I’m not gonna lie. I watched quite a lot of reveals that I most likely shouldn’t have once I was youthful.
Married…with Kids, Beverly Hills, 90210, hell, even a few of my favourite Black sitcoms had some questionable content material for just a little child (for instance, I used to be solely 11 once I fell in love with the Dick Wolf crime drama, New York Undercover). Properly, of all of the reveals 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 reveals 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 just a little anxious. So, right here’s why I’ve blended emotions about my daughter’s newfound enthusiasm for The Simpsons.
Why I am Overjoyed: We Already Bond A Lot, However Now We Have One thing Else That We Can Share
First off, my daughter and I share quite a lot of commonalities.
For instance, we each have a restricted palate, we’re each large pessimists (I’m positive she will get that from me), and we like quite a lot of the identical leisure.
So, when she requested if we may watch The Simpsons collectively, I used to be over the moon. I’ve referenced jokes from the present ever since my children have been infants, and I’ve a number of Simpsons toys and books within the basement.
I truthfully have no person accountable for my daughter’s curiosity however myself, and I’m principally okay with that. I really like listening to her guffaw at jokes that had me rolling once 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 in contrast to quite a lot of Simpsons followers, my daughter doesn’t say issues like “The Simpsons peaked at Season 10.” Nor does she examine it to different reveals like Bob’s Burgers, which she additionally likes. As a substitute, she’s been having fun with the episodes for the primary time, going by means of the assorted seasons because it’s on Disney+ (it’s nonetheless the perfect factor on the streaming service, in the event you ask me). Nonetheless, since she’s been going by means of all of the seasons…
Why I am A Little Anxious: There Are A Lot Extra Grownup Themes Than I Keep in mind There Being
If you happen to have been born within the ‘80s like I used to be, then I am positive you bear in mind Bartmania.
However, in the event you weren’t, then let me clarify. Bart Simpson was in all places within the early ‘90s, and he was undoubtedly the primary focus of the present. So, despite the fact that all the household was essential, Bart was the star attraction. And, since he was the star, quite a lot of children tuned in simply to see him.
Anyway, all of that is to say that quite a lot of the grownup themes and jokes went manner over my head once 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 loads smarter than I used to be, and he or she’s not targeted on Bart in any respect. In actual fact, she finds him sort 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” by which Marge significantly considers dishonest on Homer.
I grew up with this present. In that manner, despite the fact that there have been jokes and themes that I sort of acquired once I was a child, I understood much more of them once I grew to become a youngster. It’s 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 am Overjoyed: The Humor Is Actually Clever, So It is Making Her Assume
I discussed episodes about questioning one’s religion, and the one which resonated essentially the most with my daughter was “Lisa the Skeptic,” by which a so-called angel is uncovered in Springfield.
My daughter, who at all times groans, “Why do we’ve got to go to church?” on Sunday mornings is unquestionably a skeptic, and presumably a future cynic (Once more, almost definitely 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 may 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 really made me really feel fairly good. As a result of despite the fact 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 imagine all the pieces she’s instructed, and I’m blissful {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 kind of intelligence. However, I don’t suppose it matches the caliber of The Simpsons’ storytelling. Even so…
Why I am A Little Anxious: In contrast to Myself After 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 quite a lot of the extra risqué humor on the present that I by no means understood. Those that she doesn’t get, she really ASKS me what they imply.
For instance, within the episode, “The Frying Recreation,” Agnes Skinner, who’s aged, casually remarks, “Who do I’ve to gum to get a refill?” and I’m positive 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.
Additionally, since she is now a Ned Flanders superfan, she wished to look at a number of the episodes the place he’s married to Edna Krabappel. However, if something about Edna (RIP, Marcia Wallace), you’ll know the way 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 am a tad anxious that my daughter is perhaps studying a bit too a lot with regards to ribald humor. Even so…
Why I am Overjoyed: Since The Present Was So Topical, I Can Train My Daughter About Occasions From Totally different Eras
A couple of semi-dirty jokes is a small danger that I am keen to take so long as it implies 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 all the 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, reminiscent of Clinton holding fingers with Bob Dole in Treehouse of Horror VII, and even Trump himself within the more moderen episodes.
In quite a lot of methods, it is is a good introduction to the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, and I like that I can train features of historical past to my daughter by means of such a enjoyable medium.
Why I am A Little Anxious: My Daughter Now Additionally Desires 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 desires to! As a result of quite a lot of her mates at college are followers. Naturally, with The Simpsons coming earlier than Household Man, my daughter does not see the issue with additionally watching that present.
That mentioned, anyone who’s really 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 incorrect. 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 once I’m in one other room writing.
What do you suppose? Do you additionally let your children watch The Simpsons? If that’s the case, how younger did you begin them off?