The Simpsons and Politics

Transcription

The Simpsons and Politics:
E Pluribus Springfield
Dr. Markus Hünemörder, LMU München
you can download this presentation (no videos, sorry)
and a bibliography for further reading
at www.amerikahaus.de/simpsons
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
unlike some other aspects of the
show, the political satire is often
readily apparent
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
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3
Mayor Quimby, a corrupt, drug-using,
womanizing, Catholic, Irish-American Democrat
has been Springfield’s mayor for 25 years
The Simpsons: a Leftwing, Liberal Show?
The Simpsons is obviously 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 directly
the show does not pursue a
political agenda directly; instead,
it typically satirizes all sides of an
issue, exposing both conservative
and liberal hypocrisy
on the whole, the show does have
a liberal bent, but it offers
something for conservatives, as
well
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4
Groundskeeper Willie coined the phrase
“cheese-eating surrender monkeys” as an
insult to the French. The term became a
catchphrase among American conservatives,
at the beginning of the Iraq War.
Making Fun of Politicians
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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
started when George H.W.
Bush attacked the Simpsons in
1992
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
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6
Lisa is destined to become
president of the United States
Bush v. Simpsons
The Simpsons, 1992,
4th season (DVD bonus
feature)
This was a special re-run of
3rd season episode “Stark
Raving Dad”, aired shortly
after president Bush said he
wanted American families
to be “a lot more like the
Waltons and a lot less like
the Simpsons”.
7
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.
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
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.
10
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
It’s the 2008 primary
campaign and Bill Clinton
supports his wife’s bid for
the presidency. However, he
lacks enthusiasm…
11
Elementary School
Musical
The Simpsons,
22nd season
While Barack Obama does
not appear in this episode,
the joke is on him. He won
the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
without a visible
achievement. In 2010,
somebody even less likely
wins the award…
12
The Simpsons and Patriotism
13
Real Political Issue:
Patriotism after 9/11 and the Iraq War
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after 9/11, displaying the
American flag (e.g. as a lapel pin)
became much more common,
even the norm for politicians of
both parties
esp. 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
14
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.
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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.
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Bart-Mangled Banner
The Simpsons, 2004
15th season
Incarcerated at the parody
of Guantanamo, Lisa has a
hard time resisting the
conservative brainwashing.
17
New Kids on the
Blecch
The Simpsons, 2001
12th season
Bart joins a boy-band formed
to support recruitment for
the US navy (with subliminal
messages, as it turns out). It is
a parody of the use of
patriotic symbols in military
recruitment.
The episode was produced
and aired before 9/11 and
was shown abridged for
several years afterward.
Guest appearance by N’Sync.
18
Real Political Issue: Flag-Burning
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the American flag is important to
most Americans as a symbol of
patriotism
insulting, burning or desecrating it is
intensely repugnant to most
burning the American flag became
a widely hated form of protest
during the Vietnam War
Congress passed several laws
outlawing flag-burning
all were declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court in 1989/90:
flag-burning is a protected form of
free political speech
regular attempts to pass a
constitutional amendment against
flag desecration have failed
19
The Italian Bob
The Simpsons, 2005
17th season
When the Simpsons travel
to Italy, Lisa masquerades
as a Canadian because
Europeans are angry about
the Iraq War. Homer,
however, makes very clear
where he is from and what
he thinks about America
and the rest of the world.
20
Mr. Lisa Goes to
Washington
The Simpsons, 1991
3rd season
Lisa and other Springfield
kids compete in a contest
on writing the most
patriotic essay. Lisa
eventually wins, but Nelson
(the bully boy from a very
poor, broken family) also
wins many hearts with an
essay against flag-burning.
21
The Day the Violence
Died
The Simpsons, 1996
7th season
When Itchy and Scratchy
get cancelled, Krusty the
Clown’s show features
educational cartoons
instead. This is a parody of
the 1970s “Schoolhouse
Rock” educational cartoons.
The topic is flag burning and
the politics of amending the
Constitution.
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The Simpsons and the Republican Party
23
Real Political Issue: The Republican Party (“GOP”)
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the Republican party started in
1854 as the more progressive
alternative to the Democrats
over the course of the twentieth
century, it has increasingly
embraced fiscal and social
conservatism
it is a diverse coalition, including
religious conservatives, defense
hawks, and even libertarians
the right turn of the party dates
back to the 1950s/60s, but has
accelerated with the rise of the
Tea Party ca. 2009
increasingly, the Republican Party
is the party of native-born, older,
and male voters living in rural and
suburban areas
24
The elephant and donkey were established as
symbols for the Republican and Democratic Parties
by the cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s-1880s.
Political Parties in Springfield
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Springfield has both the
Republican and the Democratic
Parties
the Springfield Republicans:
mostly rich white men meeting at
a vampire’s castle
the Springfield Democrats:
women, gays, 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
over the years, the Simpsons has
parodied the Republicans more
consistently than the Democrats
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Montgomery Burns, the richest man in town
and chairman of the Republican Party
Sideshow Bob
Roberts
The Simpsons, 1994
6th season
The portrayal of the
Republican Party on The
Simpsons is very consistent.
Here, the Republicans are
shown as a Freemason-style
conspiracy, nominating
attempted murderer
Sideshow Bob for mayor of
Springfield.
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Sideshow Bob
Roberts
The Simpsons, 1994
6th season
One important influence on
the Republican party is
conservative talk radio, with
hosts like Rush Limbaugh.
Springfield’s Birch Barlow is
a parody of Limbaugh, and
is also a leader of the
Republican Party. The scene
also includes some jokes at
the expense of the
Democratic Party.
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Pygmoelian
The Simpsons, 2000
11th season
By and large, the
Democratic Party is the
political home of the gay
rights movement. Gays in
the Republican Party have a
harder time defining
themselves, as is jokingly
shown here.
28
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.
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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.
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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.
31
E Pluribus Wiggum
The Simpsons, 2008
19th season
they support Ralph
of police.
In the end, Ralph is
nominated by both parties
32
Politically Inept, with
Homer Simpson
The Simpsons, 2012
23rd season
Homer becomes a
successful conservative talk
show host and launches the
“gravy boat” movement – a
parody of the Tea Party
Movement.
33
Politically Inept, with
Homer Simpson
The Simpsons, 2012
23rd season
Homer is then asked by the
Republican Party to pick
their presidential candidate,
and makes a surprising
choice.
Guest appearance by Ted
Nugent.
34
To Cur With Love
The Simpsons, 2012
24th episode
Montgomery Burns,
Springfield’s richest man,
reacts to Obama’s reelection and offers his
unique perspective on the
upcoming fiscal problems.
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The Simpsons and Presidential Elections
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Treehouse of Horror
XIX
The Simpsons, 2008
20th season
This episode was aired on
November 2, 2008 – two
days before the presidential
election between Barack
Obama and John McCain.
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Homer Votes in 2012 – Some Explanations
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in several states, Republicans tried to
install voter ID laws in an attempt to
reduce poorer and minority voters
extreme critics of Obamacare said
there would be “death panels”
deciding to let older patients die
“magic underpants” is an unflattering
nickname for Mormon temple
garments
“going commando” means not
wearing underwear
Romney’s health care reform in
Massachusetts was a role model for
Obamacare
Romney refused to reveal most of his
tax returns during the campaign
Obama accused Romney of
outsourcing jobs to China during his
business career
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Despite his experience in 2008,
Homer returned to the polls in 2012.
Adventures in
Baby-Getting
The Simpsons, 2012
24th season
This episode was aired two
days before the presidential
election of 2012, although
the short video “Homer
votes 2012” had been
available online a bit longer.
Homer seems pretty
content with being
outsourced to Chine until
his sister-in-law Selma, who
he really hates, appears
next to him.
39
Springfield’s Town Hall Democracy
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Real Political Issue:
Direct Democracy in the United States
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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
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town meetings go back to Puritan New England,
where they were the dominant form of local
government
Direct Democracy in Springfield
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Springfield typically calls a town
meeting or referendum when the city
is broke, partly destroyed, or both
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sometimes, the issues are local; in
other cases, they go way beyond a
town’s authority to decide
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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
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direct democracy is usually depicted
in a likeable, if crazy, manner.
However, some drawbacks of direct
democracy, like the power of
demagogues, are also satirized
42
Springfield Town Hall
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.
43
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.
44
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.
45
Marge vs. the
Monorail
The Simpsons, 1993
4th season
When Mr. Burns has to pay
a fine for environmental
violations, Springfield
unexpectedly receives $3
million dollars. The town
meeting discusses what to
do with the money.
A con man, Lyle Lanley,
persuades people to spend
the money on building a
monorail, which turns out
to be a faulty disaster.
46
Political Issues on The Simpsons:
Gun Control and Illegal Immigration
47
Real Political Issue: Gun Control
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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
48
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…
49
The Simpsons, 1997
9th season
Homer discusses gun safety
and the second amendment
with Marge and Lisa.
50
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.
51
The Simpsons, 1997
9th season
After the gun nearly
destroys his marriage,
Homer finally hands it over
to Marge to throw it away.
However…
52
Real Political Issue: Illegal Immigration
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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
to stay and become citizens
after 71% of Hispanic citizens voted
for Obama in 2012, immigration
reform is now a big issue
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 has rejected it
53
The Simpsons as a 19th-century style
immigrant family.
Much Apu About
Nothing
The Simpsons, 1996
7th season
The United States is a
country of immigrants. Even
the Simpsons immigrated
from the “old country”,
wherever that was…
Since Abe Simpsons
immigrated as child, Homer
is a second generation
immigrant!
54
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.
55
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.
56
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.
57
The Kid is All Right
The Simpsons, 2013
25th season
Lisa befriends a new
student named Isabel
Gutierrez. She is thrilled
until Isabel reveals that she
is a Republican – and a
radical conservative to
boot.
Since the Republican Party
is desperate to attract
Hispanic voters, they
scheme to support Isabel
for class president against
Lisa.
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Conclusion
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What Can Cartoon Satire Achieve?
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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
the Simpsons has great cultural reach,
most people know the show
political satire on the Simpsons tends
towards mostly timeless 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
Homer for president? Probably not.
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A Hopefully Useful Appendix:
Episodes for Classroom Use
61
Washington D.C. and Corruption
“Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington” (3rd season, ep. 2, 1991)
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Lisa wins a regional patriotic essay
contest
the Simpsons go to Washington
for the national finals
Lisa discovers a corruption scandal
and becomes disenchanted with
America’s political system
the corruption is cleaned up with
miraculous speed, restoring Lisa’s
faith
parody of “Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington” (1939)
patriotism and naïveté
corruption and lobbyists
Washington D.C. and its symbols
U.S. political system and Congress
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Townhall Democracy
“Marge vs. the Monorail” (4th season, ep. 12, 1993)
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few episodes focus on direct
democracy, but this one takes a close
look at town hall decisions
it’s also considered one of the
funniest Simpsons episodes
when Mr. Burns has to pay a fine for
environmental violations, Springfield
unexpectedly receives $3 million
dollars
a con man persuades people to spend
the money on building a monorail,
which turns out to be a faulty disaster
town hall democracy
mob mentality
local issues like roads, schools, etc.
public transport
Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek references
63
Presidential Elections
“Sideshow Bob Roberts” (6th season, ep. 5, 1994)
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Bart’s mortal enemy, Sideshow
Bob, is released from prison
he runs against Mayor Quimby
as a Republican and wins
eventually, his victory is
revealed to be a fraud
Republican Party
candidate debates
TV campaigns ads
Watergate scandal
presidential elections, esp.
1988 Bush v. Dukakis
title is based on the satirical
mockumentary “Bob Roberts”
(1992)
64
Immigration
“Much Apu About Nothing” (7th season, ep. 23, 1996)
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the classic episode about
immigration, as relevant today
as in 1996
Springfield holds a referendum
on deporting all illegal
immigrants
Apu the shopkeeper struggles
to stay in the US
US as a nation of immigrants
the politics of illegal
immigration
mob mentality and
scapegoating
immigrants and their cultural
heritage
direct democracy
65
George H.W. Bush
“Two Bad Neighbors” (7th season, ep. 13, 1996)
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few episodes focus entirely on real-life
politicians
“Two Bad Neighbors”, however, is a
classic, featuring George H.W. Bush,
Gerald Ford, Mikhail Gorbachev, and
others
George H.W. Bush moves in across the
street and becomes Homer’s enemy
when he spanks Bart for destroying
his memoirs
reaction to Bush’s attack on The
Simpsons (“make American families a
lot more like the Waltons and a lot
less like the Simpsons”)
“Bush v. Simpsons” is a mini
documentary on the Bush-Simpsons
feud. It’s a bonus feature on the 4th
season DVDs, disc one
66
Gun Control
“The Cartridge Family” (9th season, ep. 5, 1997)
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Homer buys a gun to protect his
family; gun control laws fail
he goes gun-crazy immediately;
even the Springfield NRA kicks him
out
Marge moves out with the kids
until he gets rid of the gun
when he finally does, Marge
becomes fascinated with the gun
and secretly keeps it
gun control legislation
National Rifle Association
gun accidents
guns and crime
the lurid fascination of guns
US perception of soccer and
soccer riots
67
Running for Congress
“Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington” (14th season, ep. 14, 2003)
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when Springfield’s congressional
representative dies, Bart
persuades Krusty to run
Krusty wins, but is frustrated with
his lack of influence in Congress
eventually, Walter Mondale (who
works as a janitor) teaches Krusty
how to really get things done in
Washington: with dirty tricks
congressional campaigns
the House of Representatives
Fox News and its support for
Republicans
Republican Party
the legislative process
yet another parody of “Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington”
68
Patriotism and the Politics of Fear
“Bart-Mangled Banner” (15th season, ep. 21, 2004)
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Bart accidentally insults the
American flag
Springfield renames itself to
“Libertyville” and goes hyperpatriotic
The Simpsons are incarcerated at
“Guantanamo”
this is the best episode on the
“politics of fear” under the Bush
administration after the Iraq War
critique of excessive patriotism
undermining of civil rights
Guantanamo
critique of conservative media
political asylum in France
69
Same-Sex Marriage
“There's Something About Marrying” (16th season, ep. 10, 2005)
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very nuanced episode on
same-sex marriage
Springfield legalizes same-sex
marriage to earn money
Home becomes a reverend and
starts marrying gay couples,
then ever stranger couples
different viewpoints
throughout the show
hypocrisy among conservatives
and liberals alike
coming-out of Marge’s sister
Patty
generally supportive of samesex marriage, but also shows
conservative viewpoints
70
Primary Elections
“E Pluribus Wiggum” (19th season, ep. 10, 2008)
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Springfield’s presidential primary
becomes the first in the nation
the news media and politicians
turn the town into a political
circus
in protest, Springfieldians rally
behind 8-year-old Ralph Wiggum
as the most ridiculous candidate
Democrats and Republicans
nominate the special needs boy
Republican and Democratic
parties
primary elections
political commercials
Hillary and Bill Clinton
news media
71
Immigration
“Coming to Homerica” (20th season, ep. 21, 2009)
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a more recent episode on
immigration
the people of Ogdenville
immigrate to Springfield when
their economy crashes
they find work as day laborers,
domestic servants and other lowpaid jobs
Mexican / Central American
immigration
illegal immigration
day labor
border security enforcement
border fence
vigilante groups against illegal
immigration
72
Episodes for Classroom Use: More Political Topics
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S02E04 “Two Cars in Every Garage…”: running for governor
S02E09 “Itchy & Scratchy & Marge”: censorship
S04E17 “Last Exit to Springfield”: labor unions and strikes
S08E15 “Homer’s Phobia”: homosexuality and homophobia
S08E18 “Homer vs. the 18th Amendment”: prohibition
S11E17 “Bart to the Future”: Lisa as president of the US
S12E04 “Lisa the Tree Hugger”: protecting the environment
S12E14 “New Kids on the Blecch”: military recruiting
S13E07 “Brawl in the Family”: pollution
S15E22 “Fraudcast News”: media power
S16E06 “Midnight Rx”: health care and prescription drugs
73
Episodes for Classroom Use: More Political Topics
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S16E11 “On a Clear Day…”: global warming
S17E06 “See Homer Run”: recall election for mayor
S17E17 “Kiss Kiss Bangalore”: globalization
S17E21 “The Monkey Suit”: evolution v. creationism
S18E21 “24 Minutes”: Parody of “24”, surveillance
S20E04 “Treehouse of Horror XIX”: election of 2008
S21E19 “The Squirt and the Whale”: green energy, whales
S23E10 “Politically Inept with Homer S.”: right-wing media
S24E03 “Adventures in Baby-Getting”: election of 2012
S25E01 “Homerland”: homeland security
S25E06 “The Kid is All Right”: conservatism and Hispanics
74
Thank You for Your Attention!
you can download this presentation (no videos, sorry)
and a bibliography for further reading
at www.amerikahaus.de/simpsons
75

The Simpsons and Politics

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