Planet Simpson: How A Cartoon Masterpiece Defined A Generation [Hardcover]

Chris Turner (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 12, 2004

Planet Simpson is the first book to bring in-depth analysis to that most important pop-cultural institution of the last decade-Fox TV's "The Simpsons"-and use the show as a microcosm of the Western culture it has hilariously (and mercilessly) reflected and influenced. In an age of unprecedented transformation, "The Simpsons" alone has had the depth, intelligence, scope, and, most importantly, humor to chart the links between popular culture and the world we live in. Planet Simpson is broken down into scathingly funny chapters analyzing each major character's relationship to different facets of the American character: Homer Simpson, the ultimate everyman of the American century; Lisa Simpson, the voice of the show's social conscience; Bart Simpson, punk icon; Marge Simpson, maternal voice of moral authority and anchor of Simpsons family values; C. Montgomery Burns, unchecked capitalism personified…and every bit character on down from Barney to Smithers to Krusty the Clown, coupled with intelligent, friendly, and entertaining analysis of the show's greater themes. Going well beyond a critical discussion of a single television program, Planet Simpson will use "The Simpsons" as a window on the culture at large to deliver first-hand reportage of the Internet boom, the alternative-rock explosion, the triumph of irony, the cultural origins of anti-globalization, and other defining events and trends of our accelerated, confounding era.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although this unauthorized book "was not prepared, licensed, approved, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing" The Simpsons, Canadian journalist Turner embarks on an encyclopedic exposition of the show's episodes, catchphrases, characters, cultural impact, social commentary, themes and influences. In 1987, 33-year-old cartoonist Matt Groening devised the dysfunctional family during a 15-minute wait before pitching the concept to producer James L. Brooks. Short segments on Fox's Tracey Ullman Show escalated into the full series in 1989–1990, with accolades and awards piling up during the following 15 years. Turner flavors his straightforward Simpsons study with footnotes and facts on everything from Ayn Rand and Columbine to Y2K and Yeats. Unraveling and analyzing plot threads, he views the series as "more anti-authoritarian by far than almost anything else that's ever aired in prime time," and he praises it as a "cultural institution" comparable to the Beatles. Turner's fannish enthusiasm and tsunami of trivia will appeal mainly to devotees, though cultural historians may value it for its vision of Springfield as a satirical mirror reflecting the trials and tribulations of contemporary life.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

On the verge of becoming the all-time longest-running situation comedy, The Simpsons has had unprecedented effect on American popular culture, as Turner convincingly argues. He traces the show's history, from cultural touchstone to beloved institution, and offers lengthy profiles of the characters, elucidated with tidbits from 15 years' worth of episodes. Especially fascinating is his depiction of the online community devoted to The Simpsons, which pores over each episode for arcane references and whose efforts have been subtly acknowledged in metatextual gags on the show. While Turner overstates the case for The Simpsons' cultural importance, even claiming that, since it appeals to all ages, it is in some respects more important than rock and roll, his observations are thoughtful and perceptive, and he conveys them in a breezy, sometimes smart-alecky tone totally appropriate to the subject. Long-winded but never dull, dense but never academic, Planet Simpson may be too much for casual viewers. For the show's sizable hardcore audience, however, especially the most serious-minded viewers, it's a feast. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Export Ed edition (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306813416
• ISBN-13: 978-0306813412
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CHRIS TURNER is one of Canada's leading voices on sustainability and the global cleantech boom. His most recent book, The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy, was published last fall in Canada; the Globe and Mail called it "one of the most arresting arguments for building a green economy yet in print." He is also the author of the bestsellers The Geography of Hope and Planet Simpson, and his feature writing has earned eight National Magazine Awards. He is a regular contributor to The Globe & Mail, The Walrus, Alberta Views and Canadian Geographic, and a featured blogger at MNN.com. He lives in Calgary.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very solid read April 3, 2006

By Pops Freshenmeyer

Format:Hardcover

99% of the reviewers missed the point of the book. A book that promises a 'sprawling, multidimensional critical look' at "The Simpsons" as seen through the lens of pop culture analysis--what did they expect to read about? Most of them complain about the book's length and criticize the author's penchant for branching off into other pop culture topics. However, these two main complaints are both the central points of the book, and their arguments seem to be very defitions of "sprawling and multidemensional". I enjoyed this book very much, and liked the length of the it, as it meant the author did go in-depth in his analyses. While I did not necessarily agree with all of his points, he did present them very well and it is very obvious the man knows his "Simpsons." Furthermore, I did find many, but not all, of his "tangents" to be related and very applicable to the points he was trying to make using aspects of The Simpsons. As a long-time fan, I've always said that there is very little in life that "The Simpsons" doesn't relate to, so I really enjoyed this book. The reason I didn't give it a perfect is b/c I did find parts to be a bit dry for me, but that's the extent of my dislikes. My advice is this: if you want a more lighthearted read on "The Simpsons," buy one of the many other books about them--BUT if you want a much more in-depth and well-written book delivering what it promises, this is it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars smells like otto's jacket February 15, 2006

By Ryan M. Moore

Format:Paperback

This book isn't a masterpiece, but it deserves better reviews. If you're looking for something more fun in the vein of Simpsons merchandise or don't like to have your pleasures intellectualized, then stay way. But if you're a Simpsons fan and you've always thought it was postmodern but you were absent on the day they taught Jameson and Baudrillard in seminar and so you can't explain why . . . then this book is for you! Sure, the chapters are way too long and the prose reads like it was written by comic book store guy, but it's got its insights and it makes you laugh. The chapters are organized by character so you get a sense of how each represents a little slice of Americana--Homer the working-class oaf, Marge the desparate housewife, Bart the punk rock nihilist skateboarder, Lisa the earnest liberal do-gooder, Burns the wretched capitalist pig. I really like chapter 10, about the show's endless spiral of self-referentiality and media parody. The quiz on p.411 asking if you can guess which was a fake movie with Troy McClure or a real movie with one of the Baldwin brothers is almost worth the price of the book itself.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Too indulgent for its own good August 2, 2005

By David B. Minter

Format:Hardcover

Ultimately, Planet Simpson tries to be an entirely different beast, but, fails. It tried to be a cultural analysis of the TV series and its impact on society, particularly American society. However, in the end, it indulges in its author's love for the series too much.

The narrative structure is not coherent enough to sustain interest in the book. Turner too often than not tries to start a dialogue on a particular point of fact. That fact being how, in whatever way, that point backs up his belief that the Simpsons in the most culturally important element of the late 20th century. Unfortunately, he never backs up the statements he starts to make. He many times starts off with a good topic, but, diverts off. Punctuated with his own words saying he's about to state an example of what he means, he veers off his topics entirely. The text is reduced to mere catalogues of episodes, moments, details, and the like. He completely forgets the vast majority of his main points and never returns to them.

Because of this somewhat rambling style, the chapter structure just does not fit it. Each seems way too long and bloated for its own good, because nothing is ever established in each section. Just collections of ideas, peppered, of course, with numerous story descriptions and notes.

This might have worked far better as an episode guide, with Turner taking asides to express his commentary. His love for this show and extent of knowledge on it is firmly established within the book. In an attempt to culturally analyze the series, though, he has failed to make a point more often than he succeeds.

54 of 73 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Longest. Alt.tv.simpsons Post. Ever. December 29, 2004

By Stephen Holland

Format:Hardcover

Have you ever been to a party and been cornered by someone who wants to discuss his favourite book (or cartoon, or CD, or political theory, or celebrity) in detail? Chris Turner's Planet Simpson reminded me of the many times that I have had to endure a bore talking with passion about his views on such fascinating topics as Perl vs C++. We have all had these experiences, but most of use would prefer to avoid reading a book that treats the reader this way.

Planet Simpson is a long, rambling discourse about why the author likes The Simpsons, and why the author thinks that The Simpsons defined North American pop culture during the 1990s. Unfortunately the book contains little more than a rehash of the jokes that the author found funny, and repeated comments about how

The Simpsons deconstruct pop culture. The book offered no real insight into why The Simpsons was popular, why The Simpsons nailed such a wide variety of topics over its ongoing 14-year run, or why The Simpsons started to decline. The author

appears to have made no effort to interview people involved with the show; does not discuss, or even acknowledge, other works about The Simpsons; and largely misses the connections between this tv series and other developments in pop culture over the past 14 years.

In short, this book was dull.