The Simpsons and Politics

Transcription

The Simpsons and Politics:
E Pluribus Springfield
Dr. Markus Hünemörder
LMU München
The Simpsons as Political Satire
2
The Simpsons as a Political Satire
the Simpsons looks like an
animated sitcom, but is really a
social, cultural and esp. political
satire
Springfield, a fictional “Middle
American” town, is a metaphor for
American society
the show satirizes many aspects of
American society and politics
political satire on The Simpsons
most often contains a kernel of
truth, then exaggerates it to the
point of craziness
in this manner, the Simpsons
question and subverts political
authority by displaying the crazy
side of political issues and
institutions





3
Mayor Quimby, a corrupt, drug-using,
womanizing Democrat has been Springfield’s
mayor for 25 years
The Simpsons: a Leftwing, Liberal Show?
the Simpsons is certainly not
conservative, but is it liberal?
during the early years,
conservatives criticized the
Simpsons as a bad influence on
children
progressives sometimes criticize
the show for not attacking social
wrongs more thoroughly
the show does not pursue a
political agenda directly; instead,
it typically satirizes all sides of an
issue
on the whole, the show does have
a liberal bent, often making fun of
the Republican Party
however it also parodies liberal
positions and leaders






4
Bill Clinton is frequently parodied by the
Simpsons. Here, he is putting up campaign
signs for his wife during her presidential
campaign of 2008.
Making Fun of Politicians
5
Politicians on The Simpsons
making fun of politicians is one of
the most obvious methods of
political satire
as a rule, real life politicians do
not do their own voice acting on
the Simpsons when they are
satirized
in 1992, George H.W. Bush
attacked the Simpsons in a
political speech – the Simpsons
took revenge
Bill Clinton also appeared
frequently on the show
George W. Bush and Barack
Obama have not been directly
satirized, but have been referred
to on the show





6
In “Bart to the Future” (2000), Bart has a
vision of Lisa as president in the future.
Two Bad Neighbors
The Simpsons, 1996,
7th season
George H.W. Bush moves in
across the street from the
Simpsons. They do not get
along at all and start an epic
neighborhood feud.
In this clip, Homer and Bart
play a prank on Bush.
7
Saddlesore Galactica
The Simpsons, 2000
11th season
Lisa feels that her band lost
unfairly at a contest. She
keeps complaining, even to
the president. Eventually,
Clinton shows up and gives
her the award.
8
Bart Stops to Smell
the Roosevelts
The Simpsons, 2011,
23rd season
In this episode, Bart gets
superintendent Chalmers as
a personal tutor. When
Chalmers finds out how
little Bart knows about
American presidents, he
tries to motivate Bart by
teaching him about
Theodore Roosevelt.
9
The Simpsons,
Political Parties, and Elections
10
Political Parties in Springfield





both the Republican and the
Democratic parties are active in
Springfield
the Springfield Republicans: rich
people meeting at a vampire’s
castle
the Springfield Democrats:
women, homosexuals and
immigrants meeting at a salad bar
both are common clichés about
the parties: Republicans as
scheming, heartless capitalists,
Democrats as an out-of-touch,
disorganized collection of
minorities
neither cliché is true, but there is
enough (exaggerated) truth to
them to be satirically funny
11
Montgomery Burns is the richest man in town
and leader of the Springfield Republicans
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
Springfield holds the first
presidential primary in the
nation. Because so many
Springfieldians are fed up
with established politicians,
they support Ralph
Wiggum, the mentally
challenged son of the chief
of police. Consequently,
both the Republican and
Democratic parties want
Ralph as their candidate.
12
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
they support Ralph
of police. Consequently,
both the Republican and
Democratic parties want
Ralph as their candidate.
13
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
they support Ralph
of police.
In the end, Ralph is
nominated by both parties
14
Mr. Spritz Goes to
Washington
The Simpsons, 2003
14th season
Fox News – the Simpsons
own TV network – is
another important
supporter of the Republican
Party.
Here, the Simpsons satirize
the Fox News slogan “Fair &
Balanced” when Krusty the
Clown runs for Congress as
a Republican.
15
Treehouse of Horror
XIX
The Simpsons, 2008
This is the opening of the
2008 Halloween episode,
aired shortly before the
presidential election.
16
Springfield’s Town Hall Democracy
17
Direct Democracy in the United States





direct democracy plays an
important role in the US, except
on the federal level
initiative, referendum, and recall
elections in many states, esp.
California
in some towns, esp. in New
England, there is no city council.
Instead, the citizens meet to make
local decisions directly: town
meeting
school systems are also typically
run by locally elected school
boards
topics range from the trivial to
highly volatile social and political
issues
18
town meetings go back to Puritan New England,
where they were the dominant form of local
government
Direct Democracy in Springfield


Springfield typically calls a
town meeting or referendum
when the city is broke, partly
destroyed, or both
issues decided by direct
democracy in Springfield:






borrow money to rebuild a
street
legalize gay marriage
build a monorail
deport illegal immigrants
kick the Simpsons out of town
direct democracy is usually
depicted in a likeable, if crazy,
manner
19
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
When Homer accidentally
destroys Fast Food
Boulevard, Springfield
decides to issue bonds
(borrow money) to rebuild
it.
20
There’s Something
About Marrying
The Simpsons, 2005
16th season
Bart insults an influential
travel guide author,
effectively killing tourism to
Springfield. The town
meeting discusses how to
attract tourists back to their
city.
21
There's Something
About Marrying
The Simpsons, 2005
16th season
When tourists stop coming
to Springfield, the town
meeting legalizes same-sex
marriage to attract gay
couples’ business. The town
even runs a TV commercial
to promote its new policy.
22
Political Issues on The Simpsons
23
Patriotism after 9/11 and the Iraq War




after 9/11 and even more so
after the start of the Iraq War,
conservatives and the Bush
administration equated
criticism with unpatriotic
behavior
“the politics of fear”
USA PATRIOT Act, Guantanamo,
etc. undermined some civil
liberties, leading to liberal
protests
the Simpsons satirized this
false equation between
criticizing the government and
not loving the United States
24
Bart-Mangled Banner
The Simpsons, 2004
15th season
When Bart accidentally
insults the American flag,
Springfield becomes the
most hated town in
America. To change that,
the citizens rename it to
“Libertyville” and adopt a
culture of hyper-patriotism.
This is a parody of the
hyper-patriotism fostered
by the Bush administration
after 9/11 and the Iraq War.
25
Bart-Mangled Banner
The Simpsons, 2004
15th season
When Lisa speaks out
against the oppressive
hyper-patriotism of
Libertyville, the Simpsons
are arrested.
While they are incarcerated
at a parody of Guantanamo,
they notice they are not
alone, and how easy it has
become to end up on the
wrong side of the debate
about freedom and
security.
26
Gun Control





gun ownership is seen as a
fundamental right by many
Americans
radicals, including the powerful
National Rifle Association,
reject any restriction of gun
ownership rights
many other Americans want to
restrict gun ownership for
safety reasons
some gun control laws exist in
the United States, but their
effectiveness is limited
attempts at tightening gun
control have repeatedly failed
27
The last person on earth who should be
allowed to own a gun.
The Cartridge Family
The Simpsons, 1997
9th season
After a soccer riot nearly
destroys Springfield, Homer
wants to buy a gun to
protect his home. On his
first visit to the gun shop,
he is told he has to wait five
days because the store has
to run a background check
on him. Now, after five days
of waiting, Homer is eager
to pick up his gun…
28
The Simpsons, 1997
9th season
Home hosts a meeting of
the local National Rifle
Association chapter. Even
these gun aficionados are
shocked at Homer’s reckless
gun handling.
29
The Simpsons, 1997
9th season
After the gun nearly
destroys his marriage,
Homer finally hands it over
to Marge to throw it away.
However…
30
Illegal Immigration






legal immigration is largely
undisputed, but the ca. 11.5 million
illegal immigrants in the US have
sparked great political controversy
critics of illegal immigration have
called for a border fence with Mexico
others feel that most illegal
immigrants should be given a chance
after 71% of Hispanic citizens (not
illegal immigrants) voted for Obama in
2012, he made immigration reform a
priority
Republicans have long been opposed
to amnesty, but some are more willing
to compromise now
recently, a bipartisan Senate group
proposed a reform plan, but the
Republican-majority House of
Representatives
31
The Simpsons as a 19th-century style
immigrant family.
Coming to Homerica
The Simpsons, 2009
20th season
The people of Ogdenville
immigrate to Springfield
when their barley-based
economy crashes. In
Springfield, they find work
as day laborers, domestic
servants and other low-paid
jobs.
In in satirical twist, the
Ogdenvillians are of
Norwegian (not Mexican or
other Hispanic) ancestry.
32
Coming to Homerica
The Simpsons, 2009
20th season
By now, the citizens of
Springfield are trying to
keep the growing number
of Ogdenvillian immigrants
out of their city.
33
Coming to Homerica
The Simpsons, 2009
20th season
When the wall between
Springfield and Ogdenville is
finally finished, the people
of Springfield realize their
mistake.
34
Conclusion
35
What Can Cartoon Satire Achieve?





cartoon (like all other) satire can
rarely bring about political change
– that is the job of politicians and
activists
satire can make people think
about and question political
authority
political satire on the Simpsons
tends towards fairly long-term
issues
when learning about / researching
a political issue, it is often
worthwhile to look for a related
Simpsons episode
most political Simpsons episodes
are remarkably subtle; research
these nuances and you will learn
much about the issue at hand
36
Homer for president? Probably not.
Thank You for Your Attention!
you can download this presentation (no videos, sorry)
and a bibliography for further reading
at www.amerikahaus.de/simpsons
37

The Simpsons and Politics

Transcription

Similar documents

Park Map - Universal Orlando® Resort

Why “The Simpsons” is the Best Show on TV

The Simpsons and American Society

The Simpsons and American Society

The Simpsons and American Society

The Simpsons and Politics

issue 6 final - Arlingtonian Student Newsmagazine

International Relations Theory Evolution of the state system What is

SPIRITED DEBATE

Winter/Spring 2012 - Springfield Public Schools

update - Community Mercy Health Partners

TV weekly 10-10-15.indd