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 all ages and backgrounds. Because the longest running animated series in the annals of television, additionally it is probably the most beloved. "The Simpsons" episodes are usually themed around current events ? even controversial topics such as gay marriage and religion in public schools. There is absolutely no such thing as taboo subject material on "The Simpsons." where to buy rick simpson oil 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 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 that include Terms of Endearment so when Good as it Gets. Al Jean is the third executive producer and also head writer (Simpsons, 2006). Being an interesting little fact, staff writer, Daniel Chun may be the younger brother of a boy this author dated in high school. Al Jean and Mike Scully may also be 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 main 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, 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 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" had not been only at the height of popularity and ratings, but the show was raking in hundreds of millions in licensed revenue. 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 much more. Bart?s catch phrases which included ?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, however the writers? and producers? efforts to help keep the show fresh and funny have not gone unnoticed by many viewers who've remained loyal to the residents of Springfield, USA.

A Window into Our Nation

The point that the show is set in an unknown state indicates an attempt on the part of the writers to reflect American society overall in each episode. This has enabled the show to draw viewers from from coast to coast. For example, a show like "Sex and the town" may have an especially large following of NY viewers, while "The Simpsons" using its unidentified setting can appeal to all Americans. The two-story Simpson home on Evergreen Terrace closely resembles a typical home in an American suburb ? minus the circus-like bold colors.

THE PRIMARY Characters ? the Simpson family

The show is based round the Simpson nuclear family model of two parents, 2.5 children (Maggie could possibly 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 family structure and character personalities reflect traditional American norms. As the Simpsons are rather dysfunctional, (as evidenced by one of many earlier episodes where in fact the family experienced shock therapy with Dr. Marvin Monroe to get through their issues), ultimately, we all 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.

Devoted wife and mother Marge is really a tribute to hard working American moms. She 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. Homer, who has a lot of loser friends, is the bumbling fool of a husband and father. What he lacks in intellect, he makes up in beer consumption at his favorite watering hole, Moe?s Tavern. He could be not always completely specialized in his family and is frequently selfish and careless, but at the close of all episodes, he does the right thing ? and that is where we 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 is the living, breathing conscience of the Simpson family. A well read, caring little girl 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 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 example, our country is fraught with crooked politicians and Mayor Quimby represents the best sleazy political figure. He could be often caught in compromising positions selling out Springfield and cavorting with young women, yet he remains in power and no one in the town appears to bat a watch. 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 close to Homer. He is in charge of Springfield?s safety and well-being 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 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 problem 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 standard of living is poor. It is clear that Grandpa and the other residents are treated badly. His neglect is apparent when in one instance, Grandpa won't 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. Perhaps the writers are trying to illustrate that many elderly still have much to contribute and really 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 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 many of us saw in our youth in perhaps a huge selection of public school films that rarely held any educational value.