The Simpsons Television Show as a Pop Culture Icon Essay

The definition of the typical American family has changed considerably over time. Ever since the age of television dawned on American culture, situation comedies have tried to portray the typical American family in an attempt to reach as many viewers as possible. In the 1950s, there was Leave It to Beaver which represented a generic view of the American family during its time. There was a father whose responsibility was to financially support the family and be a role model for his children. There was a mother whose job was that of a typical housewife, taking care of the home and caring for the children. And there were the children who had no responsibilities, except to respect their parents and listen to their advice when†¦show more content†¦The show was all but ignored by the older viewing public, who discounted it as a trashy cartoon. The consumption (Delingpole) of the program and its messages by the American public when the show first aired regularly was drastical ly different than what it is now and what the writers of the show intended. On face value alone, The Simpsons is not much more than a cartoon about a middle-class family and their ridiculous escapades. But when examined more closely and with a more objective eye ? consumed as the show?s writers would intend ? one can see that The Simpsons is truly a comment on American society. The Simpsons basis, a father, a mother, and three kids, is far from unusual. The typical American is a blue-collar worker not unlike the father, Homer, who works a mindless job at the local nuclear power plant in the Simpsons hometown of Springfield which is basically Anytown, USA. Marge, the mother, is a fairly typical housewife besides her large blue beehive hairdo. Bart, is the rebellious older son; Lisa, the under-appreciated middle child; and Maggie, the adorable baby. The Simpsons dont live in luxury, but they are a generally happy family that encounters the problems of everyday, and not-so-everyday, life, something that millions can relate to. But there is something that sets The Simpsons apart from theShow MoreRelatedPostmodernism And Its Impact On Modern Culture Essay1722 Words   |  7 PagesPostmodernism has many different definitions as it has a range of contexts, but when thinking about television it can be defined as a â€Å"renewed appreciation for popular cult ure that often remixes other art works and pop culture in order to create something new† (Suto, 2013). 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