The Simpsons

The SimpsonsLove them or hate them, there is no doubt that the Simpson have made an impact upon the way we think of life in the US, their habits and their opinions. Tonight’s show seems Homer recall the time that he found a dead body at the age of 12, but failed to report it. How will he react when he remembers it? Who will he tell?

Homers life has been one long rollercoaster and while his trusty family have stood by him there have been times when they must have felt like walking away! Quite what slant the writers will put on tonight’s show remains to be seen but there is no doubt it will be funny, thought provoking and certain to attract millions of viewers!

The Simpsons have been on our screens since December 1989 and while there are many critics of the show, it has fans young and old around the world, making it the best selling cartoon series ever. They also brought out a Simpson Movie which has brought in over $500m since its launch. Homer, Marge, Maggie, Bart, Lisa and Santa’s Little Helper (the dog) are the mainstays of the show, but the way they interact amongst themselves and their friends and neighbours is something else. Do we all have neighbours and friends like the Simpsons? Or is this just America?

While the show is obviously centred on humour and laughter, the writers seem to have a unique gift for bringing in serious subjects, such as the Iraq war, and somehow taking a dig at the government without saying anything outright. Many people see the Simpsons as the conscience of America, a real look at the inner workings of middle class America. Quite whether is true is a matter of opinion, but they sure do catch the attention of the masses.

Shaun The Sheep

Shaun the SheepWhen you are an adult there are certain programmes that you look back on with fondness. Children’s programmes such as The Wombles, Dangermouse and Roobarb and Custard evoke a warm glow and Shaun the Sheep is one of these programmes.

Shaun has been created by the hugely talented and Oscar winning company Aardman Animations  who created the Wallace and Gromit series; Creature Comforts; Morph and Chicken Run. He was first introduced to us in the animation film, “A Close Shave”. The film featured Wallace and Gromit who had created a machine to shore a sheep, collect the wool and then knit it into some item of clothing such as a jumper.  Wallace fell in love with wool shop owner, Wendolene but her dog Preston, was a sheep rustler. One of the flock – a rather shy and endearing sheep fell into Wallace’s machine and his fleece was cut a little too close for comfort.  He was named “Shaun” (or shorn) as a result and wears a woollen jumper (knitted from his fleece) to keep warm.

Shaun the Sheep is a spin off from the film and is now in its second series and is shown on CBBC (the Children’s version of BBC). The programme usually has a moral of some description and relies upon a mixture of silent and slapstick type comedy – such as trying to get the flock to diet and get fit and a particularly fat sheep being wheeled in a shopping trolley. It is an enjoyable programme for adults and children alike.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

They are green , they are mean and they walk around in a  half shell, they are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! If you have not come across them yet, brace yourselves because they are back for the children’s summer holidays.  After encountering a radioactive leakage, a group of crime fighters became half human, half turtle, although undisturbed by their accident they set about putting the world to rights in some great cartoon capers.

Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe central characters are Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo who are the quartet of Ninja Turtles, fighting crime and fighting to save the world.  They are assisted in their task by their adoptive father ”Splinter” who is a wise old man who guides and advises them. While all of the Turtles are experts in martial arts, they each have a special skill and power which they use throughout the series to assist in their tasks.

The cartoon (currently showing on the Fox channel) has spawned a massive market in merchandise, from toys to back packs to a full length feature film.  The cartoon graphics are excellent and each Turtle has it own particular characteristics, something which many children can relate to.  There adventures are also fast and exciting although as you might expect, good always wins over evil!

While it all may sound a little strange, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have become a massive hit around the world with children everywhere looking to grow up like their favourite.  The beauty of such cartoons is the fact that they are used to get across positive messages to kids, in a manner in which they will understand.

If you don’t know your Leonardo from your Donatello or your Raphael from your Michelangelo, you had better get some practice, as you will be tested over the school holidays!