An overview of The Simpsons, a little history, cultural influences, relevance to animated prime time cartoons, religious, political imact.

2. “His drawings are full of
expressions of angst, social
alienation, self-loathing, and
fear of inevitable doom.”
Wikipedia

3. The original Simpsons were created as short
“bumpers” for the Tracey Ullman Show
Began on April 19, 1987
A satirical look at American family life

7. The Simpsons shows the rich as
greedy, politicians corrupt, police officials
stupid, parents easily manipulated, children
devious.
Despite the dysfunctional family antics by the
end of each show, they support each another
and stick together.

10. " This simultaneous parody/homage is indicative
of the desire to both belong to and make fun of a
cultural elite, to be both of and above
television, an unstable relationship with
intellectual culture that is also inherent in cultural
studies itself...The Simpsons uses satire not only to
undermine the pretensions to cultural significance
of various texts from both "high" and "low"
culture, it includes itself as part of that mockery.”
.John Alberti, Leaving Springfield

11. “No one escapes satire in the program, which is vital for
its ultimately uplifting message: we're an absurd species
but together we make for a wonderful world....The
satirical cartoon world is essentially a philosophical one
because to work it needs to reflect reality accurately by
abstracting it, distilling it and then presenting it back to
us, illuminating it more brightly than realist fiction can.”
Julian Baggini, The Simpsons as Philosophy

12. Call me
Influential!
2002
2002 Bart Simpson
named to the
Time 100, the
publication's list
of the century's 100
most influential
people--the only
fictional character on
the list.

13. “It was the first really self-
conscious product of
television, not just flirting
with the conditions of its
own existence but actually
poking around in
them, risking self-
annihilation. Like all
excellent cultural product, it
found its audience by
creating it.”
Mark Kingwell, Professor of
Philosophy, University of Toronto

15. Since the beginning, The Simpsons has
been recognized for its perceptive political
satire. The Simpsons have featured pointed
jibes at presidents and their policies.

16. In 2004, at ComicCon Al Jean revealed:
"We have a show where, to raise money, Springfield legalizes gay marriage. Homer
becomes a minister by going on the internet and filling out a form. A long-time
character comes out of the closet, but I'm not saying who.”
Bookmakers were soon taking bets on which character it would be.
Place your
Bets!

17. There's Something About Marrying: Episode 345, Feb 20, 2005

18. There's Something About Marrying: Episode 345, Feb 20, 2005
Marge Simpsons sister Patty Bouvier, came out of the closet.
Springfield legalizes same sex marriage to increase tourism.
Homer conducts dozens of marriage services.

19. German researcher, Erwin In het Panhuis, analyzed 490 scenes and 70 gay characters
in the show and concluded that the Simpsons has helped gay men come out because
of the positive portrayals of gay relationships in the series.
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/02/the-simpsons-gay-men-come-out_n_3533970.html )

20. While most TV series have avoided religion, The Simpsons
has used religious references in 95 % of its episodes.
(David Feltmate, “It’s Funny Because It’s True? The Simpsons, Satire, and the Significance of
Religious Humor in Popular Culture.”)
“ The Simpsons employs comedic devices that
represent (and undercut) almost all potential
perspectives on religious issues. Some see this
approach as fair-minded, some as a ratings-driven
cop-out, yet the show has always kept faith with its
mission to critique not only the failings of religion
but also those of its critics; moreover, while
invariably questioning and undercutting them, The
Simpsons airs pro-spirituality themes as no other TV
sitcom has ever done before.” Iain Ellis

21. Religious Teaching Tool?
The 1995 episode “Bart Sells His Soul” is often used in
sermons and Sunday schools as a teaching tool.
After selling his soul to Millhouse, Bart’s life becomes so
bad he can’t even laugh at “Itchy and Scratchy.”
Bart’s prayers are answered when Lisa retrieves the
contract.

22. Ay
Caramba!

23. Because of increased workload of
the full-length episodes, production
was subcontracted to a South
Korean animation studio.
Character and background layout is
done by the US domestic
studio, while tweening, colouring
and filming is done in Korea. and
filming is done by the overseas studio

24. In 2010 a 90 second subversive opening of "The Simpsons” ran. Created by UK political street
artist Banksy who didn’t like the outsourcing to South Korea, it shows Korean
sweatshops, oppressed Asian factory workers grinding out animation cells and merchandise in
a factory from hell. A panda bear hauls back-breaking loads and an sickly unicorn's horn is
reduced to a tool. The sequences fade to a 20th Century Fox logo.
Many asked, “Should The Simpsons be co-opting criticism of their show and making light of it?

25. Millions of Movie References
The Shining Casablanca
Jaws
Risky Business
A Clockwork Orange
North by NortWest
Silence of the Lambs
A Clockwork Orange

26. Simpsons Celebrities
http://pix77.com/simpsons-celebrity-look-alikes

27. “The Simpsons created an audience for
prime time animation that had not been
there for many years…as far as I’m
concerned they basically reinvented the
wheel”
Seth McFarlane

29. Just because I don't
care doesn't mean I
don't understand!
-Homer Simpson