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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

ll31 · 25/01/2011 00:33

think time restrictions are kind of silly anyway, as a parent u should decide what your child watches... am amazed tho that someone could get upset at simpsons.... my experience is that kids generally find that adult content washes over them... plus depending on kids ages.. u know its good sometimes to watc things you dont completely understand and that might make u wonder and think .... and not want to ask ur parents!

LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake · 25/01/2011 00:37

Watershed only applies to five main channels. And it's voluntary.

monkeyslut · 25/01/2011 03:15

Big Simpsons fans in this house. 5 year-old loves it. A lot of it goes straight over her head...Although her latest best funny bit is 'sexy Flanders'

The only recent thing that I have seen on the show that has made me go 'I can't believe they just did that' was the Katy Perry bit with Moe at the end of the latest christmas episodes.

At the moment they keep replaying the clip on a channel over here as a way to advertise new Simpsons, so maybe I am being a bit prudish about it

EightiesChick · 25/01/2011 08:46

Laurie So is Five not one of the main five channels?

Gooftroop · 25/01/2011 08:56

YANBU, but what parent lets their small children watch The Simpsons???? It's not for kids. Never ever understood why parents put it on for their children, usually saying something like "I think it's rubbish, but they LOVE it" - as if they (parents) have no choice but to have their children watch it. Children 'love' playing in the traffic too.

GandTiceandaslice · 25/01/2011 09:00

YABU.
Watch something else.
And stuff does go over childrens heads tbh.
Leave cbeebees on all day for your children

southeastastra · 25/01/2011 09:01

blimey we used to watch dallas suprised we didn't all grow up like drunk sex maniacs .. oh hold on..

GandTiceandaslice · 25/01/2011 09:04

SEA, me & dh have just bought series 1 on dvd, we're going to work our way through them all!
If we followed what happened in Dallas, we'd all give birth in our tights!

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 25/01/2011 09:14

DS, now 10, has been watching the Simpsons since he was tiny. Most of the sexual references still go over his head and those that don't are hardly going to scar him for life. YABU.

southeastastra · 25/01/2011 09:14

oh am tempted to buy that myself

BuzzLightBeer · 25/01/2011 09:49

I have no problem with it for my kids and fail to see why you not liking it should stop the rest of us watching it.

You switch it off and leave the Mary Whitehouse routine out of it.

CrapBag · 25/01/2011 10:17

YANBU.

Me and DH have always loved it and DS does. However we have had our eyes opened to that fact that it is unsuitable for a 3 year old.

Some of the casual swearing gets me too. Nothing bad but certainly not something I want to hear coming from my 3 year olds mouth. Many adult themes too which are a bit OTT for 6 o clock.

Spero · 25/01/2011 10:21

When did the op say that you should be stopped from watching it??

Still think op has made perfectly reasonable point. It is on Channel 4 at 6pm, it is a cartoon, if a child finds it, they will watch it and parent could reasonably assume it will be ok.

totally agree with the 90:10 split. I don't object to my daughter seeing 'adult' issues being dealt with, like romantic married love, I agree that is quite lovely.

It is the odd bit of really uncomfortable sleeze that upsets me.

I think that is the only point op is making, so those of you on your high horses, gently now, off you get.

deepheat · 25/01/2011 10:24

Tbh, I think that the way the Simpsons approaches the subject of sex is pretty appropriate for all ages. Don't reckon that there's a problem of a kid of any age watching a programme where a mum and dad are trying to make sure their sex life is fulfilling.

BuzzLightBeer · 25/01/2011 10:26

She said the programmers shouldn't show it at 6pm. We like at 6pm, as so many other people (it wouldn't be on if it didn't get viewers). If you don't like it turn it off, and don't try and decide whats suitable for others.

As an aside, why do people comment on threads without bothering to read and/or follow the argument?

redpanda13 · 25/01/2011 10:41

Oh dear DD (4) found the Simpsons episode where they spice up their sex life hilarious. The sex bit went over her head but them running down the street in the nip amused her and me
If you don't like it don't let them watch it. I have done this with all the disney channel programmes.

togarama · 25/01/2011 11:22

My 2 year old takes our Simpsons dvds out of the bookcase and puts them on to watch herself. I do draw the line at South Park.

Spero · 25/01/2011 13:25

Buzz, so be accurate in your objections. Op suggests putting it on later, not stopping you from watching it. If you are really unable to watch it after 6pm, then record it and watch it whenever you like??

Of all the things in life I worry about for my daughter, her love of the Simpsons won't make even the Hot One Hundred BUT I do agree that putting it on at 6pm gives a false message to parents about its general suitability. It is not a nicey nicey Disney cartoon.

mollymole · 25/01/2011 13:39

both the simpsons and south park are not young childrens programmes - watch something else or turm it off
my 2 year old takes our simpsons dvds out of the bookcase and puts them on to watch them herself - you are taking the piss surely !

KalokiMallow · 25/01/2011 13:54

On the one hand I do agree that it isn't suitable for young children.

On the other, I have no objection to it being on before the watershed. There's a hell of a lot of programmes on before the watershed that aren't suitable for children (soaps especially) and I don't think adults should be denied TV until after 9pm.

How many programmes are there which are totally suitable for young children which also appeal to adults? Should they all be moved past 9pm?

pagwatch · 25/01/2011 13:57

I don't care so much about the simp sons.

I personally can't believe that csi is on at lunchtime.

bruffin · 25/01/2011 14:01

My DC's watched the Simpsons before bedtime from when they were very little (when it was on SKY qt 7. There is no bad language in it (unlike southpark) and the rude bits went straight over their heads.

They are 13 and 15 now and went to the pantomime a couple of weeks ago and they finally got some of the double entendres and couldn't believe how rude the pantomime was (Louis Spence and David Hasslehoff) so I really don't believe Simpsons did them any harm.

Spero · 25/01/2011 14:04

Kaloki - the point is the 6pm timing. I think it is fair to assume that most young children will be in bed or in process of going to bed after 7pm so less likely to be watching TV.

No need to shovel anything vaguely risque after 9pm but I think a 6pm showing is giving a clear message that it is rated 'U' where I think more sensible Simpsons rating is certainly PG if not 12 for some of the more disgusting bits.

Cleofartra · 25/01/2011 14:17

I don't give a monkeys about my 5 yr old, 7yr old and 11 yr old picking up on the sexual references in Simpsons.

In fact I relish them being given the opportunity to think on the fact that fat, bald, unglamorous people have sex with the people they love and that it enriches their lives.

I love the programme personally. Think it's one of the wittiest things on TV

Spero · 25/01/2011 14:22

Cloefatra - we are not talking about the loving marital sex of Marge and Homer!!

There is lots of really sleezy uncomfortable stuff. The post coital fag episode with Marge's sister after she had picked up a guy for a one night stand sticks in my mind. And the Vegas wife episode. There is loads.

Yes, it's great, its funny, its wonderful. But I don't think it should be on at 6pm.

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