| Product: |
Simpsons,The |
| Date: |
13/11/09 (32 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: The definitive family cartoon
Disadvantages: The very new ones and very old ones are not quite as good as the middle ones.
The Simpsons started its life as a short piece of incredibly shoddy animation on the Tracy Ullman Show. Despite its crudely animated characters it was well received and on the 17th December 1989 it graduated to a fully fledged 30 minute prime time piece. Over the years the Animation has improved dramatically and the voice acting has become entirely more accomplished.
To date there have been some 450 episodes and the show is now in its 21st season. The show is set in Springfield USA and there is a running joke that the exact location of the town is nearly revealed only to be cut short and remain a mystery, apparently if you look out for the clues the answer is there.
So lets take the first bus over the only bridge into Springfield and meet some of the cast....
--Homer--
Everyone loves old Homer, he drinks, he swears and sometimes even throttles Poor Bart but his heart is undeniably in the right place. Devoted Husband to Marge. He loves his family to death even 'dear rat boy'.
Occupation: Safety Inspector, Springfield Power Plant, Sector Sieben Gruber (i mean 7G).
Hobbies: Lying on the couch, Watching TV, Bowling, Drinking (Mmmm duff), Strangling the boy, Eating far too much.
Catchphrases: D'oh, Why You Little, Mmmmmmmm.
Best Quotes
------------
'Marge I'm goin to Moes, send the kids to the neighbours I'm comin' back loaded'
'Stealing?! How could you, haven't you learned anything from that guy who gives the sermons in church...you know...Captain whats-his-name'
'Mmmmm, free goo'
--Marge--
The bedrock of the Simpson family. Adores her four children (Maggie, Lisa, Bart and of course her significantly older and fatter child, Homer). She works hard but is not afraid to let her 4 foot blue hair down once in a while. Just watch the enjoyment she gets from cutting celery, wow what a wild child!!!
Occupation: Home maker
Hobbies: Being a fantastic mother and wife, Gambling.
Catchphrases: 'Hmmmmm'
Best Quotes
------------
'Strange, regular ham just doesn't thrill me anymore...I'm crossing over to deviled ham!'
'Homer...you're pouring hot butter over my le-eg'
'No No No, when I took your fathers name I took everything that came with it including DNA'
--Bart--
The modern day Dennis the Menace, causes mischief wherever he goes with his slingshot and skateboard. Like his father, deep down he does have a conscience (its just buried a little deeper than Homers...thats all!)
Occupation: 4th grade at springfield elementary (well he is only 10).
Hobbies: Firing his sling shot, Skateboarding, Dominating his meek pal Milhouse and generally causing merry hell.
Catchphrases: Eat my shorts, Don't have a cow man.
Best Quotes
------------
'Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves so thanks for nothing'
'Doctors say my butt bones stronger than ever'
'All I know is my testicles wont fit in my underwear anymore'
--Lisa--
The moral fiber that holds the Simpson family together, academic, studious and a keen saxophonist.Little Lisa is going places in life, and if the mystic Indian who read her future is to be believed shes goin all the way to the whitehouse.
Occupation: Attends Springfield elementary a grade below her brother, where she continues to delight her teacher Ms Hoover.
Hobbies: Saxophone, studying.
Catchphrases: I'll be in my room (not a catchphrase at all but one episode sees the whole cast reel off their catchphrases while Lisa doesn't have one). She blithely states 'I'll be in my room'.
Best Quotes
------------
'You sir are a Baboon...Baboon Baboob, Ba-Boon'!!!
'I'm impressed you were able to write so legibly on your own butt'
'He's not like anyone I've ever met, he's like a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a vest' (refering to Nelson Muntz)
--Maggie--
The youngest Simpson, none of the characters ever age but this is especially apparent in young Maggie who is perpetually one years old. She apparently 'Doesn't get on with the other babies' and has a personal vendetta against monobrow baby.
Occupation: Full time carpet tickler
Hobbies: Sucking her dummy
Catchphrases: Suck Suck Suck
Best Quotes
------------
'Suck'
'Suck Suck'
'buuuuuuuuurp'
--Grampa--
Old man Simpson, a wrinkly version of his son. Abe is lecherous, embittered and absolutely loveable.
Occupation: Retired (Only reference to past jobs is a security guard at a cranberry silo)
Hobbies: Complaining
Catchphrases: None
Best Quotes
------------
'Aaaaah!!! Deeeeath' (pointing at a lamp)
'Ithought I'd never hear the scream of pain or see the look of terror in a young mans eye...thank heavens for children'
'My legs hurt'
--Santa's Little Helper--
The beloved family pooch, he's not the sharpest puppy in the pound but he's barts best friend and an unmistakeable member of the family.
------------------------------------------------- ------------
Thats the Simpsons, The 2.4 family of Evergreen Terrace, they may not be perfect but they're a happy bunch. Now we take a stroll through Springfield to visit a few of the closest friends of the family, starting with.....
--Ned Flanders--
Next door neighbour-diddly-rino's of the Simpsons. Just your everyday well meaning christian, married to Maude with two boys Rod & Tod.
Interesting Facts: Neddy has had a mental breakdown and was a disobedient child. The son of two beatnicks who refused to discipline him. He was sent to a psychiatrist as a lad and underwent a year long spanking which appeared to have cured his boardiness.
--Barney Gumbal--
The town drunk, and Homer's best friend. Practically lives in Moe's bar. Beneath his drunken exterior lies the soul of a poet, as we can see from his arthouse film 'Pukahontas' premiered at the Springfield film festival.
Interesting Facts: Barney is a fantastic artist, he tries to pay for a beer with a drawing on a napkin which turns out to be breathtaking. Barney's mother lives in Norway (he tells Homer she's flying in the week after the superbowl in the episode Lisa The Greek).
--Lenny & Carl--
The inseperable pair, work with Homer at the plant and drink with Barney at Moes.
Interesting Facts: Whilst not stictly a fact, it is heavily insinuated that Lenny & Carl are a little closer than just good buddies.
--Milhouse--
The submissive blue haired bespectacled geeky friend of Bart. The only child of Kirk and luanne Van Houten.
Interesting Facts: Milhouse is a bed wetter and has a huge crush on Lisa.
--Moe--
Moe Syszlak, pours beer down the throats of Springfields inhabitants. A friend to anyone with enough money to buy a beer. An altogether joyless fellow whos bar is far from a raving success (excluding the episode flaming moes).
Interesting Facts: Moe is not a native to America (mamma mia!). His real name is momar. He harbours a secret desire to usurp Homers position as Marges husband.
------------------------------------------------- -----------
Its only a short stroll to Springfield Elementary from here, lets take a look at where the Simpson kids spend the happiest hours of their lives (yeah right)...
--Super Nintendo uuuh Intendant Chalmers--
Frequently visits Springfield Elementary for offstead inspections, and frequently yells at Prinicipal Skinner for getting it wrong.
Interesting Facts: He occasionally dates Skinners mother. His most uttered word???
SKINNER!!!!
--Principal Seymour Skinner--
The clean cut head of the school, lives with his overbearing mother agnes and has a somewhat sheltered life. A Vietnam Vet who suffers from time to time with comically tragic flash backs.
Interesting Facts: His real name is Armin, Armin Tamsarian. He has a shady past as a no good street punk.
--Ms Hoover--
Likes a drink when she is marking and dosen't seem to relish her role as third grade teacher.
Interesting facts: She teaches Lisa. She is a hypochondriac (or she is at least when she thinks she's got lime disease).
--Edna Krabbapel--
The fourth grade teacher, enjoys a stable relationship with Skinner.
Interesting Facts: She teaches Bart. She's a bit of a man eater (we see her dating sideshow Bob, the chef of a sushi restaurant and she even propositions Bart in an episode showing his future).
--Groundskeeper Willie--
The red haired fiery scotsman keeps the school puke free and maintains an award winning playing field. He lives in a tiny shack on school premises.
Interesting Facts: He is originally from Glasgow.
--Otto--
The perpetual teenager, Otto drives the school bus. He is a maniacal driver and has totalled the school bus on a handful of occasions.
Interesting Facts: Bart usually greets him as 'Otto, Man', we glimpse his drivers license in one episode and under Name it reads 'Otto Mann'. Otto's father is an admiral. He loves 80's hair metal. He is occasionaly seen at AA meetings.
--Nelson Jimbo & Kerny--
The trio of bullies who prey on the weak and geeky of the school yard, they make numerous childs lives hell including Bart and Lisa's.
Interesting Facts: Nelson has dated Lisa, his mum works at hooters. He has a secret passion for Andy Williams. Jimbo, real name James, loves watching soap operas with his mother, buys his hat at the wooly bully. Kerny has been held back so many times that he has a young son who sleeps in a drawer. He has to shave.
--Ralph Wiggum--
Ralph is chromosonally challenged, he's not the brightest of children but I reckon has to be one of my favourite characters (I can do pretty fair impressions of him if i do say so myself). He is the son of Chief Constable Clancy Wiggum.
Interesting Facts: He has an imaginary puppy called wigglepup who flies using his tail. He has also dated Lisa (that Lisa sure does get around). He likes bushes without prickles.
--Martin Prince--
The Boffin of the school, the main target for Nelsons bullying. Loves sucking upto teacher.
Interesting Facts: Speaks Latin. His father works in the stock exchange.
------------------------------------------------- -----------
Where to now? Why don't we go see whats happening down the old nuclear reactor and see if we can get into old man Burns' office.....
--Monty Burns--
The tyranical owner of the plant, a powerful figure within Springfield. He's no spring chicken however (he's one of the few characters who seems to have been given more than one age, his true age remains a mystery).
Interesting Facts: He is Springfields oldest man (after the Mansion family episode anyway).
--Waylan Smithers--
The loyal servant of Mr Burns, he is the old mans PA. He idolises his boss and values his job tremendously.
Interesting Facts: His other jobs have included piano mover and racetrack announcer. He has very 'special' feelings towards Monty, how can i say this...he likes musicals. He is the largest collector of Malibu Stacy dolls in Springfield.
*Theres a plaque on the wall here commemorating the life and death of an employee, oh yeah ,
i remember him wasn't he....*
--Frank Grimes--
Lived and died through the duration of a single episode, worked hard for everything he got in life (which turned out not to be very much). He is incredibly jealous of Homer and meets his end by electrocution, after he freaks out and starts impersonating his adversary.
Interesting Facts: Grimey's son tries to kill Homer in a later episode.
------------------------------------------------- ------------
Burns' stuffy old office has got me down, I fancy a change of scenery, lets high tail it down to Springfield Studios and go hunting for autographs.
Theres a TV in the waiting room, we can watch Itchy & Scratchy while we wait for the backstage tour to begin.....
--Itchy & Scratchy--
This cat & mouse duo put Tom & Jerry to shame, possibly the most violent animals on telly. However unlike Tom & Jerry, these guys can talk.
Interesting Facts: Their debut was a rather tame outing called 'Steamboat willy'. They have starred in their own Movie.
--Krusty--
The cigarette smoking, horse betting clown much beloved by the children of springfield.
Interesting Facts: He has a pacemaker. He is Jewish.
--Sideshow Bob--
Bob has in the past worked as Krusty's sidekick but since going to prison for attempting to murder Bart Simpson the roll has been filled by one Sideshow Mel.
Interesting Facts: Bob is voiced by the brilliant Kelsey Grammar (of Frasier). Bob Speaks fluent French. He is a conniseur of wine. His arch nemesis is the humble rake.
--Sideshow Mel--
The current target of Krusty's unremitting abuse. He has a very grandiose way of speaking and is constantly being put down by Krusty.
Interesting Facts: Mel is lactose intolerant. He has worked in a fast food place, when he briefly left the entertainment bussiness.
--Kent Brockman--
The trusted Springfield news caster. Brings the News to the people.
Interesting Facts: He is incredibly rich after winning the state lottery (in episode 'Dog Of Death'). He has a sister. He never does the news without first having a Danish pastry.
--Bumblebee Man--
A mexican man in a giant bee suit. Stars in his own show where he can be seen being pelted by oranges or smooched by amorous donkeys.
Interesting Facts: The first Channel he ever worked for was called 'Channel Ocho'. He has a little pet Chihuaua.
--Troy Mclure--
The serious acting talent of springfield, you may recognise him from such films as 'Christmas Ape' and 'Christmas Ape Goes To Summer Camp'.
Interesting Facts: He has dated Marges sister Selma. He has a romantic abnormality which ensures he wont be welcome at Sea World (he eeer, 'sleeps', with the fishes).
--Rainier Wolfcastle--
Star of the renowned McBain movies, he is Springfields answer to Arnie, a muscle clad action hero.
Interesting Facts: He is from Bavaria. He has a young Daughter.
------------------------------------------------- -----------
Well there you have it!!! A brief tour of the vibrant town of Springfield, I hope you enjoyed reading it. I've always loved the Simpsons and It was my initial intention to try and get through all the characters of Springfield -i bet your glad i didnt : ) - But I decided to only do these select few as it would have taken far too long to read otherwise. Anyway, thanks for reading : )
Voices By....
Nancy Cartwright
Bart Simpson
Nelson Muntz
Todd Flanders
Ralph Wiggum
Kearney
Database
Hank Azaria
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
Moe Szyslak
Chief Clancy Wiggum
Comic Book Guy
Lou
Carl
Dr. Nick Riviera
Snake
Kirk Van Houten
Captain McCallister
Bumblebee Man
Superintendent Chalmers
Professor Frink
Cletus
Dredrick Tatum
Pyro (a.k.a. Chase)
Harry Shearer
C. Montgomery Burns
Waylon Smithers
Ned Flanders
Principal Skinner
Otto
Reverend Lovejoy
Dr. Julius Hibbert
Kent Brockman
Jasper
Lenny
Edde
Rainier Wolfcastle/McBain
Scratchy
Kang
Herman
George Bush
Judge Snyder
Marcia Wallace
Edna Krabappel
Pamela Hayden
Milhouse Van Houten
Rod Flanders
Janey Powell
Jimbo Jones
Malibu Stacy
Sarah Wiggum
Tress MacNeille
Dolph
Sunday School Teacher
Brandine
Agnes Skinner
Gavin
Maggie Roswell
Maude Flanders
Helen Lovejoy
Miss Hoover
Luann Van Houten
Princess Kashmir
Doris Grau
Lunchlady Doris
Marci Mitzman Gaven
Maude Flanders
Summary: The worlds favourite family.
|
Last comments:
|
- 13/11/09 I love them all : ) |
|
- 13/11/09 Ralph is my favourite character too! lol |
|