# Proof of the brilliance of the Simpsons **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242 "2002-10-07T18:33:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/21 "2002-10-08T20:27:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*The brilliance of the Simpsons does not end at the humor, oh no! Recall the episode where Homer’s brother Herb invents the Baby Translator? I present to you the [Why Cry?](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=585&e=1&cid=585&u=/nm/20021008/sc_nm/life_spain_invention_dc). \*\* That translator can only identify cries-and five of them. Unky Herb’s invention could translate _any_ baby-babble, from “Change me!” to “Turn off that damn Raffi record!” ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/22 "2002-10-08T20:35:23Z")
I have seen plays more interesting than this thread. Honestly! PLAYS! ---
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/23 "2002-10-08T23:15:51Z")
Hmm. By “brilliance” I take it this Simpsons quote thread is dedicated to examples of book-learnin’ evident (or hidden) in gags. I’m partial to Lisa’s declaration that she created Lutherans in “Treehouse of Horror VII”. Why? Because it was on Halloween 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. But you never see any holiday specials for _that_. ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/24 "2002-10-09T01:31:11Z")
Then why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl? On a related story, me and my friends are trying to stop quoting Simpsons. We had the conversation, then throughout the day I heard Simpsons quotes 3 more time. They didn’t even realize they did it. Its evil I tell you, evil. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/25 "2002-10-09T02:28:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wearia \* > \*\*Then why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl? > > On a related story, me and my friends are trying to stop quoting Simpsons. We had the conversation, then throughout the day I heard Simpsons quotes 3 more time. They didn’t even realize they did it. Its evil I tell you, evil. \*\* Giving up Simpsons quotes is too hard. You should take up smoking and quit that. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/26 "2002-10-09T04:56:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Raygun99 \* > \*\*Giving up Simpsons quotes is too hard. You should take up smoking and quit that. \*\* Your idea intrigues me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. You can thank me. It is now official. This is purely a random Simpsons quote thread from now on. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/27 "2002-10-09T10:28:35Z")
Could someone explain why the Marge and Homer scene about Japan was funny? Sorry for density. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/28 "2002-10-09T11:05:05Z")
I had to look it up, Rashomon is an Akira Kurosawa movie that tells a story from 4 different points of view. Each persons account of the events is different from the last. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/29 "2002-10-09T11:22:05Z")
Ah. Thank you, Cheesesteak. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/30 "2002-10-09T12:11:44Z")
I love that Rashomon joke. Homer: You don’t know what it’s like. I’m the one out there putting his ass on the line, and I’m not out of order! You’re out of order! The whole freakin system is out of order! You want the truth? You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth. Cause when you reach over and stick a hand in a pile of goo that was your friends face, you’ll know what to do. Forget it Marge, it’s China town! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mr.Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Wilson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/31 "2002-10-09T12:32:15Z")
One of my favorites that comes to mind went something like this: Marge: Homer, we’re out of beer. Homer: Homer no function good beer without. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/32 "2002-10-09T14:55:49Z")
The Ayn Rand Daycare center episode still kills me. All those kids sucking on aapacifier at the same tmie really freaked me out. Slee ---
**Author:** ![AmbulanceChaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@AmbulanceChaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbulanceChaser)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/33 "2002-10-09T19:01:28Z")
From “Simpson Tide”: Captain: What do you want, Homer? Homer [reaching over dining table]: I want peas. Captain: Yes, we all want peace. But how do we get peace? Homer [reaching even farther with his silverware]: With a knife. Captain: I like the way you think, Simpson. - Yes, I know it’s a paraphrase. But the two punchlines remained untouched. \* ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/34 "2002-10-09T19:45:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Raygun99 \* > \*\* > > Giving up Simpsons quotes is too hard. You should take up smoking and quit that. \*\* Good for you! Giving up smoking is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. But he didn’t do anything! Didn’t he, Lisa? Didn’t he? And my favorite Simpsons quotes to try to work into everyday conversation: Maybe if you didn’t poop so much, you wouldn’t be so small. and Never you mind! You just go back to birthin’ that baby! ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/35 "2002-10-09T22:32:28Z")
Kids, you tried your best, and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/36 "2002-10-09T22:41:27Z")
Kids, you tried your best, and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/37 "2002-10-09T22:48:10Z")
Kids, you tried your best, and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/38 "2002-10-09T22:48:10Z")
Kids, you tried your best, and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/39 "2002-10-09T22:53:30Z")
Kids, you tried your best, and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242/40 "2002-10-09T23:20:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > \*\*Rashomon is an Akira Kurosawa movie that tells a story from 4 different points of view. Each persons account of the events is different from the last. \*\* It’s even funnier b/c you’ve seen this wheezy device in at least one episode of practically every sitcom ever made. Ex: Chandler is a real jerk in the version of “what happened” told by Monica, Monica is the jerk in the Chandler version, everybody is the jerk but Joey in his version, etc. So, by Homer saying it, he’s also implying that they’re going to have a different points of view-style episode, which is exactly what I thought was going to happen when I first saw it, before I got the joke. So it’s brilliant on an yet **another** level. Adding to the OP, I think what sets them apart is how they will take what a normal sitcom considers Level 1, then makes the joke even funnier by adding a Level 2. Example: Sherpa, to other Sherpa: “I dreamed I saw your death last night.” Level 1. Other Sherpa: “Stop saying that.” Level 2. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-brilliance-of-the-simpsons/131242.md?page=3)