Simpsons “Treehouse” Critiques Iraq War

Tuesday, October 24, 2006
By: Ryan Ball

The annual “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween episode of FOX’s The Simpsons will parody the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, according to a report by ABCNews.com. What’s more, the special is scheduled to air the first week of November, just before the midterm congressional election.

While the writers of The Simpsons have never shied away from politics, one segment of the upcoming broadcast will be particularly critical of the war in Iraq, judging by specific lines of dialogue cited by ABC News. Titled “The Day the Earth Was Stupid,” the segment recalls the panic caused by Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, only this time aliens Kang and Kodos capitalize on the confusion by invading Springfield. At one point, Kang says, "Well, the Earthlings continue to resent our presence. You said we'd be greeted as liberators!" Kodos replies, "Don't worry, we still have the people's hearts and minds." He then holds up a brain and a heart.

The extra-terrestrials continue to debate the decision to launch “Operation Enduring Occupation” and make references to “weapons of mass disintegration." And if all that was too subtle, Kang, looking over the ruins of Springfield, delivers the final line: "This sure is a lot like Iraq will be."

Simpsons exec producer Al Jean is quoted saying the line may end up being cut from the actual broadcast, but not because FOX and its ultra-conservative chairman, Rupert Murdoch, has beef with it. Some of the show’s writers reportedly want it taken out because the parallels between the storyline and the real war are obvious enough.

Jean also denies that the episode is intended to influence votes in the midterm election, noting that episodes are often written a year in advance and that the majority of Americans already agree with the sentiments expressed in this latest visit to the Treehouse.

Reader Comments

• Kris : Animator :

  Wednesday, October 25, 2006

  Oh, how I long for the days of "Blood Bath and Beyond" and "Unitarian ice-cream". What the heck happened to the writing on the Simpsons?
  
  There used to be a time I'd look forward to Sunday nights. Now, the show just takes up valuable space on my Tivo.

• Matt : Student :

  Thursday, October 26, 2006

  I don\'t think that those lines should be taken out when it airs. The world will always have controversy and the simpsons should be able to too.

• Stephanie McDowall : retired : Government

  Saturday, October 28, 2006

  Well it looks like the clique that controls both parties is prepared to change the players.
  There will only be a few cosmetic changes. Nothing truly important to the American people will change. All parties in Canada are also controlled now by the Corporations.
  We are all in the same boat. Tragic really.

• Gary : Union Thug : Rammjack Corporation

  Saturday, October 28, 2006

  Whate happened to the BILLIONS stolen from the Iraqi Treasury by the American Soldier - Liberators?

• Mike : Librarian :

  Saturday, November 04, 2006

  Well, I'm fine with subtle jabs and humor, but stuffing criticism down our throats is getting a little heavy-handed from the liberal media. {Yawn}

• Avinash_Tyagi :

  Sunday, November 05, 2006

  Makes sense considering what happens on tuesday, and the fact that Groening supports the Democrats.
  
  And considering the fact that we re-elected the monkeys in the White house in 2004, I think they feel that Subtlety will be lost on most viewers

• Former Fan : Viewer :

  Sunday, November 12, 2006

  I remember when the Simpsons writers concentrated more on funny, and not at all on politics. Ofcourse, the Simpsons hasn't been funny in 5 or 6 years, so good luck with that. Maybe they could queue up an episode of Futurama to see what sharp writing sounds like. If the movie is going to be like this season, I'll pass.

• Lu :

  Tuesday, September 09, 2008

  The simpsons have been political for years - I was watching early seasons last month and was actually shocked at how political they were.