I went on Ha’aretz yesterday and read an article that made me feel mixed with emotions. I don’t know how I should feel. Should I support the Americans or shouldn’t I?
I’m speaking, of course, about the upcoming Simpsons episode where the family takes a trip to Israel.
Here’s what you have to understand. And if you know The Simpsons as well as I do, you will be nodding your head in agreement. I grew up watching that show. It was my favorite show from when I was a little kid through my high school years. On long car trips, my brothers and I would sit in the backseats for hours playing Simpsons trivia. And the amazing part of the show is that if I were to go back and watch some of my favorite episodes, I would probably find jokes that, in the past, had flown over my head. It’s just that good.
But The Simpsons had a turning point, somewhere around 1999-2000. It became less about the intelligent pop culture jab and more about some slapstick gimmick. Instead of social commentary, the show decided to focus on guest stars and going to cool, exotic places. I cannot even tell you how bad the episode where the family goes to Winnipeg is. Uch.
So when I read that the Homer, Marge and the family are going to be visiting Jerusalem, I was torn. Sure, it’s gonna be cool to see the Western Wall in cartoon form, but this episode is everything I hate about the show now. Relying on guest stars (Sacha Baron Cohen) and foreign places to make up for the fact that the show has been on for over 20 years and there just isn’t that much for the writers to cover anymore. It’s all been done.
So yeah, I’ll watch. But, let me tell you, I’m not gonna be happy about it. But at least Family Guy isn’t going to Israel. Talk about a show that’s over the hill.
