Satire Joking At Real Life
The Simpsons are in their 19th season on TV. Now I must admit I pretty much avoided the show for the first 18 seasons. I just couldn’t get into watching a show about a dysfunctional dad picking on his brat son. How in the world was this going to be a good influence on what’s really going on in families. Especially when many families are dysfunctional.
But, that all changed this summer when I watched The Simpsons Movie. I must admit I went in with low expectations. After all, it’s The Simpson’s and I just didn’t think I would enjoy close to two hours of poor behavior depicted on the big screen. However, I was wrong. The movie ended up with some great messages about family and really shows Homer and Bart discovering a somewhat better relationship as father and son. Okay, so the way they discovered the better relationship is not the best, but it is humor and satire. At least the writers of The Simpsons are pointing out the importance of a good father/son relationship.
After my summer experience with The Simpsons I’ve started watching the Sunday night show too. I’m always amazed at how relevant, and amazinging topical, the show is. A few weeks ago the show addressed the whole craziness of the primary election mania. Then last night they addressed global warming! In a very funny opening to the show Homer, Marge and the kids are all trying to stay warm inside their house. Apparently Homer decided to not pay the gas bill or get the furnace fixed. Marge scolds him for not taking care of the heat situation and Homer exclaims — “I thought global warming would take care of it! Al Gore can’t get anything right!”
I have to admit, I about fell off my chair laughing over that one. Here we have the writers of a half hour cartoon sitcom addressing the made up terror tactics of a man who wants everyone to believe he invited the internet! Global warming – give me a break. When I was a kid in school we were told we were facing something called global cooling and by this time we were supposed to be covered by ice bergs.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
