The Simpsons Satire

Since 2005, Aaron McGruder has brought the previously unexposed taboos of Black American culture in its most raw and comedic form to the forefront of this country’s conscience through our TV screens. The tales of Huey, Riley, and Granddad Freeman’s migration from the Southside of Chicago to the lily white suburb of Woodcrest has endured its share of controversy. From public condemnation by Rev. Al Sharpton to threats of legal action by BET, The Boondocks, one of the most watched shows to be broadcast on Adult Swim, goes straight for the jugular of many of the most famous and infamous figures of our generation.

As something people tend to hold the most dearly, culture can be a sensitive topic to discuss and engage in. Often, it is made even more difficult due to issues of the past and the way different cultures influence one another. Moreover, the concepts of cultural assimilation and mainstreaming have brought light on problems regarding the treatment of minority cultures within American culture, specifically with the use of stereotyped imagery and hijacking outside cultural ideas. The issues of cultural stereotyping and assimilation, as seen in South Park, have garnered attention due to the nature of offence and its subjective nature.

One show that is an American iconic and still watched today is titled “The Rugrats” written by Arlene Klasky (Ebert 1). This show is known for its life filled with rambunctious kids and is made to be watched by kids. All main characters hold traits such as pale skin, and colored hair of primarily European descent. In fact, The Rugrats only have one differently oriented character, who is an African-American girl that rarely is featured. As one can continue to imagine, think solely concerning every colored child's psychological development as they watch this American television show. Begin to picture not being able to see an accurate representation for themselves; it can make a child, that doesn’t know any better, think there's something wrong with who they are. Through what’s displayed on television shows that a majority cannot relate to and has been hurting America in the long run. Many children develop the mentality that they are somehow not normal which leads to mental disorders, and thinking they don't belong. Race doesn’t have to be lost in the media, for example in India. India’s writer Naif Al-Mutawa has written the underappreciated cartoon “The 99” (Crinos 2). This cartoon is in the prime standard for India’s broadcast system. The 99 tells adventures featuring

Popular television shows aids to heavily influence American audiences, perpetuating, and problematic ideas about homosexuality. Not all mainstream media adheres to traditional social ideas. South Park uses satire to deconstruct heteronormative views on homosexuality. Therefore, homosexuality is accepted more widespread through use of mainstream media.

It is very important to be aware that the media is capable of controlling the flow of information that citizens receive. Furthermore, much of the content suppressed in this country is for fear of retribution from others. When governments and other institutions suppress information, citizens are not able to address matters concerning their country, as well as around the globe. In ‘The Decline of American Press Freedom’ by Anne Applebaum, Applebaum explains a recent controversy with Yale University and the publishing of a contentious comic in a scholarly report on the global consequences of political comics. The comics in question were satirical in nature and displayed the Islamic prophet Muhammad in an offensive manner. In an aniconic religion where visual depiction of the prophet is inherently blasphemous, the Islamic response to these comics were violent. When an analysis of the comics and the cultural backlash was written, instead of publishing it, Yale University swept it under the rug for fear of offending Islamic extremists. Applebaum argues that if “Yale University Press refuses to publish [the comics], then that makes it much harder for anybody else to treat the cartoon controversy as a legitimate matter for scholarly and political debate” (Applebaum 640). By not allowing the publishing of this analysis, Yale University is censoring what the American populace have access to in terms of global controversy. The issue becomes trivialized because institutions fear retribution from extremist groups. Without these scholarly points of reference of this issue and others, it is difficult to have a serious conversations about the ramifications of political and religious satire. This leads to people remaining uneducated and ignorant of these serious issues, and liable to repeat these same actions that so sorely offended an extremist

Following the success of the US version of The Office starring Steve Carell on NBC, Parks and Recreation, a small-town government political mockumentary, premiered on NBC in April 2009. The show trails Leslie Knope, an employee of Pawnee, Indiana’s Parks and Recreation department, as she pursues both her political and altruistic ambitions to better the town and perhaps the entire country through bureaucratic hard-work. The audience journeys through the amusing political climate of a small middle-America town, as Leslie attempts to beautify and magnify her town via new parks, programs, and events. With thanks to the talented, comedic cast, including SNL’s Amy Poehler and The West Wing’s Rob Lowe, Parks and Recreation aired for 7 seasons, recently

In 1971, New York Times columnist Fred Ferretti wrote an article about a new television series called All in the Family. Ferretti asked, whether or not if racism and bigotry were considered funny and he concluded that it was not and as a result believed that the show was lacking good taste. Apparently, the television viewers of America disagreed. Running from 1971 to 1979, All In The Family wasn’t the first television series to tackle major issues on a major network, but what was innovative about the series, was that is that it hewed its situational comedy from topical issues, and it explored them through characters we got to know and cared about every week. Simply put, All in the Family wasn’t just a great situational comedy; it as was an ongoing national conversation rooted in well-written, well-acted and multifaceted characters.

The media creates television shows that appear to be reality however they are not and when looked at, it is easy to see. I will be discussing the relationships between reality and reality TV, satire, and documentary.

Author Bell Hooks once said “I will not live my life narrowed down; I will not bow down to someone else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance”. This quote provides the utmost inspiration of my choosing to analyze a TV show entitled “Everybody Hates Chris” in the point of view of a social activist. The show is a comedy that depicts the life of an African- American family during the 1980s. Even though the show’s purpose is to entertain viewers, the messages that are portrayed throughout the illustration displays racial realities. This show proves just how ignorant humanity has become; directors can take ongoing crises such as racism and transform it into a comedy with positive feedbacks from its viewers. I decided to analyze this specific show because it depicts similar ideas that were stated in Bell Hooks’ “Teaching Resistance: The racial politics of mass media”.

Today one does not even have to wait for a movie to be released. Simply click the “ON” button on a remote and suddenly, thousands of news and television shows are available for one to enjoy. Muslims are also the target of prejudice in these news broadcasts and programs. One such television program released was a drama titled “24.” Issues and Controversies reports: “The show, which deals with a counterterrorism unit based in Los Angeles, featured a group of Muslim terrorist characters who were plotting to detonate nuclear weapons in the U.S. At the end of one episode, the terrorists successfully detonated a small bomb in a Los Angeles suburb, killing about 12,000 people” (“Race and Ethnicity in Entertainment”). This fictional show wrongly spreads the stereotypical image of Muslims and their clichéd image of the fundamentalists on 9/11. By adding the title and image of “Muslim” to the phrase “terrorist” the program wrongly advertised that potentially every Muslim could be a terrorist. This stereotypical image is similarly expressed in news broadcasts through the use of terrorism news. By increasingly using terrorism and Muslims in top

“The Office” is a critically acclaimed comedy television series spanning nine seasons. The show is a “mockumentary” a style of satirical comedy that is crass in nature. But uses its platform to shed light on the hazards of societal norms that reinforce stigmatic ideals. This particular show follows salesmen’s lives around the workplace in a dying work field of a small town.

Ever since 1997, South Park has revolutionized the cable TV scene as a profane and obscene program that isn’t afraid to mock religious, political, and cultural topics and not get away with at least offending somebody. Throughout its twelve seasons, some of the most prominent events in pop culture have suffered the wrath of ridicule from the show’s creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and succeeded in making millions of Americans laugh until they cry. The creative genius behind these cultural and controversial statements has exalted the series to iconic status in our entertainment industry for its satirical voice in each episode. Throughout its ten years on air, South Park has broken multiple political,

What is a stereotype? The Free Dictionary defines a stereotype as “a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group” (Stereotype). Although many people may not realize it, stereotypes influence how they interact with others each day. People judge others because of their race, ethnicity, religion, and heritage before they even know the person. These judgements come from stereotypes they encounter in their lives. There are plenty of news stories, movies, and television shows that portray these stereotypes. However, Seth McFarland’s television show “Family Guy” uses satire to highlight stereotypes in today’s society. The show’s use of ethnic humor includes a lot of

The question of immigration had been one of America’s biggest issues since the 1500s. Mass immigration began in the late 1600s and became uncontrollable for the native population to control. In fact, many began to move west where opportunity existed. After the ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the question of immigration died down until the Irish and German immigration wave in the mid-19th century. Today, immigration is no longer a major issue, but illegal immigration is. All through the late 20th and early 21st century, many Latin Americans began to come to the US, undocumented. Media and government address the issue of illegal immigration in many different ways. The government is usually strongly against illegal immigration and some politicians make it the issue of their campaigns. The media, on the other hand, may vary in their views on the issue. South Park and The Simpsons both satirize the issue of illegal immigration in their own different way.

Satire is constantly evolving in order to maintain with the times. As technology, culture and humanity change and grow, satire is forced to grow with it. Satire of our modern time is more likely to be found on our phones than on print, more likely on a television than a telegram. By merging with pop culture, in forms of Family Guy and Comedy Central news shows, these forms of satire are able to stay relevant. But, despite the change in medium, the purpose of satire and effect of satire holds true. Modern satire, just as that of past satire, sheds light on the problems of our society through ridicule and mockery, without reinforcing and further cementing the stereotypes and prejudices they are trying to expose.