Simpsons in terror (comedy) plot
It seems some just don’t get the value of satire in animation anymore.
Matt Groening has been forced to defend a new episode of The Simpsons in which a Muslim family are suspected of being terrorists.
But the criticism hasn’t come from the US. A spokesperson for Britain’s The Islamic Cultural Centre + The London Central Mosque has commented on the episode, telling U.K. newspaper the Daily Star, “I hope Muslims take no notice of the show.”
So basically one person and a journalist have managed to make it news (including here!)…
The plot involves Homer Simpson becoming convinced that his new Middle Eastern neighbours are planning an attack on a local shopping mall. In one scene, the family invite their neighbours over for dinner, only for Homer to call Allah “Oliver” and Islamic holy book The Koran “The Corona”.
The episode “Mypods and Broomsticks” features Shohreh Aghdashloo (24).
Matt Groening insisted that the episode is simply attempting to deal with cultural issues through its medium, saying: “Cartoons deal in stereotypes. We try to be sensitive.”
Go Homer! He’s already managed to upset Brazil, France and plenty of conservative fundamentalists.
What the British press neglected to note is that The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised the episode and sent a commending letter to Matt Groening. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the council in Los Angeles, wrote “I applaud your effort in Sunday’s episode of The Simpsons to humanize American Muslims by challenging anti-Muslim sentiment in our society…By introducing a professional Muslim family, the “Mypods and Boomsticks” episode highlighted the diverse, make-up of Springfield and brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting to know their neighbors.”
Praise Allah for that.
Source: Digital Spy, Wikipedia
- Previous post: Returning: Trial & Retribution
- Next post: O’Keefe says sorry …again
And “the booting” was actually a dig at Singapore (true).
Tony on January 12th, 2009 9:32 am
“I hope they deal with Muslims with more sensitivity than Australians! The Simpsons Down Under episode scores a 10 on the cringeworthy scale.”
That Australian ep was making fun of America’s portrayal of Australia in TV shows… shesh!
I’m pretty much sick of the Simpsons as well, and new episodes like this don’t make it any better if there trying to deal with “controversial” topics (like they do in American Dad). Just stick to the basics…
@Tony: Haha, I thought the Simpsons vs. Australia ep was hilarious.
I’m a big Simpsons (Seasons 1–5) fan, but I even I don’t laugh at any of the rubbish new episodes.
But, yeah, “some people” need to lighten up and stop being so damn crazy.
Does anyone know if the version of the Simpsons vs Australia episode they used to show at Fox Studios in Sydney is available on the DVDs or anywhere? I thought it was a big improvement over the regular episode.
These people need to find their funny bone, build a bridge, and get over it. Its a cartoon that highlights socia, cultural and racial stereotypes. It would be more offensive if The Simpsons didn’t include a particular minority/faith/issue.
I loved the way South Park satirised the whole Muslim debate through the town’s reaction to an episode of Family Guy on the topic. Clever stuff.
Ha the daily star.. a reputable newspaper.. newspapers with semi naked girls on the front is a newspaper you can trust.
Im pretty sure American Dad already did an episode where Stan thought his neighbours are terrorists – it seems lazy of the Simpsons writers to do this kind of storyline when its already been done before.
When I read this, I was thinking exactly what Benno wrote. Bart befriends a Muslim boy, for goodness’ sake. Clearly Homer’s reactions are tongue-in-cheek and are used to display the ignorance of many people. Just like that Simpsons episode about Australia wasn’t making fun of Australia so much as making fun of America’s lack of knowledge about anything beyond their hometown.
this ep really wasnt as bad as its been made out to be & i agree as said in a comments before it gives a strong message about tolerance but people always want to look at the negatives . people should watch the ep & make their own minds up , & at least the simpsons are trying new story lines insted of the same old thing
I’m amazed anyone still watches The Simpsons. It’s been excruciating for several seasons now.
We live in a world of hippocrites,
Thanks to George W Terrorist/Tony Blair & John Howard (AKA: THE 21st Century Three Stooges)
It’s a freekin cartoon for all those idiot people that cant distingish Real Life & Cartoons.
Does anyone remember when South Park did a War Like Episode involving the gang going to Afghanistan and poking fun at Bin Laden? you didnt complain about that did ya!, Get a life!
South Park and 30 Rock have had plots where the main character mistakenly believes a muslim is a terrorist.
So I don’t see a problem with the Simpson doing it.
People, its a cartoon… Laugh and move on!
If they actually watch the entire episode, it clearly emphasizes that not everybody with muslim as a religion is a terrorist. Although homer’s reaction to every minor detail (the dynamite, the conversation between the couple about the stresses of the job, etc) is very funny.
Clever? Hardly. I thought this episode was guilty of portraying the very same stereotypes that have sadly become the norm in Western societies post 9/11. I applaud the introduction of the Muslim family, and I hope they stick around, however their existence felt utterly contrived, especially considering that there were lines such as… “Don’t fear them just because they have a different religion and their last name is Bin Laden.”
Oh, Zing. *rolls eyes* While The Simpsons has always been guilty of portraying extreme stereotypes when it comes to other cultures (such as the Australia episode), I was more annoyed by the fact that a lot of the characters we’ve grown to love for nearly 20 years have seemed so narrow-minded and bigoted and hateful towards Muslims (especially Moe, Lenny and Carl; hell it was implied in one episode that Moe was possibly Arab). I also didn’t like the use of the word “tolerance” in the episode. I mean, are we that big a burden on society?
So much potential here, but it was completely wasted. But hey, we got to see what Reverend Lovejoy would look like if he were an Imam.
I’ve seen this episode.
It was very cleverly written and could in no way be considered offensive if watched in full.
The only people who should be offended are the producers of 24 who take a bashing in this for their representation of the neighbourhood Muslim.
Funnily enough both The Simpsons and 24 share the same Muslim mum.
I hope they deal with Muslims with more sensitivity than Australians! The Simpsons Down Under episode scores a 10 on the cringeworthy scale.
This was a really good episode I thought. American Dad had a smiliar plot when Stan Smith thought his new neighbours were terrorists in Season 1.
people will complain about anything wont they. I’ve seen the episode and If the critics actually watched the show they’d see one of the strongest messages ever portrayed in a Simpson’s episode with some comedy added in true simpsons style
Ah… I’d only ever heard about the not-very-subtle jabs at Apple Inc, Steve Jobs and iPods through a “Mapple” store opening in Springfield. There was more talk on the internet about that storyline than about the Muslim one in this non-story by the UK newspapers.