be better off turned over to terrorist cannibals with access to weapons of mass destruction. Any police chief who says ?Aww, can?t anybody in this town take regulations into their own hands?? may not be the most qualified candidate for the job (Simpsons, 2006).

Value of the Elderly

The show also makes light of the serious issue of elderly neglect. Homer?s father, Grandpa Simpson, lives in the Springfield Retirement Castle. A retired war hero, Grandpa was very hard on Homer in his youth. As perhaps some sort of subconscious revenge, Homer put Grandpa in a home where his quality of life is poor. It really is clear that Grandpa and the other residents are treated badly. His neglect is apparent when in a single instance, Grandpa won't let Homer answer the phone so that he can ?savor the rings.? Yet Grandpa appears in lots of episodes as a vibrant, interesting character who lends his unique, crotchety humor to the show. Perhaps the writers are trying to illustrate that lots of elderly still have much to contribute and should not be removed as nuisances.

Phil Hartman

The late Phil Hartman of Saturday Night Live fame lent his voice to two very stereotypical Simpsons characters: sleazy lawyer Lionel Hutz and informational film star, Troy McClure. Troy McClure would usually make his entrance by saying something like ?Hi, I'm Troy McClure! You might remember me from such public service videos as ?Designated Drivers, the Lifesaving Nerds? and ?Phony Tornado Alarms Reduce Readiness?? (Troymcclurepage, 2006). Troy was an exaggeration of a character many of us saw in our youth in perhaps a huge selection of public school films that rarely held any educational value.