The Simpsons
An animated series created by Matt Groening (rhymes with raining). Originally created for a short insert on the Tracey Ullman show, the Simpsons was converted into a series for Fox television in 1989. Set in the fictional US town of Springfield and highly satirical of many facets of the American way of life (including beer, fast food, tv and organized religion) "The Simpsons" was a massive hit, generating a huge popular following, and criticism from then-US President George Bush. The writers also showed a love for cameo appearances by celebrities and extended pastiches of contemporary and classic movies, as well as subtle visual jokes and a high regard for the sophistication of the audience.
The location of Springfield is a longrunning joke in the series. It is near a junction of five states, has a canyon, borders the ocean, a desert, and mountains. Sometimes it snows in Springfield, and the town once experienced a hurricane. Episodes frequently make fun of this contradiction by adding further conflicting descriptions, obscuring onscreen map representations, and interrupting conversational references.
Serious academic work (mmm ... academic work) has been done on the show. Among the publications that deal with it are:
- The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer by William Irwin (Editor), Mark T. Conard (Editor), Aeon Skoble (Editor) ISBN:0812694333
- The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family by Mark I. Pinsky ISBN:0664224199
Series within The Simpsons: