Springfield--September 11,2001

I just finished my first draft of a story involving the citizens of Springfield and how the events of September 11th touched the lives of so many people...forever.

I left this first draft as is, although I know some of the characters seem to float off in a different direction here and there...that was my own mindset while writing this and it reminded me of how I felt that day while listening to the reports on my car radio, then later on, in front of the TV with my wife and three kids.

People still seem a lot more friendlier today than at anytime before 9-11-2001... that's something to think about as the one year anniversary arrives next month. : )

Here's a link to it at Simpsons Fanworks Central, or just click on the attachment.

Dana I'm reading this and the first thing that sticks out is that Kent and Krusty are together chatting it up. While Krusty's complaining seems in character Kent's first line doesn't feel right. Mel's line is even worse.

The idea seems good but the characters lose their voice..

"Dana" wrote in message news:zGc59.81232$D36.75731@rwcrnsc53...

own

TV

"Cnews" wrote in message news:Cze59.2357113$[email]...

I absolutely agree, with regards to the opening scene. Getting this story started was the hardest part for me, and I'm sure a lot of changes will be done to the beginning. You're right, even as I wrote the lines for Brockman, it didn't sound quite right...but I was desperate to get on with the rest of the thoughts in my head, that I just plowed on through and left the finer points to be corrected later on...including the spelling errors. My emotions were very high, trying to get what I felt out of my head and conveyed in print for everyone to understand what I was seeing. It's a work in progress and I thank you for your opinions.

I'm going to make this post at risk of many people bashing my thoughts right back down. I think this has the heart of someone that was impacted back the Sept. 11th attacks, but it lacks very much in actual Simpsons charcterizations. First off, there isn't even a slight aire of humor even before the attacks started. Secondly, when Homer starts chasing the Flanders' childeren(which was pretty funny) you depicted Marge chasing home around with a frying pan and ending up hitting him with it. I don't think this fits the character of Marge at all. She has almost never gotten truly angry with Homer even through all of his stupidity, she manages to just sit and stew over it. The fact of her chasing him around is unrealistic enough, and even moreso when she attacks him. I'm going to go out on a limb here but I don't recall any episode where Marge has physically hurt Homer. Lastly, you have the script set up in almost a theatrical play script as opposed to one that is for TV, yet you continually reference things coming up on the screen. This seemed a little odd to me. Anyway, in summation I just wanted to say it was a good thought, but the characters just didn't show their true light very often. Also, anyone that feels like it, feel free to correct me on anything I've said about past episodes, because I didn't do any research prior to posting this, it's just my best recollection.

-Doug

"Dana" wrote in message news:g8f59.56168$7n5.9324@sccrnsc01...

and

worse.

Brockman,

of

emotions

progress

"Doug" wrote in message news:Xbk59.80603$[email]...

right

the

home

truly

sit

enough,

Hmmmm...I know what you're saying with regards to the television ques...I tried my best to not make it too confusing, but I guess that wasn't possible. My point was that the television was to be the focal point of the episode, as it was on that day when all of America, all of the world, tuned into this tragedy on their tv sets.

I really wanted Marge and Homer to be together when they found out about the planes hitting the towers, but I didn't want it to be Homer playing hookey, or Homer being sick, because then he wouldn't be able to be watching the TV with Marge. I needed something that would be temporary and allow him to watch TV with Marge. The hitting of Homer with a frying pan is a first, but it's not the first time she uses violence against him. Off the top of my head, in season one with the stripper/ mini camera episode, Homer is choking Bart when Marge comes up and begins choking Homer. In season two, War of the Simpsons, she continuously strikes Homer in the head and body with a vacuum cleaner. Yeah, the frying pan is a step up in the violence, but this was Homer threatening someone elses child, two children who certainly are not used to any kind of violence. Oh well, that's my reasoning. I appreciate your insights, and yes, in the future drafts, I will try to work on the humor a bit more...the beginning was secondary to the mostly dramatic 2nd and 3rd acts.

Thanks again Doug, your advice will help me make this a little better with time. : )

Dana wrote in message news:zGc59.81232$D36.75731@rwcrnsc53...

own

TV

How about just writing a story from your own point of view, instead of twisting Simpsons characters way out of shape. For me, the "Simpsons" were (and still is) an escape from the repercussions of September 11th.

-Bob

Because writing a fanscript is what i enjoy doing...and writing from scratch with new characters would be too difficult for me. That's for the pros.

(and still is) an escape from the repercussions of September 11th.

Yeah, they're an escape for lot's of us...but I wouldn't expect them to ignore the repercucussions in the forthcoming season. I'd expect that they would give it their attention in one or more episodes and then carry on like the rest of us are.

The Simpsons deal with reality and make us laugh, think, cry and understand...how could they not do a show about 9-11?

I'm not sure they would ever go as far as I went with my story, but the repercussions are sure to hit Springfield at some point this season...and I'm sure they'll do a great job at driving home a message to us all..."Love conquers all".

They didnt do any eps about Waco or the Oklahoma city bombings or Columbine though,,they dont deal with tragedies where real people died (ok,,they did WWII eps,,but thats probably the only example).

"Metlhd3138" wrote in message news:[email]...

Columbine

WWII

You're right, those events were very tragic, and to my recollection, never brought up in any way on the show. In that light, maybe we won't see anything happen on the show with regards to 9-11. But the repercussions of that day were of a magnitude that I simply can't see them not making at least some kind of reference to it at some point. This one event shook the entire world like no other, not to belittle any other tragic events before or after 9-11-2001, but the scope at which it was available to so many, LIVE, as it happened...the event has no equal.

The closest ref they made was Bart mentioning "America's Firefighters" as one of his heroes in "The Last Gun in the West".

----- Dana (Sat, 10 Aug 2002 19:51:22 GMT) -----

I ask the opposite question: how COULD they do such a show? It's far too tragic to joke about in any way, I think. I'm thinking they could simply acknowledge it with a short exchange:

     LISA:    But I thought you hated New York.
     HOMER:   [sentimentally] Awww, it's not that bad ...
                  or
              Hmmm.  No, I don't remember that.

Anyway, something subtle, just to acknowledge it or something.

Something subtle would definately be appropriate, but my fanscript does not joke about 9-11 in any way, shape or form. A dramatic story like mine is highly unlikely to make it into the series, but my story is intended for readers of fanfics...stories that will never be on the show.

A very special "Simpsons"... (the quintessential Jump the Shark category.)

So Blossom jumped the shark every week then I guess :)

"James Allen" wrote in message news:[email]...

too

simply

not

"I can't believe you're going to have sex- for the fourth time!" -Sarah Gilbert parodying Six from "Blossom" on SNL

ahaha.. I think it jumped the shark the first time Joey said "Woah!"

"James Allen" wrote in message news:[email]...

I don't know that I see them dealing with September 11th in the way that, say, The West Wing did. First of all, by the time a new episode comes out more than a year will have passed, and it will be an odd and unfortunate time for a tribute.

Current events are what the Simpson's do worst. Can anyone think of a time when current events were well encorporated in the show? I can't.

I think that The Simpsons writers will avoid certain jokes over the next season... but I would prefer that they avoid dealing with Sept 11th directly.

One other thing... what does "Love conquers all" mean? This sort of baffles me... Love is a wonderful, powerful thing, but it doesn't stop terrible things from happening, and in many ways love is what makes something like Sept 11th so unbearably painful. Thousands of people lost their husbands, wives, children. Love is like a searing open pain in their heart...

"fishy" wrote in message news:[email]...

Love is the only thing strong enough to get us through these kinds of horrible things, done at the hands of people who only know hate. They can try to do their worst, but when all is said and done, we are drawn closer and tighter as a family, as a town, as a nation...as a world. That's my definition of "Love conquers all"...there may be others, but that's my take on it.

Well, hun it may sound surprising but love was also what caused sept 11 in the first place. It may sound plausible that hate was what propelled the folks who commited the crime, it was really love... Love of their kind above love of our kind, love of their commanding masters, love of a place called heaven(did you know islamic heaven promises you "houris" who are virgins meant to pleasure you.

Love is a two edged thing... you may murder because you love yourself more than you love someone else... watch out!

"Dana" wrote in message news:...

Dana wrote in message news:bmj59.85339$D36.78289@rwcrnsc53...

I'm working on an artwork for a show in our gallery called, "One Year Later". I'm also the curator.

Both Fishy's and Dana's views are reflected in the artwork from a number of local (NYC) artists.

And, as I create my piece, I can't help thinking Fishy is right, but can't help wishing Dana is right.

-Bob

R H Menzel wrote:

of

Best of luck with your exhibit, post a link if you have the chance.

Dana

Dana wrote in message news:nDb79.52695$Zl2.11533@sccrnsc02...

can't

Thanks! The exhibition will be part of our virtual gallery. It'll take me at least a couple of weeks to get it up (the show, that is) and I'll post a link when ready.

-Bob

Well, we are both right in a lot of ways. A lot of really wonderful and positive stories came out of the Sept. 11th aftermath... and though it is always hard to gauge these things, perhaps a lot of people gained a new outlook on life. A lot of people have directed a lot of love and effort towards the victims and the world as a result. It is important that our art and media reflect these things.

I think that this sort of event is and always should be a painful moment in history... like Dieppe, or Pearl Harbour, or Nagasaki. 3000 normal people went to work in the morning, and never came home to their spouses, or children, or their dogs. All the love that was there is now filled with a horrible sadness.

An artist myself, I think that I would paint something that had some of Dana's thoughts represented... but I think that I couldn't help but produce a canvas that aches with that pain...

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

So, have you?

No, I haven't...

Bob, you are a good person to ask: Have you seen much 9-11 centred work from outside the States? I am up here in Ontario, Canada, but I was living literally 20 minutes from the NY State border at the time. At about 5.5 hours from NYC, I was closer than some 80% of the US, yet I feel like I am not really in a position to comment, or create.

Canada had citizens working in the Towers, and we lost more soldiers in Afghanistan (including one from the area I am in now) than the US did... but the 11th seems very much a subject for US citizens. As a Canadian, I would feel like an intruder if I painted something...

I imagine that the focus of your exhibit will be on American artists, understandably... but have seen much from outside the US? I would be interested to see what there is, and whether or not it really engages the subject, or reads more like a card of condolence.

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

I've only been privy to work from local artists.

Don't feel that way.

This is why you should create something that you feel.

Not true!

Shortly after the attack, a boy in Canada (cannot remember where) started collecting coins in his school. His principal heard of this and started a grassroots effort throughout that school system. A million bucks were raised.

Canadians are our neighbors, allies, and friends.

This exhibit is by artists from New York only because that's the sphere of my influence. But, I fully realize that the attack effected lots of people from all over the world, in so many different ways.

... but have seen much from outside the

So would I!

card of

Still a valid sentiment!

Fishy, if you are interested in creating artwork relating to September 11th, and wish to have it shown, we'll do it. As a matter of fact, if you know other Canadian artists who wish to produce work on the subject, we'll add it to the future virtual exhibit on our website - with all the appropriate press statements,etc.

If you wish to talk more on this subject, contact me directly [email]

-Bob

Oh the episode where the aliens took over the bodies of Clinton and Dole was pretty good. (You remember, "it doesn't matter who you vote for.")

If the show is on in 2003-2004 then something might work. He (Homer) might want to visit the WTC (using an old guide book) and fall into the bathtub and then wander around the tunnel and end up in New Jersey.

911 would not be mentioned but its effect would be shown. Something like the episode where the British Pub blows up.

In each case, the underlying tragedy is not mentioned but folks who know what's going on will understand.

Wouldnt you say that "Bin Laden in a Blender" could be seen as a ref? You just know that joke was put in post 9/11.

I am sure that it was. I think that is more of a "meta-reference" to 9-11... it was funny because it is something that we can completely believe appearing on the internet post 9-11. I think that those sort of references are the sort of thing that may continue to show up on the Simpsons.

Despite everyone saying that the world has changed, it has mostly stayed the same. I think that as the years go by certain things will change and even out and we will see the long term effects of the attacks. The Simpsons will be there to make jokes around them and inspite of them.

By then, I suppose the show will have started retreading old episodes, so don't be surprised if the Simpsons go to New York again. ________________________________________________________________

If love of money is the root of all evil, why do churches want it so badly?

Remove "bination" to reply.

• Sydney Assbasket (Thu, 15 Aug 2002 03:42:07 GMT):

"The Simpsons are going to New York! Er, again."

There was the halloween episode when Dole and Clinton get abducted and replaced by the aliens. That was great!

Clinton: "Is it noon already?"

Dana wrote in message news:_8e59.52715$UU1.10202@sccrnsc03...

That's nice, but unrealistic!

In 1993, those terrorist fuckers tried to destroy the WTC. The Clinton administration did nothing about it. Hopefully, the Bush administration won't let a THIRD attack happen. Love? I say kill all the terrorists and anyone who supports them (in any way, shape, or fashion).

"Dana" wrote in message news:zGc59.81232$D36.75731@rwcrnsc53...

I really don't think the Simpsons and the tragic events of September 11th are a good fit. The goal of the Simpsons is to make us laugh. It's a comedy. There is no way to turn what happened in the real world into a comedy. Actually, the first few weeks after September 11th, my only escape was when my local Fox affiliate would stop the "continuous coverage" of news long enough to play Simpsons reruns.

Mr. Nethead wrote in message news:[email]...

comedy.

when

Agreed!

Comedy is a good bandage, but sometimes time has to pass before one can be applied.

-Bob