The Simpsons - leaders in political freedom

[Glorious Amok]

'Simpsons' Springfield to legalize gay marriage
CTV.ca News Staff

Springfield, the home town of television's favourite dysfunctional nuclear family "The Simpsons", is about to become the gay capital of animated America.

The same-sex marriage debate has been heating up the Canadian parliament, but the hit television show will also take on the controversial issue in Sunday's episode -- a move that has some U.S. Christian Conservatives upset.

As the mayor of Springfield says in a clip of the episode: "Springfield: a place where everyone can marry — even dudes."

"I think television is becoming obsessed with homosexuality. In fact I wouldn't put it past people to dig up reruns of Happy Days and have the Fonz come out as gay," said Robert Knight of Concerned Women for America.

In the show, Springfield will legalize gay marriage to bring in tourists and Homer Simpson will become an ordained minister over the Internet so that he can marry same-sex couples.

And like any tourist initiative, there is a catchy song -- this time, to the tune of Harry Belafonte's Banana Boat.

The song goes: "Gay-o, it's OK-o/Tie the knot and spend all your dough."

"We don't really take any positions for or against anything, we just like to examine all sides of an issue and I think that anyone who would get their political wisdom from a cartoon might be sadly mistaken," "The Simpsons" Executive Producer Al Jean said.

But lots of fans watch for that very reason -- they like the tongue-in-cheek political commentary, sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant.

And there are religious messages as well, making it harder for right-wing critics to criticize the animated show.

Mark Pinsky, author of "The Gospel According to The Simpsons" told ABC News that there are "Too many intelligent, discerning Christians and evangelicals who've adopted the show, who like the show. I think it would be too dangerous quite frankly, and too marginalizing for other leaders of the Christian right to attack the show".

The big mystery that will finally be revealed on Sunday episode is which character will come out of the closet -- but producers aren't talking.

This hasn't kept fans from speculating though.

Nuclear boss Mr. Burns' assistant is a likely candidate, and Scottish groundskeeper Willy a less likely one. But Marge's sister Patty is getting the best odds on one U.S. internet betting site.

[knip]

i watched that episode...very funny, indeed, although i won't reveal who came out of the closet in case other readers missed it and want to save the suspense

i liked mayor quimby's line "come on down to springfield where you'll find freedom to marry in accordance with your views...take exit 220 East, BUT BY NO MEANS TAKE 210 EAST...FOR GAWD"S SAKE< DO NOT TAKE EXIT 210 EAST"


...or words to that effect...

[Glorious Amok]

you saw it? tell me, tell me! FOR GOD'S SAKE TELL ME! i haven't had cable in years.

[knip]

e-mail making its way

[Lightning Rod]

ok, just tell me it's not Lisa

Lisa Simpson is my dream girl (yes, doreen knows about this. It doesn't make her happy, but she understands. Besides, who could get jealous of a cartoon.)

[knip]

it's not lisa

but martin deflowers her during a drunken school dance

[Lightning Rod]

I can't imagine Lisa deflowered
I picture her to be the eternal virgin

[knip]

ok, i was kidding


did you see the episode where she was grown up? she was one hot cartoon babe

[Lightning Rod]

this iis why I love doreen

she is like Lisa

idealistic and true to a fault

she protects me from my cynicism