June 16, 2005 4:52 PM
The Simpsons
Now I know I love World! But am wondering how many subscriptions they've lost. June 11th's cover is The Simpsons! (I got this issue three days after June 18th issue - maybe my mailwoman was reading it.)
This is the second time in four months I scooped World. The first was with a feature I did seven years ago on 50+ year marriages.
And now The Simpsons, which I covered in 2000 here.
It's a longish article, followed by an interview I did with Calvin Miller, pastor and professor at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary"On Why We Need to Lighten Up" and another sidebar called "Connecting With the Culture."
Comments
Hi Barbara! Very nice article.
Are you familiar with "The Gospel According the the Simpsons" by Mark I. Pinsky? We were happy to find it after we realized our Simpsons-habit not only made us laugh but made us think.
I think "The Simpsons" has been misunderstood as anti-family and anti-God. No, it isn't perfect, but I can think of so many episodes where the members of the family pray, do the right thing, forgive each other, and show mercy to each other. I have been genuinely touched by episodes---when Ned is painfully lonely after Maude's death and he is comforted by the Christian singer at his church. When Ned's house is destroyed by a hurricane and he prays in the empty church for help, only to get it from the inept people of the town. When he has a nervous breakdown eventually (who wouldn't with a toilet in the kitchen?), the whole town cheers his recovery.
So many examples...anyway, it was nice to read this.
Posted by: mopsy | June 16, 2005 6:06 PM
thanks, mopsy -
I wasn't sure if this would bother people who hadn't seen the show and been surprised by the redemptive moments.
yes, mark pinsky quoted me in his book and sent me a copy!
Posted by: barbara | June 16, 2005 6:14 PM
LOL! There you are on page 173!
I guess you are familiar.....heehee.
Posted by: mopsy | June 16, 2005 6:49 PM
My husband and I used to watch The Simpsons religiously. Somewhere along the way we stopped, but reading your article brought back so many familiar & funny moments. I have seen every episode you referred to, and much more. One of my favorites is "The Flamming Moe" where homer invents a drink at Moe's and then Moe serves it up and becomes successful and wildly popular overnight. Homer is obessesed with Moe, since he stole the drink, and begins hearing Moe's name in everything his family says. To this day when I want to go to the movies I quote: "Want to Moe to the Moe-vies . . .[I hear] there's a Moe-tinee" . Another great one has to do with Bart's crush on Pastor Lovejoy's daughter. When I watch it I'm still convinced that the producers/writers knew a certain pastor's daughter I was acquainted with. Great article!!
Posted by: blueyedtracy | June 17, 2005 11:04 AM
I had NO idea. I've only seen bits and pieces of the show. Thanks for enlightening me. :)
Posted by: Coffee and a Muffin | June 18, 2005 10:04 AM
