As an avid fan of the Simpsons, and Coast Guardsman, I’ve noticed mention or reference or depiction of the Coast Guard on many occasions. Some examples I can remember:
[ul]
[li]Grandpa Simpson once told Lisa that he received his commision in the Coast Guard[/li][li]A Coast Guard Cutter tried to get Homer to come inside the 12nm limit when he stole Mr. Burns’ yacht to go drinking on Sunday morning[/li][li]While the Simpsons were watching Johnny Carson, he told a joke about the CG arresting Boy George[/li][li]When Lisa protested Homer’s vigilante group, and asked who would police the vigilantes, Homer said, “I dunno, the Coast Guard?”[/li][li]When the Simpsons went to NY city, Marge made several references to Governers Island (a major CG base,which at the time of airing, was in the process of closing)[/li][li]A CG boat cleared beaches in one episode due to (I think) a tsunami[/li][/ul]
There are a few others, but you get the point. My question to the TM’s, is there a connection? A writer that served? A producer maybe? Anyone know?
Well, I think it’s a lot more likely that it’s all a coincedence. I mean, we are talking about a show thats been around a lot, and likes to mock society. Just because they’ve made jokes about the coast guard on a few occasions, and otherwise referred to them does not mean there’s a connection.
I would tend to agree, however, I cannot think of any other real org. that has been brought up as often. Those 6 are what I could remember off the top of my head. There are a few more. I’ve seen them stab the other services as well, but not that often. The big reason I suspect a connection, were the Governers Island references. When the CG decided to close GI, it was a big deal within the service. Outside, it got little attention outside NY. In that episode I mentioned, Marge brings up GI for no apparent reason, twice, and never is the CG mentioned in the episode. As I believe the show is created on the left coast, it struck me as odd that she would mention GI at all, and leads me to believe that someone behind the show has some insight or relation to the CG.
This is a bit OT, but CNN yesterday reported that one of Al Gore’s daughters had been hired as a writer (?) for Matt Groening’s other show, ‘Futurama’.
Al Gore also appeared on tonight’s episode of Futurama (I didn’t think it was really him, but his name was in the credits). He played himself as part of a group called the Vice President Rangers of Justice, or something like that, along with Stephen Hawking, Gary Gygax, and Nichelle Nichols (Uhuru from Star Trek). Definitely one of their better episodes, and that’s saying a lot.
All the jokes poke fun at the CG for being full of clueless people and not being a real military branch. Heh, your post validates half of that stereotype.
Adam: Hey yeah, I forgot about that one. Actually, that’s my favorite one.
Horse: (sigh) I don’t suppose you have any credible service time from which to speak, do you? If so, I’d love to hear about it. I suspect, however, you’re probably not old enough to serve yet. Those statements usually come from the 12-14 year olds, hormonally charged anger associated with puberty, I suspect. But while we’re talking,
Actually, from reading the examples that I cited, it does not appear that the creators are making fun of the Guard, as much as they are just mentioning, or referencing it. You calling me clueless? Smell yourself, lass. If you want to see them slam somebody, they slam the Navy and Air Force pretty good in a couple of shows. Not that I would mind, I can take jokes. Provided that the joke teller has at least some knowledge on the subject on which they are speaking. Do you possess any such knowledge of the CG? Or any military for that matter? I would love to hear that, also. But to expect that, is to expect some sort of intelligent, coherent thought, of which you have yet to demonstrate. I’m not holding my breath for any actual insight from you.
Run along now little girl, it’s a school night you know.
Don’t forget the episode where Mr. Burns stole the trillion dollar bill from the US government, and fled with Homer and Mr. Smithers to Cuba. My favorite line:
Coast Guard: Stop! You are leaving US waters. If you do not turn back, we will be unable to prosecute you!
Not to divert too much attention away from the Coast Guard, but I’ve noticed several references to my (current) hometown of Lubbock on the Simpsons. My favorite: on the episode where Homer becomes the head of city sanitation, he starts stuffing other cities’ garbage under Springfield, and it begins to bubble up to the surface. Mayor Quimby examines the garbage that spewed up out of a golf hole: “Orange peels…panty hose…a term paper from Texas Tech! Simpson! This is garbage!”
Anyone know if Groening has some connection to Lubbock or Texas Tech? I can think of only one, and it’s extremely unlikely…in 1992, a friend of mine called “Bartman” ran a BBS called Simpson’s Street. He got busted by the Secret Service for distributing pirate software. But could Groening have even heard of that? Anyone have anything more concrete?
Probably the writers keep bringing up the Coast Guard because it’s just one of those things that’s inherently funny, like noses, Siegfried and Roy, and eating things you shouldn’t.
I dunno, I think they really are picking on the Coast Guard. I think the very idea of a military service that’s part of the Department of Transportation is funny to many people, in a redheaded-stepchild kind of way. It’s not based in truth by any means; most Americans probably have very little notion of the CG’s mission areas.
I was a naval officer for four years and yes, we did like to pick on the Coast Guard (“puddle pirates” was a common dysphemism), but kidding aside we had great respect for the work they do. Buoy and light maintenance, the formulation and publication of the Rules of the Road and coastal patrol are just three of the vital services the CG provides.
I’m also impressed by the fact that specialized CG officers, like JAGs, still remain line officers and are expected to serve at sea every other tour. That’s hardcore, and not something you’d see in the Navy.
So, while in the Navy we frequently made fun of the other services including the Coast Guard, we never really meant it unless we were talking about the Air Force.
Horse: Is that all you got? I was expecting something with a little more substance, more variety. Oh well, maybe when you’re older…
Geenius: I see your point, and I’m sure there’s truth to that, as elaborated by Five. But Siegfried and Roy!!! Ok, that’s low…
Five: Yes, actually, they probably are stabbing the Guard more often that not. Which is cool, contrary to what some may believe, I like jokes alot, even if they’re on me. You could tell jokes about the Guard I’ll day, and I’ll laugh right with ya, 'cause you know what you’re talking about when it comes to service, unlike some cruisers of this board who shall remain nameless… I’ll even give the best one I’ve seen at the end of this post. But my point of the OP is, the Governers Island thing. That’s what makes me think there’s a connection somewhere. If not for that, it would be a non-issue. Thanks for the post BTW, and for those who don’t know, a line officer is someone in line for command of a ship or cutter. For those who don’t know anything about the services. Again, I won’t mention any names.
Oh yeah, the joke. This one’s for you, Five. And about the Air Force, agreed.
Folks, this is not the place for the disagreement that I think I see coming here. HorseloverFat, you started it, so Chandeleur gets (and got) the last word on the subject in this thread. Please take any further disagreement to the Pit.
What are you looking for, some long and tedious flame exchange? Yeah, maybe when I’m older and stupider I’ll start reading the BBQ pit. As to posting anything else, once I pointed out the obvious mocking of the CG, you went postal. Maybe you could develop a sense of humor and some tolerace before you start asking more questions that when answered honestly turn you into a ‘flamer.’
FWIW, My brother in law is ( was ) a Marine. Whenever he starts bashing the Air Force, I remind him that airmen sleep in air conditioned barracs, get hot meals every day, have a relatively consistant “home” between missions and get to burn a hole in the sky with hot shot jets. Marines sleep in the mud and charge into machine gun fire. Which seems to be the smarter service? huh? He dosen’t usually answer. Food for thought.
An Army private lies in the mud and says “This is shit”
A Marine crawles 20 miles through the mud with a 50 lb pack and says " This is the shit"
An Army Ranger parachutes out of a plane, crawls 20 miles through the mud with a 50 lb pack and says " God, I love this shit"
A Navy Seal swims out of a sub, broaches a fortified beach under fire, crawls 20 miles through the mud with a 50 lb pack and says “God, give me more of this shit”
An Air Force pilot turns up the AC, gets a beer out of the fridge, sits in a recliner, picks up the remote and says " My God! The cable’s out! What is this shit?"
