[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

I have watched the Simpsons on Fox all my life and have never seen a parental advisory before the show. Even though the Simpsons have made very obvious sexual remarks and scenes before

I am watching 2 back to back episodes on before the second episode a advisory screen came up saying "Warning, this episode contains discussions of same sex marriage. Viewer discretion is advised". Is this really a discussion that requires a warning? Is this worse than all the sex and violence that is in some other episodes? When this episode originally aired (the one where Springfield legalizes same sex marriage) I saw no such warning.

Is there really an outcry for this sort of message? If parents lets there kids always watch the simpsons why would they watch for a warning this time?

[Cubeoid]

The Simpsons have become a part of a part of American culture. I am not as surprised as you are. With years the writers have been developing their ideas. Do remember, that a sitcom is a satyrical piece, which is a reflection of modern society, be it hot or cold. Run for cover!

[HawgJawl]

It's used to get more people to watch.

It's hype.

Been going on for decades.

[wolfen]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I have watched the Simpsons on Fox all my life and have never seen a parental advisory before the show. Even though the Simpsons have made very obvious sexual remarks and scenes before

I am watching 2 back to back episodes on before the second episode a advisory screen came up saying "Warning, this episode contains discussions of same sex marriage. Viewer discretion is advised". Is this really a discussion that requires a warning? Is this worse than all the sex and violence that is in some other episodes? When this episode originally aired (the one where Springfield legalizes same sex marriage) I saw no such warning.

Is there really an outcry for this sort of message? If parents lets there kids always watch the simpsons why would they watch for a warning this time?

C'mon, now. You know that Christians love only heterosexual violence and sex.

God bless George.

[HawgJawl]

Originally Posted by wolfen

C'mon, now. You know that Christians love only heterosexual violence and sex.

God bless George.

Wow religious and and Bush bash all one in post.



Was it Bush and the Christian's fault when Tipper Gore was doing even worse?

[SomeToast]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

When this episode originally aired (the one where Springfield legalizes same sex marriage) I saw no such warning.

Fox did show a title card when the episode originally aired ("This episode contains discussions of same sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised"), but yes, it's crazy that this one episode deserved to be singled out over all others (Homer, as Henry the Eighth, to Lisa: "So grow a penis or get out." Lisa, squatting, grunting: "I can't.").

Hell, I think every new Family Guy that Fox has shown has some warning or other beforehand.

Then there's Cartoon Network, which feels compelled to blank out the word "zombie" in the Futurama episode where the professor says "Sweet zombie Jesus!" (which Fox was just fine with when originally shown).

[ghporter]

Welcome to mass stupidity being the rule. Far too many "people" live and think (if you can call it that) like either sheep or cattle. They go with the flow, and when something new or different comes along, they just don't know how to handle it. This confusion (from their own lack of initiative or curiosity about the world) is a major problem, particularly to those of us who actually think on a regular basis. They become "the majority" and scream about stupid stuff-stuff that they've ignored forever. They should get over it.

Oh, Cubeiod, I think you mean "satirical." A satyr is a mythical creature with an insatiable sexual appetite. The term "satyriasis" is used as the male counterpart to nymphomania. Interesting Freudian slip there...

[TailsToo]

It's ok to have kids watch people get blow away on any of the one zillion cop shows on TV, but same sex marriage would give kids bad ideas!

[Kerrigan]

Frankly I think they just don't want to get hit with big FCC fines, which has become the reality of our post Janet-Nipple era.

[wolfen]

Originally Posted by HawgJawl

Was it Bush and the Christian's fault when Tipper Gore was doing even worse?

Bush, no. Christians...yes! If Tipper were a male republican she could have been their hero. Alas, she had no penis, and she wasn't a big fan of the oil rig.

And for the record, there is nothing worse than a warning before a Simpson's episode. It's like making apple pie with artificial sweetener. It's un-american.

[MaxPower2k3]

for what it's worth, that warning was on the original airing, too.

[Cubeoid]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Oh, Cubeiod, I think you mean "satirical." A satyr is a mythical creature with an insatiable sexual appetite.

..

[sek929]

Even the warning appeared here in Mass. Its friggin legal here!

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Fox is friggin pathetic. This country would never carry a warning like that even before it was legal.

[sek929]

Its too bad. Fox was a daring network back when it signed the Simpsons, but has sucumbed to conservative American television (and movies) in the last 5-6 years.

Its a miracle Family Guy got back on, but with its DVD sales the Fox execs would have to be carrying around an extra chromosome not to re-sign them,

[HawgJawl]

Originally Posted by wolfen

Bush, no. Christians...yes!.

Tipper was no Christian. Sorry.

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Frankly I think they just don't want to get hit with big FCC fines, which has become the reality of our post Janet-Nipple era.

That and it gets more people watching thinking they are going to see something "naughty"

Some people make big deals out of the most inane things.

[nonhuman]

I'm pretty sure that warning was there specifically to create controversy and illicit this sort of response and not because they were worried about offending people if they didn't have it.

[HawgJawl]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

I'm pretty sure that warning was there specifically to create controversy and illicit this sort of response and not because they were worried about offending people if they didn't have it.

Wait till bring in Oliver.

[Kerrigan]

It isn't Fox's fault that homosexuality risks offending some viewers. They're just covering their asses, since it is a prime time cartoon so more children watch it, which means that angry parents are more likely to phone and complain.

[HawgJawl]

Yes because The Simpsons always had a history of worrying about offending someone.

[Kerrigan]

Times have changed. Howard Stern's radio program recently had to go off the air and onto satellite radio because of new FCC regulations, not because Howard Stern was being any more offensive than usual.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

It isn't Fox's fault that homosexuality risks offending some viewers. They're just covering their asses, since it is a prime time cartoon so more children watch it, which means that angry parents are more likely to phone and complain.

Angry parents are retarded then. Mine let me watch Simpsons from the first year it aired and most of the jokes that were sexual in nature I barely understood. The only thing the Simpsons acount for in my life is gifting me with a sense of humor from a young age. Its more the fact that the angry parents themselves are offended by its humor and use "the children" as leverage in their war against creative thought.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Times have changed. Howard Stern's radio program recently had to go off the air and onto satellite radio because of new FCC regulations, not because Howard Stern was being any more offensive than usual.

Ya all because of Janet Jackson. You know that nipple...one of the first thing every human sucks on from the day they are born.

God forbid it is on TV.

[UNTeMac]

This kinda reminds me of conservatives' typical rhetoric against political correctness. What do they say now?

[Eug Wanker]

Meh. I stopped watching that show quite some time ago.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Fox is friggin pathetic. This country would never carry a warning like that even before it was legal.

Obviously your country would, or you wouldn't have seen that warning tonight. And has been pointed out several times, the warning was shown when the episode first aired. I doubt it has anything to do with Fox's position on homosexual marriages and everything to do with them not wanting to lose any revenue.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

It isn't Fox's fault that homosexuality risks offending some viewers. They're just covering their asses, since it is a prime time cartoon so more children watch it, which means that angry parents are more likely to phone and complain.

It's interesting that Fox feels homosexual references may offend some Simpsons viewers and that the violence won't ...

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Obviously your country would, or you wouldn't have seen that warning tonight. And has been pointed out several times, the warning was shown when the episode first aired.

If you're watching Fox in Canada, you're watching the US feed. The US channels are usually left completely untouched. Remember, there is no such thing as a Canadian Fox network.

I doubt it has anything to do with Fox's position on homosexual marriages and everything to do with them not wanting to lose any revenue.

Sounds like 6 of one thing and a half dozen of the other to me. Well almost.

[yukon]

The Simpsons has a lot of basic jokes, but they sometimes give some very complex ideas, things like "irony" that are unknown in many parts of the US, so I think The Simpsons is a pretty vital part of the culture. There are political messages, many of the writers aren't from the US, so sometimes they do things you wouldn't expect from an american TV show.

Fox is a really odd station. Their news is very biased, but I think that's fine as it really is entertainment to watch news that matches your political standing, I don't like that they try to pass it off as "fair and balanced" but I can think for myself to find it isn't. The contradiction I find in Fox is that the news is Republican (party), while the shows are often the opposite, saying things the Democrats don't seem to. Family Guy, The Simpsons, Malcom in the Middle, The Simple Life, Stacked, That '70s Show, Totally Outrageous Behaviour Caught on Tape, Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy........Maybe Fox News and Fox Broadcasting are entirely different corporations, I don't understand how people who make "That 70's Show" and "Trading Spouses" could be against marijuana and "alternative sexual lifestyles". Any network that hires Paris Hilton and claims to be conservative is playing both sides of the fence.

I don't watch Fox, I watch The Simposns rebroadcast on other stations, I don't get Fox News, though I have seen recorded examples of extreme bias from "reporters" and hosts. So, if I'm totally misunderstanding the network that's why. I do understand comedy.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

If you're watching Fox in Canada, you're watching the US feed. The US channels are usually left completely untouched. Remember, there is no such thing as Fox in Canada.

The US commercials are usually replaced with local ones. This may, or may not, affect the warning.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

The US commercials are usually replaced with local ones. This may, or may not, affect the warning.

I wouldn't say usually. The commercials are often left intact too around here.

But like I said, I don't watch that show anymore anyway. It's long since lost its relevance IMO.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Obviously your country would, or you wouldn't have seen that warning tonight. And has been pointed out several times, the warning was shown when the episode first aired. I doubt it has anything to do with Fox's position on homosexual marriages and everything to do with them not wanting to lose any revenue.

Who the hell cares if it was shown on the first airing or not. That is not the point.
Also the channel I was watching was a US Fox station. They don't air things over "Fox Canada".

So when should there be warnings on homosexual content? When it is serious? Cuz lots of Simpsons episodes have gay content with no warnings. Last week they aired the one with homer living with the gay couple... no warning. Is it because they didn't mention giving homosexuals the right to marry?

Mentioning Equal rights for homosexuals - BAD.
Stereotyping Homosexuals = Entertainment.
Won't someone think of the children!

Should the put a warning before Queer eye? Or is it ok because those homosexuals are making over straight men which is what they are good for?

What about Darma & Greg?

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Who the hell cares if it was shown on the first airing or not. That is not the point.
Also the channel I was watching was a US Fox station. They don't air things over "Fox Canada".

So when should there be warnings on homosexual content? When it is serious? Cuz lots of Simpsons episodes have gay content with no warnings. Last week they aired the one with homer living with the gay couple... no warning. Is it because they didn't mention giving homosexuals the right to marry?

Mentioning Equal rights for homosexuals - BAD.
Stereotyping Homosexuals = Entertainment.
Won't someone think of the children!

Should the put a warning before Queer eye? Or is it ok because those homosexuals are making over straight men which is what they are good for?

What about Darma & Greg?

The warning was part of the joke. They were making fun of exactly the same things you're complaining about.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Who the hell cares if it was shown on the first airing or not. That is not the point.
Also the channel I was watching was a US Fox station. They don't air things over "Fox Canada".

So when should there be warnings on homosexual content? When it is serious? Cuz lots of Simpsons episodes have gay content with no warnings. Last week they aired the one with homer living with the gay couple... no warning. Is it because they didn't mention giving homosexuals the right to marry?

Mentioning Equal rights for homosexuals - BAD.
Stereotyping Homosexuals = Entertainment.
Won't someone think of the children!

Should the put a warning before Queer eye? Or is it ok because those homosexuals are making over straight men which is what they are good for?

What about Darma & Greg?

Whether it was a joke or serious, I really don't think it was anything to rate an OMG. Is this really that offensive to you? Should I get all upset every time a drunken Irishman joke is made on TV? OMG OMG OMG There was once an episode of the simpson's where there was a bar called Tipsy McStagger's and the mascot was an obvious parody of and Irishman! There should have been a warning for my delicate sensibilities! And that warning would have been offensive too!

Ok, so reading that, it sounds ind of dickish, but I don't mean it that way. I just think it's a nonissue. One way or the other, there is always going to be someone that's offended. Accept the fact that their will always be people that don't accept your orientation and get over it. Live your life and quit caring about what a bunch of random ****s you have never met nor never will think. It's a cartoon that's past its prime, nothing more.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

The warning was part of the joke. They were making fun of exactly the same things you're complaining about.

Proof?

[starman]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

The warning was part of the joke. They were making fun of exactly the same things you're complaining about.

We have a winner!

I was about to post that but you beat me to it.

Mike

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by starman

We have a winner!

I was about to post that but you beat me to it.

Mike

A winner? Explain this from fox's website:
http://www.fox.com/schedule/

The Gay episode:
"PA: This episode contains discussions of same-sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised."
TV-14
COME OUT, COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE ...SOMEONE COMES OUT OF THE CLOSET ON “THE SIMPSONS” SUNDAY, JULY 24, ON FOX

"One of Springfield ’s own comes out of the closet. To boost tourism, the town of S pr ingfield decides to legalize same-sex marriage. Homer discovers the monetary value of gay union, becomes an ordained minister via the Internet and soon marries everyone and everything in town – including a sur pr ising someone very close to him on THE SIMPSONS episode “There’s Something About Marrying”

"TV-14 Parents Strongly Cautioned
This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D). "



Episode:
An internet porn site of your girls is run out of Flanders house while minors watch:
"TV-PG"
FLANDERS’ NEIGHBORS HAVE A SEXY SECRET ON “THE SIMPSONS” SUNDAY, JULY 24, ON FOX

"Financial trouble inspires Ned to rent his rumpus room to a pair of college-age women, who end up running a soft-core webcam from the Flanders ’ home without their knowledge."

"TV-PG Parental Guidance Suggested
This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or the program contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D). "


So you are both wrong. Not only was the warning legit bit the gay episode actually got a HIGHER parental advisory then the episode with "Sexy secret" in the title dealing with internet porn.

[Railroader]

It's funny watching people get excited and offended by a warning.

Who used to have in their sig (paraphrased) "Those who are easily offended should be offended often"?

HA HA HA HA!!!

Here's an article from World Magazine. An evangelical Christian magazine. If you hate Christians and love the Simpsons you really should read this article. It'll make you think.

Cover Article June 11th, 2005

Homer's odyssey
COVER STORY: Sacrilege, satire, and fun mingle in the zany universe known as The Simpsons | by Gene Edward Veith

The Simpsons is the best television series of all time, says Time magazine. Some critics consider it the most religious show on television. David Dark, writing in the Christian left magazine Prism, called it "the most pro-family, God-preoccupied, home-based program on television." David Bruce, webmaster of the online Christian pop-culture site HollywoodJesus.com, calls The Simpsons "the best Christian family on television."

And yet, for many Christians, The Simpsons is at best a guilty pleasure. It is on many families' lists of television shows children are absolutely not allowed to watch. They consider the show a travesty and a mockery, displaying nothing but bad role models and irreverent attitude. Now in its 15th year as a television series and having passed its landmark 350th episode, the show inspires both rabid fans and rabid detractors. And both sides have a point.

The adult cartoon show centers around the family of the sublimely stupid Homer, his long-suffering blue-haired wife Marge, and their three children: the rotten kid Bart, the idealistic Lisa, and the silent pacifier-sucking baby Maggie. They live in the city of Springfield—a name common to many states—populated with other quirky characters: the cynical comedian Krusty the Klown; the sinister owner of the nuclear power plant where Homer works, Mr. Burns; the loser Comic Book Guy; and the kindly-but-annoying evangelical Ned Flanders.

As in successful sitcoms from I Love Lucy to Seinfeld, the humor is character-driven, and other good characters include a sea captain, a Scotsman, various nerds and bullies, teachers and administrators, and a droning preacher in whose church the whole community gathers every Sunday morning.

The show is the brainchild of Matt Groening, a cartoonist from Portland, Ore., whose parents were named Homer and Marge, and who had two sisters named Lisa and Maggie. He was writing a mordant comic strip titled "Life in Hell" when a fan in television, producer James L. Brooks, invited him to put together some short animated sketches for The Tracey Ullman Show. The first crudely drawn Simpsons—in episodes that were only two minutes long—debuted in 1987.

Three years later, The Simpsons had their own show. The early seasons were still crudely drawn. And the characters and story lines tended to be crude as well. Those shows focused on Bart, an anagram for "brat." Bart Simpson was a rebellious, anarchic, obnoxious little kid with attitude. Though funny, he was no role model, and when America's children started to repeat his smart-alecky sayings—"eat my shorts"; "don't have a cow"—parents were right to object. And schools had a right to ban Bart Simpson T-shirts proclaiming "underachiever, and proud of it."

But in time, Bart grew more complicated and the show matured beyond its bad-boy shtick. The focus shifted to Homer, the self-centered, dim-witted, but oddly good-hearted head of the family, as he tried to make a living, tending his wife and kids in a surreal culture. The other family members also took on lives of their own, and the Springfield universe expanded to include moral dilemmas, family values, and church.

Mark Pinsky, in his book The Gospel According to the Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family (Westminster John Knox Press), points out that religion, which plays an important part in the lives of most Americans, is utterly invisible on most TV shows. But the Simpsons go to church, pray before meals, and talk about religion. At least one out of every three shows features a clear religious reference. Of those, one out of 10 is completely constructed around a religious theme. (For example, in "Homer v. Lisa and the Eighth Commandment," he has to learn that God does not approve of stealing cable TV. In "Homer the Heretic," he tries to start his own religion, until Flanders saves his life.)

Though the depiction of religion is mostly sympathetic, sometimes The Simpsons walks—or trips over—the line between comic insight and sacrilege. The Word of God is holy, but Simpsons characters spout garbled and made-up Bible verses from nonexistent books like "First Thessaleezians." One Halloween episode featured Fractured Fairy Tale–style spoofs of various Bible stories. The show's smart-aleck attitude is sometimes aimed at God, as when Bart says this meal-time prayer: "Dear God, we paid for all of this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing." The sacrilege is never justifiable, but the nature of comedy leads its creators to live dangerously.

According to Aristotle, tragedy presents human beings as better than they really are, while comedy presents them as worse. We might want to imitate the noble heroes and heroines of a tragedy, but never the characters in a comedy. The classical thinkers believed that comedy was among the most moral of art forms because it ridicules vice, making us look down upon bad behavior.

In other words, comedy gives us reverse role models, presenting characters that we want to avoid imitating. Anyone who watches Bart and wants to be a smart-mouthed underachiever is too young to understand the show. No one wants to emulate Homer, who sleeps on the job when he is supposed to be monitoring the safety of the nuclear plant, who spends all the family Christmas money on a silly gadget for himself, who eats himself into oblivion, and who believes that if God wanted us to worship Him for an hour every week, He would have made the week an hour longer. The humorous spectacle of Homer is supposed to make us want to be a better person—more responsible, more sensitive, and a lot smarter.

Satire takes the moral seriousness of comedy one step further, using laughter and ridicule to address the evils of society. If an idea can be shown to be ludicrous, it can no longer be taken seriously.

When the Simpsons sit on their couch watching "The Itchy and Scratchy Show"—a cat-and-mouse cartoon full of blood spurting, mutilations, and entrails—and even the goody-two-shoes vegetarian Lisa is laughing, the show is satirizing media violence. The exaggerated, over-the-top carnage of Itchy and Scratchy—shamelessly commercialized by Krusty the Klown—is a criticism of children's TV.

To its credit, The Simpsons is an equal-opportunity satirist. The show makes fun of Lisa's liberal idealism and Mr. Burns's ruthless capitalism. Political left, right, and middle are all fair game. The show entered the health-care debate when Homer started smuggling prescription drugs from Canada. The town's nuclear power plant—with the mutated three-eyed fish in the lake—is an advertisement for environmentalism.

And yet, the mayor of Springfield is a fat womanizing politician with a Boston accent modeled after Ted Kennedy. When a prison rodeo came to town, the attendees were shocked that one of the prisoners committed the heinous crime of erecting a Nativity scene on public property. And when Springfield legalizes gay marriage—whereupon Homer gets a mail-order ordination so he can make money by marrying homosexuals, including Marge's sister who is upset to find that her bride was really a man—both sides of the debate find vindication.

The show's lack of overt ideology arguably weakens its satiric impact. But though The Simpsons sometimes appears to be ridiculing virtue as well as vice, it does have a moral core.

Despite trials and temptations, by the end of the show, family values—such as fidelity in marriage, love, and forgiveness—usually win out. As Kenji Ono, a character animator on the show from 1999 to 2004, told WORLD, "The good morals come from the characters despite their flaws: Homer wants to be a good dad despite his stupidity; Bart loves practical jokes, but he still has a good conscience."

Mr. Ono contrasts The Simpsons to another notable TV comedy, Seinfeld. "That show is brilliantly written but none of the characters ever learn anything at the end of the show," he said. "The Simpsons usually redeem themselves at the end of each episode."

But what about ridiculing religion? "Some things are too serious, solemn, or sacred to be turned into ridicule," observed the great satirist Jonathan Swift, "yet the abuses of them are certainly not." Sometimes The Simpsons transgresses here, falling into irreverence and bad taste. But sometimes the religious satire hits a deserving target.

Mr. Pinsky points out that the opening of every show begins in heaven, with harp strings and a heavenly choir singing "The Simpsons," whereupon we see planet Earth, then Springfield, and then the family going about their lives, then gathering before the TV set. In addition to this God's-eye view, a cartoon God shows up from time to time, zapping Homer for his sins or answering Bart's prayers for a snow day.

Mr. Pinsky told WORLD, despite the humorous treatments, "God and sincere faith are not mocked. Practice, yes. Unrealistic expectations, yes. Institutional failings, yes."

The Simpsons' neighbors Ned Flanders and his family are presented as evangelical Christians. Unlike most other portrayals of Christians in the media, Mr. Pinsky points out, Ned Flanders is no hypocrite. He is kind, loving, selfless, and full of good works. Though he may be nerdy and too full of sunshine, he is physically fit, pious, and forgiving. Such virtues do not prevent him from being annoying, especially to Homer. But though Ned is teased, he is generally presented with affection.

The Rev. Lovejoy is another matter. The pastor of a megachurch surrounded by a vast parking lot, the pompadoured Rev. Lovejoy speaks in the droning rhythms of the stereotyped Southern preacher. He preaches incomprehensible sermons that put everyone to sleep. Still, he tries (way too hard) to be relevant. In an Easter sermon, he says nothing about Jesus or the Resurrection, preaching instead about chocolate bunnies. In one episode, Ned is experiencing Job-like trials, but when he goes to Rev. Lovejoy for spiritual counseling, all he gets is a book by Art Linkletter.

Mr. Pinsky, who is Jewish, points out that the theology satirized in The Simpsons is usually the good-people-go-to-heaven and bad-people-go-to-hell variety. If evangelicals, Catholics, the Bible, and Christian symbols take their hits, the religion satirized on The Simpsons is often not Christianity at all, but the common cultural counterfeit of generic religion, with its nonspecific deity, salvation by works, and social respectability.

Where Christianity is most present is in the lives of some of the people who work to produce the show, especially the artists and animators. Mr. Groening refuses to talk about his religious beliefs, but the writing of each episode is a collaborative process. Mr. Pinsky describes the script-writing as a free-for-all, with dozens of people—atheists, Jews, Catholics, Protestants—throwing out their ideas.

The goal is always to be funny and entertaining, stressed those WORLD spoke to who work for The Simpsons. Spiritual or moral issues in the show arise naturally from the characters. "I definitely see it as a very, very funny and entertaining show," said artist Chris Bolden. "It ventures into the moral and spiritual because like any show that has gone over 350 episodes, those subjects are just going to come up." Citing the dearth of Christian writers, he said, "I believe the themes just emerge—they emerge out of hearts that are dark." Nevertheless, "overall, it is good work."

Background artist Lance Wilder told Assist News that some 20 Christians work on the show. For several seasons, they had a Bible study. As an artist, Mr. Wilder said, "I try to incorporate Bible verses and the fish symbol into the visuals of the show whenever possible and wherever appropriate." That accounts for the authenticity of the Flanders' décor. Also for the sign at the Springfield science fair that read, "Evolution: Theory Taught as Fact."

It was through the witnessing of one of the Christian artists that Mr. Ono became a Christian. "I accepted Christ on a Friday night in the studio, of all places," he recalled.

So is working on a satirical and frequently irreverent TV show a valuable calling for a Christian? "I just continue to ask myself, 'Why am I here?'" said Mr. Bolden. "To me, it's not about the animation and story lines. It's about the people I work with. Am I sharing the love of Christ? Are they receiving something from me that they don't see or receive from anyone else?"

Mr. Bolden said that some Christians have given him a hard time for working on The Simpsons, asking, "How could you work on a show like that? It's so sacrilegious." But "if all the Christians that work on that show quit, the show would continue on strong, yet there would be no beacons of light to point people towards Christ Jesus." Mr. Ono agreed. "We all should be missionaries in our work place," he said. "If there were no Christians in animation studios, how would they be witnessed to?"

Mr. Bolden sees his work as his God-given calling. "I'm blessed and stoked to be a part of The Simpsons," he said. "I just go to work every day with the prayer 'Lord, bless these hands and the talents You've given me. Help me to bless my directors and to bring glory to Your name.' My other prayer is that God would continue to open doors and give me avenues to share the love of Jesus with people."

Apparently even the zany universe of Springfield, whether its denizens and creators fully realize it or not, is under the sovereignty of God.

Copyright © 2005 WORLD Magazine
June 11, 2005, Vol. 20, No. 23

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

it has been well known for years that Christian groups like the Simpsons. The reason being it shows Christianity as an integral part of American culture.

Sorta the same way some companies let their advertisers get away with murder.

[Railroader]

HA HA HA!!!

And you love it! Oh, how wonderfull.

[Cubeoid]

This thread has come to it's flowering. Begin "The Simpsons" quotes --->

[Railroader]

"mmmmm... beer."

[Cubeoid]

Originally Posted by Railroader

"mmmmm... beer."

Don't let Krusty's death get you down, boy. People die all the time, just like that. Why, you could wake up dead tomorrow! ... Well, good night.

Wikiup.

[HawgJawl]

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Whether it was a joke or serious, I really don't think it was anything to rate an OMG. Is this really that offensive to you? Should I get all upset every time a drunken Irishman joke is made on TV? OMG OMG OMG There was once an episode of the simpson's where there was a bar called Tipsy McStagger's and the mascot was an obvious parody of and Irishman! There should have been a warning for my delicate sensibilities! And that warning would have been offensive too!

Ok, so reading that, it sounds ind of dickish, but I don't mean it that way. I just think it's a nonissue. One way or the other, there is always going to be someone that's offended. Accept the fact that their will always be people that don't accept your orientation and get over it. Live your life and quit caring about what a bunch of random ****s you have never met nor never will think. It's a cartoon that's past its prime, nothing more.

SWF is a rebel without a cause.

Please help him find a cause.

[wataru]

That warning is ridiculous.

[HawgJawl]

Not as ridiculous as this thread however.

I tell you what, I want the life that makes me angry about such things.

That would mean that very little would be going in your world.

To be upset about such petty things.

Life is too big, and vast to let such trivial nonsense get you upset.

Turn off your TV.

[screamingFit]

I cut the cable a couple of months ago. Sure, I'm missing every cartoon I love but will rip the DVDs when they are eventually released in the future. It's summer - get outside and stop watching the idiot box!

[Weyland-Yutani]

I stopped watching the Simpsons years ago. The first few seasons were amusing and then not so much amusing. The writers ran out of ideas sometime in the summer of 1994.

cheers

W-Y

[☺]

I agree. I haven't watched the Simpsons in almost a decade.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Just to show how stupid that warning is look at the rating for the episode of Cops in the same timeline as the Simpsons:

"“COPS: COAST TO COAST”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, ON FOX

When Officer Terence Hightower of the Jacksonville , FL , Sheriff’s Office responds to a call, he finds a male stabbing victim who apparently is a transgender person working as a “stroll girl” on COPS"
PA: PG.

So it seems that dead transvestite hookers get a LOWER rating than Cartoon lesbians. What would you rather let your kids watch. Pathetic.