Question about the Simpsons Down Under episode

[Funky Dude]

When I was younger I use to watch a lot of Simpsons episodes and I remember back in 1995 when they decide to do a Simpsons in Australia episode.

I thought it was real hilarious. :lol: :lol: :lol: Reason being is because of the way the Simpsons story plotters perceive Australia as. First thing that was funny was the when Bart calls up a kid in Australia asking which way the dunny flushes and expects the kid to pay for the call his father goes "That's a bloody outrage", the funny thing was he goes to report it to the prime minister who happens to look like a yobbo wearing a black shearer's singlet and stubby shorts laying on a tractor tyre tube in the middle of the lake. Back then our Prime Minister was Paul Keating and I've never seen him on TV dressed like a yobbo.

The people looking like yobbos and bushmen with brown beards, most of us don't look like that, plus the brown bear bushmen look like they're from the 19th century (the Ned Kelly days). I guess the Simpsons cartoonists have probably watched too much "Crocodile Dundee". :lol: :lol: :lol:

Then there was the Aussie tradition where someone commits a crime they get kicked in the arse with a huge boot. We're definitely never had such a tradition, but it was funny anyway. Sure when I was a little kid my dad use to kick my bum when I was naughty but generally we're not bum kickers. :lol:

The kangaroos being in our backyards bit, well it's probably true in some areas such as near bush area for people who don't have fenced backyards, but in most areas no.

As for boomerang throwing almost hitting Bart, I've never seen people throwing boomerangs in cities or towns. Boomerang throwing is more for clearings near bushes.

One thing is really correct, our dunnies definitely flush clockwise.

I think this episode was hilarious especially the bum kicking tradition and the Prime Minister looking like a yobbo, but the people who did the storyline for this episode have got it almost all wrong about what Australia is like. There are some Aussies that probably found this episode a bit offensive though. Then again there are some Aussie shows that stereotype what USA is like.

My big question is, how did the people who did the storyline for this episode came up with such a wild plot? And the real big question is how did they came up with the idea of the bum kicking tradition?

Don't worry I not saying that Americans see us as what's on that Simpsons episode but I'm just curious of how the Simpsons cartoonists and story writers come up with such a funny story?


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Australia mate! The land of many great funkateers!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Funky Dude on 2002-06-26 08:45 ]</font>

[Voyage]

I remember that episode! In my opinion it was a avery good one. I also remember in the end when the Koala hanged from the plane.

[BrunoRepublic]

Uhmmm... I don't think the episode was intended to be a literal depiction of life in Australia, any more than the Simpsons are intended to be a literal depiction of your average American family.

It's a satire comedy... the whole point is how exaggerated and ridiculous everything is. That's what makes it funny.

BTW, they did an episode on Toronto a few months ago. Although I haven't seen it yet, on arrival Marge supposedly says "It's so bland and clean! I feel like I'm right at home!".

[Bernie]

On 2002-06-26 10:32, Graham Start wrote:
"It's so bland and clean! I feel like I'm right at home!".

Sounds like Vancouver, BC to me

[Blaxman]

Friends, I agree with Graham.

You must see the "brazilian episode", they pictured monkeys walking around in Rio. :lol: (monkeys......from where??) :lol:
The Simpsons went to the Amazon Forest by canoe. :lol:
4,000 miles by canoe. :lol:

I love the Simpsons!! Really funny!! :lol:

Peace.

[Outsider]

I'm a fan of the show, and I vaguely remember this episode.

[Blaxman]

Ooops, I forgot the other points:

In the simpson's episode "Escola De Samba" (Samba School) teaches.............Salsa.....Macarena.....or something like that. :lol: That is not brazilian rhytms.

During the travel, Bart is learning.........spanish...... :lol:

Well, I must to admit. In some places, people think that brazilians live in the jungle and speaks spanish........

Peace.

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-06-26 10:47, Blaxman wrote:

Well, I must to admit. In some places, people think that brazilians live in the jungle and speaks spanish........

Well, they think that Canadians all live in igloos and speak both English and French, so I guess we're on the same level

[Blaxman]

On 2002-06-26 11:58, Graham Start wrote:

Well, they think that Canadians all live in igloos and speak both English and French, so I guess we're on the same level

What a wonderful world, uh? :lol:

[Funky Dude]

There's one thing that episode forgot to include and that is the akubra hat with corks dangling off it. :lol: :lol: :lol: It's been a while since I've seen the episode so I'm not sure if they included it or not.

In reality, yes some of the outbackers living in the outback desert area do wear akbubra hats with corks dangling off it to keep flies and mozzies (mosquitos) away. Quite a good invention too.

Speaking of those hats, I have a 1981 Countdown episode featuring guest host "Ian Dury & The Blockheads" and he was wearing an akubra hat with corks dangling off it and sunglasses. I must say the sunnies and the hat with corks made him look real funny. :lol: :lol: :lol: