The Simpsons and their fans

Do you remember the Simpsons episode where Itchy and Scratchy introduce Poochie, the new character that Homer provides the voice to? I'm a big Simpsons fan, but I'm not so big where I have every line from every episode memorized-so if I'm off by an episode or, my apologies. Comic book guy gives the great line "Worst. Episode. Ever" to express his disgust with the Itchy and Scratchy episode. It's a line that has broken into pop culture, for sure. In response, Bart says "What could they possibly owe you, they've given you countless hours of entertainment for free? If anything you owe them!" Well far be it for me to argue with an eight year old, but that line has always bothered me. Probably because it's exactly how too many people in Hollywood view their fans and the people who watch their shows.

At first, Bart has a good point. After all, we've been entertained by The Simpsons for over twenty years now. It is probably the best tv show in history and it's longevity and ability to stay fresh is truly amazing. Not many tv shows can do that. I love how fearless it is-taking shots at everything, including the network that puts it on the air. Without the Simpsons, we wouldn't have South Park or Family Guy. So don't we owe them?

Um, no.

Because of them entertaining peons like you, they've become rich. Very rich. In fact, they've become part of the one percenters they dislike and despise. They can afford lives that put them totally out of touch with the lowly commoners. Sure their jokes about Fox are funny as hell, but without the evil Fox network-they'd still be broke and struggling. The money puts them out of touch in many ways, but it makes them forget that at one point McFarlane and Groening were totally unknown and could never have imagined the heights their shows would take them to. Here's the part they need to remember-if their fans didn't watch their shows, regardless of how good they were-they'd still be broke and unknown. The world is littered with great bands and great tv shows that just never took off and their creators would sell their souls for what Matt Groening has.