Blog Post 4: All In The Family vs. The Simpsons

           A modern equivalent to All In The Family from the 1960's can be found in Matt Groening's The Simpsons. In fact, Groening has openly admitted that Homer Simpson is directly based on Archie Bunker in many ways.

           While The Simpsons is a much more ridiculous type of comedy show, both programs share similarities. Both shows make a point to comment on society in each episode. Also, both Homer and Archie represent male patriarchs who are out of step with the rest of their respective worlds. In the episode of All In The Family that we watched in class, Archie was struggling with homophobia. Homer usually struggles with Lisa's progressive ideas in The Simpsons too.

           These shows are different however due to their levels of absurdity. For it's time, All In The Family was very edgy and cutting edge, however The Simpsons have taken the next step further. No issue is off limits for Homer to tackle. Also, the fact that The Simpsons is a cartoon allows for many situations that could never take place on a television set in All In The Family.
           Archie was intentionally meant to be a closed mined character so that the conflict in each episode could arise between him and some faction of society. Conflict in The Simpsons arises due to Homer's intellectual deficiencies against society. All In The Family dealt with issues that were important in society at the time. The Simpsons does that too to a certain degree, but it is not solely limited to that criteria. A simpsons episode can have social relevance or be completely absurd and parody something. Both programs are art in their own ways, because they hold a mirror up to society. I know that enjoy them both!