Lisa Simpson is an exceptionally smart but not so social daughter. Maggie, the baby, only communicates by sucking on a pacifier. When watching The Simpson, we see a critique of current events, offering a new perspective on controversial topics. The show not only depicts the life of a middle-class family but also shapes a city that represents a regular American town, reflecting American culture. In this small town, we can observe people from diverse backgrounds, showcasing the multiculturalism of the United States of America.
We see the Middle Eastern market owner, Pap Misinterpretation, which is a common characteristic of Middle Eastern culture. This is also seen in another TV show, Shameless, where a Middle Eastern family also runs a market. Shameless focuses on the lives of a middle-low class family. Furthermore, The Simpson also portrays the Latino community through the character Mexican Bee Guy, who is played by an actor. The show not only highlights multiculturalism but also tackles gender issues, showing the writers’ interest in this topic.
Several women on the show perfectly fulfill their gender roles. Marge, Wife of the Reverend Lovely, and Maude Flanders are prominent female characters. They actively participate in PTA events, take care of their children, and worry about how other women perceive them. The Simpson also addresses and critiques the government, showcasing meetings of both Democrats and Republicans. Matt Greening portrays the Republican meeting as taking place in a haunted castle with a perpetual thunderstorm overhead. Republicans are depicted as wealthy, greedy individuals with strong religious beliefs, such as Mr. [character’s name].
Burns, Rich Texan, and Ned Hander’s. Conversely, Greening presents Republicans more frequently than Democrats. He portrays Republican conventions as a tea party and Democrats as sensitive and gentle individuals. Joe Quinsy, the mayor of Springfield, is a Democrat who is depicted accepting bribes from mob boss Fat Tony. Even his seal exemplifies his corruption, stating “Corrupts in Extremis,” which can be interpreted as “extremely corrupt.” Additionally, Chief Wigwam, the chief of the Springfield Police Force, also accepts bribes like Mayor Quinsy. He is portrayed as incompetent, lazy, unintelligent, and significantly overweight.
He embodies everything that goes against being a policeman, making him akin to an anti-cop. Additionally, The Simpsons serves as a representation of the working middle class. After their work shifts, Homer and his co-workers find solace at Moue’s, a bar that offers them refuge from the mundane routine of home and work. Their sense of security in this establishment brings them happiness, accurately reflecting the lives of real working middle-class individuals. In summary, The Simpsons effectively portrays American middle-class life while capturing the essence of small-town residents.
Furthermore, The Simpson has been a blessing for Americans as it serves as a reflection of themselves. With its titles including the longest-running animated series, the longest running sitcom, and the longest running scripted prime time series, The Simpson has undergone numerous ideological changes. Additionally, the topics discussed in the show have also evolved over time. In my opinion, The Simpson is becoming more similar to Family Guy by incorporating celebrity characters and referencing popular culture. However, this was not originally desired by Matt Greening, the creator of the show.
He developed a sitcom centered on extraordinary occurrences that befall a suburban household rather than a show that is far-fetched and laden with timely humor. When examining the evolution of The Simpsons, we can observe that the transformations commenced in 1993. Homer grew more dim-witted, though it remains a mystery how they accomplished this. Lisa became more outgoing and assertive, much like a warrior. As an illustration, we can cite the episode where she participated in the Springfield beauty pageant. On the contrary, Bart became more audacious than ever and abandoned his juvenile quips in favor of pursuing grander schemes.
As previously stated, the show has a reality issue where early episodes were familiar but as more episodes aired, characters and events became disconnected from reality. Additionally, the characters started explaining their actions and motives. These changes are evident in The Simpson. By considering the meaning and implications of these changes, we can find some answers.
The changes in characters may be a reason for their development. For instance, Lisa has been portrayed as becoming more social and a true fighter. While they do not physically age, it seems that writers and producers intend to show Lisa’s growth and her journey towards finding her identity. Another factor influencing these changes could be the network. The Simpsons is a distinct show; however, it ultimately belongs to FOX, a major television studio that aims to maximize its profits from The Simpsons before it loses its significance.
The writers of The Simpson may have felt pressured by FOX, which ultimately led to a change in their style. Additionally, the writers strive to respond to audience feedback, and this greatly influences their decision to make changes. Despite the show’s immense success, the challenge of continuously generating fresh ideas can sometimes result in less brilliant episodes, especially after 24 years and 521 episodes. In conclusion, The Simpson is an innovative show that has remained on air for an impressive 24 years.
