I also suspect that the market is kind of saturated with Bush gags. Its too easy now to make fun of Bush...the Simpsons have plenty of other characters to use to lampoon those ideas with.
I disagree they have been light on Bush compared to past presidents, several jokes have already posted, including an whole episode about Simpson family being imprisoned for being un-ameican.
A very recent episode had this:
Homer: "The thing that stood between us -- the '90s -- is almost over."
Marge: "You're right. But I'm worried about what's on the horizon: reality shows, Britney Spears, the suspicious number of home runs being hit...
Homer: "At least we know there'll never be a President worse than Bill Clinton! Imagine, lying in a deposition in a civil lawsuit. That's the worst sin a President could commit!"
Marge: "There'll never be a worse President. Never."
Homer: "Never."
The only real difference is that Bush hasn't appeared in person as far as I'm aware.
They've had several episodes lampooning his policies I'm sure. Like the episode where Homer joins the army and the army goes into Springfield before the local population lead by a smug Lisa overcomes the army.
I think everyone will agree The Simpsons has been in a general decline for years now, from its mid 90s peak to its almost unwatchbly bad present day. but somehting else struck me. Bush junior has barely been mentioned the whole 7 years he's been in office. contrast this to
Clinton: Ridiculed repeatedly, depicted saying he has had sex with pigs
Bush senior: entire episode dedicated to having a go at him
Reagan: Taken off a few times, think "My Rappin' ronnie Reagan tape"
Carter: Featured numerous times. Liked his rap at the county fair "got a Brother named Billy. and my teeth look silly, break it down"
Ford: Once or twice.
Does anyone have any theories on why Bush, probably the easiest target for satire of any American President ever has got off without once being even depicted (I think) but certaintly never been the major target of ridicule?
I think everyone will agree The Simpsons has been in a general decline for years now, from its mid 90s peak to its almost unwatchbly bad present day. but somehting else struck me. Bush junior has barely been mentioned the whole 7 years he's been in office. contrast this to
Clinton: Ridiculed repeatedly, depicted saying he has had sex with pigs
Bush senior: entire episode dedicated to having a go at him
Reagan: Taken off a few times, think "My Rappin' ronnie Reagan tape"
Carter: Featured numerous times. Liked his rap at the county fair "got a Brother named Billy. and my teeth look silly, break it down"
Ford: Once or twice.
Does anyone have any theories on why Bush, probably the easiest target for satire of any American President ever has got off without once being even depicted (I think) but certaintly never been the major target of ridicule?
Mainly because none of them were targeted politically. Jimmy Carter break danced. Homer had a go at Bush Sr. but that was because he was basically a less likeable Flanders. Ford was made fun of for falling down quite a bit.
The Simpsons, being in decline has decided to do some "HURR DURR CONSERVATIVES" moments in recent years. Its generally not as funny as Bill Clinton being blasted naked into outer space.
Jon Stewert & Colbert are completely different than the Simpsons. And South Park is pretty ballless when it comes to parodying anything worthwhile (certainly they pick on Britney Spears, political correctness and other lame stuff like that, the funniest episodes - AwesomO, Case Bonita don't even bother with political commentary, the ones that do generally suck).
I think everyone will agree The Simpsons has been in a general decline for years now, from its mid 90s peak to its almost unwatchbly bad present day. but somehting else struck me. Bush junior has barely been mentioned the whole 7 years he's been in office. contrast this to
Clinton: Ridiculed repeatedly, depicted saying he has had sex with pigs
Bush senior: entire episode dedicated to having a go at him
Reagan: Taken off a few times, think "My Rappin' ronnie Reagan tape"
Carter: Featured numerous times. Liked his rap at the county fair "got a Brother named Billy. and my teeth look silly, break it down"
Ford: Once or twice.
Does anyone have any theories on why Bush, probably the easiest target for satire of any American President ever has got off without once being even depicted (I think) but certaintly never been the major target of ridicule?
A very recent episode had this:
Homer: "The thing that stood between us -- the '90s -- is almost over."
Marge: "You're right. But I'm worried about what's on the horizon: reality shows, Britney Spears, the suspicious number of home runs being hit...
Homer: "At least we know there'll never be a President worse than Bill Clinton! Imagine, lying in a deposition in a civil lawsuit. That's the worst sin a President could commit!"
Marge: "There'll never be a worse President. Never."
Homer: "Never."
The only real difference is that Bush hasn't appeared in person as far as I'm aware.
no. the pop-culture references in the simpsons are aimed at a much older audience that would be around to actually know about such things. However, there is still a fair amount of humor in the show catering to the young teenage audience.
It's probably too risky for the show to nail the current president too much, given that they still have to try to appeal to a broader audience. They've taken shots at conservatives in general, though.
That many young Americans still derive the bulk of their political education/ opinions/ humour from cartoon
shows like The Simpsons or South Park speaks volumes about the dumbing-down of American culture in general and politics in particular.
It's probably too risky for the show to nail the current president too much, given that they still have to try to appeal to a broader audience. They've taken shots at conservatives in general, though.
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