The Simpsons - Review

“Doh!” – A review of The Simpsons. 

It’s the mid nineties and I’m sat on my living room floor in my pyjamas. It’s 5.45pm, I’m eating chip shop chips, and I’m waiting for one thing and one thing only – my daily dose of The Simpsons. Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons has become a truly iconic piece of media. Now with over 750 episodes, has the Simpsons stood the test of time?

Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons follows Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson on their hilarious animated misadventures. Set in the fictional town of Springfield, the show has run for over three decades and has gone on to become a true cornerstone of pop culture. At its best, The Simpsons is an incredibly funny social satire, targeting issues such as consumerism, politics, education, family dynamics and even religion, with very few social topics escaping the parody. The writing, at its best, is witty, smart and incredibly observant, holding up a satirical mirror to American society.

The characters really make the show. Homer is a clumsy, bumbling father figure who deeply cares about his family but also deeply cares about his nights at Moe’s Tavern. Marge, his wife, is empathetic, slightly anxious and often offers a voice of reason to the family. Bart is mischievous and rebellious, getting caught up in all sorts of trouble, but has a heart of gold underneath. Lisa is ambitious and intelligent, with a passion for music and a desire to do the right thing. Maggie is always silent, a running gag throughout the show. Each character successfully caricatures different aspects of family life leading to hilarious and sometimes heartfelt television.

The secondary cast is no different. Villains include the rich Mr Burns who runs the nuclear power plant and who has taken on plots similar to those of legendary villains, such as Cruella De Ville. Sideshow Bob is another highlight, a murderous sidekick to the beloved if problematic Krusty the Clown. Other characters, such as the next door neighbour family the Flanders, all help to add layers of complexity and extra comedic opportunities.

You really can’t ignore how much influence The Simpsons has had on modern TV. The show paved the way for other animated sitcoms, such as Family Guy and American Dad, and catchphrases from the show have become a part of everyday society. With that being said, the show is not without its flaws.

The Simpsons definitely had its golden age, but that faded as it entered the 2000s. Once intelligent and nuanced storylines became repetitive, slapstick humour replaced wit and celebrity guest stars were overly relied upon. For me though, the most disappointing thing about the show in the present day is the way it approaches social satire. There was a time when the show was genuinely progressive and tackled issues intelligently, but sadly the show is much more heavy handed now.

A common criticism is the way the show handles racial and ethnic stereotypes. Apu, an Indian shopkeeper, has attracted enough scrutiny that the decision was made to actually remove him from the show. Played by a white actor, the character was rooted in dated and offensive stereotypes, which has led to wider discussion surrounding representation in the show.

Despite the above criticism, I cannot bring myself to be overly negative about the show. It was a show I watched daily as a child, one I still quote to this day, and one I have rewatched countless times. The animation style is iconic, as is the music, and the film was one of my childhood favourites. If nothing else, I cannot fault the early episodes, and longevity of the show is a testament to how much love audiences have for it.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

Share Article: