Difference between revisions of "The Simpsons"

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'''''The Simpsons''''' is a satirical animated comedy series created by ''Life in [[Hell]]'' cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]. ''The Simpsons'' started on the ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the [[Fox Network]]. The show was also made into a feature-length movie, which was released on July 27, 2007.
+
'''''The Simpsons''''' is a [[Satire|satirical]] [[animation|animated]] [[comedy]] [[series]] created by ''Life in [[Hell]]'' cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]. ''The Simpsons'' started as part of ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the [[Fox Network]]. The show was also made into a feature-length [[The Simpsons Movie|movie]], which was released on July 27, 2007.
  
''The Simpsons'' is the longest-running sitcom in the [[United States]], as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world.  It has won 27 Emmy Awards, and in September 2014 FOX will present the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/18/robert-thompson-simpsons-to-air-500th-episode/</ref>
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''The Simpsons'' is the longest-running [[sitcom]] in the [[United States]], as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world.  It has won 27 [[Emmy Awards]], and since September 2014 FOX presents the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/18/robert-thompson-simpsons-to-air-500th-episode/</ref>
  
 
In [[Iran]], [[China]] and [[Venezuela]] this serial is banned.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7338131.stm</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref>
 
In [[Iran]], [[China]] and [[Venezuela]] this serial is banned.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7338131.stm</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref>
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==Episodes==
 
==Episodes==
Currently there are 552 episodes in 25 seasons.
+
Currently, there are 596 episodes in 27 seasons.
 +
 
 +
===Conservative Episodes===
 +
*''The Crepes of Wrath'': Lisa discusses with Adil, an [[Albania]]n Communist spy. Adil wants to know: "How can you defend a country where five percent of the people control 95 percent of the wealth?", whereupon Lisa answeres: "I'm defending a country where people can think, and act, and worship any way they want!"
 +
*''Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington'': Lisa becomes a [[Patriotism|Patriot]].
 +
*''Bart Gets an "F"'': Bart prays to [[God]] to pass a school test.
 +
*''Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment'': Lisa is concerned about her father, who breaks the 8th Comandment: Thou shalt not steal.
 +
*''Homer the Heretic'': Homer does not go longer to worship and gets punished by a house brand.
 +
*''Duffless'': Homer fights [[Alcoholism]].
 +
*''Bart Sells His Soul'': Bart recognizes the existence of the [[soul]].
 +
*''Homer Loves Flanders'': Ned Flanders and his Bible group help Stan Taylor overcome his sexual addiction.
 +
*''The Trouble With Trillion'': Ned Flanders makes an Conservative quote about [[Nanny state]]. His son asks: "Daddy, what do taxes pay for?", whereupon his father answeres: "Why, everything! Policemen, trees, sunshine- and let's not forget the folks who just don't feel like working, God bless 'em.".
 +
*''Simpsons Bible Stories'': The Simpsons dream Bible Stories. (Although, partially mocks the Bible Characters)
 +
*''Alone Again, Natura-diddily'': Ned Flanders keeps his faith in God, even after his wife Maude died.
 +
*''Weekend at Burnsie's'': Marge is worried about Homer´s [[Medical marijuana|drug use]].
 +
*''Treehouse of Horror XIII'': Springfield becomes a [[Gun-free zone]]. As a result of it ''Springfield'' gets terrorized by evil Zombie-gun-owners. Homer gets back into the past to prevent [[Gun control]].
 +
*''Pray Anything'': Homer starts to pray, but later he sues the church. He gets punished by a weather disaster.
 +
*'''Tis the Fifteenth Season'': Homer wants to become a good Christian.
 +
*''Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays'': Marge fights an Anti-family campaign.
 +
*''The Simpsons Movie'': Environmentalist [[EPA]] wants to destroy Springfield.
 +
 
 +
===Liberal Episodes===
 +
*''Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish'': Supports Environmentalism and criticizes nuclear power.
 +
*''Homer's Phobia'': Homer criticizes gay-marriage, but in the end he changes his mind.
 +
*''The Old Man and the Lisa'': Promotes [[Environmentalism]].
 +
*''Mother Simpson'': Treats the hippie movement and the decadence of the sixties in a positive and sympathetic manner relating to the titular character, Mona Simpson.
 +
*''D'oh-in' in the Wind'': Again, promotes the hippie movement in a positive manner.
 +
*''Smart and Smarter'': When Maggie gets a high score on an IQ test, Philippa says "That's amazing for a Christian!"; implying that most Christians are dumb.
 +
*''There's Something About Marrying'': Marge supports gay marriage.
 +
*''The Monkey Suit'': Promotes [[Evolutionism]] and mocks [[Creationism]].
 +
*''Mypods and Boomsticks'': Promotes Islam.
 +
*''Loan-a Lisa'': Bart makes an atheist statement: "We've already heard stories from thousands of years ago about stuff that didn't happen."
 +
*''Opposites A-Frack'': Against [[Fracking]].
 +
*A few episodes feature a group of "evil republicans".
 +
 
 +
===Other Political Episodes===
 +
*''Two Bad Neighbors'': Homer becomes an enemy of his new neighbour [[George H.W. Bush]] (RINO). In the end [[Gerald Ford]] (Conservative) is the new neighbour of the Simpsons, who becomes a friend of Homer.
 +
*''Much Apu About Nothing'': Homer supports immigration of [[Illegal aliens]].
 +
*''The Cartridge Family'': Homer becomes a gun owner. It is controversial, whether this episode is pro-[[Gun Control]] or anti-gun control. The writer of this epiosde is John Swartzwelder, who is a 2nd Amandment-supporter.
 +
*''Coming to Homerica'': Another Pro-[[Illegal immigration]]-episode.
 +
*''Bart-Mangled Banner'': The Simpsons get arrested for criticizing government. They leave America, but go back, because of homesickness.
  
 
==Themes==
 
==Themes==
While The Simpsons has many [[liberal]] themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong [[church]] focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield [[Republican Party]] is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating John F Kennedy on the show.
+
[[File:MrBurnsExcellent.gif|thumb|The character ''Mr. Burns'']]
 +
While The Simpsons has many [[liberal]] themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong [[church]] focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield [[Republican Party]] is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating [[John F. Kennedy]] on the show.
  
 
Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months.  I say, lay back and enjoy it!  It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.
 
Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months.  I say, lay back and enjoy it!  It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.
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Some Christian family groups such as the [[Parents Television Council]] criticized the episodes ''There's Something About Marrying'' of supporting [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4285287.stm Simpsons' gay character is Patty - BBC]</ref>
 
Some Christian family groups such as the [[Parents Television Council]] criticized the episodes ''There's Something About Marrying'' of supporting [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4285287.stm Simpsons' gay character is Patty - BBC]</ref>
  
==Reference==
+
==References==
 
{{reflist}}  
 
{{reflist}}  
  
==External Links==
+
==External links==
 
* [http://thesimpsons.com/ The official site of the serial]
 
* [http://thesimpsons.com/ The official site of the serial]
 
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/ IMDB Website]
 
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/ IMDB Website]

Revision as of 02:05, August 22, 2016

The Simpsons is a satirical animated comedy series created by Life in Hell cartoonist Matt Groening. The Simpsons started as part of The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the Fox Network. The show was also made into a feature-length movie, which was released on July 27, 2007.

The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in the United States, as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world. It has won 27 Emmy Awards, and since September 2014 FOX presents the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.[1]

In Iran, China and Venezuela this serial is banned.[2][3]

Family

The show revolves around the fictional Simpson family.

Homer Jay Simpson

The overweight, balding father of the family. Homer "works" as a safety inspector in the local nuclear power plant - where he usually sleeps, which gets him into trouble with his boss, Mr. Burns. However, many episodes have shown him performing a wide range of other jobs. Homer enjoys a diet mostly centered around donuts and "Duff" beer. Homer is by choice quite lazy but does get pushed into occasionally performing heroic acts for his family.

Marjorie "Marge" Bouvier Simpson

Marge is the mother of the family. Instantly recognizable thanks to her unfeasibly large blue beehive hairdo, Marge provides the foundation for the family. Her relationship with Homer is portrayed as a loving one but frequently exasperating due mostly to Homer's buffoonery. Marge is in many respects the prototypical suburban American mother, as she stays at home and takes care of the family while Homer works. On a few occasions Marge has gotten a job which has sometimes met with horrible results but sometimes with more pleasant ones.

Bartholomew "Bart" Simpson

Their son Bart, the eldest child, is a troublemaker and self-proclaimed underachiever. Bart has a mixed relationship with his father. While sometimes harboring a very close relationship with his father, Bart's opinion of Homer is all over the radar, ranging from very affectionate love to deep frustration.

Lisa Simpson

The older daughter. Lisa is mostly concerned with being a good student, protecting the environment (although she is involved with other liberal causes at different points in the show's history such as recycling), and playing the saxophone. Her high intelligence relative to the rest of her family often makes her feel isolated.

Margaret "Maggie" Simpson

A baby who hardly ever talks, instead sucking her pacifier twice. On a couple of occasions she has proven to have exceptionally high intelligence (for example, when her pacifier was taken away during a trip to a foster home, she staged an elaborate plot to get it back).

Episodes

Currently, there are 596 episodes in 27 seasons.

Conservative Episodes

  • The Crepes of Wrath: Lisa discusses with Adil, an Albanian Communist spy. Adil wants to know: "How can you defend a country where five percent of the people control 95 percent of the wealth?", whereupon Lisa answeres: "I'm defending a country where people can think, and act, and worship any way they want!"
  • Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington: Lisa becomes a Patriot.
  • Bart Gets an "F": Bart prays to God to pass a school test.
  • Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment: Lisa is concerned about her father, who breaks the 8th Comandment: Thou shalt not steal.
  • Homer the Heretic: Homer does not go longer to worship and gets punished by a house brand.
  • Duffless: Homer fights Alcoholism.
  • Bart Sells His Soul: Bart recognizes the existence of the soul.
  • Homer Loves Flanders: Ned Flanders and his Bible group help Stan Taylor overcome his sexual addiction.
  • The Trouble With Trillion: Ned Flanders makes an Conservative quote about Nanny state. His son asks: "Daddy, what do taxes pay for?", whereupon his father answeres: "Why, everything! Policemen, trees, sunshine- and let's not forget the folks who just don't feel like working, God bless 'em.".
  • Simpsons Bible Stories: The Simpsons dream Bible Stories. (Although, partially mocks the Bible Characters)
  • Alone Again, Natura-diddily: Ned Flanders keeps his faith in God, even after his wife Maude died.
  • Weekend at Burnsie's: Marge is worried about Homer´s drug use.
  • Treehouse of Horror XIII: Springfield becomes a Gun-free zone. As a result of it Springfield gets terrorized by evil Zombie-gun-owners. Homer gets back into the past to prevent Gun control.
  • Pray Anything: Homer starts to pray, but later he sues the church. He gets punished by a weather disaster.
  • 'Tis the Fifteenth Season: Homer wants to become a good Christian.
  • Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays: Marge fights an Anti-family campaign.
  • The Simpsons Movie: Environmentalist EPA wants to destroy Springfield.

Liberal Episodes

  • Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish: Supports Environmentalism and criticizes nuclear power.
  • Homer's Phobia: Homer criticizes gay-marriage, but in the end he changes his mind.
  • The Old Man and the Lisa: Promotes Environmentalism.
  • Mother Simpson: Treats the hippie movement and the decadence of the sixties in a positive and sympathetic manner relating to the titular character, Mona Simpson.
  • D'oh-in' in the Wind: Again, promotes the hippie movement in a positive manner.
  • Smart and Smarter: When Maggie gets a high score on an IQ test, Philippa says "That's amazing for a Christian!"; implying that most Christians are dumb.
  • There's Something About Marrying: Marge supports gay marriage.
  • The Monkey Suit: Promotes Evolutionism and mocks Creationism.
  • Mypods and Boomsticks: Promotes Islam.
  • Loan-a Lisa: Bart makes an atheist statement: "We've already heard stories from thousands of years ago about stuff that didn't happen."
  • Opposites A-Frack: Against Fracking.
  • A few episodes feature a group of "evil republicans".

Other Political Episodes

  • Two Bad Neighbors: Homer becomes an enemy of his new neighbour George H.W. Bush (RINO). In the end Gerald Ford (Conservative) is the new neighbour of the Simpsons, who becomes a friend of Homer.
  • Much Apu About Nothing: Homer supports immigration of Illegal aliens.
  • The Cartridge Family: Homer becomes a gun owner. It is controversial, whether this episode is pro-Gun Control or anti-gun control. The writer of this epiosde is John Swartzwelder, who is a 2nd Amandment-supporter.
  • Coming to Homerica: Another Pro-Illegal immigration-episode.
  • Bart-Mangled Banner: The Simpsons get arrested for criticizing government. They leave America, but go back, because of homesickness.

Themes

The character Mr. Burns

While The Simpsons has many liberal themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong church focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield Republican Party is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating John F. Kennedy on the show.

Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months. I say, lay back and enjoy it! It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.

The show's portrayal of religion and Christianity in particular is often given in the form of Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' next door neighbor. A devout Christian, Ned is sometimes overbearing in his faith, but he is consistently shown to be compassionate and decent. In the series' first few seasons Ned was generally loathed by Homer for the perceived (and often real) superiority of Ned's quality of life. Later episodes have shown the two to be quite close at times, with more than a few featuring mutual adventures. Ned's reception amongst Christians has generally been positive due to his strong faith in God, even when faced with obstacles such as a failure of his business, The Leftorium, a hurricane destroying his house and most tragically, the death of his wife Maude.[4]

Well-known atheist Richard Dawkins had an appearence at The Simpsons as devil.[5]

Controversy

During the early years of the show Bart Simpson was criticized for being a poor role model for children. Though The Simpsons is considerably less atheistic than other Fox shows such as Family Guy, recently it has become quite controversial. Ironically, Marge Simpson, arguably the most wholesome character on the show, has been a highly controversial character, as she appeared on the cover and as a centerfold of Playboy, a pornographic magazine.

In the 2009 Halloween Special, "Treehouse of Horror XX," the writers of the show took a jab at the Eucharist. In one story in this episode, the people of Springfield were zombified and Bart's DNA was a cure. When the Simpsons escaped Springfield, other survivors wanted to eat him, but Marge screams:

“What kind of civilized people eat the body and blood of their savior?”

Catholic League President Bill Donahue criticized the writers for this line.[6]

Some Christian family groups such as the Parents Television Council criticized the episodes There's Something About Marrying of supporting same-sex marriage.[7]

References

External links