I know this is basically un-American to say, but I’m going to say it anyway: I’m not a huge fan of the never-ending TV show “The Simpsons”. I don’t know why, but I just have never been able to get in to it. Sometimes I see it and I think “why don’t I like this show?” but then I never make an effort to watch it again. That said, I know they tend to tackle some pretty big issues in a funny, but thought-provoking way, so I like the show in that respect. And guess what? They did a show about feedlots and slaughterhouses!
In “Apocalypse Cow”, Bart joins the 4-H Club and unexpectedly falls in love with his hand-raised calf named Lou. Bart takes Lou to a 4-H competition, where Lou wins first prize. Bart thinks that means that Lou won’t have to be slaughtered, but becomes determined to save him when he learns that it really means Lou “gets to go first” to slaughter. With the help of Lisa and her hippy vegan friends (one nicknamed “Composte”, which cracked me up), Bart breaks a much fatter Lou out of a feedlot. To explain Lou’s new size, Lisa tells Bart, “His food is laced with growth hormones!” At that moment, Lou licks Bart’s arm, which immediately sprouts hair growth on the pre-pubescent Bart. Gotta love those growth hormones!
Anyway, the show brought up some important points in true Simpsons fashion, and reached a wide audience, though I have no idea if it was at all effective in getting people to change their habits (probably not). My favorite piece of advice came from Homer when Bart was begging his parents to buy Lou back so he wouldn’t have to be slaughtered: “Never work hard and don’t form emotional attachments. Also, don’t be a cow.”
Touché, Homer, touché.
If you feel like my recap is insufficient (it is), you can watch the episode here for free.
Dude – Ari and I don’t like the Simpsons either! You explained it just like we feel – we watch it once in a blue moon, and think it’s kinda funny – but then never watch it again.
It really needs to stop.
Sorry about calling you dude.
Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger – I’ve never liked The Simpsons, either. It’s an interesting episode but I think you’re right – it probably won’t cause many people to reconsider their cruel diets.
Oh, and in Oprah’s latest blog post, which is from last Wednesday, she writes that “Vegas and vegans” don’t seem to mix.
::rollseyes::
s.
Apollocreed: Since you also don’t like the Simpson’s I will let you call me dude.
Nothoney: Damn that Oprah!!!!
Nothoney: Wait! I take it back. She updated yesterday and it looks like she’s still eating vegan!!
How old are her blog posts? Didn’t the interview with Crazy Tom Cruise air a couple of weeks ago?
Should we tell Oprah that there is vegan alcohol out there or just let her suffer? 😉
s.
I think the Simpsons folks have a sweet spot for farm animal rights. Another data point — a rescued farm pig is a prominent and sympathetic character in the Simpsons Movie that came out last year. From imdb.com’s plot synopsis: “Homer adopts a pig who’s run away from Krusty Burger after Krusty tried to have him slaughtered.” He names it “Spider Pig” and lovingly keeps it as a pet. Bart gets jealous at how much Homer loves that pig. For a while I had “Spider Pig” as my ring tone.
Becky
Nothoney: I think Oprah needs a glass of wine – you’re right!!
BECKY: Awww, maybe I SHOULD watch The Simpsons…
Oooh, this just in:
1. Matt Groening, the creator of the Simpsons, may be a vegetarian and perhaps even vegan. I found one (admittedly rather dodgy) web site that has a list of vegetarian celebs, and his name was on it. On another site, I found a quote from him saying, “I’m a level 5 vegan. I don’t eat anything that casts a shadow.” Is there truth behind that sarcastic comment perhaps? He was born and raised in a liberal family in Portland OR. Wouldn’t be much of a stretch that he’s an enlightened guy.
2. These bits of dialog come from a Simpsons episode called “Lisa the Vegetarian,” in which Lisa becomes, you guessed it, a vegetarian… From a vegan point of view I imagine the dialog comes across as insensitive, but one one hand, I suppose we could argue it’s illustrative of how the Simpsons writers have used the smart/wise Lisa v. dumb/simple Homer & Bart as vehicles to comment on the naivite and ludicrous stupidity of the masses on issues like eating meat:
* Lisa: “I’m going to become a vegetarian”
* Homer: “Does that mean you’re not going to eat any pork?”
* L: “Yes”
* H: “Bacon?”
* L: “Yes Dad”
* H: “Ham?”
* L: “Dad all those meats come from the same animal!”
* H: “Right Lisa, some wonderful, magical animal!”
* Lisa: I can’t eat this. I can’t eat a poor little lamb. [Pushes her plate away.]
* Homer: Lisa, get a hold of yourself. This is lamb, not a lamb.
* L: What’s the difference between this lamb and the one that kissed me?
* Bart: This one spent two hours in the broiler.
P.S. I like the Simpsons. 🙂
Becky: I see you are doing some “research” today. Fridays are good for that, aren’t they? Thanks for checking that out – it’s pretty interesting stuff. Again, perhaps I should be watching the Simpson’s!
Ah now there I was thinking the Simpsons had lost its edge in the last few years…
Dude!
mindy how do I get my wordpress image to not look like a blue quilt piece?
Becky, you have to upload your own image. I believe the blue one is part of a new WordPress feature that allows us to choose icons for people who don’t have them.
s.
BTW, my trip to Farm Sanctuary this weekend is cancelled. **sigh** Mina needs bloodwork and an examination so the money I was going to spend on gas and stuff is going to Mina instead. It’s a better deal all around because Mina is my best friend and Farm Sanctuary puts the money I paid for the cabin towards their general fund.
I’ll try to get up there for a day trip later this summer. I’m bummed, but Mina comes first.
s.
With a stretch of 19 years they’re bound to have some floppers but, in all, the Simpsons are a very useful tool in analyzing human behavior. Many philosophy courses–and even religion courses–have been taught using the Simpsons.
The writing is spectacular and often equally offensive to both sides of an issue, and does well to exemplify the pop cultural views on existential philosophy. The D’oh of Homer is an excellent book on how Eastern philosophy has found its way into the spiritual lives of most Americans and the development of a uniquely American form of esoteric religion that has led to the Megachurch revolution. Each episode of the Simpsons is well-crafted to be a testament to human nature as well as make fun of and celebrate pop culture.
At the Macro level Mr Burns represents Corporate America, Krusty represents Hollywood/entertainment industry and so on. Lisa is the voice of reason and therefore naturally gravitates toward veganism and animal rights as well as other important issues. Explore their episodes in more detail and you will find many such references like when Lisa picks up several stray animals including some abandoned circus animals. The sign in the background reads (something like) “Ringling Bros Circus of Shame”. Or when Lisa turns down millions of dollars from Mr Burns and his Lil’Lisa Slurry Corp because the company nets and kills marine animals in order to produce the slurry. I could go on and on…
what is LISA’S codename. Her 2 friends are “Composte” and something else but I NEED TO KNOW LISA’S nickname.