Watching with The Simpsons Television, Parody, and Intertextuality [Paperback]

Using our favourite Springfield family as a case study, Watching with The Simpsonsexamines the textual and social role of parody in offering critical commentary on other television programs and genres.

Jonathan Gray brings together textual theory, discussions of television and the public sphere, and ideas of parody and comedy. Including primary audience research, it focuses on how The Simpsonshas been able to talk back to three of televisions key genres - the sitcom, adverts and the news - and on how it holds the potential to short-circuit these genres meanings, power, and effects by provoking reinterpretations and offering more media literate recontextualizations.

Examining television and media studies theory, the text of The Simpsons, and the shows audience, Gray attempts to fully situate the shows parody and humour within the lived realities of its audiences. In doing so, he further explores the possibilities for popular entertainment television to discuss issues of political and social importance.

A must read for any student of media studies.

Part 1: Reading Through Intertextuality  1. Intertextuality and the Study of Texts  Part 2: Watching with the Simpsons  2. Domesticom Parody, Genre, and Critical Intertextuality  3. Ad Parody and The Logic of Television  4. News Parody and the Public Sphere Part 3: Talking with the Simpsons  5. Parody and/as Interpretive Community  6 The Simpsons Attitude  Conclusion 

Jonathan Gray is Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University. His research and publications examine television and film textuality, audiencl£+