With her predilection for lumberjack shirts and love of golf, the revelation that Marge Simpson’s sister Patty is a lesbian didn’t come as much of a shock to United States fans of the series.
But not for the first time the show provoked fevered debate as it took a satirical look at the issue of gay marriage, lampooning middle America’s stereotypical view of lesbians along the way.
The name of the gay character was a closely guarded secret up until the show went out on Sunday, with internet fan sites and bookmakers speculating furiously on their identity.
Waylon Smithers, loyal assistant of nuclear power plant owner Montgomery Burns, was an early favourite before being dismissed as too obvious — previous episodes have made no secret of his unrequited longing for his boss and shown him holidaying at men-only resorts.
In the episode, the fictional town of Springfield legalises gay marriage in an attempt to cash in on the pink pound. The writers poke fun at those on all sides of the debate, from evangelical right-wing vicars to advertisers and retailers eager to make a fast buck.
Some groups, including the Parents’ Television Council, have condemned the storyline but most US critics praised the Simpsons for its willingness to satirise potentially controversial issues. The episode was preceded by an onscreen announcement warning: ”This episode contains discussions of same-sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised”.
It is not the first time that the show’s writers have used their untouchable position as one of the network’s cash cows to poke fun at their right-leaning paymasters. Previous episodes have featured a mock Fox News ticker proclaiming ”JFK Posthumously Joins Republican Party” and frequent digs at the network’s output. – Guardian Unlimited Â