The Simpsons "Bart Of War"/"Moe Baby Blues" Episodes Talkback (Spoliers)

[DianaGohan]

The Simpsons 14th Season Finale is tonight, with not one but TWO new episodes in an hourly celebration at 8 p.m eastern standard time. In the first one, another act of mischeif lands Bart in a afterschool club called The Pre-Teen Braves, which goes up against a club Milhouse is in called The Calvary Kids. In the second episode, Moe The Bartender saves Maggie's live and ends up becoming her new Babysitter, which thrills the Simpsons at first, but then becomes sour when two Mob groups clash (Fat Tony's and Don Castellaneta, named after Dan Castellaneta, the Voice of Homer and several other Simpson characters).

[livingfruitvirus]

the first part of Bart of War has a South Park parody in it. it's not as funny when it's traditionally animated and everyone has a Matt Groening touch to them.

[Tobias]

the first part of Bart of War has a South Park parody in it. it's not as funny when it's traditionally animated and everyone has a Matt Groening touch to them.

It's probably just a lame retort for the jab South Park took at the Simpsons last season, isn't it (The Simpsons Already Did It) ? BTW, Simpsons done in South Park type animation did look a little freaky, but cool.

[David Lucas]

I haven't been watchin the previous recent seasons, but when Bart called the picture of his family at Flander's house "gay", was that the first time they used "gay" like that?

I remember that episode where Homer meets a gay guy, that had a lil more respect for it. It may sound dumb as I have no problem with people in South Park or etc saying it, but that just never seemed like something the Simpsons would do.

I'm kinda disappointed to be honest.

Hmm, we just got a cutaway with the smoke signals and burns. And when Marge said "I don't think Indians sat around drinking beer and watching TV." it sure looked like they had another cutaway there but it got cut out.

For some reason I am enjoying Nelson's bits.

[Dub]

"The Bart of War" was so-so. It didnt really get me going and was OK, but not at all great.

"Moe Baby Blues" however, IMO was excellent and was right up there with "A Star Is Born Again" as my favorite episode this season. Lately Moe has been shown as being really creepy in many episode. But this ep kind of expanded on that by saying that in essence, he's just a really lonely guy.

One of the things Ive noticed is that the latest episodes are very disjointed. The 1st act doesnt have much to do with the 2nd act and the same for the 3rd, but here, everything just clicked to me for some reason. The ending wasnt hyperactively stupid. The ham was silly yes, but it honestly wasnt distracting or random or anything, and even though he's still semi-creepy now we know why kinda - and the Maggie thing really expanded on that. Homer wasnt an uber-buffoon either and that was a plus. All in all I really did like the second episode.

Bart Of War gets a C for being BLEH, Moe Baby Blues gets a A for being

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

"The Bart of War" was so-so. It didnt really get me going and was OK, but not at all great.

"Moe Baby Blues" however, IMO was excellent and was right up there with "A Star Is Born Again" as my favorite episode this season. Lately Moe has been shown as being really creepy in many episode. But this ep kind of expanded on that by saying that in essence, he's just a really lonely guy.



I thought they flaunted the obsession subtext a little loudly. It was pretty disturbing to see him almost in love with Maggie to the point of desperation. But then a lot of newer episodes have been playing with disturbing subtext a little obviously these days. Incest, necrophilia, and now this. What is up with that.

[Dub]

THAT is very true - and I was disturbed by the episode and Moe up until the police breakin. The worst example being the Moe-bile, the camera, and the Baby monitor. THAT WAS VERY CREEPY. I dunno though. I felt exactly like you said during those scenes, but by the end I kinda felt sympathy for him somewhat. Its hard to describe.

[DianaGohan]

It's The Pre-Teen Braves vrs the Calvary Kids in the clash of the afterschool community group in the Simpsons Episode Review of "Bart Of War".

A pretty good episode, but there were some flaws. Watching South Park at the beginning was pretty funny (Notice how they said "I wonder how it stays fresh after 43 episodes, when there's really been 102. I think that's a direct jab at the "Simpsons Did It" episode where Butters said he watched all 147 episodes of The Simpsons when there was over 290 at that point) and some of the messing with Flander's stuff was good to (like Bart's "So Cats eat Flies", Milhouse messing with the light, and the little head trip when they drank that Beatles Soda) as was Ned and the boys coming home ("Our house has been slightly ascewed! To the Panic Room!") and Cheif Wiggum talking at the end of the episode. The second act didn't start out that good (Why would Flanders be obessed with the Beatles just because they said they were bigger then Jesus? Wouldn't he be offended by that and not want to hear any of their "devil music"? And if he really does believe they're bigger then Jesus just because they said it, why dosen't he have a whole bunch of Be-Sharps memorbilla as well? ((From "Homer's Barbersharp Quartet")). They said they were bigger then Jesus lots of times and... ah I'm ranting again) but it picked up when they started the Pre-Teen Braves club. Homer was okay as a unknowing scout master (I espically liked his indian termonolgy while watching a football game) but Marge was better, taking the kids out on a nature walk and them meeting a real native american (and no annoying casino jokes this time around. About time they realized there were other good jokes about Native Americans they could use). Nelson was kind of weird thinking every tree was his father, but that's okay. The Standoff between the Calvary Kids (Which remind me of those Calvary Cadets from that Scooby Movie (("Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School)) which was on today on Cartoon Network) was pretty funny, but they lost the joke when Ralph was carried away by a wolf. The third act had some moments (The PTB and the CC entertaining the eldery, putting laxatives in the choclate, Milhouse father not having the 5 dollars to pay for regular parking, the American National Anthem spoof sung by the Pre-Teen Braves, and the riot at the end) but it was probably the weakest act. The ending (eveyone singing "Oh Canada") was pretty random but nothing that awful. To sum it up, a fairly decent episode with no major flaws but no truley great moments. B+

The most unlikley couple in Springfield since The Comic Book Guy and Agnes Skinner in the Simpsons Episode Review Of "Moe Baby Blues".

You know, Moe and Maggie have more in common then the bond that they shared as a surrorgate father to a lone baby. They were also characters treatly very badly by the writers in the recent seasons. Maggie was made to be nothing more then either A: Arm Candy for Marge or B: A cute joke or two that was only funny because it was a baby doing it (when she drunkly danced in "C.E DOH!" or when she imitated Brittney Spears in "Dude, Where's My Ranch?"). I mean, besides when she shot those mafia members in "Papa's Got A Brand New Badge" has Maggie ever gotten any real story moments? And Moe was treaty even worse. Instead of a kinda of crazy but friendly loser he's been treated as a freak that creeps you out all the time (Proposing to Gil as Miss Swish in "Pray Anything" a sick obession with his pickle egg jar in "The Great Louse Detective). Here, both characters are treated with more respect and care then in most recent episode, and the up's the grade. Other good moments in this episode were Homer eating the Venus Fly trap, everyone stuck on the bridge (espically when everyone was crowding around the Hibbert's car to watch T.V) Maggie falling out of the car and into Moe's hands, Homer going to work with Mr Burns and Smithers ("How did he become a part of our carpool?") Grandpa Simpson parading crazily down the streets, Moe telling Maggie a bedtime story by playing out Godfather Part's One and Two, and his gift to Maggie at her birthday party (A replica of the Tavern, with drunken figures spewing out real dialogue), The Alice In Underpants Jokes, Moe feeding himself like a baby, the Mobster talking outside the Simpsons home, and the police raid on Moe's house (espically Wiggum's line on the decay of sitcoms), Moe volunteering to save Maggie and then being accepted by Homer and Marge as a sitter to her. The snapshots of Homer Moe Maggie and The Ham were okay, but too many Homer and the Ham. They should of put more Moe and Maggie shot's in, so the episode could have had a moe sentinmental ending. Otherwise, great episode of the Simpsons. A

You know, it's too bad FOX dosen't do these Double New Episodes often (The only other time besides "Barting Over"/ "I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can" was the "Homerpalooza"/Summer Of 4'2" double header that was nearly 7 YEARS ago) but maybe with the huge ratings of the last one and the hopeful huge ratings of this one they'll change they're minds.

[Shnay]

"Bart of War": The one thing this episode can be commended on is the fact that, unlike the past few episodes, it stuck to one story (no matter how goofy it was) and saw it through to the end. There wasn't any pointless tangents in the second act, or stories that don't lead to anything in the first. It was really refreshing to see that.

That, however, was the only highlight. Also, you know it's bad when "telling a coherent story" is a compliment for the show.

So what was so bad? Well, it just wasn't funny. I got a small chuckle or two, but I certainly can't remember what they were at. Most of the comedic material they used I had a problem with. Making fun of South Park for being stupid...the phrase "pot calling the kettle black" comes to mind. I also agree with David Lucas that Bart's "That is so gay." was definitely uncalled for. In a show like South Park, you're set up to expect it. But Bart just isn't that kind of character, and the Simpsons isn't that kind of show. Bart's "eat my shorts," and even "who the hell are you?" are a lot more innocent than him calling something "gay." That definitely didn't sit well with me.

Also, resorting to Native American stereotypes seems so easy. Sure, they slapped on line from Apu about "degrading the culture they wiped out," (which was pretty good) but overall, a lot of it just seemed to be for a cheap, easy laugh.

There were also some oddly blunt messages thrown into this episode. The Apu line I just mentioned, Ned's line about the government's only role is to tell a woman what to do with her body, and the totally out-of-nowhere Canada ending about glorifying war. Very strange.

"Moe Baby Blues": It's finally happened. For the first time in quite a while, I found myself laughing at a new Simpsons episode. It felt so good to do that. I missed last week's, which many people seemed to like a lot, but from what I've seen, I'd say this was easily the best of the season.

That is, however, judging by much lower standards. It still can't hold a candle to the best, or even the good ones, but, dangit, it made me laugh, and that's all I'm asking nowadays.

Moe's character has been taken to some odd extremes in the past few seasons. And, while this episode did the same thing, at least he had a chance to redeem himself, and prove he wasn't the complete Norman Bates he's been made out to be.

Some of the humor didn't work, and some of the plot points were just odd (of course the mafia would meet outside of the Simpsons house!) but I was able to let that slide and enjoy the episode.

Nothing was really all that memorable, but it entertained me, and at this point, I'm very happy with that.

[lostrune]

I guess singing the "peaceful" Oh Canada, instead of the "war-mongering" Star-Spangled Banner, as well as the last line is like Groening's kick to the balls on the Bush policies, huh? :D

And did I hear Dragon Ball Z mentioned in Bart's spoof of the Star-Spangled Banner? :p

[SirLemming]

The Bart of War:
Down there with the rest of the bad episodes of this season and nearly every episode of last season. I don't know... it just never got a laugh out of me. A few almost-chuckles, but it was overall very bland.


Moe Baby Blues:
I think the whole pedophilia angle some people are seeing here is just ridiculous. I mean, the creators of the show have been accused of making Moe out to be a pervert, but now you're doing it. I don't think there was any disturbing subtext -- the only reference to it was Homer's fleeting comment near the end (I forgot what exactly he said). Moe was a bit obsessed, but not sexually. I mean, come on... let's give the writers some credit.
There's no more evidence of pedophilia here than there is in Annie.

As for the episode itself... It wasn't much funnier than the past few episodes, but it did do pretty well with the characters. Moe was actually somewhat likeable in this episode, and his perverted comments didn't make him seem too much more perverted than the "common" man (for example, the fact that he's watched pornography). Unfortunately, I felt that for all the episode's good characterization, it just didn't produce many laughs.
And who the heck thought of that initial plot with the plant blooming and smelling bad? I mean, it was so bizzarely terrible... you'd have to try really hard to write a plot that stupid.
Also, when you have PLANTS, not just animals, starting to act like humans... you know the show's in trouble. The Simpsons used to face somewhat realistic situations in hilarious ways... how often does a Venus Fly Trap offer you a well-prepared hot dog, bun and all? That wasn't humorously ridiculous; it was just plain stupid.


One thing that disturbs me about these episodes (and other recent episodes) is that the writers seem to forget just how much money and resources these people have. Either that or they just forget what kinds of lives these people lead. Where the heck did Moe get that tavern playset? Why the heck would Homer want to lead the Pre-Teen Braves? How did Homer set up that elaborate party for Marge and fly in a bunch of waiters from France, after buying an unbelievable amount of appliances for his car (in "Brake My Wife, Please")? How did they fund that elaborate party in their ridiculously huge treehouse (in "Old Yeller Belly")? And why does everyone in town always seem to go to every party they throw (Maggie's birthday)?

[TimTwoFace]

I guess singing the "peaceful" Oh Canada, instead of the "war-mongering" Star-Spangled Banner, as well as the last line is like Groening's kick to the balls on the Bush policies, huh? :D


Yeah, I was watching that, and I was like, WTHell? :p Oh well, it's just nice to be mentioned - even though the anthem was cut in half due to time restraints. Gotta love the Canadian writers on that show. :D

I thought both episodes were great. The first one had a lot of great moments - even the controversial ones - and the jokes were written into the script a LOT better than other episodes in recent seasons. The second episode featuring Moe was even better - it wasn't as funny as it was creepy, but still had a nice, caring, nurturing theme underneath that really sold it for me. It was actually touching, in a way - the writers didn't stop short of the nicities in order to pull a sight gag. I thought it was the best all-Moe episode in quite some time.

Both episodes get A's from me, and are proof enough that the writers CAN still write good episodes if they put their minds to it.

-Tim

[David Lucas]

I like Moe Better Blues.

It managed to show Moe as a very lonely person and give him someone to interact with I was worried at the end the typical Simpsons from these last 2 seasons would take over and make Moe continue to be an outcast.

They really pulled a decent emotional episode, plus I'm Italian so I LOVVVVVED the Godfather explanations. Moe Baby Blues was leaps and bounds better than Bart of War.

[Majin Buu]

I haven't been watchin the previous recent seasons, but when Bart called the picture of his family at Flander's house "gay", was that the first time they used "gay" like that?

I don't believe so. I remember in the episode where Lisa dates Nelson, the bullies see Nelson kissing Lisa, and they say "Ewww, you just kissed a girl! That is so gay!" or something like that.

[Tobias]

Where the heck did Moe get that tavern playset?

Easy. Since Moe doesn't date (and not by choice) he can save his money easily. Plus his apartment probably isn't that expensive.

Why the heck would Homer want to lead the Pre-Teen Braves?

Homer was probably roped into it somehow, or he probably liked wearing the headdress.

How did Homer set up that elaborate party for Marge and fly in a bunch of waiters from France, after buying an unbelievable amount of appliances for his car (in "Brake My Wife, Please")?

He probably got outside financial assistance from his neighbors and friends. Or the car insurance paid for it.

How did they fund that elaborate party in their ridiculously huge treehouse (in "Old Yeller Belly")?

Can't explain that.

And why does everyone in town always seem to go to every party they throw (Maggie's birthday)?

With the exception of Ned Flanders (Homer just won't admit to it), Homer is friends with everyone in town, or at least the central and second tier characters.

[Conan-san]

please, could some one post pics of the south park parrody?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

The Bart of War:
Down there with the rest of the bad episodes of this season and nearly every episode of last season. I don't know... it just never got a laugh out of me. A few almost-chuckles, but it was overall very bland.


Moe Baby Blues:
I think the whole pedophilia angle some people are seeing here is just ridiculous. I mean, the creators of the show have been accused of making Moe out to be a pervert, but now you're doing it. I don't think there was any disturbing subtext -- the only reference to it was Homer's fleeting comment near the end (I forgot what exactly he said). Moe was a bit obsessed, but not sexually. I mean, come on... let's give the writers some credit.
There's no more evidence of pedophilia here than there is in Annie.



No, we were talking about the emotional obsession, which is still pretty disturbing. Nobody here ever mentioned anything about sexuality, we were talking about the emotional desperation subtext, to the point of showing the camera in her room. Was that supposed to be funny? Character development is character development, but this is first and foremost a comedy. And that wasn't comedic.

And this is not the first time the Simpsons have flirted with borderline taboo "jokes" if you can call it that. I remember there was the recent (last season?) episode where Homer was jealous of Bart hanging with Marge, even spelling out the Oedipus complex at one point. So the writers have been flirting with the taboo for a while, and I think many fans have EXCELLENT reason to read taboo subtext into these episodes since they've been flaunting it for the last few seasons.

[PowerZord]

i saw MoeBabyBlues! That episode was so funny. Krusty diving into the Manure

[mobo85]

And did I hear Dragon Ball Z mentioned in Bart's spoof of the Star-Spangled Banner? :p

Actually, Row ZZ. That is, as far away from the action of the game as possible.

[Shnay]

I don't believe so. I remember in the episode where Lisa dates Nelson, the bullies see Nelson kissing Lisa, and they say "Ewww, you just kissed a girl! That is so gay!" or something like that.

Yes, but that was directly satirical. One could argue that Bart's line in this episode was in the same vein, but it didn't seem like it. To me, it seemed like they had him say it to make him a "more believeable" kid. While that may be true, that doesn't mean they should promote that kind of stuff.


And this is not the first time the Simpsons have flirted with borderline taboo "jokes" if you can call it that. I remember there was the recent (last season?) episode where Homer was jealous of Bart hanging with Marge, even spelling out the Oedipus complex at one point. So the writers have been flirting with the taboo for a while, and I think many fans have EXCELLENT reason to read taboo subtext into these episodes since they've been flaunting it for the last few seasons.

I wasn't really all that bothered by the camera in this episode. Heck, it was more normal behavior than we've seen from Moe lately. But that Oedipus stuff...they should have never gone there. It added such a bizzare tone to what is (as you said) suppossed to be a comedy. I guess that was suppossed to be for some kind of shock value, but it's detremental to the characters, and should definitely not be repeated in future episodes.

If they want to prove how "taboo" they can be, they should mess with minor characters nobody cares about. But they should leave characters that have been decently developed out of the "taboo" jokes and characterizations.

[pabcool]

"Bart Of War"

This one was so-so. I never really laughed except when the Springfield Retirement Castle denizens were eating the laxative. (Yeah, it was cheap, but I found it funny anyway)

This one gets a C.

"Moe Baby Blues"

I don't think the writers ment for Moe to be a pedophile. Sure, the show has gotten into taboos before, but this seems more like average "wacky" cartoon behaviour. Anyway, this episode was excellent. Ignoring how creepy Moe was, (Intencionally or unintencionally) the episode had a good, interesting, engaging, funny plotline. It's episodes like these we should see more often instead of that horrible dude ranch episode.

An A for this one.

[NeueZielZeon]

Bart of War:
Why is it that the second episode of any of the new episode doubleheaders is always better? Anyways, while this wasn't a bad episode, I was hoping for more. Ralph's "I'm a brick" was hilarious though.
Grade: 6.5/10

Moe Baby Blues:
This was a great episode, and the perfect way to end the season. The whole Godfather undertone of the episode was a nice touch, as was Moe's use of the movies as a story for Maggie.
"I'm a member of the Italian-American Defamation (?) League"
::Pulls out guns:: :p
Grade: 10/10

[Viper]

Well, I thought Bart of War was pretty good. Regardless of the ending, I liked the part where Homer was playing with the Beatles bobbing-heads and imitating Michael Jackson--I was hysterical! :D However, does anyone else think the O Canada part was a little overboard?

[Pepperidge]

"I'm a member of the Italian-American Defamation (?) League"
::Pulls out guns::

That was the biggest laugh I've gotten in the past two seasons. Actual satire... can you believe it?

[Tim Vee]

"Bart of War"
I thought this episode was pretty funny. Milhouse as Lennon, Homer's extended drum solo, Apu's line, Nelson's problem, and O Canada were the high points of this episode. A-

"Moe Baby Blues"
Not as funny as the previous episode, but was an even better character development episode. It's nice to see Moe and Maggie getting more face time. I thought Moe's Tavern Playset w/ "Classic" Barney was the funniest bit in this episode. A

[SirLemming]

Easy. Since Moe doesn't date (and not by choice) he can save his money easily. Plus his apartment probably isn't that expensive.
It's not just a matter of money. How did he go about making that playset or having it custom-made? And even if it were possible, would Moe be the kind of person to do that? In any case, there are just way too many steps in that process for it to go completely unexplained.

Homer was probably roped into it somehow, or he probably liked wearing the headdress.
Actually, they showed the moment when he randomly volunteered for the leadership position in the Pre-Teen Braves. What I don't understand is why.

[Homer] probably got outside financial assistance from his neighbors and friends. Or the car insurance paid for [the waiters to be flown in from France].

Well, of course, speaking in completely literal terms, most people probably do have enough money to fly in a bunch of waiters from France. But it's just not practical to do so, due to the many other financial needs that I used to assume these people have. It's just not true to the characters.


With the exception of Ned Flanders (Homer just won't admit to it), Homer is friends with everyone in town, or at least the central and second tier characters.
But for Maggie's birthday party? I just don't see why they couldn't throw a normal baby birthday party. It detracts from the realism of the situation, even if only a little bit. They could have still had Moe walk in on the party without everyone else in Springfield there.


One more note about "The Bart of War":

Why would Flanders be obessed with the Beatles just because they said they were bigger then Jesus? Wouldn't he be offended by that and not want to hear any of their "devil music"?
You know, I think they could have done a much better episode that focused on that concept alone. Well, I guess you couldn't do an entire show about the Beatles thing, but it could've been the launching point for a good Flanders episode -- the discovery that he's keeping certain taboo items even though he appears to be the most ridiculously holy guy in the world. It almost seemed like a foregone conclusion to me that the writers would be smart enough to point out that Flanders, in his current super-conservative state, shouldn't be okay with the Beatles... but maybe I gave them too much credit. I can't believe they overlooked that.

[Thad Komorowski]

BART OF WAR sucked. End of story.

[candy17]

BART OF WAR sucked. End of story.

Same here (except for the riot part. That was okay), but I loved Moe Baby Blues. I recognized the Godfather refs and the Moe's Tavern playset was so cute.

[Scythemantis]

I missed the first half, what was the south park parody exactly?

[DianaGohan]

I missed the first half, what was the south park parody exactly?

Milhouse and Bart were watching South Park on T.V and wondered how it could be so fresh after 43 episodes. (As stated before, this is a nod to the South Park episode "The Simpsons Already Did It" which stated that there were 147 Simpsons episodes when there were clearly more). You then see the boys (Stan Kyle Cartman and Kenny) going to school and O.J Simpson giving a speech on how he kills children and you can see that he took Cartman's head off. Then Marge changes the channel and ends the joke.

[BrendaBat]

Bart of War loses major points for the "thats so gay" line. Not only is that phrase one of my MAJOR pet peeves, but it just didn't sound right coming out of Bart's mouth. I can't explain why, it just didn't. I never had a problem with the line "You're kissing a girl!? That's so gay!" because the irony is funny and you expect hoodlems like Jimbo to say stuff like that.
Getting back to the episode: It had a few chuckle moments, but it was mainly a "meh" episode. I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't mind never seeing it again.

On the other hand, Moe Baby Blues was great! Its refreshing to see a character driven plot instead of the typical "What Stupid Thing Will Homer Do Now?" plots we've all come to expect. It's also nice to see Moe in a kinder light. The poor guy has been made out to be a potential psycho and/or rapist in the past couple of seasons. The poor guy just needs a little love :(
It would have been better without the stupid ham ending. When are the Simpsons' writers going to learn that Family Guy style random humor only works on Family Guy!?
*sigh* Oh well. These days, I consider a Simpson episode a success if I don't feel the urge to change the channel while watching it :p


Also, when you have PLANTS, not just animals, starting to act like humans... you know the show's in trouble. The Simpsons used to face somewhat realistic situations in hilarious ways... how often does a Venus Fly Trap offer you a well-prepared hot dog, bun and all? That wasn't humorously ridiculous; it was just plain stupid.
That bugged me, too! I still thought the writers could think something a little better than that! I guess I put too much faith in them :D

[SirLemming]

I don't see the big problem with Bart saying "That's so gay!" Bart has never hesitated to use certain words for the sole purpose of their offensiveness. For example, in the episode where Homer finds out about his half-brother and Bart takes great joy in his license to say "b*st**d" over and over again. And there was the one where... well, it's just too many to be worth pointing out. If saying "that's so gay" will tick people off, Bart's all over it. He's never exactly been innocent.
And don't think 10-year-olds aren't exposed to words like "gay" in this day and age.

[Shnay]

For example, in the episode where Homer finds out about his half-brother and Bart takes great joy in his license to say "b*st**d" over and over again.

Yeah, but this wasn't getting a "chance" to say anything. It wasn't even a joke, really, it was just out of nowhere.


He's never exactly been innocent.

Very true, but this seems to be something different. As I said before, there's something different between saying something like "I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?" and "That's so gay." The first is much more innocent, even if it is supposed to show a bad side.

He doesn't seem to say it it because it's "bad," he seems to just be saying it because that's what kids say. Now, while this might make him a more "realistic" kid, I don't think that means they should have him say it and promote other kids to say that. Of course kids at that age are exposed to that, but the Simpsons has never tried to show a realistic representation of a 10 year old kid.

[Baseball]

To me, all of the huge highlights of the episode featured Ralph. Im a brick, will you be my mommy, and how it looked when he got jump-kicked in the face(it was hilarious!). I missed the South Park stuff though...

[SirLemming]

Very true, but this seems to be something different. As I said before, there's something different between saying something like "I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?" and "That's so gay." The first is much more innocent, even if it is supposed to show a bad side.

I honestly see no difference. I think people are just over-sensitive about the word "gay". I think all Bart really cares about is that both words are in the realm of the offensive, and so he feels cool when he uses them. It's the classic case of "the forbidden fruit" -- or to use a more Simpsonian metaphor, "What is your fascination with my forbidden closet of mystery?"



He doesn't seem to say it it because it's "bad," he seems to just be saying it because that's what kids say. Now, while this might make him a more "realistic" kid, I don't think that means they should have him say it and promote other kids to say that. Of course kids at that age are exposed to that, but the Simpsons has never tried to show a realistic representation of a 10 year old kid.

And why is that what kids say? Because it's "bad".
I don't think the Simpsons has always tried to show a realistic representation of a 10 year old either -- only to some extent. Bart represents what most 10 year olds want to do, but don't. So... doesn't it make even more sense that he'd use "forbidden" words?

[Shnay]

And why is that what kids say? Because it's "bad".


Well, I disagree. But, I guess we'll just leave it at that, since it's been almost a week since the episode aired, and this discussion would only go off-topic.

[SirLemming]

Agreed.

Uh, purple monkey dishwasher. (need more text)