The Simpsons

The Simpsons

Since its first episode in January 1990, 'The Simpsons' has become a

worldwide phenomenon. For the first time a show existed as an animated

television sitcom, it addresses and satirises important issues through

the fictional town of Springfield, (aka a typical American town).

The show starts with 2 minutes of introductory credits, accompanied by

boisterous music, through which the audience is shown around the town

of Springfield and briefly glimpse the members of the community. As

everybody in the town is a stereotyped member of American society,

this is a fast and clever way of satirising American life. In fact,

the credits are so speedy that most would not be able to notice the

school bullies picking on the nerdy looking geek or the local news

reporter wearing 'bling'. Though they are revealed over repeated

viewings. These devices are small and un-noticeable. Whilst at the

same time the more obvious actions in the sequence such as 'Marge'

losing 'Maggie' in the supermarket would be pleasing to an audience

with a lower intellectual level. The full level of sophistication is

only fully appreciated on the highest of level but this does not mean

that the show is not humorous on basic level.

The opening credits have always been the same, with three exceptions

that the hardcore of fans look for in every sequence. The exceptions

are Bart's witty lines on the school chalkboard, the tune Lisa plays

whilst escaping the school orchestra and the way in which the family

sits on the sofa in front on the television, know as the couch gag.

These factors add to the complexness of the show and contribute to the

high level of soph...

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...ns' is slightly different physically to the

real one. The differences between 'Springfield' characters and real

actors, apart from obviously being animated, are the trademark yellow

skin and everybody having just four fingers. The yellow skin color

adds to the cartoons viability to other cultures and increases the

possibility profit from global marketing of spin off products.

As a cartoon, it is astonishing how many issues 'The Simpsons' is able

to address with such a well thought through and humorous way. It's

ability to incorporate parodies, flashbacks and dreams into episodes

only increase the level of sophistication. The degree to which 'The

Simpsons' is complex is fantastically high, however, this level is

equaled by its simplicity, which is why it draws an audience of all

ages, nationalities, class and genders.