The long-running television show The Simpsons is no stranger to controversy. In fact, when the show first went on the air, it was one of the most controversial things on TV for its time, thanks to being adult-themed animation that was incredibly popular with children. These days, the show has mostly calmed down aside from the occasional controversial guest. That said, British graffiti artist Banksy’s take on The Simpsons opening credits is sure to gain the show some controversy once again, thanks to its overtly political nature.
Rather than the usual Homer-centric couch gag, the show’s opening takes a weird, dark turn, as Banksy’s credits go into detail about how foreign labor is abused in the making of television animation and in the making of marketed tie-ins and collectibles for various Western enterprises. It’s definitely funny, but it’s funny because of its seditious nature. (I have to wonder how the Korean animators felt when they were told to draw these scenes out.) Sure, it’s not exactly original (the scene at the end of the second episode of Clerks The Animated Series was first and better), but it’s pretty gutsy for a show that has slowly transformed into a cultural staple.
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