What is Digg?67 Comments
- Manhigh, on 10/12/2007, -2/+36Just because it's animated doesn't mean that the Simpsons isn't the source of good political commentary.
"It doesn't matter which one of us you vote for...either way your planet is doomed" - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+31It's not surprising that Fox didn't object; the conservatives are busy distancing themselves from the Iraq war - and imagine the PR effects if Fox _had_ interfered.
- theragu40, on 10/12/2007, -7/+21It's not surprising at all. The Simpsons is a *cartoon*. People aren't looking to the Simpsons for poignant political statements, so why should Fox care if they decide to write an episode with a (vague) political allegory in it? It isn't as if people are going to be watching the Simpsons Halloween Special, and then suddenly stand up and shout "My God! Because of this, I'm now going to be against the war in Iraq!"
- jellomizer, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15The Simpsons make fun of every thing. Because the Iraq war is happening they make fun of it. They made fun of Jimmy Carter, Bush Sr., Clinton (In NY there was an other Governor named Clinton, So a lot of streets in the area are called Clinton Street. When ever I see them I just have to say C-L-I-N-T-O-N Like Kang and Kotos),, Not so much about Bush Jr. (But some small jabs at him, A Picture of Homer Beating up Bush Jr.) They make fun of Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, They make fun of everything. Democrats and Republicans.
- TheWalkingDude, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14I wish they would air the Treehouse of Horror Episodes on Halloween instead of a week later. I suppose it's not the best time to get good ratings, but it seems more festive. If anyone is interested, you can watch all 16 previous Simpsons Halloween Specials here: http://digg.com/videos_animation/All_16_Simpsons_Halloween_Specials
- interiot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11South Park is preachy like a crazed drunken schoolbus driver.
Sure, it looks and feels like it's trying to make political statements, but only because doing so can be funny, and the points it "makes" are (intentionally) rather random. - venom8599, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11The Simpsons, Family Guy, etc... are usually scripted and then the animation is done by firms in Korea. That's partly why it takes so long. You've also got a much longer process than South Park, with many more people actually working to write and make the episodes. South Park is also helped by the fact that 90% of it's voice work is done by it's creators, and a relatively small portion is done by other actors.
- converge, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9i totally agree. i'm usually out of the "Halloween spirit" (if there is such a thing) by the time the special airs.
- vertinox, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14To be fair, Family Guy and American Dad are a bit satirical and critical of the administration... But sometimes I think it is because they have high brow humor than the Fox Execs don't get ;)
- volcompimp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13Just because Murdoch is a household synonym for douchebag doesn't mean he's the only one who lets stuff like this slide. Fox News network has an agenda but Murdoch doesn't push that same agenda on his other networks. He's in the ratings business with both channels and they're targeted at different audiences.
- logicbus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I think the Treehouse of Horror episode gets pushed back because Fox airs the World Series. If I remember correctly, Fox went a few years pushing some or all of its season premieres (ie, X-Files) back to November for the same reason. And I also think the ToH aired in mid/late October before Fox got baseball.
But yeah, I agree. It's like showing 'Miracle on 34th Street' on January 3rd. - arizonagroove, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"The Halloween segment, in contrast, feels remarkably earnest, right up to its final line: "This sure is a lot like Iraq will be." That line may not make it to the air; some of the writers want it cut, says Jean, though not because it's politically loaded. "The debate is whether people already get it and we're being too obvious," he adds."
I think it should be cut. If people don't get it without the line then they're not going to be impressed by the line when it's stated. Those who do get it without line will consider the line to ruin the satire. - ZenMojo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"To be fair, Family Guy and American Dad are a bit satirical and critical of the administration... But sometimes I think it is because they have high brow humor than the Fox Execs don't get ;)"
Highbrow? Now THAT is funny?
But really, Rupert Murdoch knows the Simpsons is a goldmine. He's even gone on the show and let them make fun of him. The Simpsons make fun of Fox News and the Fox Network all of the time. - Depthfunction, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7So you're either with George Bush or you're with The Simpsons.
I know which side I'm choosing. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+12Inaccurate. Murdoch is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative. Check it for yourself.
He is, however, not an idiot, and is hedging his bets by if not supporting so at least not alienating the person he thinks will be the next US president. - an0nymous, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Me too. Somehow I doubt they are the same choice though. Just for accuracies sake though, it could be more fairly characterized as The Simpsons vs the Iraq occupation. (Or in the larger sense, 68% of the US vs. The Iraq occupation). I think the The Simpsons vs Bush would be more of a two hour special.
- jpkones, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"In fact, he says, if The Simpsons doesn't weigh in on more political controversies, it's partly because it takes a full year for a script to get filmed and broadcast."
A FULL YEAR?! Anyone else find this mind-boggling when compared to Matt and Trey's turnaround on South Park episodes, which often seem to address hot-topic issues from the previous *week*? Does the "crappy animation" really save quite that much production time? - rypaintD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Who are these simspons of which you speak?
- danknerd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The Simpson are one of FOX's biggest cash cows... they are free to do just about anything they want to, within reason, money talks and everything I mean everything else walks.
- maiku00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4lol, who doesnt say K-L-I-N-T-O-N every now and then after seeing that episode?
- takehiro12, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5You can't deny the quality of The Simpsons has gone downhill. I used to watch every new episode religiously and now I don't care if I miss it or not. I'm looking forward to this one, though.
- culbeda, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"People aren't looking to the Simpsons for poignant political statements"
Because Lord knows they haven't made any other poignant political statements lately... other than the perils of corporate media consolidation, the erosion of our liberties in the name of security, the perils of jingoism, the true cost of immigration hysteria, corruption of the political system by lobbyists and personal greed, health-care and prescription drug costs, etc.
/Seriously... do half the people commenting even WATCH the show? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I do love those Simspons.
- tikal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Murdoch is a business man and his business interests trump his personal preferences as a far as I can tell.
He only switched to supporting Blair's Labour Party when it was a dead cert the Tories were out. I read he's a Born-Again Christian yet his Page Three nudes in the daily tabloid The Sun offend every christian I know.
IMHO, it's all about the bottom line for him and everything else is *****. - xsecretfiles, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Simpsons what?
Painting ANYONE? - wurzelgummage, on 10/12/2007, -8/+11ban aaaz
- lampy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Murdoch even held a fundraiser for Hilary back in July.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/09/politics/main1600694.shtml
He believes in the least interference by the government in most, if not all, issues. This includes deregulation for business AND a pro-choice stance on abortion. The only reason Fox News is, well, like Fox News, is because they are trying to corner a market share in cable news, Republicans. It's much more about ratings and making money than actually about trying to push a political agenda. - mt066, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3LOL this should be funny...
But The Simpsons have made candid poltical remarks before, like when Homer threatened to put bart in the military where he would "go to Iraq, or our latest military quagmire." Then I remember when they were in England and Homer said "I'm going to solve this the American way: unilateraly!" - anonym41414, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Except it's Rupert Murdoch. If you're going to publicly indict the guy for war crimes, you could at least bother to get his name right.
- lampy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Are you describing the Simpsons of today, or Family Guy? The Simpsons USED to be like that, but I think it's been going downhill for a few years now. Maybe it's because Matt Groening put what the Simpson's used to be in Futurama and that it died with it (Soon to be resurrected in 2007 when Futurama comes back!).
- malfourmed, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7Will we get to hear the line, "Don't blame me, I voted for Kerry"?
- McLurker, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4According to sourcewatch, Murdoch is pretty much an opportunist with no strong political views. He has some libertarian sympathies (as one would expect a would-be monopolist to have) but doesn't think libertarianism should be "taken to the asbsolute limit"
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rupert_Murdoch#Murdoch.27s_politics
His stance could best be thought of as pro-business. He takes positions that favour his own interests like most people (apart from Bible Belt blue-collar americans who vote Republican) do. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8I wish I had sockpuppets like aaaz so I could digg your post more than once.
- oMeSSiaHo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2To the writers comment, they've had pretty much the same writers since season four. Even Al Jean, who was quoted in the article, has been writing since season one.
The Simpsons satarize modern day, I dont think they are trying to tell us anything. John Swartzwelder has written like 50+ episodes and is a conservative. Remember when Bill Clinton gave a speech to Mr. Burns's investors?
Clinton: So when people say I was a disgrace I say it depends on what your meaning of the word "was" is...JERK!
Homer: Bill Clinton everyone! He's like Jimmy Carter with a Fox attitude!
Clinton: *shakes hips*
Its just comedy folks! - carpespasm, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4not to mention that since southpark is mostly done in flash (or so i've heard), they have models and backgrounds all ready to animate into whatever they need. it is very cool to see the fast turnaround.
i think the simpsons thing is likely not only political commentary, but it's unpresidented poignantness is probably a play to get people talking about the simpsons as much as south park, futurama, or any of the newer shows who are a little more socially cutting than the simpsons. - Sertis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@Jellowmizer
They don't make fun of everything because they have yet to poke fun at that super adventure club/cult we all love..ooh thats right because the main character/s voice is is a member of this super adventure club/cult.
"Her devoutness was shown when, after the writers put a joke about the religion in the script, she asked that it be removed. .." - wiki - there, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2
Murdock drifting to the left? Source please. He used to be a director at Cato institute (Libertarian)
I'd love for this to be a story of redeption but I seriously doubt it.
That guy used the full resources of Fox to support the Iraq invasion. Fox has made a travesty of fair reporting in mainstream media in favor of unqualified shock political ranters like "inside edition" O'Reilly (that the far rightwing cozy upto for their nightly liberal or other illumaniti conspiracy theory) This in turn has only lead to the left to do the same. Thus we have a situation where no one can have a conversation anymore.
Art is unfortunately essentially a monopoly. Since he has the cash to pay for talented artists we are held hostage if we want to see say a movie or show we love. However I now boycott Fox products at every reasonable opportunity and where there are alternative products. I don't even surf to foxnews website because I don't want to give him a dime of extra revenue.
Anyone a supporter of the Iraq invasion? Surf to myspace and give him more money so he can plug more invasions and military attacks on Fox. - anonym41414, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2South Park is not mostly done in Flash. It's entirely done in Maya.
- culbeda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"'who the hell still watches the simpsons anyway"
* People who appreciate something much smarter than average comedy.
* People who appreciate something that isn't watered down to make it appealing to a wide range of audiences
* People who appreciate clever references to films, literature and topical stories.
* People who appreciate good writing
* People who appreciate political humor
... - albrad84, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm a pretty huge Simpsons fan, but I have to admit that it has really gone downhill over the last 6 or so seasons. I don't watch every episode anymore, but some of the new ones are so bad it makes me cringe.
- culbeda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Interesting (if a little long) paper on why "The Simpsons" is a quality television:
http://www.snpp.com/other/papers/dk.paper.html
It also includes some interesting history of the show. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Jesus Christ people, it's ROBERT MURDOCH. The Simpsons could be SS men at concentration camps for all he cared but he would still allow the episode to play because it would generate money for himself(assuming the public would, of course, watching this sort of thing). This isn't about Murdoch changing his viewpoints or becoming a liberal, it's about money, plain and simple. Duh.
- cantoral, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"The Simpsons" and "The Daily Show" nation. I am still from the "The New York Times" nation. Live and learn.
- riverside71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Haaaa Ha!
- tidu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1At first, I didn't. but then I refreshed.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1word.
- theragu40, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@culbeda
Yes I watch the show. And it may make some political statements. Good for it. My point isn't that it did or did not make political statements, it was that people are not looking to the Simpsons for political commentary. When I'm looking for valid voices in a political debate, my first thought isn't The Simpsons, or Family Guy, or any other animated series. That's my point. Of course there's political humor in it. Any sort of current events humor is bound to be politicized...that doesn't mean it's going to change people's view on the subject, which in turn is why this move didn't bother Fox. - bigfkncee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1or the episode where the family goes to Brazil and the guy on the beach yells out to homer "yoo hoo americans!" and homers replies "how did you know we were american?" (while wearing a t-shirt with Uncle Sam taking a bite out of the world with the words 'TRY AND STOP US!' on it
- VeganG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1How come Treehouse of Horror always seems to air AFTER Halloween?
- cantoral, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The Iraq war is a sad American experience, I guess for mental health reasons one should laugh about it.
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