Hungarian Ombudsman Says 'Simpsons' Is Anti-Gypsy

Hungarian Ombudsman Says 'Simpsons' Is Anti-Gypsy

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Reuters) - An episode of the American television cartoon "The Simpsons" reinforces Hungarian prejudices against its Roma or gypsy population, a rights official has said.

In a letter to the ViaSat3 commercial channel, Hungary's minority ombudsman said one episode of the satirical animated show featured a Roma character who proves his ethnic origin to a school inspector by saying: "I will drink your blood."

"In this scene, one of the characters declares Roma and vampires as borderline cases, and ... suggests the Roma in general cannot conform to social rules and expectations," Jeno Kaltenbach wrote in the letter dated November 25.

ViaSat3, which broadcast the episode, said that while the Hungarian language dubbing followed the original to the letter, translation in such cases could soften "offensive stereotypical expressions."

The ombudsman examined the case after a private individual complained, the Roma Press Center said Wednesday.

The Roma are Hungary's largest minority, making up about 5 percent of the central European nation's population of about 10 million.

"The Simpsons" executive producer James Brooks apologized in April to Rio de Janeiro after an episode depicted the Brazilian city as overrun with rats and monkeys.

Rio's tourist board said it was considering legal action against the show for undermining its tourist industry.

11/27/02 09:12 ET

--Lurky McLurkerson

I suspect something was lost in the translation to Hungarian? Nobody could be THAT stupid surely...

as for the Brazil thing, well Jim Brooks should never have apologised. Perhaps the Simpsons should go to Brazil again, and observe their education system (or lack of it) and the way in which the police forces keep order by beating and raping homeless children?

Milhouse isn't a Gypsy...or a vampire. He just said he was so he could wear earrings.

For the record, the offending scene is from 3G04, "Simpson Tide." And I believe it's actually one of the syndication cuts! The system works!! :P

This is an insult to all great Gypsies such as, ....um, wait someone will come to me!

THRILLHO wrote in message news:[email]...

cartoon

ombudsman

who

your

borderline

and

language

could

Roma

de

and

for

LOL. Our friendly Ombudsman should educate himself as to how Americans interpret the word "gypsy". It's more of a description of behavior and lifestyle than a reference to an ethnicity or religious practice.

Let's not forget: it's becoming trendy to attack the US in Europe these days. As their economies continue to struggle while America prospers, jealousy will only become more ingrained.

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

I'm struggling?

JQM

In comparison to most European countries, yes.

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

Poot Rootbeer wrote in message news:[email]...

I agree with you, Poot! Why just the other day I was remarking to my weekend chauffeur how difficult it was becoming to find a four-star restaurant which serves a really ripping roast bald eagle or panda pot pie.

Have you tried the blue plate special at Denny's?

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

On Thu, 28 Nov 2002 12:38:25 -0600, Poot Rootbeer wrote:

Compared to Europe.

On 27 Nov 2002 14:53:49 GMT, [email] (THRILLHO) wrote:

Lemme guess. He never bothered to watch the episode.

http://www.snpp.com/episodes/scg-9.txt

At the school playground, Bart and Milhouse play on the monkey bars.

Skinner: Young man, the school dress code specifically forbids the wearing of earrings--unless... you're of gypsy extraction.

Milhouse: [thinking] Uh... I'm a gypsy.

Skinner: [smug chuckle] Oh, really? Prove it.

Milhouse: Uh... I vant to suck your blood!

Skinner: Nuh uh. That's a vampire... [reading dress code] but, uh... they're also covered. Carry on. [walks away]