Reading Digest: Simpsons Day Celebration Edition

“Stealing!  How could you?  Haven’t you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church, Captain Whatshisname?” – Homer Simpson

The internet’s annual holiday/end of year ennui has set in, so we’ve got a shorter than usual Reading Digest this week.  We do have several links marking Simpsons Day (which I will see become a real holiday if it’s the last thing I ever do), including a couple of looks at other events on December 17th plus a history of the show and other cartoons.  There’s also a DJ version of the theme song, obscure animation, more about the Tapped Out game, some decent YouTube, and an awesome monorail newspaper comment section.

Enjoy.

Our first entry doesn’t really have a link, but reader RaikoLives sent in this photograph (he didn’t take it, he just found it) from Australia in response to news about the Sydney monorail:

In case you can’t see the image, the introduction reads:

The Herald reported yesterday that Hunter tourism and transport representatives said it is worth considering salvaging Sydney’s aging monorail and bringing it to Newcastle.  This is what you said . . .

The first three replies:

What stupid nonsense.  There is no way this is even going to be considered.  It’s more of a Shelbyville idea. – Icanmakeupstoriestoo

Sorry Marge, the mob have spoken.  Monorail, monorail, monorail. – Terry Arki

Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook all have one, and by gum it put them on the map – jmo

Bravo, readers of the Newcastle Herald.  Bravo.

the simpsons – All the way from India, we have some sweet, self applied Simpsons nail designs to celebrate Simpsons Day.

The Simpsons Tapped Out: Christmas Update – Everything you wanted to know about the latest update to the Tapped Out game.

This Was Television On December 17 – Want to see a list of people who share a birthday with the show?  Sure you do.

On this Date in History.. – How about some famous and not so famous events that happened on Simpsons Day?  They have both good ones:

1821 – Kentucky abolishes all debtors prisons

And bad ones:

1895 – Anti-Saloon League of America is formed in Washington, DC

Boo!

10 Origins of Popular Cartoon Characters – The Simpson family is #1 on here, and I learned more about Scooby-Doo than I ever knew before.

101 GREATEST SIMPSONS QUOTES – There’s bit more Zombie Simpsons on here than there should be, but it’s pretty good nevertheless.

Krusty the Clown on Faith – Castellaneta’s delivery on this one is fantastic from start to finish.

TV Thursday #8: BBQ pit – BBQ pit YouTube?  BBQ pit YouTube.

mechanical realities and manufactured pleasures – I’ve never heard of this before, but now I’m intrigued:

I’m watching Phantom Museums by the Brothers Quay, whose work I’ve never watched before. This will probably be an ongoing topic, because there are thirteen short films and although each is no longer than twenty minutes, this stuff is dense. I don’t think I can watch more than one per night.

It’s pretty dark, and it’s pretty sparse, and it feels super eastern european. it reminds me of “Worker and Parasite,” the soviet version of Itchy and Scratchy.

There’s Worker & Parasite YouTube at the link as well.

DJ Shadow-The Simpsons Theme-Breakbeat Routine – Pretty much what it says.

Drinking the LOST-Aid: The Mythology, Duality, & Significance of Cult Television – Some animated trivia for you:

Alex Hirsch, creator of Disney Channel’s latest animated series Gravity Falls, decided to include this world building mythology into his show right from the beginning. In an interview with The A.V. Club, Hirsch discussed his inspiration and motivation for taking this extra step:

    “In terms of the world-building, there was always a wonderful thing that The Simpsons did: It respected its audience enough to reward our attention. They’d say, ‘We’re going to cram this thing with references, with jokes, with little callbacks, and if you are obsessive enough, if you love it enough, it will reward your obsession.’… And that just made the show so much more compelling… It gave me a reward every time I tried to watch it more closely.”

Too bad these days all of Zombie Simpsons’ attempts to do that are just naked fan service.

1600 Penn…In 10 Words – I find it hard to believe that a baby could’ve risen to the rank of admiral.  Also, Lone Star as the President?  Nobody’s gonna believe that.

Parental Guidance…In 10 Words – I’ll get you for this, Midler!

The Fiscal Cliff…In 10 Words – It’s a testament to the never give up and never think things through spirit of our representatives.

Last day of work before the holidays – Holiday break makes Homer something something:

After endulging on one or two too many of the office lunch room’s christmas sweets, I’ve begun to compare myself to a young Homer Simpson in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror V. Please see below. And word to the wise – donuts and fudge for breakfast is never a good idea…

Never trust Bart Simpson – Those of us with both younger and older siblings know what each side of this conversation is like.

Just another night at the movies – Homer and the ice never gets old.

Moderately Interesting Morning Fact Dec. 17: Back When ‘The Simpsons’ Were Funny Edition – And finally, not only does this headline agree with us, but there’s also this:

The show was a spin-off of cartoon shorts that appeared on the network’s wildly popular “The Tracey Ullman Show.” The episode was called “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” Nothing ever really came of it.

Heh.  Merry Christmas everyone, and remember to bet on #8.