The Simpsons A Commentary on American Culture

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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, "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 probably the most beloved. "The Simpsons" 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 "The Simpsons." Topics on the show are handled with humor that's evenly aimed at all ages, races, genders and religions.

Credits

Creator and executive producer, Matt Groening is credited with bringing the animation comedy back to prime time television with the introduction of "The Simpson's" series on Fox in 1989. Executive producer James L. Brooks is an Emmy and Academy award winning writer and producer of films offering Terms of Endearment so when Good since 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 senior high school. Al Jean and Mike Scully are also two primary writers.

In addition to the a huge selection of celebrity guest stars who have voiced various colorful characters on the show, it is the voices of the primary characters that 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 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 dozens of Springfield?s memorable characters (Simpsons, 2006).

The Simpsons? Lucrative Heyday

In its early to mid-?90s glory days, "The Simpsons" had not been 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 games, apparel, home furnishings therefore much more. Bart?s catch phrases including ?Don?t have a cow man!? and ?Eat my shorts? were heard everywhere. Along with the ratings, sales of Simpsons licensed items have declined in recent years, however the writers? and producers? efforts to 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 truth that the show is set within an unknown state indicates an attempt for the writers to reflect American society overall in each episode. It has enabled the show to draw viewers from from coast to coast. For instance, a show like "Sex and the City" may have an especially large following of New York viewers, while "The Simpsons" 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.

THE PRIMARY Characters ? the Simpson family

The show is based around 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 get 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 ignore the frequent displays of child abuse where Homer chokes Bart until his eyes bulge out of his head and the truth that baby Maggie seems to be frequently left home alone.

Devoted wife and mother Marge is 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 to be social as she actually is too busy maintaining 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 most episodes, he does the right thing ? which is where we start to see the spirit of the American father.

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 includes a uni-browed baby nemesis.

Social Commentary

In addition to the Simpson family central characters, the show features tons of Springfield residents with original life stories and memorable personalities, which represent the typical personalities the majority of us will encounter inside our lifetimes. For example, our country is fraught with crooked politicians and Mayor Quimby represents the best 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 seems to bat an eye. Once he even addresses the townspeople as ?stupid hicks? and they are not phased by it.

Poking fun of the authorities system, The Simpsons features Police Chief Clancy Wiggum, possibly the second biggest buffoon on the show next to Homer. He is responsible for Springfield?s safety and well-being 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 usage of weapons of mass destruction. Any police chief who says ?Aww, can?t anybody in this town take regulations into their own hands?? will not be the most qualified candidate for the job (Simpsons, 2006).

Value of the Elderly

The show also makes light of the serious problem 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 standard of living 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 refuses to let Homer answer the telephone so that he is able to ?savor the rings.? Yet Grandpa appears in lots of episodes as a vibrant, interesting character who lends his unique, crotchety humor to the show. Possibly the writers are trying to illustrate that lots of elderly still have much to contribute and really should not be disposed of 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! where to buy rick simpson oil You may 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 in our youth in perhaps a huge selection of public school films that rarely held any educational value.