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7 Simpsons Life Lessons

Matt Groening's sitcom can really teach us something

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 5, 2010 11:34 AM CST

(Newser) The Simpsons is more than just a cartoon—it’s spawned essays, books, and lecture series, and the Telegraph takes a look at the lessons it can teach us:

  • Family is the most important thing: Contrary to former president George Bush’s beliefs, The Simpsons celebrates family—complete with a non-absent, albeit dumb, father and a more realistic view of family life than most sitcoms.

  • Homosexuality is OK: Homophobic Homer comes around, eventually officiating at a gay marriage, and Marge’s sister is a lesbian.
  • Morals are more important than organized religion: Though all religions are mocked, Homer still attends church each week—and some experts have pointed out that the show is actually morally upstanding when it comes to most issues.
  • All politics deserve teasing: Creator Matt Groening is a liberal, but the show rips left and right alike.
For the complete list, click here.

This undated image made available by Fox Broadcasting Co. shows the Simpsons.
This undated image made available by Fox Broadcasting Co. shows the Simpsons.   (AP Photo/Fox Broadcasting Co.)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Spudsy
Jan 5, 2010 11:54 AM CST
That phrase would have come from Rev. Jim Jones. He wasn't a comedian. But since he was a hard core religious wingnut we know he would have been a right wing Repub or tea bagger. And like I said, he wasn't funny.
ErinORiordan
Jan 5, 2010 11:01 AM CST
Lesson #8: Weaseling out of things is what separates from the animals...except the weasel. Lesson #9: The trick to getting out of jury duty is to say you're prejudiced against all races. I have learned so much from this cartoon!
Spudsy
Jan 5, 2010 9:24 AM CST
"eator Matt Groening is a liberal, but the show rips left and right alike." -- If you watch most every liberal comedian will rip both sides. Because they are thinking and their only true agenda is to make you laugh and enjoy life. When comedians go conservative, like Dennis Miller, they end up being much less funny because the right has a hard time criticizing itself. The right likes to whine about Jon Stewart but the Daily Show has roasted both Obama and Clinton repeatedly. I'll actually give Bush some credit for a couple of the videos he made where he was looking for Iraqi WMDs under chairs in the White House.
 

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