Simpsons Books Prove the Show is More Than Just a Laugh Factory

Several Serious Books Written on the Show's Societal Impact

If you are a serious fan of The Simpsons and see in the show more than just a producer of a half hour of laughs per week, then you should seriously consider some of the more intelligent books that the show has produced in recent years. You may not be aware of it, but the show that revolves around the poor yellow trash family that gives the show its name has reached a status few television shows have ever attained. College courses are taught using the show as a jumping off point to study media, religion and culture.

Not to mention philosophy. I have already written an article that gives a brief overview of the book The Simpsons and Philosophy. This book is for the much more dedicated fan as it draws on profound philosophical theories espoused by the likes of Aristotle and Kant to comment on the impact of the Simpsons. As much a book for philosophy majors as for fans of the show, this is one of the books I'd be much more likely to recommend to someone who is a diehard fan who has seen every episode and owns all the season DVDs. Or else, someone who hasn't seen the show but knows the difference between Lyotard and Barthes.

The Simpsons has been much maligned-fairly and unfairly-through the years for taking digs at religion. True, the show is decidedly edgy when it comes to organized religion, but no other show on television, perhaps no other show in television history, has had so many of its episodes include a scene inside a church or shown a character praying. Those like William Bennett who publicly criticized the show for being anti-God, despite the fact that he hadn't yet actually seen an episode, are clearly not watching the same show I have.