Can Cartoons Cause This Much Trouble?
By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Tuesday, March 21 2006, 4:38AM
Remember the day when cartoons were simple mindless animated diversions that didn't delve into politics? Think hard. Neither do I. For as long as I remember, American cartoons from "Bugs Bunny" to "The Jetsons" to "Scooby Doo" have reinforced nationalist xenophobia, traditional gender roles and heterosexist patriarchy? Politics has always been a part of our cartoons, but it usually took place much more subtly than in today's cartoons.
Then as now, cartoons were usually written by adults, even though they were targeted toward children. The line between adult and children's entertainment was always somewhat blurred, but today's animated television shows are so political that you have to wonder if the kids even get it. Shows like "Family Guy" feature cute talking dogs and surprisingly articulate infants as characters who appeal to children, but the core of that show and others is really about politics.
From The Jetsons to Futurama
Turn on the cartoons today and you'll see they're not what they used to be. From "American Dad" to "The Boondocks," cartoons are no longer teaching kids to accept the way things are. Instead, they are quietly and subversively challenging the political, cultural and socioeconomic status quo. That's a good thing.
Compare "Futurama," for example, to "The Jetsons." They're both animated shows set in outer space in the future, but that's where the similarities seem to end. For better or worse, "The Jetsons" affirmed the dominant notion of heterosexual nuclear family structures. In "Futurama," on the other hand, one episode features a gay polygamist who goes to the Earth Supreme Court and wins the right to marry his husbands.
The trend toward overt discussion of political ideas seems to have grown popular with the success of "The Simpsons," the longest running prime time series on television. But by today's standards, "The Simpsons" has already lost its edge. Instead, shows like "The Boondocks" and "South Park" are not only stirring up controversy on screen, they're generating public debate off screen.
Scientology Scuttles South Park Episode
The latest news is the report that actor Tom Cruise may have intervened to prevent the re-airing of a controversial "South Park" episode about the church of Scientology. (See the episode here.) The episode was called "Trapped in the Closet," named after the 2005 R. Kelly song and video series about the down low. Although Cruise denies the claims, media reports have indicated that the actor told Viacom he would not promote his new movie MI:3 if the "South Park" Scientology episode aired. Viacom owns both Paramount Pictures, the distributor of MI:3, and "Comedy Central," the home of "South Park."
Then we learned that South Park's popular chef, whose voice is performed by Isaac Hayes, has reportedly quit over the same controversy. Other reports indicate that Hayes suffered a stroke and didn't actually quit over the dispute. Whatever the case, who knew that one cartoon could generate so much debate?
Just a few months ago, Rev. Al Sharpton publicly criticized "The Boondocks" animated series for an episode in which a disgusted Martin Luther King Jr. uses the word "nigger" to describe the behavior of some 21st century African Americans. And earlier this year, right-wing groups protested a remake of the Sister Sledge hit, "We Are Family" on an episode of "Spongebob Squarepants," accusing the cartoon of promoting a pro-gay agenda.
Maybe Spongebob is promoting a gay agenda, and maybe Dr. King would have been outraged by what's going on in black America today. That's fine with me. Adults and children need to hear these messages. In a country where free speech is too often confused for treason and blind obedience is frequently mistaken for patriotism, we need courageous people who will stand up and speak out against the oppressive prevailing norms. If the politicians and the media won't do it, at least the animators will still challenge us to think.
Comments conceal
latisha
March 21 2006, 8:24AM
I feel you on cartoons being too political for children.
But Family Guy is intended for adults.
Bernie
March 21 2006, 9:51AM
In fairness, many of those classic cartoons you named were made as much as 70 years ago (early Bugs Bunnys were shown as "shorts" at the movie theaters in the 1930's). They were racy for their time and pushed the envelope as much as you could then. How many times did we see Bugs in a dress? Gender bending in a campy sorta way.
The closest comparison between today and previous eras would be with The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, which was a satirical look at Cold War era hysteria. Humor and political points were more subtle and less in your face then.
D'Sheekwa Chiquita Brown
March 21 2006, 9:52AM
Family Guy is about a buncha' crackers!
Jeff Hobbs
March 21 2006, 11:32AM
well some of us 'crackas' love family guy and don't regard race as a reason to watch or not watch a television show. Family Guy is really well written and funny as hell from a gay perspective. However the South Park episode was out there but still funny. Heres the link....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSj9gc36Bw8&search=South%20Park%20Scientology
louis
March 21 2006, 11:40AM
Tom Cruise's diva-esque tantrum with Viacom has done nothing but come back to bitch slap his little ass in that screaming queen face of his. In addition to bringing even more attention to this particular South Park episode than there would have been upon its re-airing this Wednesday, his sissy fit has simply caused the episode to be aired in its entirity all over the Internet. Easy access for those who may not have even seen the show when it originally aired, and/or, for the viewing pleasures for folk like me who don't even have cable.
Nice going Ms. Cruise ;)
Gizmo
March 21 2006, 1:48PM
Keith is right, even if these cartooons were originally intended to be adult entertainment, children (our children ;) find their way to it eventually.
On one hand this is a positive because through the irony and sarcasm most of these cartoons feature is a decent underlying message, usually made by overexaggerating a real life scenario. For the kids who dont get the sarcasm,if they aren't asking, at least their thinking.
Most importantly their thinking about whats acceptable socially and hopefully making their OWN DECISIONS about it.
On the negative of course, we are exposing children to what some may consider MATURE ISSUES. I'm all for children staying children as long as possible. But nowadays thats not really as possible as it was when i was growing up(hey it was the 90s, im not that old ;)
In any event Im all for the Boondocks, South Park Family Guy and any other show cartoon or live that makes people question their lives and the lives of their neighboors while making me laugh out of me seat.
cmoney
March 21 2006, 7:30PM
"Family Guy" RULES! Can I get an Amen?! As for Tom Cruise and Isaac Hayes, they continue to prove that a) they are full of shit and b) Scientologists can't take a joke. It's just a freakin' cartoon that Isaac Hayes had no problem with making fun of every other religion while he made major money. Is he going to return any of that money? I doubt it.
onehuman4justice
March 23 2006, 10:01PM
I hesitate to say this, but I think shows like South Park and the like are among the most important shows on TV. Why? you ask. Just as Keith mentions, we live in a nation where free speech is not only allowed, its essential to democracy. I just think its sad that some cartoons today provide a more pointed analysis of political affairs than most mainstream news outlets.
bertram
March 24 2006, 1:01PM
No one has really discussed the most provocative cartoon out today -The Boondocks. Not only is this show one of the most challenging commentaries on race, politics, and culture that you'll find anywhere on TV, it focuses primarily on the lives of Black people. (What do you say to that D'Sheekwa?)
I was a big fan on Boondocks for years and was thrilled to learn that it was moving to the small screen. Although I am discomforted by the characters' constant use of the N word and the caricatures of the wannabe thug, self-hating Black man, and the "sell-out" somehow McGrudder generally wins me over. Or at least makes me think seriously about what's going on in the world.
By the way, it's far more relevant and insightful than the racial pandering you find on Comic View. BET, why you treat us so bad?
Alex
March 24 2006, 6:23PM
I think there is a line between satire and hate. South Park's killing of Chef seemed to skip over satire and launch a personal vindictive attack on Issac Hayes and Scientology. Of course I find Scientology "strange" but let the man believe what he wants to. If he was offended and quit that should be his right, insulting him after the fact is petty. Also I find South Parks attempts at political satire these past few seasons to be old and forced. No longer is there a need for subtle and smart humor, it is just a libertarian rant.
The Boondocks is also trapped in between provocative entertainment and stereotypical fodder for a young white male audience. The show seems to bounce from insightful to forgetful racist trash designed to offend and shock up some ratings. It's a poor representation of the brilliant comic strip imo.