American Stereotypes of English Society & Life in Television

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RUMMAN SIKDAR

American Stereotypes of English Society & Life in Television

‘The Simpsons’, one of the most popular American shows of the last decade and a thought provoking universal phenomenon, has often dealt with political and social issues in a controversial manner. For instance when the Simpsons went to Japan, Homer lectured the Japanese game show presenter on their (the Japanese) lack of morals and sadistic fascination in pain and misery. As someone who has know knowledge of Japan apart from their exploits in World War Two, I can’t comment on the credibility of that episode. However I can examine the episode titled ‘The Regina Monologues’, an episode which saw the Simpsons travel to England on holiday and saw the creators of the show exploit almost every English stereotype and cliché, for the amusement of the American audience. Perhaps English people found it funny as well; I was only amused by the Changing of the Guards sequence.

The onslaught of English references begins whilst the Simpsons are still in America. ‘Museum of Bart’ is the typical English museum, with a typical heritage sector (being a ‘friend of Bart’), an idea which rose to prominence in England.

The Simpsons arrive in London through a montage to numerous films involving the amorous relations between American servicemen, stationed in England, and English women during World War Two. During the flashback Grandpa Abe Simpson has we are given two very English things to remember, the name of Abe’s love, Edwina, a very English name (if a very old and almost obsolete name). We also must note the dramatic music playing as Abe’s boat carries him away, Mars Bringer of War, composed by Holtz, a English musician.

Having walked through a swarm of Mary Poppins’ in flight, the Simpsons are met at the airport by Tony Blair. Some might consider this scene to make some sort of international political statement, especially as Mr Blair takes a dollar bill from Homer. However I believe people read too much into this scene, I think it is more a statement of how poor the country has become in comparison to the United States of America. However the scene might convey how the government is more concerned about foreign affairs rather than its own people. Mr Blair rushing off to meet a Dutch couple in a James Bond style jet pack might not only convey how eager the government is to open up to foreigners but also how government resources and funds are wasted on this sort of behaviour (exactly how much would a jet pack cost?). Homer’s exclamation at the end of their encounter is hilarious, “I can’t believe we met Mr Bean!” Rowan Atkinson is probably one of the most recognisable English men in the whole world, fame brought to him by the world wide success of his hit television programme, Mr Bean.

St Paul’s Cathedral is perfectly clean and not enveloped in hundreds of tourist as often is the case in reality. However this image of London being perfect and upholding ‘dated’ ideals seems to be all the rage in ‘The Simpsons’, the black cabs are black, not covered in advertisements for sponsors. The occupant of the cab the Simpsons chose to ride in is a certain Jeeves. Inevitably he is your perfect, stereotypical English butler from the ‘Worcester and Jeeves’ series of books.  Expectedly he ends up serving the Simpsons a cup of tea each.

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The Simpsons meet J K Rowling and Lisa is surprised by her peculiarity, was this because the Americans do not fully comprehend the success and almost obsessive following behind the ‘Harry Potter’ books, after all many schools in America ban the excellent book.

We see numerous English landmarks and tourist hot spots (all void of tourists as previously), such as the Planetarium, Harrod’s, the famous, open-top No. 15 double decker and Big Ben. Our encounter with the London Eye ends with yet another homage to the hit series of films, the James Bond series.

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