Mmm… TV: teacher, mother, secret lover…
June 4, 2007That’s what Homer Simpson said after being deprived of TV and beer, and then going a bit mental (Simpsons episode Treehouse of horror # ?: The Shinning).
It’s strange to think that I’ve watched that show for over fifteen years. As a teenager I used to tape every episode on our old VCR. Now they show continuous re-runs so I just watch sporadically, but still with great amusement. I can frankly say, a large part of what I know about America comes from that show. Of course, I didn’t understand every subtlety when I was fourteen. But I’m pretty sure I understood more than my parents did.
We used to memorize quotes, write them on small notes during classes and pass them around. It was sort of a competition: who could think of more and funnier quotes. Here’s another one: “I only lied because it was the easiest way to get what I wanted” (Bart). I’m not a big quote person, I don’t have a memory for text… but for some reason I learned several seasons of The Simpsons by heart.
Today it’s a huge franchise. You can buy Homer Simpson-socks and Don’t have a cow- mugs. Ironic somehow. My son calls the show “imppus”, he’s under two and already he recognizes the brand. It seems it will only keep going… not all episodes are that funny anymore. Is it because I’m older or have they really gotten worse?
It reminds me of that whole generation of boys who loved Star Wars (my brother’s one of them), and then George Lucas made some awful follow-ups, and some of the audience are disappointed, and some go into denial and try to convince themselves those movies are good. It’s a sad realization that you no longer find the same things amusing, and a part of you has to grow up.
But I still think that the quote in the title is brilliant.
