Let's face it, when they even have a Middle Eastern version of the show, that just goes to show you how the Simpsons people are willing to treat the Muslims with kid gloves while simultaneously portraying and/or satirizing every other religion on the show.
The political correctness of this show is why I don't like it anymore.
And why do you assume I'm a Christian? Religion is bad because it's man's opinion about what god wants. As if any person knows what God wants. Sheesh. Any attack on religion naturally has to include a dig at Islam; otherwise it's just being disingenuous.
If Yassir Arafat was alive, they'd probably would have gotten him to do a voiceover for a Simpsons episode next season. My, how far to the left the show has gotten!
"Justin Pate" wrote
Never really noticed, but you may have a point. They've done plenty of Jewish jokes, and with Apu in there the Hindus have had their share of knocks ("There *are* 700 million of us". "Ah super...") I can think of quite a few Catholic references - even the Pope has appeared a few times. Maybe the September 11th thing is still making the network nervous, although that didn't stop the WTC episode continuing to play around the world. And South Park certainly isn't too shy to give the Muslims a serve!
Well that's you view and you're entitled to it - I'll keep watching, there's sod all else on these days!
Interesting quote I came across while searching snpp.com for the Apu line:
"One of the most satirized topics on The Simpsons is religion. The Simpsons "takes more satirical jabs at spiritual matters than any other TV show"(Dart 12). According to a study by John Heeren of California State University at San Bernardino. religious content appears in nearly 70 percent of the shows" and 11 percent of The Simpsons' episodes main theme is religious (Dart 13).
You may have a point that Islam gets off pretty lightly on the show, but I'd say that's because they don't have an Islamic character as a vehicle for satire. Krusty is Jewish, Apu is Hindu, and most of the rest of the cast are Christian. Carl is also a vehicle for satire on race. I think you're point that; "when they even have a Middle Eastern version of the
is a tad ridiculous. The Simpsons are in nearly every country, how does the fact its broadcast in the Middle East make it more or less pandering? The daily reruns of the Simpsons make up at least 4 of the top ten slots on the Irish weekly ratings lists, yet the Irish jokes border on racism. (I'm thinking in particular of the St Patrick's day parade that routinely included the bombing of a British shop.)
The fact that they change the show's character entirely instead of just censoring out bad parts is a sign of pandering. Come on, Marge wearing a veil? Homer becoming Omar and instead of drooling at beer and bacon drools at root beer and halal sausages? They don't have Homer drinking Guiness and drooling over corned beef and cabbage in Ireland, do they?
How can the show still be biting social satire when they sanitize it for a Middle Eastern audience? The answer: they only want to tap that market for money.
It's a shame how people will sell their souls out for more money.
On 27 May 2006 09:28:12 -0700, "Justin Pate" wrote:
I don't think "they," as in the Simpsons staff, had anything at all to do with the changes or with bringing it to the Middle East, that was more likely left to some Fox lackey. I saw a brief interview clip with Al Jean right after the news about the show airing there first came out, and he seemed rather surprised by the changes and the whole thing himself.
It's probably just another syndication package of some variety, and if the commentary tracks are to be believed, they've got no control over anything that winds up altered in syndication too.
-lugnut
Justin Pate wrote:
Isn't that how free enterprise works?
Why do you hate America?
He is a white christian
On 2-Jun-2006, [email] wrote:
What church welcomes gay disco singers?
[email] wrote:
You'd be surprised, my friend. ;)