The Simpsons

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Clever, fast-paced cartoon with edgy humor.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the jokes in this long-running favorite often zip past so quickly that kids won't get the deeper statements that lie therein. Life in Springfield can be chaotic, and Homer could very well be the "do not try this at home" poster boy. Beer is consumed in every episode, bad habits are obliged, and ignorance and mockery are the norm, but somehow, everyone gets along in the end.

  • Although much of the show's over-the-top humor can be construed as sending messages about irresponsibility, family dysfuction, and more, at their core, the Simpson clan are a loving bunch who are always there for each other when the chips are down.
  • Really inappropriate role model behavior, but that's the joke. Bart is the poster child for defying authority; Homer finds himself in one ridiculous situation after another. Marge and Lisa are fairly reliable in their do-good natures, but they too have their weaknesses.
  • Frequent slapstick and cartoon violence -- car crashes, explosions, practical jokes, bullies beating up weaker kids. Characters are rarely injured -- but on occasion, some do die and/or require treatment.
  • Innuendo-based humor is pretty frequent. Both subtle and not-so-subtle sexual references pop up. Women can be dressed like vamps.
  • Language includes words like "hell," "ass," and "damn." Bart is usually the main offender, though Grandpa Simpson is a dirty dog as well.
  • Frequent parodies of commercial references.
  • Homer often drinks beer to excess. Characters are shown getting pass-out drunk. It's often implied that bus driver Otto gets high.

What's the story?

Family life for the Simpsons is a chaotic blend of cheeky outbursts and consequent mending, as Homer (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) and Bart (Nancy Cartwright) -- unwittingly or not -- undermine Marge (Julie Kavner) and Lisa's (Yeardley Smith) good intentions. Bart finds joy in being a constant source of trouble. Homer earns his keep by falling asleep at the controls of Springfield's nuclear plant and drinks beer after work with fellow barflies who make the cast of Cheers look tame. But within this dynamic are heartfelt scenes and clever plot lines that make the show the classic it has become.


Is it any good?

 

THE SIMPSONS isn't meant to be taken seriously; it's a rollicking ride through a fantasy society, and it satirizes very human traits. Audiences will find this to be a treat during troubled times. How else to explain the success of something so inane yet so undeniably witty?

Ultimately, The Simpsons' scripts are terribly clever, and the cast portrays the characters with a sense of wit and care that has catapulted the series into TV legend. Just keep in mind that the show isn't for the easily offended.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about how different cartoon life and reality are. Just because a show or movie is animated, does that mean it's OK for kids? Why or why not?

  • What does responsibility mean? Would Homer and Bart get away with their antics in the real world?

  • How are women portrayed?

  • How do the Simpsons show each other their true feelings? When all is said and done, are they a happy family or a contentious one?


This review of The Simpsons was written by
Kid, 10 years old
October 13, 2010
 
Awesome show!!
Great show, nothing worse than d--n or a-s. Iffy 10+, on 12+. Common Sense has it wrong, as this is NOT aimed at adults, as it is partly a older family show.
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Parent of 8 and 12 year old
July 8, 2009
 
Not as bad as Family Guy
Most episodes of this show are O.K. for kids to watch, unless you worry about Homer's frequent alcohol consumption. Some episodes have mildy sexual content, so watch out. About the bad language, however, from what I can tell, my 12 year old son hears worse in middle school than this show ever utters. One last note; although Bart can be a bad role model, most of his stunts would be impossible for your child to repeat, so I wouldn't worry too much.
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Teen, 16 years old
March 3, 2009
 
ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR KIDSQ
Do anybody know what the TV-14 rating means? It means: Not for kids under 14! So, I would personally say that everyone who shows they're kids under 12 this show without guarding them, are bad parents! Like the description says, this is a adult show, not meant for kids. It contains bloody violence (Very bloody at the Treehouse of Horror sequences) with even going as far as cutting of somebodys fingers sometimes like Marge did with Homer, crude Language (Like the F-word, but it gets bleeped) and high sexual content. Even a lot of drug references, with Whisky, Beer,wine and so on. Do I need to say more? I'm a big fan of The Simpsons, but I would never showed this show to them before they are teens. Some parents just don't understand that some cartoons are made for adults...

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Kid, 9 years old
May 15, 2010
 
I love it perfect for ages 9+ ages 6-8 Parent supervison
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Kid, 12 years old
January 29, 2011
 
[:
Has some hidden dirty jokes (but don't worry, because little kids won't get it anyways) I think pretty much anybody can watch this, it isn't that bad

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Teen, 14 years old
October 6, 2010
 
Perfect for kids 9 and up
its a good cartoon for 9 years and up some charactars are ok role models the language isnt too bad
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2010
 
great!
i watched it when i was 5 or 6 just because of the slapstick and cartoons. Nothing to worry about as i didn't care about the jokes i didn't understand then. Now i like it alot more.

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Teen, 13 years old
October 18, 2009
 
Great show for ages 10 and up!!!
This show began as a show for adults, but eventually, kids began watching it. Overall, the show is funny and enjoyable. The only bad thing is the strong use of alcohol. Some of the show takes place in a bar in almost every other episode. Language is nothing to worry about. I am sure that they have heard ALOT worse.
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Kid, 10 years old
November 8, 2009
 
Good show, but iffy for less-mature kids.(especially boys, who might use some lewd refrences at school.)
I'm pretty mature (I'v seen Animal House, and own the M-rated video games Call of Duty4, Halo3, and Assassin's Creed)The simpsons is iffy, without a doubt. But, for a boy/girl who understands sex and violence and drugs it can be funny, and even have a positive message (sometimes), likein the episode where they portray anti-homosexuals as idiots.(Homer thinks Bart is gay, and he freaks when he finds out, and the iron smiths, and the buff gym members are gay, and it turns out that Bart is not.)However, boys/girls who don't get it (sex) might get a little... confused and think that sex is cool, and he should talk about to make himself seem cool.They drink heavily (espicially Homer), and have a few not-so-bad swears.
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Adult
April 8, 2011
 
Hilarious
This is a great TV show... one of my all time favorites I really wouldnt be conserned about your kids watching this

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This review of The Simpsons was written by
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Fox
Cast:Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright
Genre:Comedy

This review of The Simpsons was written by
 

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