I was raised by TV and I turned out TV (or why you should stop bitching about how much the Simpsons suck after season 10)

As a Simpsons fan for most of my life I have stuck by them through all the major slumps - the deluge of animated shows, the cluster fuck of animated shows aimed for adults, the general lull of being on tv for longer than the average shows but most of all I have been defending the Simpsons to every person who has regurgitated the ol "the Simpsons used to be better" line [insert eye roll].

Yes, partly it's loyalty for a TV show that helped shape my twisted sense of humour but also - the fact that the show's humour hasn't changed that much in the last 25 years, despite having to battle it out against shows like South Park and the Macfarlane empire - the Simpsons never played blue (well no bluer than they already were). The plots did get wackier which was probably the real response to shows like family guy and South Park but if they hadn't, people would be crapping on about how it stayed the same and got boring (not to be confused with the consistency of the humour). I will say this though - I do miss Conan O'Brian as a Simpdons writer - that guy is a genius. A lot of the time, people fail to realise that society has changed the expectations of a genre that wasn't even supposed to survive when the Simpsons first aired not to mention that people change in preferences, in pretentiousness and in humour.

When people have tried to give me the old chest nut "Simpsons stopped being funny after season 10" I usually ask them why and more often than not it usually coincides with people simply not watching anymore. Besides a few of us that may or may not leave the Simpsons playing in the background of daily life - people simply stopped watching because other shows were pushing the boundaries more. . . because 'normal' people don't think quoting the Simpsons is an attractive quality in a mate. . . because people are still under the impression that growing up means not having a sense of humour.  Hilariously I've even had people suggest that Simpsons no longer cares about stories - instead opting for craziness - seriously? You're watching a cartoon, you want a dragged out story? Watch a soap opera . . . Or an American dubbed anime. Not to mention that these same people are Family guy fans. 

Just a quick note - I love Family Guy and all the Macfarlane creations and I have also stuck it out with South Park which in fact has gotten better each year. Both creative teams behind these shows site the Simpsons as a major influence on their work but people don't care that the Simpsons had been a major foundation for so much animated comedy.

I'm not saying all Simpson episodes are gems - because they're not (the first 10 seasons included) but that's just it - it has never been a perfect show. Putting the first 10 seasons on a pedestal is like saying that the first 3 seasons of Seinfeld were the best ones - nope. They were history that needed to happen to get to the awesomeness (albeit an over quoted awesomeness - if someone says "no soup for you" as their favourite Seinfeld quote to me one more time - I will punch them in the dark).

Another gripe that 'fans' constantly bring up is that the series became all about the celebrity guest appearances and that they just play themselves now which is bull honkey - just off the top of my head from the early seasons :

Not to mention why shouldn't celebrities guest star on the show? A lot of the recent guest stars like Jonah Hill, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Seth Rogen grew up watching the Simpsons just as we all did. I know if I had become famous I would jump at the chance to be a tiny part of Simpsons history - as Ricky Gervais put it recently : 

If you're still not convinced (and fair enough too because all I've done is insult those who have not watched all the Simpsons like if its some sort of Holy Grail) here are a few episodes after season 10 that are amazing and might inspire some to actually experience what they're constantly judging.

Moe baby blues (Season 14)

Moe becomes creepily attached to Maggie and Homer becomes jealous. Awesome Godfather and Queen references.

Don't fear the roofer (Season 16)

Ray Magini who may or may not be a figment of Homer's imagination. Funny episode despite Ray Romano.

Springfield Up (Season 18)

A parody of the 7 up documentaries - Simpsons style :

That 90s show (Season 19)

A whole bunch of 90s references and a slight rewrite of Simpsons history - it's a really awesome episode for those of us who lived through the disgusting paisley 90s.

Treehouse of Horror XX (Season 21)

This is easily my favourite treehouse episode - Hitchcock, zombies and a penny dreadful type musical. It's perfect.

The day the earth stood cool (Season 24)

An episode making fun of hipsters - pretty spot on too.

These are just a few of the ones that have stood out for me but seriously - they're still funny - However, if you're still not convinced. . . Well, I think long running Simpsons writer Dana Gould put it best:

Now excuse me while I go watch the Simpsons go jump the shark for the 50th time with the Family Guy crossover. 

I will love you, always . . . or until I blow you up (always video clip by Bon Jovi)

Do you remember this video clip?

It's one of those clips that is so 90s that it hurts your face like :

- A dude wearing a "raver" Cat in the hat . . .hat

- Non ironic florals and paisley dresses 

- Carla Cugino (possibly straight off her Son in Law fame) 

- Keri Russell (pre Malibu Shores and Felicity fame)

- That blond squinty eyed dude that was in everything in the 90s (since have found out his name is Jack Noteworthy) I only recognised him as a peodophile from Law and Order SVU but he's been in a whole bunch of crap.

- the "hot artist dude" (Jason Wiles) which I found familiar but only because he played another sexual predator in Law and Order SVU (is it just me or has SVU become the show where actors careers go to die?)

Mix in some vests worn as shirts and overacting and BAM - you've got this masterpiece of craptacular proportions.

Back in 1994 - I didn't even blink about how ridiculous the story is or how you can see the boom mic in that one scene (granted, in 1994 - I was 9 years old and was more focused on watching the video without my parents coming into the room right on the "raunchier scenes" as parents seem to do). Here, watch this thing if you never have or haven't in a long time :

Oh and the main guy blows Carla Cugino up in the end. . . Why does she even call him up to the artists guy's loft??? Ugh, I don't care anymore.

What time is it? Suspiciously inappropriate content time!

********MASSIVE SPOILER ALERTS*******

Kids cartoons are always riddled with jokes intended for adult consumption, I guess so parents can appreciate watching the cartoons with their kids or so that the creators don't tear their eyes out from producing some of the kiddy drivel that's out there. Have you sat down and watched the old Looney Toons or other cartoons you used to watch as a kid now as an adult? There are some real adult situations being packaged with bright colours and cute characters so children don't notice that they have no clue what's going on plot wise.

Adventure Time is no exception - it's like the Ren and Stimpy of my generation where we would watch it, laugh with it and collect the stationery and the McDonalds figurines and then. . . Lost. Our. Minds. Completely. when we watched it as adults because that show is mad fucked.

Here are a few examples of the kind of themes and situations found in Adventure Time that imply the creators know exactly what they're doing but parents letting their kids watch the show and buy them the paraphernalia - have probably never paid too much attention to it.

BMO deleting his files and reacting like a drug abuser.

It's not just the act of deleting his/her files and giggling like a maniac - it's the fact that before he/she does the deleting, he/she looks around the tree house and finds a hidden spot under a bucket to carry out his/her business, shame and addiction from an androgynous machine.

Xergiok and his obsession with spanking hams

No explanation, the dude is just really into spanking hams.

The episode The New Frontier

Basically this episode is about Jake having a "Croak Dream" in which he believes he prophetically dreams about exactly how he is going to die . . . And resigns to let destiny take its course. The episode involves Finn trying to stop the event from happening and Jake getting angry at Finn for not letting him die in peace.

Bounce House Princess

Princess Bubblegum implying she didnt lose her virtue to an evil deer

This has no roundabout explanation - she said this and Finn was understandably taken aback because well. . . It's a fucked up thing to say, PB.

God Complexes
Princess Bubblegum is constantly creating and modifying the candy people to her whims which is weird enough and then she created the Goliad with DNA from one of her own teeth. The Goliad eventually becomes ruthless and heartless because of misguided advice from Finna and Jake and has to be kept in line by another PB created creature made from the DNA of Finn, Stormo.

Another God complex episode is when the seriously mad Magic Man gives Finn a bag of little versions of all the characters in Ooo. Finn goes crazy for over 3 months mixing and matching all the little creatures romantically just to see how each one would react - SPOILER : it gets weird. Think cheating, crying, threesomes, spankings, etc.

Treetrunks

If you've watched the show - you'll know that her whole character is a massive WTF.

All the GILFY things that Treetrunks says coupled with her creepy Blanche Dubois accent - this character is super unnerving (especially her relationship with Pig).

Tier 15 - metaphor for sex

Jake is explaining the levels of intimacy in relationships to Finn (largely based on his own experience with Lady Rainicorn).

This is also funny because not long after this episode, Jake impregnates Lady Rainicorn.

Basically anything Lumpy Space Princess says

Not to mention the episode "Gotcha" where she attempts to write a trashy novel about how she can seduce Finn.

Finn's saucy dreams about Flame Princess and the Ice King

They never refer to them as wet dreams but they manifest after Finn witnesses his girlfriend, Flame Princess battle it out with the Ice King and involve Finn getting blasted in the crotch and butt with fire by Flame Princess. This is also an example of Finn being somewhat turned on by violence.

Embryo princess (creators freely quoting her original name was going to be Abortion Princess)

I'll be honest - this one freaked me out when I first noticed it and more so when I found out her original name.

That time that Cake thinks Prince Gumball has tried to rape Fionna

This is one of the reversed gender fan fiction cooked up by the Ice King.

Prince Gumball doesn't really try to rape Fionna of course but Fionna gets her dress all ripped up by the Ice Queen posing as Price Gumball just as Cake walks in.

Freaky Ice King

Most of the things uttered by the Ice King are either misogynistic, desperate or just generally cringe worthy. Later in the series it is discovered that his crown is actually cursed and makes him the crazy character he is after the prolonged exposure to the curse. Still, weird scenes to witness on a "children's show". E.g. Accidentally getting tied up in power chords and saying "You know, I kinda like bein' tied up in these cords. Kinda freak-aaaayyy!"

There is so much to say about the Ice King that deserves its own post really.

Peppermint butler, his evil ways and the fact that no one seems to notice or care. . . 

When he tells Finn and Jake he wants their flesh and that he will take it from them in their sleep Pep But Flesh

When he's the only one that can tell that Princess Bubblegum has been possessed by the Lich

When he's conducting a demon possession on Cinnamon bun

He knows the ritual to travel to the Land of the Dead

Aaaand he apparently used to be caddy to Hansen Abadeer - The Lord of the Nightosphere (hell dimension)

This scene :

The Mushroom War

The incredibly Science Fiction element of the entire Adventure Time universe having been the outcome of a nuclear war 1000 years in the past

There are so many more aspects of this show that are so inappropriate, this list could literally be 10 times longer - don't get me wrong, I freaking love this show. . . but I have a sick and twisted sense of humour . . . And I'm almost 30. 

This ain't no Peppa Pig, people, all I'm saying is if you let your kids watch this - don't be surprised if they start talking about creating creatures with DNA and spanking hams (my nephew has actually said both these things to me which I thought was pretty awesome).

Here's some gifs from Adventure Time that also imply suspicious content click here

For an actual analysis of themes in Adventure Time click here

For a rather hilarious (hopefully) satirical article about Adventure Time click here

7 Reasons why M*A*S*H the movie is better than the series (or socially irrelevant post that I felt like writing after watching M*A*S*H the movie)

1. The actual Korean War lasted 3 years - MASH the series went for 6 years (at least 4 more than it should have - content wise).

2. Donald Sutherland was a better Hawkeye in 2 hours than Alan Alda ever was for 6 seasons.

3. No canned laughter or corny end jokes that freeze frame.

4. The movie did not contain the over the top farce of Klinger - the gag gets old reeeal quick.

5. Trapper was replaced in the series by BJ Hunnicut as Hawkeye's sidekick (one can only assume because Wayne Rogers was more charasmatic than Alan Alda) introducing a whole bunch of bleeding heart stories which were inconsistent with the original book's intention - probably because there's only so many jokes you can make about war and surgery on a prime time show.

6. The movie had a 70s screwball comedy feel that is completely lost in the series - probably because the show was aimed at a PG rated audience.

7. Elliott Gould and his beautiful facial hair - lets just appreciate this man in his prime.

Seriously, if you enjoy 70s black comedy and you haven't seen MASH the movie what the hell is wrong with you? Get on it.

Here's Elliott Gould again.

What bebeh does to my bladder

Super Happy Fun Trip to the Flinders Street Market & Pretteh Jewellery

I had the delightful pleasure of going to a session of Making in the Market yesterday - it was run by local Adelaide artist Violet Cooper and hosted by The Sunshine Van's (an art gallery store on wheels!) Rene Strohmayer.

Let me tell you - it was pretty damn fun, Violet brought a host of retro magazines, books, beads, glues, ribbons, patterned paper and other amazing supplies (including my favourite : GOOGLY EYES) so that each lucky participant could create their very own quirky collage.

This was my result :

It began with the flower arch on hologram plastic (originally it had a picture of a creepy looking doll where the wolf head is). When I found a page in a children's book titled : "Hans and Gretchen go mushrooming", I knew EXACTLY what direction I wanted to go. The googly eyed meatloaf was just gravy. Violet was amazing in imparting advise from her years of expertise which we were all glad to accept as collaging novices, all this accompanied by her always marvellously charming banter - made it a very friendly environment to get our creative on.

I was also lucky enough to obtain one of Violet's fabulous pieces that I've been eyeing for a while :

I've been driving my brother crazy this weekend by slowly bringing Doris into his field of vision and making her talk in South Park Canadian voice. . .hilarious.

After the collage fun - I looked through the market to find a fellow collagers stand named Juanita Tortilla. Her stall consists of beautifully hand made bags and jewellery - of which I made an awesome purchase :

It's named the Frog Prince because of the tiny crown-like beads and a cleverly hidden frog bead (jewellery with a story - how could I resist!): 

Speaking of jewellery, I also wanted to mention Made by Sarah - who makes quirky and colourful jewellery, stationary and home decor. She was lovely enough to give me a rockin skull bracelet for my birthday which has already been the envy of many an onlooker :

I was scared it wouldn't fit because of my big fat pregnancy wrists that are currently resembling Bratwurst Sausages - but to my delight - it fits and doesn't look like a fat guy in a little coat! Hooray! 

 

All this art and craft has made me want to do another exhibition. . . possibly "Hear a Picture, See a Song (Part 2)" (see Part 1 here) but considering I'm about to burst with a baby in 2 and a half months - it's not looking very likely. . . Stay tuned.

Links

Violet Cooper

The Sunshine Van

Next Making in the Market session (Cross Stitching!)

Juanita Tortilla

Made by Sarah

See You Laughing in the Purple Rain

I have a laptop again which means no more crappily coloured sketches.
Just high tech crappily coloured images.