Author(s): Chris Turner

Humour

A book about how a cartoon masterpiece documented an era and defined a generation.

This is an intelligent, highly readable and hugely funny dissection of the world's most watched TV programme - 'The Simpsons'.
Astute, funny, literate and politically and culturally aware; in this analysis of the world's favourite TV show, Chris Turner, a provocative new writer, dissects The Simpsons - its genesis, its past, its characters and its influence. Bart, Homer and Marge have entered the lexicon of iconic, global characters. Bart has the highest brand recognition factor amongst kids in the UK & US. The British voted it their favourite TV programme ever. The Archbishop of Canterbury called it 'one of the most subtle pieces of propaganda around in the cause of sense humility, and virtue.' Yet The Simpsons is subversive and irreverent. Bringing the same savvy insight to The Simpsons that have been bought to publishing on global politics, the internet and the fast-food industry Chris Turner looks at how The Simpsons is created, at its finest moments and the unique two-way relationship of inspiration and influence that this TV show has with the real world. From moral values and Marge to Lisa and the environment, from Homer and consumerism to Citizen Burns and corporate villainy - this is the first book to be written that is as intelligent, subversive, wide-ranging and funny as the show itself.