BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 14, 2003 – "If cartoons were meant for adults, they'd put them on in prime time." -- Lisa Simpson, "The Simpsons", FOX Television Network. Three hundred prime time episodes later, "The Simpsons" is set to emerge as America's longest running sitcom. Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and baby Maggie are among the most beloved dysfunctionals in television history. Their 300th show premiers on the FOX-TV network Feb. 16.
In its 14th season and now renewed for two more, "The Simpsons" initially defied conventional television programming and "was the single most influential program in establishing FOX as a legitimate broadcast television network," says Matt McAllister, Associate Professor, Communications Studies, at Virginia Tech. McAllister is an expert on "The Simpsons" and is the author of several books and articles regarding media and pop culture.
As irony, as satire, as political lampoon, or as cultural literacy, McAllister explains the show's unconventional appeal in "The Encyclopedia of Television." (http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/index.html). Accompanied by inept bosses, friends, classmates, and neighbors, the sardonic antics of these cartoon characters defy simple, easy characterizations. McAllister documents their importance in television history and American culture.
McAllister has researched the origins of "The Simpsons" from brief vignettes on FOX-TV's Tracy Ullman show of the late '80s to its Christmas special in 1989. He traces its many controversies, including schools banning Bart t-shirts "Underachiever and Proud of it" and its subversive anti-authority attitude, which was criticized by former President George Bush.
McAllister is available to answer questions about "The Simpsons" as a long-lived television and cultural phenomenon. His interests and research include Media Criticism, Political Economy of the Mass Media, and Advertising and Society. He may be contacted at (540) 231-9830 (office) or mattm@vt.edu.