Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think The Simpsons shouldnt be on at 6pm?

99 replies

Bogeyface · 24/01/2011 21:32

Mostly its ok, but sometimes they do have some really sexual episodes. Marge and Homer trying to get their "thang" back is one that always sticks on my mind. But there have been several episodes with bits in the have involved H&M getting down to it, or talking about doing it, or being interrupted just before they do it.

Its a cartoon and kids love cartoons and as it is on Channel 4 and Sky at teatime, you could be forgiven for thinking it would be ok for them to watch it. But it does make me uncomfortable sometimes, I have noticed that they used to say "nsuggle" but now they just say "sex" which is not something I want my little ones watching and asking about just yet! After a particularly inappropriate part of an episode I have finally banned it, much to their disgust! DH thinks I am over reacting saying its "just a cartoon" but he wouldnt let them watch South Park and that is a cartoon too!

AIBU and a prude?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bogeyface · 24/01/2011 21:55

One day someone will read an OP! Hmm

As I have said, I have no problem with sex or talking to my kids about it, I just dont like it in a cartoon show on at 6pm that will obviously appeal to kids!

OP posts:
bubblewrapped · 24/01/2011 21:57

I am not sure how you think a five year old will be damaged by watching the simpsons.. lol!!!

bibbitybobbityhat · 24/01/2011 21:58

Trying v hard not to be arsey, but am amazed you did not know that quite a lot of The Simpsons isn't really suitable for children. Have you never watched it before, or got a sense of it from popular culture?

My children are 10 and 7 and have never seen it and don't know what it is. We do have a tv. Its quite easy to avoid if you want to.

Original poster
Bogeyface · 24/01/2011 21:59

When did I say I thought he would be damaged by it?!

I didnt know because I havent watched it and the popular culture (?!) that you refer to has never mentioned Homer and Marges sex life!

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 24/01/2011 22:00

maybe we are capable of deciding what is suitable for our kids - I watch it with them - I have never seen anything I was uncomfortable with MY children viewing :)

ilovemyhens · 24/01/2011 22:00

We don't let the kids watch the new Simpsons anymore because of the sexual/dodgy content. The old episodes are fine, but not these recent ones. The kids don't miss it and just watch something else. I've explained the reason why it's not allowed anymore and they're okay with it.

saffy85 · 24/01/2011 22:01

YABU and need to get a grip. Failing that, change the channel.

I love Marge and Homer. They are the best couple on TV. I like the episode when I think it's them at high school and Homer tells Marge that once they stop the car "I'm gonna hug you. And kiss you. And I'll never be able to let you go." Awwwww! Grin

That said the newer episodes are crap imo the older ones are better. There are still worse programmes for DC to watch- soaps for example. All of them. I remember when stuff shown at 6pm was fairly tame. The most risque thing I watched as a kid at around 6pm was Fresh Prince of Bel-air lol.

Mittler · 24/01/2011 22:02

Wouldn't let mine watch it in a zillion years - but that's why I have the TV in a room where I can turn it off. I think some things really do need to be left up to the parent's discretion.

bubblewrapped · 24/01/2011 22:03

As a kid I grew up watching Coronation Street and Emmerdale.. as well as Tom & Jerry and Blue Peter..

I also watched Benny Hill ..

None of it scarred me for life.

Pumpster · 24/01/2011 22:07

We all love the simpsons in this house. I used to shield my eldest children's eyes from itchy and scratchy when they were toddlers though - don't bother with my youngest two..

bubblewrapped · 24/01/2011 22:11

I wonder how many here who are doing the cats bum face at the simpsons let their kids watch Shrek ... plenty of adult humour in those films..

The thing is, it goes over kids heads, they dont notice the stuff that some adults seem to get all huffy and outraged at.

saffy85 · 24/01/2011 22:11

BTW SP is totally different- and no not all the bad words are bleeped out. I wouldn't turned a hair if my 3 year old told me to have a cow, man but I wouldn't be best pleased if she told me the cat was "being a dildo!" Hmm I may or may not reply with "I think kitty will be sleeping with mummy tonight then sweetykins!"

[SP fan Blush ]

ilovemyhens · 24/01/2011 22:25

My kids have never watched Shrek. The characters look too ugly Hmm

manicbmc · 24/01/2011 22:35

Shock and horror! Shock I was allowed to watch Grange Hill from 1977 onwards and I haven't become a degenerate. Who would have thought it?

The more you make of not letting them watch something reasonably innocuous like the Simpsons, the more attractive it'll become.

A1980 · 24/01/2011 22:39

When I used to babysit in my teens and early 20's the children loved it and their mum and dad let them watch it.

But I thought that there were too many inappropriate references even in "tamer" episodes.

Once when Lisa goes by herself to the Egyptian exhibit at the museum, she is as the bus stop annoying everyone with her idle chatter. Moe the bartender was there too and was sick of her talking so he hails a taxi and gets in and says to the driver to take him to the VD clinic. Well the 5 and 7 year olds asked me what that meant.

The one where Homer's Vegas wife turns up is pretty bad.

Spero · 24/01/2011 22:46

I think a lot of people are missing the point. I like the Simpsons, I let my daugther watch it BUT I do think it is often too 'adult' for a programme shown at 6pm.

The Vegas wife episode is a very good example.

dearprudence · 24/01/2011 22:55

Simpsons is OK for children.
South Park isn't.

I watched Grease at the cinema with my friends (no adults) when I was 9. The sexual stuff was more prominent than anything in the Simpsons, but it went over my head.

ilovemyhens · 24/01/2011 23:15

Grange Hill was very tame from what I remember. No mention of sex or dildos there Hmm

manicbmc · 24/01/2011 23:17

There was plenty of sex. Also a huge amount of drug references. Remember Zammo?

In the second series there was a pupil having it away with a teacher.

mutznutz · 24/01/2011 23:19

we absolutely love the Simpsons but yes...I agree it's getting a bit near the mark sexually to be shown at tea time.

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 24/01/2011 23:26

The problrm with it is (IMO) that 90% of it is fine for kids - the other 10% is not. Blanket ban is a bit of a shame, but your only option unless you are sad andyou know all the episodes.

reelingintheyears · 24/01/2011 23:33

So turn the TV off/over.

penelopestitsdropped · 24/01/2011 23:38

I don't understand?

Are you saying that if a programme is on before 9pm it must be suitable for children? because i don't let mine watch the news because it is graphic and disturbing. that is on throughout the day.

You do realise that if you really don't want your child to watch the show then there are at the very least 4 other chanels. or you could switch off altogether.

TigerseyeMum · 24/01/2011 23:47

I don't know about it being suitable for children (depends on the child maybe?) but I am truly amazed that they get away with some of the things they do Shock

Very funny (to me) but just as shocking as some stand up comedians have come out with more recently. There are times when I do the laugh quickly followed by the sharp intake of breath followed by the 'Did they really just say that?!'

It never was for kids, somehow it became a TV cartoon on early in the evening, but it was never intended as family viewing I don't think.

EightiesChick · 24/01/2011 23:49

I agree that the later episodes go a bit too adult for a 'family' show - early series are good. Perhaps if your DC like it, get the early box sets and allow them to watch those instead of the ones on TV? I know the episodes well enough and could pick the 'right' ones Smile too but that's just me.

I do think for older kids it might be OK too - some friends of mine let their 5 yo watch and I'm not sure about that. But it's a bit of a grey area.

As for the time restriction, it has occurred to me recently that the whole notion of the 9pm watershed is pretty meaningless, given that CSI (which I certainly wouldn't let kids watch) is on Five at 10 in the morning. Confused So basically you have to set your own rules/guidelines at all times.