How have the Simpsons affected your life?

[kensloft]

When the Simpsons first hit the airwaves I did not have a television. Didn't want one. I wasn't going to miss anything except blood, tits 'n' gore. Oh well. Poor me. Simpsons? whazzat?

Heard a lot about them but... ? Saw that people even had t-shirts with Ay Caramba and don't have a cow. Still not impressed but there was something and I continued to look the other way. What could the t-shirt wearers be doing other than getting on the contemporaneous hero's t-shirt band wagon. It must be the cartoon!

The next sound that you hear is the sound of my feet being pulled out of the orifice of your choice.

Watched one day and fell in love with the characters. Before you go feeling sorryfor me remember when you were watching re-runs I was seeing them for the first time.

The social commentary on America and the Western Culture was too much and I relished every time that I saw a new program. I watch the Simpsons everyday at 5 o'clock when it is broadcast five days a week on natonal television in Canada. (you guys realize that Homer is based on a Canadian, eh)

What are your favourite Simpsons stories, episodes or characters and why?

[livius drusus]

I was a Simpsons naysayer for a year or so, then I went to one of the regular project the Simpsons onto a big screen in the bar events at college and I was converted. I wasn't truly hooked, however, until '94 which was coincidentally both the year I got regular access to a TV and one of the best Simpsons seasons ever.

I'm a Homer gal, myself, although somewhere in the past decade he's crossed the line from wry commentary on modern life stupid to total fucking nimrod stupid. I preferred the former incarnation.

Just to tie this thread into the forum it's in, have you by any chance read The Simpsons and Philosophy (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812694333/qid=1108083659/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-8611658-6521763), kensloft? I highly recommend it. The chapter on Bart as the Nietzchean ubermensch was my particular favorite.

[maddog]

About the same way as "All in the Family." Groundbreaking television, but, oy! I really detest that kind of cynicism. Making it humorous and funny makes it somehow more acceptable to the population at large. In a lot of ways I find it too true to be funny. I'm tired of anti-heroes. I prefer real heroes. The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo. It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness. I find it depressing.
#278

[Godless Wonder]

About the same way as "All in the Family." Groundbreaking television, but, oy! I really detest that kind of cynicism. Making it humorous and funny makes it somehow more acceptable to the population at large. In a lot of ways I find it too true to be funny. I'm tired of anti-heroes. I prefer real heroes. The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo. It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness. I find it depressing.
#278 jeez, aren't you the downer. ;)

Favorite scenes, gosh that's a hard one.

I like the one with Sideshow Bob parodying some Tom Cruise movie.

"You want the truth??? You can't handle the truth!!! No truth handler, you!!! I deride your truth handling abilities!!!"

Some reason that just cracks me up.

The episode in which Homer discovers sushi, and demands Fugu (deadly poisonous if cut incorrectly. The master sushi chef is behind the restaurant in the back seat of his car with his girlfriend, the apprentice chef comes out to get him to do the fugu. "No, YOU do it. I'm busy!!!"

Terrified apprentice chef, holding a knife, looking at a diagram of the fugu in a book, and the fish in front of him: (in thick japanese accent) "Poison, poison, poison, poison, poison . . . tasty feesh!"

Another fave: Homer's at the Sea Captains all you can eat seafood buffet, The Sea Captain's eyeing Homer, who's taken out an entire tray of food from the steam table back to his seat. "Arrrr, 'tis no man, 'tis a remorseless eatin' machine. Arrr."

Comic Book Guy is always saying funny stuff... (to Professor Frink) "oooh, a sarcasm detector. THAT's a useful invention." (sarcasm detector catches fire.)

And pretty much everything that comes out of Ralph Wiggum's mouth is comedy gold. (After getting sprayed with pepper spray) "Even my boogers taste like fire."

[livius drusus]

The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo.

How so? Does cynical, satirical humor coarsen literature as well?

It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness.

When you say it's commensurate do you mean they are related or just sort of happening at the same time?

Thanks for posting your perspective, maddog. I get a good discussion feeling from it. :yup:

[kensloft]

Just to tie this thread into the forum it's in, have you by any chance read The Simpsons and Philosophy (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812694333/qid=1108083659/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-8611658-6521763), kensloft? I highly recommend it. The chapter on Bart as the Nietzchean ubermensch was my particular favorite.

No, I haven't but one of my stops tomorrow is the library. If not I'll find a copy somewhere or it will find me. I guess I could hav eput it in the drinking area but I thught that it would be best here. You know. New kid in town. Doesn't know where everything is at yet?

Will get my butt in gear. Promise.

[copiae]

I don't really have a favourite episode per se, but my favourite moment was probably in the episode where Marge became a real estate agent.

Right after she takes the test, the examination overseer announces: "Times up, you may now undermine each others confidence". Then the old sea captain turns around and says to Marge: "Yaarrrr! I totally nailed that section on house-boats..."



My favourite character is the sea captain, without a doubt.

[maddog]

. . . .:blahblah: . . . . I find it depressing.
#278 jeez, aren't you the downer. ;)

Well, :wink: that's what they pay me for! :innocent:
The OP was "how has this affected your life"; what do you expect from a natural depressive? :P

The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo.
How so? Does cynical, satirical humor coarsen literature as well?Hmm. I'm not sure I can think of any literature offhand that is of the same type as AitF or the Simpsons. If I understand what you're asking, I think my answer would be, "no," because the phenomenon of television is so dominantly pervasive in our society, in a way that literature doesn't seem to me to be. Literature takes the act of reading; the reader is conscientiously engaged in the process in a way that TV does not require. TV is so much more passive. You don't have to engage, you don't participate, you don't have to think, you don't imagine; it's all done for you.

It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness. When you say it's commensurate do you mean they are related or just sort of happening at the same time?Well, I don't really have evidence. I only have opinions. I know that correlation (that things occur together) does not equal causation, but for some reason it just seems to me that there could well be a causal link. I think television is quite influential, and it also is, as I said, a passive activity. It reminds me of a drug-induced stupor, combined with post-hypnotic suggestion or brainwashing or something of the sort. People just spend so much time in front of the TV, and most of what's on is not enlightening in any way.

Thanks for posting your perspective, maddog. I get a good discussion feeling from it. :yup: Thank you, livius. These are not black-and-white issues for me. I thought the question of the OP was interesting. You have to give credit where credit is due -- as I said, I think the program can be seen as quite groundbreaking and innovative. I have watched episodes, and I can see why people like them or find them entertaining. I'm just not sure I'm happy with where that influence is leading us as a society.
#279

[Dingfod]

Jill Simpson was my second deep crush. Her long strawberry blonde hair and frecked face just made my heart race when she was near me.

David Simpson was a mortician and my Boy Scout leader. He made a deep impression on me. He was cool in so many ways, from his mod clothes (late 60s, early 70s) to his gorgeous wife. From him I learned you can make a bookcase out of cinderblocks and 1x12s. I also got to see a deceased victim of a motorcycle accident in the mortuary. Cool.

Oh, not those Simpsons? Nevermind.

[justaman]

Best line ever:

The monorail gets stuck and Krusty wants out. He disappears out of the door but is suddenly grabbed by an intensely serious Leonard Nimoy.

"No! The world needs laughter."

[Petra]

I don't think the Simpsons is dumbing down at all. I think it is very, very cleverly written and illustrated/animated. I'm totally with liv on the old and new Homer's, though. I also liked it better when he was a wry and understated social commentator, even though he didn't usually know it.

The Simspons is one of the few things I stop to watch on the telly. I love it.

[Godless Dave]

About the same way as "All in the Family." Groundbreaking television, but, oy! I really detest that kind of cynicism. Making it humorous and funny makes it somehow more acceptable to the population at large. In a lot of ways I find it too true to be funny. I'm tired of anti-heroes. I prefer real heroes.

Real heroes are few and far between. I prefer reality.

The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo.

I disagree. I think reality TV coarsens society, as do insult-based sitcoms like "Married: with Children". "The Simpons" is (among other things) commentary on our culture: a culture that is filled with people as stupid, petty, and shallow as most of the characters in the show and a few people as smart as Lisa and usually as self-righteous

It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness. I find it depressing.

I don't see how "The Simpsons" dumbs anything down, and if anything it increases cultural awareness.

Depressing? Life is depressing. Art is about life. Don't kill the messenger.

[Godless Dave]

I couldn't name a favorite moment; I'd have trouble narrowing it to a top 10. But in truth I haven't watched in a long time: I'm always busy Sunday nights and they keep moving the weekday reruns around (although now that I think of it, they may be conveniently right after weekday "Gilmore Girls" reruns).

Reverend Lovejoy (to Flanders): "Ned, have you considered one of the other three major religions? They're all pretty much the same."

[livius drusus]

No, I haven't but one of my stops tomorrow is the library. If not I'll find a copy somewhere or it will find me. I guess I could hav eput it in the drinking area but I thught that it would be best here. You know. New kid in town. Doesn't know where everything is at yet?

Will get my butt in gear. Promise.

Of course. It's no problem, kensloft, really. I would have put in the Arts & Literature forum where we've discussed other TV shows, but I think there's an interesting discussion to be had on how the Simpsons have affected our lives here in Philo too.

I hope you find that book in your library. :)

[maddog]

About the same way as "All in the Family." Groundbreaking television, but, oy! I really detest that kind of cynicism. Making it humorous and funny makes it somehow more acceptable to the population at large. In a lot of ways I find it too true to be funny. I'm tired of anti-heroes. I prefer real heroes.

Real heroes are few and far between. I prefer reality.Interesting. Actually, I disagree with you about real heroes are few and far between. I think everyday heroism is quite common, just underreported. I like reality, too. That's why I like the nature programs on PBS. That's why I'd prefer to see things that are much more realistic and about real life than most of what's on TV.

The phenomenon of that kind of television coarsens society, imo.

I disagree. I think reality TV coarsens society, as do insult-based sitcoms like "Married: with Children". "The Simpons" is (among other things) commentary on our culture: a culture that is filled with people as stupid, petty, and shallow as most of the characters in the show and a few people as smart as Lisa and usually as self-righteous. I quite agree with you that so-called "reality TV" coarsens society. I just happen to think that, for example, the breaking down of barriers by All in the Family is the ancestor of all the junk we see now. One person does it first in a courageous and innovative way. But it's like a lot of things. The first people who do it are smart. The crowd that follows are dumb, and break things just to break things, not for an educative purpose. In a way, it reminds me of Jesus (the great teacher) and the church (the hoi polloi who understand the formulas, but not the substance of what the teacher taught).


It's perfectly commensurate with dumbing-down of cultural literacy and awareness. I find it depressing.

I don't see how "The Simpsons" dumbs anything down, and if anything it increases cultural awareness.Intelligent people like the Simpsons for different reasons than dumb people do. But as a society we spend much too much time at the TV instead of doing things that matter. There's a show on called "Street Smarts," in which they get people off the street and ask them common, ordinary questions. It's shocking how many people know so little -- of things that they (everyone!) should know. The Simpsons is full of toilet humor, venality, dishonesty, stupidity, and so on, with a humanitarian or moral lesson thrown in. I just find it depressing that so many people spend so much time and energy idolizing drunken doofuses, and clever cheats. Not to say that it isn't an extremely clever show -- it is, no question about it. The writing is very good, I agree. I just think it's a well-written part of a trend I find unfortunate.

Depressing? Life is depressing. Art is about life. Don't kill the messenger.I didn't realize I was killing any messengers. Not everybody has to like the same things.
#280

[livius drusus]

Hmm. I'm not sure I can think of any literature offhand that
is of the same type as AitF or the Simpsons.

I was thinking of satirical literature featuring anti-heroes, much cynicism, and wry commentary on society. Voltaire's Candide, for instance, or Pope's The Rape of the Lock.

If I understand what you're asking, I think my answer would be, "no," because the phenomenon of television is so dominantly pervasive in our society, in a way that literature doesn't seem to me to be. Literature takes the act of reading; the reader is conscientiously engaged in the process in a way that TV does not require. TV is so much more passive. You don't have to engage, you don't participate, you don't have to think, you don't imagine; it's all done for you.

But doesn't that apply to pretty much any TV programming? What would make AitF or the Simpsons particularly depressing from this perspective?

Well, I don't really have evidence. I only have opinions. I know that correlation (that things occur together) does not equal causation, but for some reason it just seems to me that there could well be a causal link. I think television is quite influential, and it also is, as I said, a passive activity. It reminds me of a drug-induced stupor, combined with post-hypnotic suggestion or brainwashing or something of the sort. People just spend so much time in front of the TV, and most of what's on is not enlightening in any way.

True that, but there is some programming which is indeed enlightening -- anything from Ken Burns documentaries to Mythbusters (which does a great job of putting urban legends, conventional wisdom, and folk tales under scientific scrutiny) to The Daily Show to The Simpsons at their hard-hitting best. Do you mean that even quality programming can aid in the dumbing down process by acting as a lure, perhaps?

Thank you, livius. These are not black-and-white issues for me. I thought the question of the OP was interesting. You have to give credit where credit is due -- as I said, I think the program can be seen as quite groundbreaking and innovative. I have watched episodes, and I can see why people like them or find them entertaining. I'm just not sure I'm happy with where that influence is leading us as a society.

It's an interesting question for me as well. I watch lots of television and it's true that the vast majority of it is crap which I watch in a desultory, might as well kind of way. It's also true that I'm suggestible to advertising -- many times I've found myself thinking that Pizza Hut special looks fab only to find time after time that it sucks ass -- and that generally speaking TV can act as something of a vortex of will.

Beyond that, I don't know what can really be said about its influence on cultural awareness and literacy. The subject is a very broad one and I haven't really researched it at all.

[Beth]

I'm gonna have to say Flanders is my fav. I love that guy. Simpsons is a brilliant show that offers a wonderful social commentary with a great cynical and sarcastic edge. It taught me that nothing is sacred and we should all be willing to have humor and laugh at ourselves because we are all silly in our own ways. In my home, I never denied my kids the show and I have watched it since the Tracy Ulman Show. My family would say I was bad for allowing them to see it, but I always thought it too brilliant to withhold.

I love the show's constant jabs at Fox and I love so many episodes. I suppose I like the one where the commet is coming at Springfield and The whole town tries to squeeze into Ned's bomb shelter best. I also liked the Super Bowl Show. I thought it was brilliant. People were offended at the Halftime Show '04 but the '05 show that Simpsons put on was religiously moral and the secularists were offended and outraged this time. Plus, I loved Ned's bloody bible films and he has a lovely upper torso. :p

edited: I just thought of one scene in an old show, I think it was from Tracy Ulman Show, Marge is singing "Rockabye Baby"to the kids in bed. There is a caption that shows the kids visualizing the baby rocking in the tree and falling when the tree limb breaks. Marge kisses them and walks out and the kids are wide-eyes and either scared or disturbed. I thought it brilliant because I always loathed that song, although I did sing it to my kids, the melody soothed them. My mother said I used to cry about the baby whenever she sung it to me.

[maddog]

Hmm. I'm not sure I can think of any literature offhand that
is of the same type as AitF or the Simpsons.

I was thinking of satirical literature featuring anti-heroes, much cynicism, and wry commentary on society. Voltaire's Candide, for instance, or Pope's The Rape of the Lock.

If I understand what you're asking, I think my answer would be, "no," because the phenomenon of television is so dominantly pervasive in our society, in a way that literature doesn't seem to me to be. Literature takes the act of reading; the reader is conscientiously engaged in the process in a way that TV does not require. TV is so much more passive. You don't have to engage, you don't participate, you don't have to think, you don't imagine; it's all done for you.

But doesn't that apply to pretty much any TV programming? What would make AitF or the Simpsons particularly depressing from this perspective?It's true that pretty much any TV programming is passive compared to reading. But, as you point out below, there are TV programs and then there are TV programs. I remember the year that "The Thorn Birds," the TV mini-series, was on. When it was finished, I wanted to read the book. I thought it was an excellent story, well-written, and about truths of life, in both the TV and the book versions. So, sometimes, or maybe it just depends on the person, TV can be an inspiration to engagement and introspection.

OTOH, my ex was furious with me that I wanted to read the book. She stormed at me, "You just saw it on television! Why the hell would you want to read it!!" Now, there were other issues going on. I don't really think of myself as an intellectual, but compared to her, I was. She was definitely anti-intellectual. For her, TV gave you as much as you ever needed to know about something. For her, watching TV at the same time in the same room is "being together," even though you are both bumps on a log for that period of time, but me reading a book in the same room while she was watching television was me "closing her out."

I think cynical television contributes to cynicism, disengagement, apathy, anomie, in real life. People who think that TV is all you need to know are reinforced in this by cynical TV. I think that's unfortunate. It contributes to a lack of intellectual curiosity, a lack of drive. Kind of like that commercial about marijuana use and the guy who's "just the same" now as when he smoked his first joint. He tells his ma that he'll go out looking for a job tomorrow. The implication (to which I don't necessarily subscribe in the case of marijuana, since I don't have any real experience or knowledge of it) is that mj robs you of all ambition. I don't KNOW that that's the case with TV either, but I think it makes sense that TV in general, and that kind of TV in particular, contributes to that kind of dumbing down.

Well, I don't really have evidence. I only have opinions. I know that correlation (that things occur together) does not equal causation, but for some reason it just seems to me that there could well be a causal link. I think television is quite influential, and it also is, as I said, a passive activity. It reminds me of a drug-induced stupor, combined with post-hypnotic suggestion or brainwashing or something of the sort. People just spend so much time in front of the TV, and most of what's on is not enlightening in any way.

True that, but there is some programming which is indeed enlightening -- anything from Ken Burns documentaries to Mythbusters (which does a great job of putting urban legends, conventional wisdom, and folk tales under scientific scrutiny) to The Daily Show to The Simpsons at their hard-hitting best. Do you mean that even quality programming can aid in the dumbing down process by acting as a lure, perhaps?No, I don't think I think the "lure" part is necessarily the case. I think there is a big difference between quality programming and "other." Ken Burns is a fantastic example: everything I've ever seen him do has been inspirational, made me want to find out more, made me curious, made me feel alive, made me feel that something important was unfolding. All in the Family was quite groundbreaking in dealing with important themes, poking at sacred cows. TV could have gone in a very positive direction with that. Instead, because copy-cat-ism, gotta sell commercials, gotta appeal to the LCD, prevails, something that was provocative for an educative or political or enlightening purpose has led to an overload of stuff that is provocative for prurient purposes. People think it was important because it was provocative, when really it was provocative because it was important. The emPHAsis is on the wrong sylLAble. So TV now just pushes more boundaries of shock value for shock's sake. I think All in the Family was tremendously influential, just not necessarily in the direction that its creators might have thought. I think the Simpsons is influential (and the OP was about how the Simpsons has affected our lives, after all) in a similar way.

Thank you, livius. These are not black-and-white issues for me. I thought the question of the OP was interesting. You have to give credit where credit is due -- as I said, I think the program can be seen as quite groundbreaking and innovative. I have watched episodes, and I can see why people like them or find them entertaining. I'm just not sure I'm happy with where that influence is leading us as a society.

It's an interesting question for me as well. I watch lots of television and it's true that the vast majority of it is crap which I watch in a desultory, might as well kind of way. It's also true that I'm suggestible to advertising -- many times I've found myself thinking that Pizza Hut special looks fab only to find time after time that it sucks ass -- and that generally speaking TV can act as something of a vortex of will.

Beyond that, I don't know what can really be said about its influence on cultural awareness and literacy. The subject is a very broad one and I haven't really researched it at all.No research for me either. I'm definitely a person of the television generation. I don't think that's necessarily altogether a good thing, and I don't exclude myself from what I'm lamenting about the influence of TV in American culture.

I do know what I find out there in the real world is people who know the obscure location where "Survivor" takes place, but can't find Afghanistan on a map. Whenever I go to Home Depot or Target, the people who are out there on the floor to help the customers don't know beans about their own business. They are ignorant and incompetent. They don't seem to know it or care. In my work, the things I see come across my desk, from professionals in their fields, betray a lack of care, a lack of understanding, an unfamiliarity with basic logic, basic language, basic cultural literacy, that is simply appalling. And I'm not even that smart or well-read myself. Again, ignorant and incompetent, without even seeming to realize it. It's in conditions like these that the intellectual laziness that religion is full of get to prosper. It's in conditions like these that lies masquerading as political wisdom win the day. It's in conditions like these that we even have a fight about taking evolution out of basic science textbooks. That's what's depressing.

I'm not in any way saying that it's the "fault" of programs like AitF or the Simpsons, or that they are bad programs. I just think it's unfortunate that their ideas and influences are twisted and taken in such stupid directions by the johnny-come-lately's. And that, because of that history, in which I seem to see that influence being turned in poor directions for the wrong motives, I personally would think twice before doing more cynicism, even if well-written and well-intentioned.

I'm just making all this up out of my hat, btw. My own random musings, to be taken or left, as you wish. Just two pennies :twocents: for our thoughts. :chin:
#281

[Shake]

The pimple-y, voice-cracking kid*:
"Hey! That comes out of my paycheck!"
"That man ate all our shrimp, and two plastic lobster!"

My best friend's favorite line:
Homer to Burns: What are you going to do? Release the dogs? Or the bees? Or the dogs with bees in their mouths, so that when they bark at you, bees come flying out?

The guy teaching the class about being a monorail operator:
Let's break down the word 'monorail' ... <up on the blackboard>:
MONO = ONE
RAIL = RAIL

*you'll need to imagine this in a high-pitched, crackling voice