Although many people thinks that TV shows exert a one-way influence on society, society also exert great influence on the nature and success of the show as the show is dependant on viewers to survive. No matter how perfect a world has the show created, if it does not have enough viewers, it will not survive.
The Simpsons have maintain a relatively independence from recent world events such as September 11 and the War on Iraq where shows as South Park reguarly features mockery of Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush, to perhaps gain viewers and gives a sense of being up-to-date. The Simpsons has not done this and it meant the those viewers who wish to escape from the real world by watching TV would not be haunted again by the events of the real world and they will enjoy the relative peace the Simpsons has to offer.
As with all shows being broadcasted on commercial TV, the Simpsons face fierce competition from many new sitcoms, namely Malcolm in the Middle, South Park, etc. These other programs with revoluntionary method in attracting adolescent viewers, have in many occasions gained an advantage over the Simpsons due to it sold style, cartoon method. Comparing to Malcolm in the Middle, the Simpsons seems relatively childish and may therefore, lose many of its children viewers as many children nowadays persue the temptations these other shows offer. The Simpsons now has a choice of wheather to 'go with the flow' and start featuring swearing kids, and terrorist figures on their show or remain in their ways as a last baston of innocence in children sitcoms. |
