The Simpsons

June 1, 2019

While today The Simpsons is noteworthy for its longevity, librarian and scholar Fink (coeditor, Culture Jamming) goes back to the beginning, illustrating why the animated show was revolutionary when it premiered in 1989. Created by underground cartoonist Matt Groening, the series offered a subversive take on the sitcom, featuring a dysfunctional family who satirized contemporary culture, including viewers' own habits. The Simpsons may have been flawed, but they were lovable, and the expanded cast grew to encompass many fan favorites. There were also enough pop culture references and background details to keep audiences engaged online between episodes, resulting in a massive early Internet community. In this affectionate look back, Fink evaluates the lasting influence of the show, crediting it with legitimizing animated sitcoms. He skillfully guides readers through 30 culturally relevant episodes, demonstrating that The Simpsons was groundbreaking, quality programming. VERDICT Fans of the show will enjoy revisiting classic episodes, and media scholars will find this a useful survey of television's changing landscape.--Terry Bosky, Madison, WI

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2019
Fink's new book treads some of the same ground as Chris Turner's excellent Planet Simpson, but that book was published in 2004. A lot has changed on the pop-culture landscape; it's time for a new appraisal of the cultural significance of the longest-running scripted prime-time series in television history, and Fink, a media scholar and unabashed Simpsons fan (and critic), is just the guy to write it. Not only does he take us through the genesis of the show, the wealth of pop-culture references it contains (and references to The Simpsons in other shows and movies), and the comic influences on the show's creators, he also offers a frank appraisal of the show's steady decline in quality and relevance as the show has aged, and of new shows?which wouldn't exist if The Simpsons hadn't existed first?that have competed for its audience's attention. Combining scholarship and goofy fun, it's a book that should satisfy The Simpsons' most loyal fans and its harshest critics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)