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“Are We There Yet?”: Searching for Springfield and The Simpsons’ Rhetoric of Omnitopia

2005; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 22; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/07393180500200878

1529-5036

Andrew F Wood, Anne Marie Todd,

Gothic Literature and Media Analysis

Abstract The Simpsons’ visual and textual depiction of Springfield as a typical American city provides an insightful critique of the modern project. We demonstrate how America's longest running sitcom depicts urban life as a mutable environment whose disparate locales convey their inhabitants to a ubiquitous, ever-present continuum that we term “omnitopia.” In depicting Springfield as omnitopia, the show offers a cartoon version of public life marked by dislocation, conflation, fragmentation, mutability, mobility, and commodification. The study of these components provides a means to interpret and critique the increasing decline of locales in the urban environment. Keywords: LocaleModernityOmnitopiaPopular Culture Simpsons Urbanity This paper was presented to the Media Studies Interest Group at the Western States Communication Association 2004 Conference, Albuquerque, NM. This paper was presented to the Media Studies Interest Group at the Western States Communication Association 2004 Conference, Albuquerque, NM. Notes This paper was presented to the Media Studies Interest Group at the Western States Communication Association 2004 Conference, Albuquerque, NM. 1. All episode excerpts, including some bracketed material, are taken from The Simpsons Archive (see http://www.snpp.com/). 2. A number of theorists have used Burke's notions of identification and consubstantiality in television and films (e.g., Brummett, Citation1985; Copeland & Slater, Citation1985; Rockler, Citation2002). To be sure, fans’ ability to identify with the show's characters and in-jokes is intriguing. Moreover, The Simpsons' consubstantiality with other television shows might provide another fruitful area of discussion. However, our argument is that the show's producers aim not to persuade their audiences to act or live a certain way, but to reflect aspects of contemporary life through a variety of animated features. 3. Throughout this essay we refer to omnitopia in the singular, never as one of several omnitopias. While it is true that scholars of the term invariably discover the edges and overlaps between multiple attempts to create seamless, ubiquitous environments, we hold that the perception of omnitopia is always singular (Wood, Citation2003a). Accordingly, when seeking to unpack such an experience, we speak of it as monolithic. 4. The multi-media extension of the show has expanded the boundaries of Springfield with products such as PlayStation games like Road Rage and Hit and Run and supplemental guides to the episodes, including Are We There Yet?, a guide to Springfield. 5. These themes emerged inductively through multiple viewings of each episode. 6. One might be reminded of the film Pleasantville, in which: “The end of Main Street is just the beginning again.” 7. Not to mention the core of its nuclear power plant: an episode entitled “Blood Feud” introduced the town's emergency alert response to the potential of core meltdown. Mayor “Diamond” Joe Quimby declares, “In the off-chance of a nuclear disaster, this sign will tell you, the good citizens of Springfield, what to do!” During the demonstration, the sign cycles through announcements that range from “Relax. Everything is fine,” to “Minor leak. Roll up window,” to “Meltdown. Flee city,” to “Core explosion. Repent sins.” 8. See the “Jack Rabbit Slim's” sequence from Quentin Tarantino's 1994 Pulp Fiction for a cinematic exemplar. 9. See Alex Proyas’ 1998 Dark City for a cinematic exemplar. 10. Groening has affirmed his philosophy that the show's humorous facade rests upon a socially critical foundation illustrated by his personal credo, “entertain and subvert” (Bhattacharya, Citation2000, p. 1). Additional informationNotes on contributorsAndrew Wood Andrew Wood is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at San José State University Anne Marie Todd Anne Marie Todd is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at San José State University