Does "The Simpsons" some times go to far?

Question

Tonight I was watching "The Simpsons" and they made reference to Brazil:

Lisa says "This is the worst place I have ever seen?" (refering to a run down area of Springfield that used to be a tourist attraction). Bart replys "Before or After Brazil?" (Simpsons went to Brazil on a previous episode). Lisa replies "After".

I am not Brazillian, very liberal and believe in free speech, but something just bothered me about that joke. Like nothing is sacred.

What is your opinion?

Answer 1

Sometimes, but so does south park and family guy...that how cartoons are nowadays...dont take it personal

Answer 2

No they do not go too far. They have made similar references to Brazil in other episodes, so I don't see why you are just now saying something. After the episode in which they go to brazil aired, it resulted in a lawsuit from the Rio board of tourism to which James L. Brooks released a statement saying "we apologize to the lovely city and people of Rio de Janeiro," but added, "If that doesn't settle the issue, Homer Simpson offers to take on the President of Brazil on Fox Celebrity Boxing." The writers continued to place things into other episodes, like when Homer says the monkey problem's getting worse down there or when Krusty says his chimp, Mr. Teeny, has an uncle that is Head Monkey on the Bureau of Tourism. This is just a continuation on this satire. There is no problem of "Going too far"

Answer 3

Brazil is rife with poverty the likes most Americans cannot fathom, so it's hardly an unshared sentiment. Anyway it's The Simpsons, it's not exactly something that inspires great philosophical debate in coffee houses world wide (or maybe it does, what do I know?). Might as well ask if South Park goes too far.

Cartman (singing): "I want to get down on my knees and start pleasing Jesus. I want to feel his salvation all over my face."

Answer 4

in Brazil they make a joke about how everything is painted bright colors to distract you from the poverty and blight. And they are right. Much of the populated areas in Brazil, like many other developing nations, are very poor, and very dirty. Most tourists don't see this, since they go to club med or other sanatized areas of the country.

Answer 5

sounds like Brazil was better than that part of Springfield

people are entitled to their opinions, if you travel somewhere and people are mean and you don't like it, you don't have to pretend you did cuz its politically correct of something

most kids are NOT shocked by the simpsons

I liked the episode in which the kids say, mom and dad are really going at it this time, do you think they will get divorced? no, Dad could never deal with the paperwork, don't worry.

Answer 6

I don't think it's going to far. It IS just the writer's or "Lisa's" opinion and it IS America and everyone is entitled to free speech. But it could be offending to some people though.

Answer 7

I'm used to hear the most barbaric things about my country from people that can't point out Brazil in the map.

We get used to it.

Answer 8

It's a social commentary. Brazil is very very poverty-stricken, in case you didnt know. And it brings attention to the issue, so it's a good thing. Now people know.

Answer 9

I think they have gone to far before, but that joke doesn't seem to bad as previous jokes on that show.

Answer 10

i dont think they ever go to far.itake it you never saw the episode where Homer meets god and god says something about the people on earth being crazy or something like that.then he says he sent his sone there and he cam back like this.and he points to Jesus who is on a swing twisting around on it with a dumb look on his face