I’m not gonna lie. I watched a whole lot of exhibits that I most likely shouldn’t have after I was youthful.
Married…with Youngsters, Beverly Hills, 90210, hell, even a few of my favourite Black sitcoms had some questionable content material for slightly child (for instance, I used to be solely 11 after I fell in love with the Dick Wolf crime drama, New York Undercover). Nicely, of all of the exhibits that left an enormous impression on me, The Simpsons had the best influence.
I’m glad that I grew up watching it. Even in any case these years, it’s nonetheless one of many smartest exhibits on TV. So, when my 9-year-old daughter determined that she wished to look at the sequence, too, I used to be overjoyed. However, now that I’ve watched a number of episodes together with her, I’m additionally slightly anxious. So, right here’s why I’ve combined emotions about my daughter’s newfound enthusiasm for The Simpsons.
Why I’m Overjoyed: We Already Bond A Lot, However Now We Have One thing Else That We Can Share
First off, my daughter and I share a whole lot of commonalities.
For instance, we each have a restricted palate, we’re each huge pessimists (I’m certain she will get that from me), and we like a whole lot of the identical leisure.
So, when she requested if we might watch The Simpsons collectively, I used to be over the moon. I’ve referenced jokes from the present ever since my youngsters have been infants, and I’ve a number of Simpsons toys and books within the basement.
I truthfully have no person guilty for my daughter’s curiosity however myself, and I’m largely okay with that. I really like listening to her guffaw at jokes that had me rolling after I was a child. And, nothing makes me happier than listening to who her favourite character is (in case you’re questioning, it’s Ned Flanders).
What’s additionally nice is that not like a whole lot of Simpsons followers, my daughter doesn’t say issues like “The Simpsons peaked at Season 10.” Nor does she examine it to different exhibits like Bob’s Burgers, which she additionally likes. As a substitute, she’s been having fun with the episodes for the primary time, going via the varied seasons because it’s on Disney+ (it’s nonetheless the most effective factor on the streaming service, for those who ask me). Nonetheless, since she’s been going via all of the seasons…
Why I’m A Little Fearful: There Are A Lot Extra Grownup Themes Than I Keep in mind There Being
When you have been born within the ‘80s like I used to be, then I’m certain you keep in mind Bartmania.
However, for those who weren’t, then let me clarify. Bart Simpson was all over the place within the early ‘90s, and he was undoubtedly the primary focus of the present. So, regardless that your complete household was vital, Bart was the star attraction. And, since he was the star, a whole lot of youngsters tuned in simply to see him.
Anyway, all of that is to say that a whole lot of the grownup themes and jokes went method over my head after I was youthful, since I wasn’t targeted on the “grownup” content material. I used to be solely targeted on Bart. That mentioned, my daughter is rather a lot smarter than I used to be, and she or he’s not targeted on Bart in any respect. In actual fact, she finds him form of annoying.
As a substitute, she’s targeted extra on the adults, like within the episode, “Homer’s Evening Out” the place the patriarch will get caught with an unique dancer, or in “Life on the Quick Lane” through which Marge significantly considers dishonest on Homer.
I grew up with this present. In that method, regardless that there have been jokes and themes that I form of received after I was a child, I understood much more of them after I grew to become a young person. It is because I watched all through the years. However, since my daughter can simply undergo the seasons proper now, there are some episodes with themes like adultery, or questioning one’s religion, that my daughter’s watched. That mentioned…
Why I’m Overjoyed: The Humor Is Actually Clever, So It is Making Her Suppose
I discussed episodes about questioning one’s religion, and the one which resonated essentially the most with my daughter was “Lisa the Skeptic,” through which a so-called angel is uncovered in Springfield.
My daughter, who at all times groans, “Why do we now have to go to church?” on Sunday mornings is certainly a skeptic, and probably a future cynic (Once more, probably from me). She’s at all times curious, and always asking me hard-hitting questions.
When Lisa began to query whether or not an actual angel was present in Springfield, I might inform my daughter wished to know the reply herself.
As soon as it was throughout, and “the angel” turned out to be a hoax, my daughter mentioned, “I knew it!” which truly made me really feel fairly good. As a result of regardless that I’m her father, I’m additionally a instructor, and I need her to query issues. I like that my daughter doesn’t simply consider all the pieces she’s informed, and I’m completely satisfied {that a} present like this might make her take into consideration her personal beliefs.
Sure, a present like Bob’s Burgers is intelligent, and it has its personal form of intelligence. However, I don’t suppose it matches the caliber of The Simpsons’ storytelling. Even so…
Why I’m A Little Fearful: Not like Myself Once I Was Youthful, My Daughter Will get A Lot Of The Extra Risqué Jokes
As I mentioned, my daughter is smarter than I used to be at 9.
Meaning she will get a whole lot of the extra risqué humor on the present that I by no means understood. The ones that she doesn’t get, she truly ASKS me what they imply.
For instance, within the episode, “The Frying Sport,” Agnes Skinner, who’s aged, casually remarks, “Who do I’ve to gum to get a refill?” and I’m certain you would think about that my jaw was on the ground. When my daughter requested, “What does she imply?” I simply shook my head and mentioned, “I don’t know.” However, my daughter knew I used to be mendacity. She gave me the facet eye.
Also, since she is now a Ned Flanders superfan, she wished to look at a few of the episodes the place he’s married to Edna Krabappel. However, if you recognize something about Edna (RIP, Marcia Wallace), you’ll understand how lascivious she might be. So, a few of her jokes had me cringing subsequent to her, who would usually say, “Oh!” at a few of her strains.
All of that is to say that I’m a tad anxious that my daughter may be studying a bit too a lot with regards to ribald humor. Even so…
Why I’m Overjoyed: Since The Present Was So Topical, I Can Train My Daughter About Occasions From Totally different Eras
A few semi-dirty jokes is a small danger that I’m prepared to take so long as it signifies that my daughter will get a crash course in studying concerning the previous 60 years or so.
Certain, as a ‘90s child, I like that I can level out sure topical issues to my daughter, like references to Twin Peaks, or Jurassic Park that have been present when the present first aired.
However, what I like much more is the entire a lot older historic references, like when the present mocks President Nixon, or JFK.
In actual fact, I’ve proven my daughter a number of Presidents on the present, akin to Clinton holding hands with Bob Dole in Treehouse of Horror VII, and even Trump himself within the more moderen episodes.
In a whole lot of methods, it is is a superb introduction to the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, and I like that I can educate features of historical past to my daughter via such a enjoyable medium.
Why I’m A Little Fearful: My Daughter Now Also Needs To See Household Man, Which I Refuse To Let Her Watch
Bob’s Burgers is one factor, and The Simpsons is one other. However, one present that I refuse to let my daughter watch is Household Man.
And, she needs to! As a result of a whole lot of her associates at college are followers. Naturally, with The Simpsons coming earlier than Household Man, my daughter would not see the issue with additionally watching that present.
That mentioned, anyone who’s truly watched Household Man will inform you that it’s not for kids. And, my drawback is telling her “No,” with out explicitly telling her simply why it is a lot extra coarse and vulgar.
Now, don’t get me fallacious. I just like the comedy. That mentioned, I really feel like I opened the gateway to my daughter with regards to “grownup” cartoons, and I simply hope that she doesn’t attempt to sneak into my Hulu account to test it out after I’m in one other room writing.
What do you suppose? Do you additionally let your youngsters watch The Simpsons? If that’s the case, how younger did you begin them off?
