"The Simpsons" Under Controversy Again

[Stephen of Borg 2]

MOSCOW (AFP) - A Russian lawyer who says the US animated television satire "The Simpsons" has caused moral harm to his son plans to petition the European Court of Human Rights after a Russian court rejected his case for the show to be removed from prime-time viewing slots.

 

The lawyer, Igor Smykov, charged that the popular program, syndicated in many countries around the world, spread "propaganda of violence, cruelty, drugs and homosexuality," but a spokeswoman for the Moscow court that heard his case confirmed it was rejected.

 

Smykov, quoted by the RIA-Novosti news agency, said he would take his case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

 

"I think I will be understood there," the agency quoted him as saying.

 

In addition to demanding that broadcast of the show on Russian television be confined to late viewing slots less likely to be seen by children, Smykov also sought 300,000 rubles (around 10,000 dollars, 8,500 euros) in compensation for moral damage to his family, particularly his nine-year-old son.

 

Last March, lawmakers from the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party tried but failed to have the culture ministry ban broadcast of "The Simpsons" on Russian television.

 

According to the TNS Gallup Media ratings firm, more than half of the viewers who watch "The Simpsons" in Russia are between the ages of four and 18.

 

The comical series, a pop culture phenomenon in the West, portrays aspects of American social life through the daily travails of the Simpson family led by Homer, the overweight and lazy father, his hard-working wife Marge and their three children: troublemaker Bart, over-talented Lisa and baby Maggie.

Edited November 26, 2005 by Gamera

[VaBeachGuy 12]

I don't think I've ever watched a full episode of The Simpsons so I have no idea if the Russian father's claims hold any water or not. I tend to think the show wouldn't have lasted almost 18 years if they did though.

[Sam The Smuggler 1]

Bah, As The Article Said, The Simpsons Is Satire...If You Take The Simpsons Seriously..Something Is Wrong....Unless They Do Something Really Bad And Offensive.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

I don't think I've ever watched a full episode of The Simpsons so I have no idea if the Russian father's claims hold any water or not. I tend to think the show wouldn't have lasted almost 18 years if they did though.

 

Eighteen years? Wow - oh well in this country - the less moral the longer it stays on the air.

 

I wish I knew more about this man's particular claim - exactly how he was harmed ...but I admit I dont' watch the show because it is crude, vulgar etc etc etc - whic makes me wonder why this man didn't just turn the channel?

[Stephen of Borg 2]

I've been a fan of the series since day one and haven't missed an episode, but the show does have everything the man mentioned in the series, but only on one or two episodes, not on every episode. With South Park, Drawn Together, and Family Guy out now The Simpsons is tame in comparison. I agree, just turn the channel.

[Odie 0]

Each country has its own moral and ethics values. What is acceptable to you doesn't mean acceptable to someone else. I have lived in Japan for last 3 years. In some of the stories you would find soft porn, and the public makes a no big deal about it. Here in the United States you would not find that type of magazines in your 7-11 open for everyone to read without someone crying foul.

Edited November 26, 2005 by Odie

[Stephen of Borg 2]

true, I'm amazed much soft p are in anime. Even some of the shows for kids have naked girls in it. It's in every anime I own

[Odie 0]

The reason that is Japanese don't see soft porn to be a problem where in US it does. Remember the Janet Jackson Superbowl showed her bearst for a few seconds? Some of my Japanese friends didn't understand why it was a big deal. Some still don't.

[Jack_Bauer 1]

I remember this story from the first suit and it was just ridiculous. Apparently the kid asked what cocaine was after watching Family Guy, so they sent him to his room and he called his mother a toad. That's it. The funniest thing is that they had to show some episodes in the Russian Court and the jury was laughing right along with the show. You don't want these shows on your television? Change the channel or turn them off, thats what Sam Simon (one of the executive producers) has always said.

 

I expect a joke about this to crop up on The Simpsons at some point...

[Odie 0]

I don't expect the European Court of Human Rights would change the Russians ruling on the show.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

Personally I refuse to watch anime UNLESS it has soft-core porn. :(