From today's Guardian:
I threw out the TV for practical purposes many years ago, and barely ever go to the movies. I do know (slightly) and very much like Matt Groening, and did get my children a tour of the Simpsons set a few years back, but have not seen many episodes. Same with South Park - people say, hey look, they attack the Pope and the Mormons and the Islamists, and I say, "Tell me about it." I do this myself in real time: don't need the vicarious living that seems so central to all this stuff.[Christopher Hitchens on The Simpsons]
4 comments:
That dud(e) certainly is an arse and that quote sums him up - so creepy!
What Hitchens fails to grasp is South Park and The Simpsons are entertaining. Whereas he's just a bore.
Well, congratulations on mentioning Hitchens without once mentioning 'drink' in the post. For that, at least, you deserve praise Darren. However...
Reidski; Why is it a 'creepy' thing for Hitch to say: "...don't need the vicarious living that seems so central to all this stuff." ? I think he's onto something here. The passive consumption by audiences of an all-encompassing (smothering) ironical detachment does nothing much more than promote cynical scepticism and profound nihilism after the millionth time of its spoonfeeding to the viewer.
Phil; I also find the Simpsons entertaining (although I'm beginning to get a little tired of its knowing knowingness). Does that also make me a bore for wanting or expecting better? And I don't think you can construe from anything that Hitchens said in the piece that he doesn't think both the Simpsons or Southpark can be entertaining. The point he's making is that he can find his own entertainment which isn't mediated or 'secondhand' in derivation.
Will, I said it was a creepy thing because I think it is a creepy thing. You in charge of my emotions and reactions about Hitchens or something? Hitchens isn't on to anything - he's a cunt!
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