The Simpsons is one of the two network television shows that I watch regularly. It cracks me, so consistently, up. It combines the physics-defying, small-town innocence of a Saturday morning cartoon with biting sarcasm and cynicism. Throw in a twisted, counter-culture kind of humor and you've got the dysfunctional Simpson family. They are the polar opposite of things like Family Circle.

To be honest, sometimes The Simpsons is difficult to watch. Sometimes Homer's stupidity is a little too much to take, sometimes the merciless violence of Itchy 'n' Scratchy (the Simpson kids' favorite cartoon) is too brutal, sometimes the attempt to wrap the show up with a moral or happy ending is too smarmy. But, most of the time, it's a hoot. And the morals and happy endings are never completely moral or happy.

I think one of the reasons The Simpsons is so popular is because they're so screwed up. Like Beavis & Butthead, they allow us all to feel a little better about ourselves because, no matter how bad life is going, at least you're not them!

And so much of The Simpsons has wormed its way into the "real" world. "Doh!" and "Woo hoo!" are two of the favorite exclamations amongst many of the people I know (myself included).

simpsons.jpg -- 48K

adamsfam.jpg -- 74K

burns3.jpg -- 64K

	Homer: DOH! (5KB)
	Homer: DOH! (10KB -- a different one)
	Homer: DOH! (174KB -- 32 different DOHs)
	Homer: I am evil Homer... (94KB)
	Homer: God bless those pagans! (65KB)
	Mr. Burns: What's the meaning of all this slacking off? (37KB)
	Flanders: We're done for...! (69KB)
	Apu: Most enjoyable! (30KB)