Planet Simpson

My Simpson senses were tingling me when i heard some clips being played on Channel 4. I tuned in and saw Richard & Judy (Chat show hosts) interviewing this author called Christ Turner. They were promoting his new book Planet Simpson. Chris Turner claims to of watched every single episode 50 times in the making of this book, and this book tries to see what makes the show 'tick'. He basically discussed some of the origins of the show (Dan's changing voice, Tracy Ulman Show, Show getting more focused on Homer, etc.) with clips from Season 4 episode's 'New Kid On The Block', 'Whacking Day' and 'Homer's Triple Bypass' to help him on the way.
In my opinion the book looks worth a read, but i'm hoping for a more interesting read then the religious one they released a few years back. Possibly a early Christmas suggestion indeed, but i'm not sure i'd be running out of my house to the shops to buy it.

Here's a review that i found from Random House: Book details.

"Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation

Astute, funny, literate, politically and culturally aware; in this analysis of The Simpsons, Chris Turner, a provocative new writer, dissects the world's favourite TV show - its genesis, past, characters and influence. Bart, Homer and Marge have entered the lexicon of iconic, global characters. Bart has the highest recognition factor amongst kids in the UK & US, way above that of Harry Potter. The British voted it their favourite TV programme ever. The Archbishop of Canterbury called it 'one of the most subtle pieces of propaganda around in the cause of sense, humility and virtue.' Yet The Simpsons is thoroughly subversive and irreverent.
Bringing the savvy insight to The Simpsons that has been brought to publishing on global politics, the internet and the fast-food industry, Chris Turner looks at how The Simpsons is created and the unique two-way relationship of inspiration and influence it has with the real world.

From Marge and moral values to Lisa and the environment, from Homer and consumerism to Citizen Burns and corporate villainy - this is the first book to be written that is as intelligent, subversive, wide-ranging and funny as the show itself. 'The world's best TV programme ever' Observer

RRP. £12.99


More Information
Ebury • Popular culture
Publication date: 09/09/2004 • 480 pages • 234x155mm • ISBN: 0091897564 "




Get it off http://Amazon.co.uk for £7.79 (40% off) at http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...991546-2738030

Wow, I'll be importing that if it isn't available in America...should go along nicely with "The Simpsons and Philosophy" and "The Gospel According to The Simpsons".

*buys*

Cheers, RRP!

Posted an article on "Planet Simpson":
http://www.snpp.com/news.html#planet

It's also available on audio CD, by the way.

Is it already out??? Cuz if it is im gone 2 the book store

Yea its already out Brain, I actually got it when Nancy Cartwright and David SIlverman came to the Metro Toronto COnvention Centre! Chris was there and personally signed it dedicated to me.

I'm reading it right now, it's pretty good actually, I'm about half way through. The book has specific chapters that cover certain characters, eg: a chapter on Homer, a chapter on bart, a chapter on Mr Burns, etc. where it reflects how these characters represent certain types of real people. Mr Burns shares alot of similarities with Rupert Murdock, for example! The writer knows his stuff, and the book is pretty consise. For anyone interested in the UK, I bought it in HMV for £8.99, it was placed next to the dvds & I bought it on impulse.

Uhh where can I buy this so called 'book'? Is it going to be available to U.S. Residents?

Dash Dingo, check this out:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

This is the US version of the book for sale, it has a different cover to mine, but it's the same book. I could only find the hardcover version, not sure if the paperback is available in the US yet (I bought the paperback, myself).

Hope that helps

I belive the authour is Canadian, he says as much in the book and yes its a very interesting read, it works as a general Sociological/Media analysis book and not just a study of the Simpsons.

This is a great read, Im about half way through it, its very interesting. There's a lot of cool stuff in it, and its really in depth

Got my copy today, too. Looks very good indeed!

Chapter 7 discusses alt.tv.simpsons and Internet fans.

Hey hey. Great to see this thread. We have a website that's chronicling the book tour and the behind-the-scenes stuff: www.planetsimpson.com. Re: the US, it's out only in hardcover - they'll release a softcover sometime next year. Best bet for a softcover deal is to buy the Canadian edition (better formatted, nicer layout anyway) through Chapters.ca or another site and have them ship it to you over the border.

Originally Posted by Planet Simpson

Best bet for a softcover deal is to buy the Canadian edition (better formatted, nicer layout anyway) through Chapters.ca or another site and have them ship it to you over the border.

Ashley is probably right. I have the Canadian edition and the formatting is excellent. The book is BIG like some great movie books you see in bookstores and I love it! Apparently the UK-AU edition is smaller in physical size.

Well, I guess the main thing is that the contents is the same, but if it's all the same to you which version to get, this one I've seen and can recommend it.

And if you are afraid that Planet Simpson is some half-assed attempt to cash in on the show's popularity, don't be. I have only read some of it, but I wouldn't be surprised if after reading it I'd say it's the best Simpsons book to date. In the SNPP article, the author says he wanted to write a book "with the same mix of scholarly seriousness and energized enthusiasm as seen in some classic rock & roll books". He's accomplished it. The book has a nice wide scope, and it's not too academic. (Hell, I know my Simpsons and I've done an academic Masters thesis myself, yet sections in some Simpsons books go straight over my head.) And it's also written in an engaging way. You know, when you're reading a good magazine article that has a point, but also entertains you.