'The Simpsons': America's First Family (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Release Date:

23 June 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | Short

Plot Keywords:

The Simpsons | TV Special | Character Name In Title

Cast

Hank Azaria	...	Himself
James L. Brooks	...	Himself
Nancy Cartwright	...	Herself
Dan Castellaneta	...	Himself
Alf Clausen	...	Himself
Mel Gibson	...	Himself
Matt Groening	...	Himself
Al Jean	...	Himself
Tom Jones	...	Himself
Julie Kavner	...	Herself
Steven Dean Moore	...	Himself
Mike Scully	...	Himself
Yeardley Smith	...	Herself
Dan Snierson	...	Himself
Charles Solomon	...	Himself
Joe Wack	...	Himself
Lance Wilder	...	Himself

Runtime:

50 min | 5 min (DVD version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Certification:

UK:U

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Features "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987)

Workmanlike, unanalytical history of genius show.

This belated tenth anniversary BBC tribute to the third greatest show of all time (the first episode aired Christmas 1989) is pretty much what you'd expect - interviews with the creator, producers, voice actors, celebrity guests, animators, composer etc., interspersed with illustrative clips and a narrative history that tows the conventional line. The conservative heart of this supposedly 'dysfunctional' and 'radical' show is mercifully admitted - it's as hard to take satire seriously from murdoch-employed millionaires as it to root for Thomas Crown; and the reason the film has 'adult' levels is so children can be surveilled (who wants subversion their parents enjoy?).

The programme does pinpoint the reason for the show's success - a depth of character which does not inhibit disruption when the need arises; an expressive freedom that allows expressionistic, dream, fantasy sequences run riot; a crucial mix of comic registers. Dan Castellenata is deadpan hilarious in interview, sweetly displaying the range of his genius. Not enough Monty, though. Hopefully too much evisceration won't spoil the magic of the whole.