Are the Simpsons Conservative or Liberal

THE KMC BLOG ^ | 11.4.2003

[KMC1]

Ok, I know that I am extremely late to the party...but I have to admit it...I have become a hardened fan of (bite lip and hope for the best) - "The Simpsons". I had never watched on a regular basis for the majority of the time that they had been on the air. Then I interviewed the author of "The Gospel According to the Simpsons" last year. The interview was ok as interviews go but in the author's telling of HOW the episode is put together each week fascinated me. Each epsiode take possibly up to 3 years to put together. Most episodes utilize more than 100 writers and the writing pool is equally divided up: 1/3 Jewish, 1/3 Christian, and 1/3 fill in the blank. The Simpsons, unlike many other TV families do seem to have a profound ability to endure the hardships of life and even underscore some of the most decent of human virtues and values. All that being said, it got me thinking, watching, and now I'm hooked...

[KMC1]

more info at http://kmc.crosswalk.com

[billbears]

I love the Simpsons and I would have to put them into the Conservative column. Except for that brat Lisa...

Seriously, I have noticed a rather strong feeling against organized religion though. I don't think it's necessarily against Christianity as a whole but several episodes I've seen would make me think that way

[John H K]

It's the only sitcom on TV where a family is depicted regularly going to church. There's some poking of fun at religion, not vicious attacks on it.

They poke fun at most everyone. The originator of the concept (Matt Groening) is pretty far left, but he really doesn't have much to do with the show now. I'm sure more of the writers are left of center than right of center, but I don't think the show has an overwhelming lean. It's to the Left of "South Park" though.

[jwh_Denver]

Oh they are always making fun of Ned Flanders (a Christian) and his family, plus the preacher. I think the Simpsons are easily in the top 3 for comedy.

[Fifth Business]

Perhaps they are merely iconoclasts?

[WackyKat]

Oh they are always making fun of Ned Flanders (a Christian) and his family

Yeah but Ned, Rod, and Todd are asking for it.

[tray-sea]

C'mon guys.. their Libertarians!! HAHA . One of my fav shows!

[jwh_Denver]

Yeah but Ned, Rod, and Todd are asking for it.

Yeah, way way too goody two shoes for me too.

[randog]

Are the Simpsons Conservative or Liberal?

Yes.

[LittleRedRooster]

The Simpsons are just the best.
I would love to watch the game with you but the store is open 24 hours and as you can see it takes up most of my time.

[Phantom Lord]

I am one of the biggest Simpson's fan on FR. They are equal opportunity offenders. They do poke fun at religion, but spread it out amongst all. Find me another show (other than South Park) will engage in blatant inflamatory language against a religion other than Christianity? And it is done with great humor.

They regularly made fun of Bush 41, and I think those are some of the best episodes ever. Especially the Mr. Plow episode where Bush 41 orders Homer to "plow through" to protestors to clear a path. Or when he was Homer's neighbor.

But the episodes with Clinton were full of absolute mocking and ridicule of him.

Now South Park is a full blow, libertarian/conservative cartoon who spares nothing in going after the left. Sure, the right winger gets mocked as well, but most often, at the end of the day our side wins out.

Their absolute assault on the left is great. From Easter Bunny Reno, to Sexual Harrassment Panda. And let us not forget the classic Mecha-Striesand episodes or the "Crips" episode on stem cell research, which nuked Christopher Reeves. And the new classic, Crab People!

Family Guy is another outstanding cartoon. As if Futurama.

[Cultural Jihad]

But what about Batman? Does the fantasy character adhere to the fantasy libertarian ideology?

[Lx]

I always thought they leaned conservative but one of the shows; I think it was on one of the Tree House of Horror episodes (Halloween).
It had the aliens leaving and with what sounded like a voice over of Bart saying, "Don't forget to take Ken Starr". I think it was a voice over since it was from a long shot, he definitely said it.

Even though they had an episode that had Homer jumping a shark on a motorcycle, they're still one of the funniest shows on TV. I lost a little respect when they killed off Maude, though.

[waterstraat]

First of all, it is a cartoon comedy, and it is also fiction.

Aside from that, how a comedy producer/writer/actor handles certain basic american issues does reflect his conservative/liberal/commie views.

In particular, the gun issue.

I saw very similar parallells with how guns were portrayed in The Simpsons, with how it was handled in "All in the FAmily". We all know that the producer, writers, and the actors and actresses on All In The Family were all liberal anti-gun.

Another example of liberal anti gunners was the TV show Bonanaza, where the liberal anti gunner liberal writers and producers and actors(including anti gun Canadian Lorne Greene) refused to let cast members wear gun belts with bullets showing. Look at those old shows, and you will see that none of the Cartrights, or anybody else on the show, had any bullets for their guns.

Therefore, I conclude, that the Simpsons are equally liberal.

Lots of comedies can be funny without attacking basic american institutions/values: Ozzie and Harriet, (Walt)Disney shows and comic books, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, etc

[JoeSchem]

C'mon guys.. their Libertarians!! HAHA . One of my fav shows!

There was one episode with a scene where they were outside this private Objectivist preschool, and the banner in the window read, "A is for A." Which is funny only if you've read your Ayn Rand.

[fhayek]

The Simpsons is a great show because nobody is exempt from ridicule. Mayor Quimby is obviously patterned after Teddy Kennedy, and is a frequent target. Religion, and capitalists like Mr. Burns also takes their hits. Because they are an equal opportunity offender, they are in their own way, fair and balanced.

[Tribune7]

Homer goes to church and owns guns.

[Incorrigible]

Especially that Holy Roller's team!

[Tribune7]

But the episodes with Clinton were full of absolute mocking and ridicule of him.

If anyone knows where I can get some Tang it would be President Clinton.

[John Lenin]

Homer is definitely conservative.