The style and humor of Matt Groening - the author of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama"

Beginning and "Life in Hell"

Matt Groening still a youth loved to write and illustrate comics. Professional to do this it has turned out not at once. At first it was just ironic notes, which he painted in their spare time. Groening called them "Life in Hell" and periodically sent to friends as a description of his life in Los Angeles.

"Life in Hell" - short notes on the work, everyday life, love, death. In short, a very ordinary. The main characters - a family of rabbits. Then they began to appear and the other characters, even the Matt Groening (he's also portrayed a rabbit).

Groening did not give up comics, even when closely engaged in TV. However, gradually, "Life in Hell" became a very short notes, sometimes even three or four pictures. But this comic lived right up to 2012. During this time, it has been released such series as "Love - this is hell", "Work is hell -" and even "The Big Book of Hell." Still, the main creation Groening became "The Simpsons."

"The Simpsons"

How did the series

In the mid-1980s, the works of well-known television producer interested Groening, James Brooks. While he worked on "The Tracey Ullman Show" - the transfer of comedy sketches with musical interludes (in Russia this show known as "Such different Tracy"). Brooks was looking for a writer who could create a short animated inserts a couple of minutes.

It was planned that Groening simply will transfer to the screen some of the stories, "Life in Hell", but he was afraid that after this channel will take away his rights to the characters. And then I come up with the Simpsons Matt Groening - the typical American middle-class family.

In April 1987 they released their first two-minute skit about the Simpson family called Good Night.

Groening portrayed the characters in the same style as the characters in "Life in Hell", but decided to paint them yellow, simply because no one before him did not do. And yet for all the family members of the four fingers on the hand.

Short humorous notes quickly caught the fancy of the audience and have become almost the most popular part of the show. And then it was decided to make of "The Simpsons" separate animated series.

The author does not have to come up with almost nothing, all the images and even the names he had taken from his life.

Father Matt Groening named Homer, his grandfather - Abe, and his mother - Margaret (nee - Wiggum, that later gave the names of several supporting characters). Sisters Matt Groening named Lisa, Maggie and Patty. As for Bart, which is the original idea was to be the main character, it's just an anagram of the word brat - «offspring." And this image is copied with Groening himself and his brother Mark. And Simpson family lives in the evergreen alley, where he once lived and Groening himself. However, in the cartoon action moved to the fictional town of Springfield, on the location which fans still argue.

In his TV series The Simpsons became a kind of parody of the stereotypical American family: an alcoholic father, mother, housewife, naughty son. Of course, Groening was not the first who raised a similar theme in the animation. Recall at least "Flintstones", where over modern society joked with the help of characters from the stone age.

Analogies first season with "The Flintstones" are obvious. Homer is very much like the character and behavior of Fred: He narcissistic, rude and even enjoys bowling. A drunk Barney Gumble was originally shown as the best friend of Homer. In "The Flintstones" Fred was a "friend to the grave" Barney Rabbl. But "The Simpsons" quickly bypassed by the popularity of its predecessors, and today is the longest-running animated series in history.

Of course, Matt Groening was not engaged in the TV series during all seasons. From a certain moment, he often acts as a creative consultant and sometimes even enter into a serious controversy with other authors of "The Simpsons" and most Fox studio. Yet his work is inseparable from the style and humor Groening, so, speaking about the show, all inevitably recall the original author.

For they love "The Simpsons"

Primarily for the liveliness of the characters, which can themselves associate each. All members of the Simpsons family are different character and behavior: silly, but good Homer, Marge bustling, right Lisa, Bart bully and fidget. They often quarrel, but still remain close-knit family, and constantly learn to live together.

In addition, in Springfield so many other people who also seem familiar to many: diffident headmaster Skinner, right religious neighbor Flanders, bosom friends Lenny and Carl, narrow-minded police chief Wiggum, Mayor Quimby, grafter and scores others. With such characters constantly met anyone in my life, and "The Simpsons" give the opportunity to look at them more closely, and sometimes with unexpected side.

Initially, a greater emphasis was placed on Bart, that's why Groening associated himself with this hero. But the audience quickly fell in love with it Homer. At first glance, it is a typical lazy but talented writers often put it in his mouth all sorts of philosophical statements, which are rapidly dispersed in the quote.

Education will not help me. Every time I do something memorable, it's something takes place vypihnuv of brain something else. As this time, when I went on winemaking courses and have forgotten how to drive a car.

Homer Simpson

Universal love for "The Simpsons" TV series more than once saved the world. In some countries, it has repeatedly tried to ban, finding subjects propaganda of violence and a bad example for children. But every time to protect the series arose thousands of spectators, who explained that the characters with all the difficulties and shortcomings still remain good and true.

What tells in "The Simpsons"

The plot of the majority of episodes are traditionally built on the same principle. It begins a series with some simple stories like the antics of Bart, Homer's new ideas or arrival in town of a new man. A somewhere after the first third of the cartoon effect switches to the main story, often much more serious.

Many of the topics authors take straight from life, with trying to pick up something to maximize current and topical. In one scene, Lisa opposes products containing GMOBut then she makes sure that there is no harm in them. In another in Springfield allow same-sex marriages. In the third it appears that the government listens to all telephone conversations of ordinary citizens. In a recent series of even touched on the theme of classical works, which are now considered offensive. Here it was just an old tale, the characters familiar from childhood.

In this case, sometimes the authors tell about the value and importance of the family or entertain the viewer just a joke. Humor in "The Simpsons" often to the point of absurdity. It is especially striking examples of this are special editions for Halloween. There, the authors of the series are often away from the life of humor and let out a mock horror stories about vampires, witches and haunted houses. In one episode usually fit three such stories.

Predicted that the series

Throughout the years of the creation of the series main characters are exactly the same age as before. But some episodes are devoted to their future. Sometimes heroes to carry scientists, sometimes it's just a flashforward - ie insert that will be. And in such series is very interesting to see how the authors represent the future.

For more than 25 years of history in "The Simpsons" have used hundreds of stories, jokes and just fantasies. Of course, some of them turned out to be true over time. And even though the authors themselves say that it is just a coincidence, the fans continue to look for the facts to be true.

Most of the prophecies of the series spoke after two events: the victory of Donald Trump in the selection and purchase of Disney Fox studio.

On the first mentioned back in 2000. In a series of Bart to the Future shows future events, where Lisa becomes US president and mentioned that her country was ruled to Donald Trump. By the way, according to Lisa, he squandered the entire US budget.

And Fox purchase "The Simpsons" hinted back in 1998. In episode When You Dish Upon A Star can be seen in Hollywood signboard «20th Century Fox, division Walt Disney Co».

After that, the fans began to diligently seek out all sorts of predictions. For example, that group Rolling Stones will perform on stage, even in wheelchairs, and Brad Pitt would be arrested.

True, some of the predictions are simply far-fetched, and some - blende: footage from the recently published a series of issue of the classic episodes. But the interesting coincidences still enough. In addition, you can fantasize about what else might be fulfilled.

Recognition, heritage and copies

Today, "The Simpsons" - an integral part of American culture. They are perceived not as cartoon characters, as well as living celebrities. In 2005, Men's Health magazine named Homer Simpson philosopher of the decade. Rolling Stone magazine has repeatedly published copies of the legendary albums, redrawn by the animated television series Heroes. And in 2009, Marge Simpson won the "photo shoot" for Playboy magazine, and even became a Covergirl.

In addition, in themselves "The Simpsons" regularly appear stars. And the images of celebrities do not just draw, they themselves have voiced their characters. During the years of the release of the series in it already participated dozens of celebrities from Lady Gaga to Stephen Hawking. For this animated series was in the Guinness Book of Records as the animated film with the highest number of guest celebrities.

Of course, the popular series began to appear imitators. The most famous copy - "Family Guy" (Family Guy in the original). Comedian Seth MacFarlane decided to show a grotesque version of the American family. But the analogy is, of course, inevitable. Peter Griffin still thicker than Homer. His son Chris is not a hooligan, but simply stupid, and his daughter Meg is not nerdy, but rather simply an outcast. Distinguishes characters only younger child genius Stewie and talking dog Brian.

Despite the fact that "The Simpsons" has never produced spin-offs or other projects of his characters, the author of "Family Guy" launched separate series about minor hero of "The Cleveland Show," in which new characters were very much similar to the "Family Guy." But after four seasons of the show failed.

Also in the bank McFarlane is "American Dad" - another copy of your same series, only the family government agent. The behavior of the characters again virtually identical to the "Family Guy" Stewie only replaced the alien Roger and Brian - a talking fish Claus.

The authors of "The Simpsons" often make fun of these serials, accusing them of plagiarism and "American Dad," called plagiarism in the square. All this looks very ironic, because the cartoons are located on the same channel. And in 2014 there was a series of long-awaited crossover of two series where the Simpsons and Family Guy finally met.

But not only the idea of ​​McFarlane copies. The series "King of the Hill," created by Mike Judge, once worked on the first season of "The Simpsons." His stories are very different from the original in the direction of realism, telling about the everyday life of an American family with virtually no phantasmagoria. But the creators of "The Simpsons" is still several times to make fun of analogies, showing the characters of the series at home and even copying the screen saver.

The irony of all associations have managed in the TV series "South Park." In 2002, a series of "It's already happened in" The Simpsons "," where one of the characters realize that everything that happens in his life he had seen in the animated series. But gradually all around are starting to turn into the characters of "The Simpsons."

At the end of the series it is explained in very simple terms: "In" The Simpsons "it has long been everything." Indeed, the series comes out almost 30 years, and if desired, there can be found an analogy with almost any life theme.

"Futurama"

How did the series

In 1999, Matt Groening decided to go in a more easy and fantastic ideas and started working on the series "Futurama". In the story, the protagonist Fry earns peddler pizza. During one of his deliveries, he accidentally comes into the lab and into the cryogenic chamber which freezes him for a thousand years. Further action animated series takes place in the year 3000, where it hits.

Fry gets acquainted with new friends - terrestrials, aliens and robots - and goes to work in the "Planet Express" - express delivery in space. Transferring action in the distant future has enabled the author to escape from reality and joke on the fantastic theme, talking about interplanetary flights, contact with aliens, "suicide booth" and even Devil-robot.

For they love "Futurama"

This animated series is often referred to as a light version of "The Simpsons" because it saved the humor Groening, but there is almost no social issues. There were more than ridiculous and funny characters like lobster-alien Zoidberg, one-eyed robot Bender and Leela. And the jokes are often built in any kind of absurd laws of the future or the strange behavior of the aliens.

Most of the stories associated with the delivery of a load on an unusual planet, where the characters there is something dangerous, or ridiculous. Or with a new invention of Professor Hubert - founder of "Planet Express" and longtime descendant of Fry. In one episode, he even invented a machine, "What if ???", which can show an alternative version of the fate of anyone who will formulate the question correctly. Thus Bender briefly turned into a man.

The author managed to maintain the liveliness of the characters. "Futurama" is more devoted to family relations is not, but just friendship and love. Perhaps this makes the series more attractive to young people. But while some episodes tell a very personal and moving stories. The first Jurassic Bark the dog Fry remaining in our time, and The Luck of the Fryrish of his brother of the protagonist.

What are the similarities with "The Simpsons"

"Futurama" is visually very similar to "The Simpsons", in the style of Matt Greynina image characters know it is not difficult. Except that here we earthlings skin its normal color. Many of the characters too similar to their predecessors. Sheepish Fry is a bit like Bart matured and serious Lila - clever Lisa. But first robot Bender - an obvious analogue of Homer Simpson. He is as selfish, attached to alcohol and unhealthy lifestyles, and often lets humorous, but almost philosophical phrases.

My story is similar to yours, only more interesting, because the main character - a robot.

Bender the robot

Unlike other authors copies Groening himself did not hesitate to refer to his previous creation and repeatedly hinted in "Futurama" in the world of "The Simpsons." And in 2014, workers' Planet Express "met with the family of the Simpsons.

However, it has already happened in the framework of "The Simpsons" after the end of the most "Futurama." Unfortunately, she was unable to repeat the success of its predecessor. The series made several attempts to shut down and transferred from one channel to another. And in 2013 came the last series, which completed the story of Fry adventures in the future.

"Disappointment"

In the new series, Matt Groening turned to fantasy, but again did it in his own style. "Disappointment" reminiscent of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama" is not only visually. Here you can see all the same strange and sometimes absurd humor.

Events unfold in a rundown kingdom Dreamland. The main character - Princess Bean, prone to alcoholism. All adventures accompany her personal demons and Lucy grumpy elf Elfo. Together they travel the country and meet on the way ogres, fairies, harpies, devils, trolls, sea monsters, and a fool.

Here I Groening decided to move away from the traditional construction of the episodes: the season is one coherent story. A brand absurd humor he brought to a new level. "Disappointment" compared even with the "Monty Python" in terms of jokes about the Middle Ages. Will he be able to reach the level of popularity of the previous works of the author - is still unknown.

But even if the new project of Matt Groening to someone and not like it, you can always include some series "Sipmpsonov" - they already reached more than 600, so that everyone can find in the great creations of the author's something for themselves.

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