Beginning on August 21st the cable network FXX began the longest continuous television marathon in history – #EverySimpsonsEver.
#EverySimpsonsEver pic.twitter.com/iqXeNwTlyu
— Every.Simpsons.Ever (@EverySimpsons) August 24, 2014
The Simpsons is the longest running American primetime sitcom in history and has managed to polarize people from its start. I remember as kid having the Simpsons banned in my house because my mom was afraid I was imitating Bart. Some people might remember in 2010 the endorsement given by Benedict XVI. Any show that addresses pop culture and problems of a family is bound to receive criticism. At first the family might seem like a group of selfish jerks, but as Apu points out, we will likely grow to love their quirks.
The Simpsons star at the Walk of Fame | Flickr User YoNoSoyTu | Flickr Creative Commons
Rewatching some of these old episodes has really reminded me of some of the reasons I love the stories of this quirky family. It’s because not only do they often cause trouble in flashy ways, but they always manage to learn something in the process. They don’t hide from their problems, but confront them head on. Marge isn’t afraid to tell Homer when she needs some time off and Homer isn’t afraid to admit that they can be hard to live with. The Simpsons are inspiring to us all. They make mistakes and and learn about each other and the world. The show explores cultural norms and challenges the things that we strive for in life. In the end of every episode they realize how much the love each other and resolve to be a better family.
The Simpsons may not be a Catholic family — they are part of the Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism — but they have a wonderfully Catholic outlook. They aren’t afraid to be in the world and confront the things that challenge them. They don’t hide behind their religion, they challenge their understanding and grow because of it (see Bart Gets an F, Homer the Heretic, Father, Son, and Holy Guest Star, and many more.) They go to church together, despite Homer’s occasional reluctance, and pray at meals and maybe even before they go to bed(in the episode Lisa’s First Word, Bart’s clown bed ominously says, “if you should die before you wake”).
The Simpsons stamps | Flickr User Roy Patrick Tan | Flickr Creative Commons
In all the Simpsons are fun to watch and funny (I don’t think they ever went down hill). They explore a variety of popular topics and always have a nice wrap up. Watch it as much as you like but I know if the world was like me this commercial wouldn’t be far from the truth.