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The Simpsons

2014-11-19T16:47:04Z

HaroldBennigan: Added information regarding some characters.

[[File:Ralph.gif|thumb|The character ''Ralph Wiggum'']]
'''''The Simpsons''''' is a satirical animated comedy series created by ''Life in [[Hell]]'' cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]. ''The Simpsons'' started on the ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' in 1987. In December 1989 the show debuted on the [[Fox Network]]. The show was also made into a feature-length movie, which was released on July 27, 2007.

''The Simpsons'' is the longest-running sitcom in the [[United States]], as well as the longest-running animated television series, and is viewed all over the world. It has won 27 Emmy Awards, and since September 2014 FOX presents the 26th season. In February 2012 the 500th episode was broadcast.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/18/robert-thompson-simpsons-to-air-500th-episode/</ref>

In [[Iran]], [[China]] and [[Venezuela]] this serial is banned.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7338131.stm</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/iran-simpsons-ban-idUSL5E8D61X320120206</ref>

==Family==
The show revolves around the fictional Simpson family.

===Homer Jay Simpson===
The overweight, balding father of the family. Homer "works" as a safety inspector in the local nuclear power plant - where he usually sleeps, which gets him into trouble with his boss, Mr. Burns. However, many episodes have shown him performing a wide range of other jobs. Homer enjoys a diet mostly centered around donuts and "Duff" beer. Homer is by choice quite lazy but does get pushed into occasionally performing heroic acts for his family.

===Marjorie "Marge" Bouvier Simpson===
Marge is the mother of the family. Instantly recognizable thanks to her unfeasibly large blue beehive hairdo, Marge provides the foundation for the family. Her relationship with Homer is portrayed as a loving one but frequently exasperating due mostly to Homer's buffoonery. Marge is in many respects the prototypical suburban American mother, as she stays at home and takes care of the family while Homer works. On a few occasions Marge has gotten a job which has sometimes met with horrible results but sometimes with more pleasant ones.

===Bartholomew "Bart" Simpson===
Their son Bart, the eldest child, is a troublemaker and self-proclaimed underachiever. Bart has a mixed relationship with his father. While sometimes harboring a very close relationship with his father, Bart's opinion of Homer is all over the radar, ranging from very affectionate love to deep frustration. It has been shown in several episodes that Bart's bad behavior is partly caused by the cruel education system. It is also often shown that Bart isn't all bad and is a good person deep inside.

===Lisa Simpson===
The older daughter. Lisa is mostly concerned with being a good student, protecting the environment (although she is involved with other [[liberal]] causes at different points in the show's history such as [[recycling]]), and playing the [[saxophone]]. Her high intelligence relative to the rest of her family often makes her feel isolated. In more recent seasons Lisa has been criticised for her constant pushing of the liberal viewpoint.

===Margaret "Maggie" Simpson===
A baby who hardly ever talks, instead sucking her [[pacifier]] twice. On a couple of occasions she has proven to have exceptionally high intelligence (for example, when her pacifier was taken away during a trip to a [[foster home]], she staged an elaborate plot to get it back).

==Episodes==
Currently there are 552 episodes in 25 seasons.

===Conservative Episodes===
*''The Crepes of Wrath'': Lisa discusses with Adil, an [[Albania|Albanian]] Communist spy. Adil wants to know: "How can you defend a country where five percent of the people control 95 percent of the wealth?", whereupon Lisa answeres: "I'm defending a country where people can think, and act, and worship any way they want!"
*''Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington'': Lisa becomes a [[Patriotism|Patriot]].
*''Bart Gets an "F"'': Bart prays to [[God]] to pass a school test.
*''Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment'': Lisa is concerned about her father, who breaks the 8th Comandment: Thou shalt not steal.
*''Homer the Heretic'': Homer does not go longer to worship and gets punished by a house brand.
*''Duffless'': Homer fights [[Alcoholism]].
*''Bart Sells His Soul'': Bart recognizes the existence of the [[soul]].
*''The Trouble With Trillion'': Ned Flanders makes an Conservative quote about [[Nanny state]]. His son asks: "Daddy, what do taxes pay for?", whereupon his father answeres: "Why, everything! Policemen, trees, sunshine- and let's not forget the folks who just don't feel like working, God bless 'em.".
*''Simpsons Bible Stories'': The Simpsons dream Bible Stories. (Partially Mocking of Bible Characters)
*''Alone Again, Natura-diddily'': Ned Flanders keeps his faith in God, after his wife Maude died.
*''Weekend at Burnsie's'': Marge is worried about Homer´s [[Medical marijuana|drug use]].
*''Treehouse of Horror XIII'': Springfield becomes a [[Gun-free zone]]. As a result of it ''Springfield'' gets terrorized by evil Zombie-gun-owners. Homer gets back into the past to prevent [[Gun control]].
*''Pray Anything'': Homer starts to pray, but later he sues the church. He gets punished by a weather disaster.
*'''Tis the Fifteenth Season'': Homer wants to become a good Christian.
*''Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays'': Marge fights an Anti-family campaign.

*''The Simpsons Movie'': Environmentalist [[EPA]] wants to destroy Springfield.

===Liberal Episodes===
*''Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish'': Supports Environmentalism and criticizes nuclear power.
*''Homer's Phobia'': Homer criticizes gay-marriage, but in the end he changes his mind.
*''The Old Man and the Lisa'': Promotes [[Environmentalism]].
*''There's Something About Marrying'': Marge supports gay marriage.
*''The Monkey Suit'': Lisa opposes teaching of [[Intelligent Design]] in schools. (Although at the end of episode Lisa acknowledges to respect exercising Creationism in church.)
*''Mypods and Boomsticks'': Promotes Islam
*''Loan-a Lisa'': Bart makes an atheistic quote: "We've already heard stories from thousands of years ago about stuff that didn't happen."

===Other Political Episodes===
*''Two Bad Neighbors'': Homer becomes an enemy of his new neighbour [[George H.W. Bush]] (RINO). In the end [[Gerald Ford]] (Conservative) is the new neighbour of the Simpsons, who becomes a friend of Homer.
*''Much Apu About Nothing'': Homer supports immigration of [[Illegal aliens]].
*''The Cartridge Family'': Homer becomes a gun owner. It is controversial, whether this episode is pro-[[Gun Control]] or anti-gun control. The writer of this epiosde is John Swartzwelder, who is a 2nd Amandment-supporter.
*''Coming to Homerica'': Another Pro-[[Illegal immigration]]-episode.
*''Bart-Mangled Banner'': The Simpsons get arrested for criticizing government. They leave America, but go back, because of homesickness.

==Themes==
[[File:MrBurnsExcellent.gif|thumb|The character ''Mr. Burns'']]
While The Simpsons has many [[liberal]] themes the basis and morals of the show often portray family centered values in a warped sort of way and many episodes have a strong [[church]] focus. The show also has many episodes which focus on politics. The writers of the show come from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, and this is reflected through the portrayal of American politics on the show. The Springfield [[Republican Party]] is headed by the villainous Mr. Burns and meets in an old castle. Twice they have put forward candidates for elections: Burns himself ran for governor of the anonymous state Springfield is in, though he eventually lost; while in a later episode Sideshow Bob, though twice convicted for attempted murder, becomes Mayor of Springfield. He is removed from office when it is discovered that he personally and secretly committed large scale voting fraud. Meanwhile, the Springfield Democratic party is led by Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby, who is portrayed as a promiscuous, pot smoking, unfaithful and corrupt politician, once admitting openly that he murdered his opponents. Quimby and his family are clearly modeled on the Kennedy family, as Mayor Quimby's voice is identical to the one used when imitating John F Kennedy on the show.

Public Education is satirized in the form of Springfield Elementary, which is portrayed as often taking extreme cost cutting measures at the expense of the children's education. When Bart gets Principal Skinner fired, Ned Flanders takes over as school principal and, as a result of his leniency towards trouble makers, the students run wild. In an attempt to get Skinner his job back, Bart takes Superintendent Chalmers to inspect the school. Despite the chaos he witnesses, Chalmers decides to let Ned remain Principal saying: "...the way America's public schools are sliding, they'll all be this way in a few months. I say, lay back and enjoy it! It's a hell of a toboggan ride". However, when he discovers that Flanders has brought prayer into the school, he fires him on the spot.

The show's portrayal of religion and [[Christianity]] in particular is often given in the form of Ned Flanders, the Simpsons' next door neighbor. A devout Christian, Ned is sometimes overbearing in his faith, but he is consistently shown to be compassionate and decent. In the series' first few seasons Ned was generally loathed by Homer for the perceived (and often real) superiority of Ned's quality of life. Later episodes have shown the two to be quite close at times, with more than a few featuring mutual adventures. Ned's reception amongst Christians has generally been positive due to his strong faith in God, even when faced with obstacles such as a failure of his business, The Leftorium, a hurricane destroying his house and most tragically, the death of his wife Maude.<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/february5/1.28.html</ref>

Well-known atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] had an appearence at ''The Simpsons'' as devil.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/richard-dawkins-appears-as-the-devil-on-the-simpsons-91641/</ref>

==Controversy==
During the early years of the show Bart Simpson was criticized for being a poor role model for children. Though ''The Simpsons'' is considerably less atheistic than other Fox shows such as ''[[Family Guy]]'', recently it has become quite controversial. Ironically, Marge Simpson, arguably the most wholesome character on the show, has been a highly controversial character, as she appeared on the cover and as a centerfold of ''[[Playboy]]'', a pornographic magazine.

In the 2009 Halloween Special, "Treehouse of Horror XX," the writers of the show took a jab at the Eucharist. In one story in this episode, the people of Springfield were zombified and Bart's DNA was a cure. When the Simpsons escaped Springfield, other survivors wanted to eat him, but Marge screams:

::“What kind of civilized people eat the body and blood of their savior?”

Catholic League President Bill Donahue criticized the writers for this line.<ref>http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/10/catholic_league_simpsons_donoh.html</ref>

Some Christian family groups such as the [[Parents Television Council]] criticized the episodes ''There's Something About Marrying'' of supporting [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4285287.stm Simpsons' gay character is Patty - BBC]</ref>

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
* [http://thesimpsons.com/ The official site of the serial]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/ IMDB Website]
* [http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_15996/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=q38A4cHB Vatican gives its approval of the Simpsons]

[[Category:Comedy Television Shows|Simpsons, The]]
[[Category:Cartoon Television Shows|Simpsons, The]]

Family Guy

2014-11-19T16:41:39Z

HaroldBennigan: Added more criticism on the show.

'''''Family Guy''''' is an animated television program created by [[Seth MacFarlane]] and shown on the Fox television network, although it also has slots on TBS and Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. It documents the life of "the Griffins," a fictional family who live in Quahog, [[Rhode Island]]. The show, like ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and other cartoon shows on television, explores—from an extremely [[liberal]] angle—cultural and political themes that are important in the world today, as well as taking humorous approaches to past and present television shows.<ref>[http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/top10bestandworst/main.asp Parents' Television Council]</ref> It takes an unfavorable view of creationists, focusing instead on the theory of evolution.<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/us/newsletters/0107lead.asp Answers in Genesis]</ref> ''Family Guy'' is known for its constant use of rude and profane speech, violent and crude humor, and [[liberal deceit]]. In that vein, the show has made numerous off-color jokes about teen pregnancy, bestiality, [[abortion]], [[homosexuality]], the [[Holocaust]], mental illness, [[suicide]] and religion, among other topics. Currently there are about 233 episodes in 12 seasons.

One notorious episode entitled ''When You Wish Upon a Weinstein,'' was banned from Fox for [[anti-Semitism]].<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0576978/</ref> Several years later, another episode ''Partial Terms of Endearment'' was banned from Fox for encouraging abortions. Yet another episode likened McCain-Palin supporters to Nazis. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIWTB8POnkg ''Family Guy'' on YouTube]</ref> The show frequently uses jokes referencing Hitler and the Nazis.

Another episode introduced a girl with [[Down Syndrome]]. During a conversation, she remarked that [[Sarah Palin|her mother]] was the governer of [[Alaska]]. Another episode featured a repeated catchphrase "[[Laura Bush]] Killed A Guy!"<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/12/08/2008-12-08_family_guy_stirs_controversy_with_laura_.html NY Daily News: "Family Guy" stirs controversy with "Laura Bush killed a guy" catch phrase]</ref> This was a misleading statement, mocking a tragic car accident which occurred when she was 17 years old. Laura Welch, as she was known then, ran a stop sign and crashed into another car, killing its only occupant, 17-year-old Michael Douglas.<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/laura.asp Snopes]</ref>

On the other hand, the show has made fun of liberal politicians as well. The episode ''Bill and Peter's Bogus Journey'' portrays former president [[Bill Clinton]] as a hedonistic sex fiend and a drug user.<ref>[http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/772/772102p1.html Family Guy: ''Bill and Peter's Bogus Journey'' Review]</ref>

On that note, in one episode Quagmire criticizes Brian for his "textbook liberal agenda," and then points out he doesn't do anything to actually help. Quagmire also points out Brian has no right to say religion is for idiots because Brian failed college twice, as well as Brian's hypocrisy in saying homelessness is an important issue while doing nothing to help the homeless.<ref>http://www.hulu.com/watch/111154/family-guy-quagmire-goes-off</ref>

== Criticism ==

''Family Guy'' and its creators have been savaged by media and fans for its lack of originality and, in some cases, outright plagiarism, particularly from the vastly more popular show, ''[[The Simpsons]]''. The basic model of the family - a fat, drunk, stupid, yet good-hearted husband with an attractive, yet nagging wife - is a direct copy of Homer and Marge Simpson. The show has stolen numerous plot ideas from ''The Simpsons,'' including the wife developing a gambling addiction.<ref>http://familyguysteals.blogspot.com/</ref>

The character of Stewie is a well-documented theft of the comic book character Jimmy Corrigan, the smartest kid on Earth.<ref>http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/corrigan.html</ref>

''The Simpsons'' and ''South Park'' have openly mocked ''Family Guy'' for its lack of creativity and frequent derivative sequences. One episode of ''South Park'' portrayed ''Family Guy'' as being written by manatees who would randomly select balls inscribed with a noun, verb and pop culture reference, thus creating all the jokes for the show.

The show has also been criticized for having declined in quality since its "uncancellation" for reasons including its constant recycling of jokes, its departure from the more smart, dialogue based humour of the first three seasons in favour of shock and gross-out humour and drastic changes in the characters, for example, Brian was originally portrayed as the voice of reason in the family with a dry sense of humour eventually became an alcoholic, preachy, atheist (despite previously proclaiming belief in God in earlier episodes), marijuana smoking hypocrite who served the sole purpose of being a loud speaker for Seth MacFarlane's political views. Another incident happened when Jesus appeared on the show and blatantly insulted George W. Bush for no reason other than to showcase MacFarlane's dislike for him.

Several commenter have also noted the extremely violent and disturbing themes. One such theme is the constant abuse of the daughter Meg who is regarded with contempt by almost everybody on the show. The father Peter is the most prominent abuser and has done several bad things to her, the worst possibly being shooting her for no reason other than her walking by. Characters are in almost every episode exposed to graphic injuries and one episode involves a filthy, dangerous kindergarten run by a seemingly liberal woman.

==References==
<References />
{{Liberalism}}
[[Category:Cartoon Television Shows]]
[[Category:Comedy Television Shows]]
[[Category:Worst Liberal TV Shows]]

Grand Theft Auto V

2014-11-19T16:33:14Z

HaroldBennigan: Added some information regarding the political themes in the game.

Grand Theft Auto V, released on 27 September 2013, is the latest installment in the violent, yet critically acclaimed adult oriented [[Grand Theft Auto]] [[video game]] series. Like many violent video games, the Grand Theft Auto series has been directly linked to acts of adolescent violence in real life.
== Setting ==
Grand Theft Auto V is set in modern day Los Santos; a fictionalized and condensed version of [[Los Angeles]]<ref>http://www.gtav.net/setting/</ref> <ref>http://www.igta5.com/location-setting</ref>. A rendition of Los Santos with virtually the same elements (as well as San Fierro, a city based on [[San Francisco]], and Las Venturas, a city based on [[Las Vegas]]) was previously featured in [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]], arguably the most successful game in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, both commercially and critically.
== Political Themes ==
The first trailer contained many references to income disparity, [[homelessness]] the [[recession]] and [[illegal drugs|drug dealing]]. Prior to release, it was speculated that the game, which was heavily anticipated by children and teenagers, would actually revolve around "''the disparity between the rich and the poor''" and "''the problems with [[capitalism]]''".

The Grand Theft Auto series and it's writer, Sam Houser have a long history of writing long, elaborate, detailed, and sophisticated scripts with [[left wing]] bias. The game was produced in [[Scotland]], a country in the [[United Kingdom]] even more left wing than the city of [[San Francisco]]. Houser is a graduate of a London university.

The hidden media messages in Grand Theft Auto games spread the idea that government assistance and extensive welfare programs increase the standard of living, and that nobody can live a long, healthy life without [[Universal health care|Canadian style healthcare]]. Whilst the series claims to satirise American culture and life, it often attempts to make a mockery of traditional [[conservative]] values.

However, liberals are usually portrayed as hypocritical, whiny and self-centered. One such example is a female politician who states that she only married her husband for his money and wouldn't care if he died and left his money to her. Another character is a drug abuser who is portrayed as spoiled, sinful, lazy and is unwilling to get a job.

==Release==
On November 3, 2011, developer [[Rockstar Games]] released a press release boasting the significance of the installment to the controversial franchise <ref>http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/19471/grand-theft-auto-v-official-announcement.html</ref>. In the months leading up to the eventual release date announcement, it was repeatedly mentioned that the game is their biggest and most ambitious to date.

Rockstar originally intended to release the second trailer on November 2nd, 2012; the one year anniversary of the release of the first trailer, however [[Hurricane Sandy]] cut of the supply of electricity to Rockstar's [[New York City]] office, further delaying the game's release. The second trailer revolves around the three protagonists and their lives, their relationships with other characters, and their criminal activities such as street racing.

On January 31, 2013 Rockstar Games announced on their official web site that Grand Theft Auto V would be released on September 17, 2013 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 <ref>http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/48591/grand-theft-auto-v-is-coming-9172013.html</ref>. They announced that they would miss their target release date for Spring of 2013 on account of "extra development time". A release for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is planned in late 2014 <ref>http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52261/Grand-Theft-Auto-V-Coming-this-Fall-to-PlayStation-4-Xbox</ref>.

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N-xHcvug3WI Official Gameplay Video]
*[http://www.rockstargames.com/V Rockstar Games' page for the game]
*[http://www.gtav.net/ Official Website]

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Video Games]]