The Simpsons
Thoughts Upon Finally Glimpsing Marge Simpson's Nipples
It’s hard to believe now that it’s become such a beloved institution, but when The Simpsons premiered twenty years ago, it was regarded as the furthest thing from a family show. Since then, the reputation of the series has become considerably less controversial (it helps, of course, that The Simpsons is now followed by notably ruder shows like Family Guy), so when it was announced that Marge Simpson would be “posing” for Playboy, I didn’t expect anything scandalous. Maybe some sideboob, or a comic silhouette.
Then, the pictures leaked, and I saw her nipples.
In today’s sex-tape-saturated culture, I guess I shouldn’t be thrown by some gauzy cartoon nipples, but I am. That’s Marge Simpson, not some Ralph Bakshi character! Whether the series was originally intended to be or not, it’s now become one of the biggest family shows on TV. Isn’t there something a little queasy-making about seeing the mom from such a show sexualized and objectified to this degree?
Ultimately, though, the thing that bugs me the most about Marge going topless for Playboy is that it feels like the sort of stunt Family Guy would do. The Simpsons is just too good for that. (Or at least it was, ten seasons ago.)
Marge Simpson in Playboy [ONTD]
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Posted 19 Oct 2009, 7:32 AM
Well, this would be somewhat wrong if typing "simpsons porn" into Google Images (SafeSearch OFF) didn't turn up thousands of even more disturbing/hilarious pictures.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 7:47 AM
Out of all the cartoon moms out there it's weird that they choose Marge...I mean, the Simpsons isn't even popular anymore. Plus it's just kinda gross to do that to a cartoon character. They're not gonna get any more readers then normal with a stunt like this.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 8:19 AM
Not a little queasy-making. A lot.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 8:47 AM
I want to write to Mr.Buchanan for allowing the last comments to be considered. Many "family" type of t.v. shows do not show or display their body in such a manner as to display a sexual attitude that is out right noticeable. I think that "The Simpsons" has had many particular issues over the seasons that "The Simpsons" has run, but what I do not understand, is why now would "Marge" want to show her self in a sexual manner. Granted regular television based shows, press the lines, that at times seems to be funny, other times startling, but what does it have to do with sex being frequently discussed on regular television viewing?
It still gives a lot to be desired by parents with young children who either make a decision to "let it fly" as the you seem to believe to be correct, or to change the channel and look for something a bit less offensive.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 9:23 AM
I'm with you, I don't have a problem with the sexualization of Marge Simpson (the show does this from time to time), but when I see that someone has drawn in nipples I get kind of squeamish. This video by Newsy.com has some other perspectives from the media on Marge baring it all: http://bit.ly/3uwfEL
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 9:55 AM
This is what desperation looks like.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 12:40 PM
I first instinctively took offense at your cheapshot at Family Guy. But based on your milquetoast article and gosh-darnit morals I can see how you wouldn't be able to handle Family Guy, while probably telling yourself it's because YOU are "too good" for it.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 4:57 PM
Why would you take offense to the Family Guy remark? Family Guy is and has always been more lewd than the Simpsons. It is nothing to take personal.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 2:28 PM
LOL, seriously marge isn't even that hot. My electronic cigarette is hotter.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 3:00 PM
Nice try, Goatboy. DELETE THIS SPAM!
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 5:23 PM
clever!
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 10:45 PM
goatboy +1. this was better than 90% of the preceding comments.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 2:50 PM
The picture reminds me of those creepy times in youth when you are looking in a closet or a drawer which you shouldn't be and you discover some family member's "secret stash" of Polaroids.
Some things weren't meant to be seen. This is one of those things. . .
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 4:54 PM
This is a terrible, sad cry for attention. Marge Simpson is not cut out (!) for this kind of thing.
Lois Griffin, on the other hand... you're a dirty girl, aren't you? Yes, yes you are.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 6:03 PM
Let me just put my Mr. Plow jacket on...
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 6:23 PM
Homer is a very lucky... oh what the hell am I talking about.. it's a cartoon. Get over it!
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 8:41 PM
Jeez. Watching prime time TV tonight, I saw them pull a decomposed corpse from a wine cask and then later hand around the gelatinous bones. Last week, it was a close-up of a woman who'd had a spike driven into her brain through her eye.
And you people have a problem with depictions of SEX??
Everybody: Get a life.
Posted 19 Oct 2009, 9:34 PM
Jeez.. you Americans are such prudes. The biggest producer of porn and world wide but one nip slip (Janet anyone?) and the whole is up in arms. Come on people, where talking about a fictive character here. It's a cartoon for Jebus' sake, in a magazine meant for adults!
(And don't say you haven't been curious how Marge looks in the nude!)
Posted 20 Oct 2009, 9:01 AM
I stopped reading after the article mentioned "The Simpsons" as a family show. Typical absent parent thinking. They showed NIPPLES, get the hell over it.
Posted 20 Oct 2009, 4:16 PM
"Isn’t there something a little queasy-making about seeing the mom from [a family] show sexualized...?"
This makes it sound like you're grossed out by the idea of moms being sexy. Many, many of the so-called family sitcoms and dramas on TV feature schlub dads and MILF moms. Hate to break it to you, but our parents are still having sex.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 4:54 PM
Hate to break it to you, but our parents are still having sex.
Yeah! More power to 'em!... Mind you, I would have preferred that it had stopped when Mom died.