Summary
WHEN GEORGE Bush senior chose to criticise The Simpsons during a speech on family values, it was a sign that the animated series had come of age. "We're going to keep trying to strengthen the American family," said Bush. "To make them more like The Waltons and less like The Simpsons." The fact that a head of state saw fit to comment on a cartoon reveals that this little yellow family's influence reaches well beyond the TV schedules.Created by Matt Groening as a series of short animations for The Tracey Ullman Show, it's now America's longest-running sitcom and a ratings-topper around the world.
This week a new series of The Simpsons kicks off (Friday, Channel 4, 8:30pm). Season 18 is ready to roll in the US, but in the UK we're lagging behind somewhat at season 13. Despite the former President's misgivings, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are a lot more traditional than the average sitcom family. From Marge's houseproud ways to Homer's love of beer and sports, they're as American as apple pie. But unlike fellow cartoon families The Flintstones or The Jetsons, The Simpsons manages to squeeze political satire in between the domestic drama.See the full content of this document
Extract
Television: Yellow Fever
It seems obvious now, but back in 1989 Groening stumbled upon a genius formula. Animation not only opens the door to slapstick, violence and crazy stunts on a scale...
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