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I’m not gonna lie. I watched a lot of shows that I probably shouldn’t have when I was younger.

Growing up as a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by a variety of shows, some of which weren’t exactly suitable for my tender age – like when I was 11 and fell head over heels for the gripping drama, New York Undercover. However, among all the shows that left an indelible mark on me, none compared to the influence that The Simpsons had.

As someone deeply rooted in the world of cinema, it brings me immense pleasure to share that I was fortunate enough to grow up with The Simpsons gracing our television screens. Even after decades, it remains one of the sharpest and wittiest shows on air. Therefore, when my 9-year-old cherub expressed her desire to delve into this iconic series, I couldn’t help but beam with joy. However, having revisited several episodes alongside her, I find myself grappling with a complex cocktail of emotions – hence, let me elucidate the reasons behind my mixed feelings regarding my daughter’s newfound fascination with The Simpsons.

Why I’m Overjoyed: We Already Bond A Lot, But Now We Have Something Else That We Can Share

First off, my daughter and I share a lot of commonalities.

For instance, much like us, our taste preferences are quite similar, we tend to lean towards pessimism excessively, and we share a common interest in various forms of entertainment. I suspect her negative outlook might have been influenced by mine.

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you, when she proposed we watch “The Simpsons” side by side, I was beyond thrilled! This classic series has been a part of my life since my children were infants, and I’ve got quite a collection of Simpsons toys and books hidden away in the basement. The humor from this show has been a constant companion, and revisiting it with her promises a delightful trip down memory lane.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge that my daughter’s passion for films is largely due to my influence, and I find myself mostly content with this fact. It brings me immense joy to hear her laugh heartily at the same jokes that used to make me roll with laughter when I was young. And there’s nothing more delightful than finding out who her favorite character is (a question you might be curious about, by the way – it’s Ned Flanders).

It’s quite fascinating that my daughter, unlike many other “Simpsons” enthusiasts, doesn’t express opinions such as “The Simpsons peaked at Season 10.” Instead, she’s experiencing each episode anew, having recently started watching it on Disney+ (and I must say, it’s still the best content available on that streaming platform). However, since she’s been watching all the seasons…

Why I’m A Little Worried: There Are A Lot More Adult Themes Than I Remember There Being

If you were born in the ‘80s like I was, then I’m sure you remember Bartmania.

If you weren’t aware, here’s what I want to share: In the early ’90s, Bart Simpson seemed to be all over the place. He was undeniably the central character of the show. Although every member of the family played a significant role, it was Bart who really stole the spotlight. Since he was the main draw, many children would tune in simply to catch a glimpse of him.

Essentially, what I’m trying to convey is that as a child, many mature jokes and themes in The Simpsons were beyond my comprehension because I was more engrossed in the character of Bart. However, my daughter is more intelligent than I was at her age, and she doesn’t find Bart interesting; instead, she finds him rather annoying.

Rather than concentrating primarily on the children, she leans more towards adult-centric scenarios, as depicted in episodes such as “Homer’s Night Out,” where the father figure is caught with an exotic dancer, or in “Life on the Fast Lane” where Marge contemplates infidelity against Homer.

I’ve been familiar with this series since childhood, and while I grasped certain jokes and motifs as a kid, I appreciated them more when I was a teenager due to increased understanding. This is because I’ve followed the show throughout its run. However, unlike me who had to wait for new episodes, my daughter can binge-watch the entire series in one go, which means she’s already seen episodes with mature themes such as infidelity or religious doubts that might not be suitable for her age. Nevertheless…

Why I’m Overjoyed: The Humor Is Really Intelligent, So It’s Making Her Think

I brought up instances where characters question their beliefs, and the story that struck a chord with my child was “Lisa the Doubter,” where it’s revealed that an “angel” in Springfield was actually a hoax.

On Sundays, my daughter frequently complains, “Why must we attend church?” Her inquisitive nature and penchant for challenging questions suggest she may grow into a skeptic or even a future cynic (perhaps inheriting this trait from me).

Whenever Lisa began to ponder if an actual angel had been discovered in Springfield, I could sense my child yearning to uncover the truth for herself.

After the incident concluded, and it was revealed that “the angel” was a fake, my daughter exclaimed, “I told you so!”, which secretly gave me a sense of satisfaction. As both her father and a teacher, I’m glad she questions things. It makes me proud to see that she doesn’t blindly accept everything she hears, and I appreciate how this kind of show encourages her to reflect on her personal beliefs.

Indeed, “Bob’s Burgers” is witty and possesses a unique brand of intelligence. However, in my opinion, its narrative prowess doesn’t quite reach the level of “The Simpsons.” Despite this…

Why I’m A Little Worried: Unlike Myself When I Was Younger, My Daughter Gets A Lot Of The More Risqué Jokes

As I said, my daughter is smarter than I was at 9.

In simpler terms, she tends to grasp the more adult or suggestive jokes in the series, which often go over my head. When there’s something she doesn’t understand, she actually asks for an explanation from me.

In the show’s episode titled “The Frying Game,” Agnes Skinner, an elderly character, made a comment that left me astonished when she asked, “Who do I need to sweet-talk to get a refill?” My daughter wondered about the meaning of her words, and when I replied that I didn’t know, she gave me a skeptical look, as if she knew I wasn’t telling the truth.

Moreover, given that she’s become quite the fan of Ned Flanders, she decided to watch certain episodes featuring his marriage with Edna Krabappel. However, if you’re familiar with Edna (our condolences to Marcia Wallace), you’d understand her tendency towards suggestive humor. As a result, some of her jokes made me squirm alongside her, who would frequently exclaim, “Oh!” in response to her suggestive lines.

What I’m trying to express is that I have some concerns she may be overexposed to adult or inappropriate humor, given the amount she seems to know. Despite these worries…

Why I’m Overjoyed: Since The Show Was So Topical, I Can Teach My Daughter About Events From Different Eras

I’m prepared to share some lighthearted, slightly off-color humor if it results in my daughter receiving an overview of recent history spanning approximately the last six decades.

As someone who grew up in the ’90s, it’s fun for me to bring up shows like Twin Peaks and Jurassic Park with my daughter, since these were popular during their initial airing.

However, what I appreciate most is the abundance of ancient historical allusions, such as when the series satirizes President Nixon or John F. Kennedy.

Indeed, I’ve made my daughter watch various Presidents on the program, like Clinton linking arms with Bob Dole in “Treehouse of Horror VII”, and even Donald Trump in the more contemporary installments.

This resource offers a delightful, engaging approach to exploring the decades from the ’60s to the ’90s, allowing me to pass on historical knowledge to my daughter in an enjoyable manner.

Why I’m A Little Worried: My Daughter Now Also Wants To See Family Guy, Which I Refuse To Let Her Watch

As a discerning movie critic, I must confess that Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons each hold a unique charm. However, when it comes to the viewing habits of my daughter, Family Guy is a show I steadfastly keep off-limits.

She’s keen on it as well, since many of her school friends are fans. Given that The Simpsons aired prior to Family Guy, my daughter doesn’t find an issue with enjoying both shows too.

To put it simply, if someone has seen the TV show “Family Guy,” they’d agree that it’s not suitable for young viewers. The challenge lies in explaining why it’s more explicit without directly stating its adult content. You might say something like, “I don’t think this program aligns with our family values due to some mature themes and language.

To clarify, let me emphasize that I appreciate the humor. However, watching this show has somehow made it easier for my daughter to access “grown-up” cartoons on Hulu, and I’m a bit concerned she might peek at it when I’m occupied elsewhere.

What are your thoughts? Are your children among the viewers of The Simpsons as well? If yes, at what age did you first introduce it to them?

2025-05-28 16:09