The Simpsons: Are They Funny Again?

The Simpsons is a television legend. Everybody has seen it. Even Aboriginal children living in caves who brush their teeth with a stick know who Bart Simpson is. And how can you not? The show has more seasons under its belt than Britney Spears has stretch marks.

Unfortunately, what began as a comedy giant has since shrunken into a comedy dwarf—which is to say it has a normal-sized head but its arms and legs are all stubby and weird. It’s no secret that for a long time, the Simpsons hasn’t been as sharp as it used to be. Not since its glory years in the early to mid 90s… which is a problem unless you live in Europe where American TV arrives so late, those episodes are probably airing for the first time right now. Right along with the premieres of “Diff’rent Strokes” and “A.L.F.”

Anyway, after 19 seasons on the air along with countless officially merchandized t-shirts, dolls, baseball caps, board games, and sex toys, the Simpsons finally seemed to be running of out steam. The hard work of hundreds of Korean animators had been completely mined, and show creator Matt Groening had grown tired of cashing the same old royalty checks for a show he hasn’t done squat for since Bush Sr. was in office.

So, what do you do with a show that has run out of ideas? Just ask the X-Files! You put it on a bigger screen and start charging people to watch it! This of course brings us to The Simpsons Movie.

Leading up to its blockbuster theatrical premiere, “Simpsons Fever” gripped the United States which prior to that only had rampant obesity to worry about. In fact, to help market the Simpsons movie, several 7-11 convenience stores in America were temporarily changed into “Kwik-E-Marts” the fictional store owned by the character Apu. To make that switch 100% authentic, Indian shop owners only had to trade in their store logos, their usual selection of merchandise, and their last shred of dignity.

But here’s the thing. The movie’s not bad! In fact, it’s surprisingly enjoyable. Granted, it’s a little sad that I have to pay 10 bucks to see a Simpsons episode that’s actually funny these days, but hey, I’ll take it where I can get it.

The plot revolves around Homer Simpson, everyone’s favorite beer-swilling, donut-munching, good-natured idiot after he dumps toxic waste into the Lake Springfield causing an ecological disaster that gets the entire town quarantined. Right here, I imagine some movie-goers will be confused. Hell, I see worse things wash up on the shores of Santa Monica on a daily basis. In fact, now might be a good time to explain to children that the L.A. river basin wasn’t always filled with used condoms, abandoned cars, and dead bodies. It actually used to have water in it. What’s water, kids? Nevermind. Have a Coke. Anyway, back to the film.

In a twist of art imitating life, the film’s villains are the United States government. This will be a shock to no one except those in the United States government. In the film, they want to blow up Springfield in order to cover up Homer’s mistake. Which is absurd since everyone knows America would never blow things up because of a mistake!

In the end, the movie embodies what I used to love about the Simpsons--great moments of comedy and a solid social message. It might even inspire you to start recycling. Can’t find a bin? Ah, don’t worry about it. Just toss it in the ocean.