Summary of The Bizarre Modern Reality of The Simpsons

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

The Simpsons is no longer the groundbreaking show it once was, but it still has a devoted fanbase. Despite its decline in popularity, the show has spawned a number of fascinating fan creations, including a webcomic that explores the tragic figure of Marge Simpson and a massive, two-year-long project that redraws the Akira manga with Simpsons characters. These fan-made works suggest that there are many unexplored stories that could be told about the characters of The Simpsons.

• 00:00:00 The Simpsons is still airing, but its most recent season has been one of the lowest rated in the show's history. The mobile game "The Simpsons Tapped Out" is criticized for its gambling mechanics and its addictive qualities. The show has lost its cultural relevance due to the internet, and is now just an imitation of its former glory. However, there is another side to the Simpsons which is weird and fascinating. In 2019, a viral video of a poorly thought-out raid on an armed government facility became known as the Homer Bushmen.
• 00:05:00 The Simpsons has become a popular meme on the internet and has spawned numerous fan-made versions of the show. One example is the phenomenon of steamed hams, which began in 2010 but exploded in popularity in 2017.
• 00:10:00 In "The Bizarre Modern Reality of The Simpsons," an off-screen Skinner experiences an anxiety-filled visit to Krusty Burger in an original scene from the episode " Skinner's Trip." This new scene combined with the addition of moody music and muted color palette creates an emotionally powerful episode that raises the possibility for fan-made content to explore the world of The Simpsons in ways that are not possible in the original show. The world of The Simpsons is one that is designed to reset every 22 minutes, and as such, the characters are unable to explore any deep plot lines or motivations. This limitation is broken by the webcomic Marge Simpson Anime, which explores the tragic figure of Marge in ways that are not possible in the original show. These three powerful stories--Marge's anime, Skinner's trip, and the endless cycle of episodes--suggest that there are many unexplored stories that could be told about the characters of The Simpsons.
• 00:15:00 Bart Kira is a massive, two-year-long project that takes the Akira manga and redraws it entirely, putting the characters and locations of The Simpsons into the story. It's an impressive example of fan creativity and talent, and while it doesn't focus on one particular character or storyline, it's nonetheless an interesting and fascinating piece of fan fiction.
• 00:20:00 This video covers a variety of different themes, all of which are indicative of the current state of the world. For example, the videos cover surreal dreamlike experiences, alternate realities, and stories about coming of age. One of the most poignant examples is the video "Bart builds this horrifying alternate reality where a deranged Ned Flanders forms an unseemly relationship with bars." This video shows how one simple action can change the course of someone's life, and it speaks to the ugliness of the world we live in.
• 00:25:00 The Simpsons has lost its identity, and the lives of the characters have been artificially extended and distorted to the point that they no longer have any meaning. This video captures the feeling of loss perfectly, and is a powerful reminder of the impact the show has had on many people over the years.