Alcoholism & Groening

[on:]

I am wondering about the alcoholism subject is so very much present in Futurama, as it was in the Simpsons.

Remember: In about every single episode, you saw Homer getting Drunk at Moe's Tavern. And in Futurama, you all the way see Bender drinking Martinis and stuff, all the way w/o even getting drunk.

What is about that? Is it sortof the "darker side of Groening"? I mean, alcoholism is so very very very much present, and i find it a little uncomfortable that they dont show the consequences. Alcoholism is a really evil thingey that destroys so many people. I find it offensive, Groening thematizes it so bad.

Of course the shows are fun, though... i just find that strange. Is groening an secret AA or something? Anybody knows details?

the arrogant Dabljuh

[Reply #1 on:]

Alcohol isn't evil it tastes great, makes women appear more attractive and leaves you invunrable towards critisism.

[Reply #2 on:]

 

Originally posted by Dabljuh:
and i find it a little uncomfortable that they dont show the consequences

they showed what happens it Bender doesn't drink

[Reply #3 on:]

Interesting question...
If you remember in the Simpsons, Homer very regularly got drunk and nearly as often suffered concequences (crashes his car etc).
In Futurama Bender NEEDS alchohol for the chemical energy in order to power himself.(if you didn't see the third episode you'll have missed that bit of info)
It's a good point you're making because Alchoholism is very serious and shouldn't be made fun of. But I think you're one of the few people who are looking at the joke of Bender drinking in the wrong way. Matt Groening has spoken about this before and he said that the whole joke is Bender is a robot and we can't go and pull a bottle of Old Fortean Malt Liquer out of our chest and drink it can we?
There's another side to alchohol that is great though. It's great to get drunk and makes you feel good as long as you don't get addicted to it.
I doubt Matt Groening is an AA but you never know. If he was though I doubt he would have all these jokes about booze.
Try and look at it another way man and I think you'll find it funny.

[Reply #4 on:]

Word!

[Reply #5 on:]

I think there is a difference between the alcoholconsumtion on the "The Simpsons" and Futurama.

Moes Tavern on "The Simpsons" shows an everyday thing. People (mostly men) hang out in Bars and drink their afterwork beer. This might be critical and I believe that most of the people with that habbit are alcoholics, but still it's a wide spread phenomenom in our society.
Plus "The Simpsons" show the evil consequences of alcoholism - think of Barney, think of Homer when he get's real drunk or when there is no beer for him.
Of course Groening makes fun of it, but that's what a cartoon-show for adults is all about. It's not an educational programm but entertainment for a more mature audience.

On "Futurama" it's only Bender who drinks. The effect on him aren't quite clear. One the one hand he gets drunk on the other hand, if he doesn't drink at all he shows all the sympthoms of a really drunk human.
I don't see such a dominant position for alcohol on "Futurama", because it's only Bender.

Ainoth

[Reply #6 on:]

Bender is a pure symbol for alcoholism and drug abuse. I mean, real alcoholics ALSO get sorta drunk if they dont drink - but it looks not so funny as bender then.

And, by the way, almost every robot in the show is an alcoholic.

 

In Futurama Bender NEEDS alchohol for the chemical energy in order to power himself

He could also use Mineral Oil, to which he sticks during his stupid religiosity... btw this argument doesnt matter, it makes the whole thing even worse, reedy2. Means that Bender is a born alcoholic.

-----------------------------

My problem lies deeper: Homer Simpson was all the way shown as a guy who sits regularly in Moe's tavern, and gets drunk from time to time. Homer, Barney, Larry, and the other dude are definitely Alcoholics. But it shows only the alcoholism itself, no reasons or anything. well, the violent temper of the alcoholic was more or less only shown symbolic, when Homer gripped Barts throat and shouts "BART!!!".

- Homer gets drunk every day at Moe's. I mean, some episodes are just about Moe and his Tavern. He is definitely an alcoholic.

- Homer (symbolically) beats up his Son. But strangely, there isnt any violent physical interaction between marge and homer, and that often happens with alcoholics.

- Homer is fat and ugly, and has the intelligence of a hamster.

After all, the Simpsons seemed to be a TV series about a family that suffers from its Father who suffers from alcoholism.

But Futurama...? Its a little too spacey to say what it is that way, but alcoholism is even more present than it was in the Simpsons.

the arrogant Dabljuh

[Reply #7 on:]

CARTOON...REALITY...
CARTOON...REALITY...
hmmmmmm taking show to seriously maybe? lighten up! 

[Reply #8 on:]

you seem to be the only one who cares.

[Reply #9 on:]

 

Originally posted by Dabljuh:
Bender is a pure symbol for alcoholism and drug abuse. I mean, real alcoholics ALSO get sorta drunk if they dont drink - but it looks not so funny as bender then.

And, by the way, almost every robot in the show is an alcoholic.

 Bender is a born alcoholic.

You're right with almost every everything you've written. But Bender isn't a human being, he is a piece of metal. A piece of metal with a weired personality (in the sence of being funny), but still he is a peice of metal like some Lamp oder burner you use that is filled with alcohol.

After all it is still a comic show. That's what comedy is all about: making fun of things - mostly of things that aren't funny at all.

I woulnd't like to miss those jokes, even when I'm concerned when I see people (also on this board) glorifying drug abuse in their real life. It might be sad, but hey, that's life.

Ainoth

[Reply #10 on:]

Well... I was just wondering.

But I still find it a little offensive how careless the series handles alcoholics abuse. I mean smoking and Hemp is made fun of in the show, but the funny thing with the alc is barely the mere amount of liquor that is drunk... well... I just wanted to have one serious word in here.

However. I use to take absolutely everything seriously. and i use to make fun out of anything, which is a very annoying attitude as people said to me 

I just saw that stupid "Series has Landed" episode recently and started thinking about Simpsons and Futurama when i noticed fry & leela saying

Leela: I didnt know the first astronauts were so fat!
Fry: Thats not an astronaut, thats a TV comedian, and he was just using space travels as a metaphor for beating his wife

BTW Ainoth, the "Bender isnt human" argument doesnt make it better. it makes it even worse.

I just ask - Groening is a genius but he doesnt handle alcoholism as he handles other drugs, and thats a little dangerous to the kids that dont yet know that alcohol also may be bad. (no, its cool, you say)

the arrogant Dabljuh

[Reply #11 on:]

I am so sick of people blaming TV for societies problems.
Its up to the lazy parents to tell their kids about the dangers of alcohol, not Matt Groening.
Futurama is intended for adults not children and it shouldn’t be censored at all, because just about every joke on the show is going to be offensive to someone, that’s what humor is about, you can’t take it too seriously.

[Reply #12 on:]

 

I just ask - Groening is a genius but he doesnt handle alcoholism as he handles other drugs, and thats a little dangerous to the kids that dont yet know that alcohol also may be bad. (no, its cool, you say)

Yeah, and what about the blatant way they promote pre-marital sex. Horrifying.
Seriously though, the problem with you "Think of the children"-people is that kids are a LOT smarter than you give them credit for.

[Reply #13 on:]

This whole topic is stupid, I can't believe ye are dignifying this ignorant fool with a response( I know I’m doing it myself).
The next person who replies to this is gay ok.
Lets just let this topic die.


[This message has been edited by iliketowankalot (edited January 29, 2001).]

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by iliketowankalot:
.

[This message has been edited by iliketowankalot (edited January 29, 2001).]

looks like the wanker is back to making really meaningless posts again...i can't believe you had to edit your message... 

[Reply #15 on:]

i just posted that a second ago

[Reply #16 on:]

ok no more replies to this topic starting now.

[Reply #17 on:]

I hope Dabljuh never posts anything like that again. 

i can't believe iliketowankalot had to edit his message.

only idiots need to edite their messages!

[Reply #18 on:]

I said it before and I said it again, the ironing is delicious

[Reply #19 on:]

Damn  all of ye idiots, stop posting on this topic, does anyone listen to me?
I’ll have to use a little reverse physiology.
OK everyone post as many messages as you can on this topic.

[Reply #20 on:]

Now THERE'S something I can get excited about...

Until now, I kept my avatar out of this silly thread 

[Reply #21 on:]

 

OK everyone post as many messages as you can on
                                   this topic.

Well ok.  if you say so.

[Reply #22 on:]

One more bit before we send this stupid topic to hell from whence it came, plank i totally agree, once people grow older they forget how "it was" when they were younger and then just assume that kids are idiots... Sad really.  Oh and one more thing...

ITS JUST A FOUKIN TV SHOW!!! (and a damn good one  )

Get over it!

Oh yea and one more one more thing blaming TV for violence/drug abuse is just a way for lousy parents to shift their failures off themselves.

Now no more posts!!! Let this stupid topic DIE!!!

[Reply #23 on:]

No more posts? Let this topic die? Don't you have a heart?

[Reply #24 on:]

I think the reason for which Groening tries to spread awarness about alcohol is cause

a) why do u think all these people go to university...ITS FOR THE CHEAP BEER.

b) "beer: helping ugly people have sex since 1801 "

 

[Reply #25 on:]

Remember people, both shows are primarily social satire.  The only hing young kids would really "get" would be the farting and burping and such.  Just because they're cartoons people tend to automatically think they're for kids.  THese shows are for teens and adults.  And yes, they do show the consequences of being drunk.  Homer trashes his car, the elementary school, and makes a complete idiot out of himself, once so badly that Marge made him go on a church couples retreat (he looked down Maude Flander's low-cut dress, 2nd season ep, I think).  Don't forget Barney - when he's not drunk, he's the perfect gentleman.  Just remember, SATIRE.  Satire by definition doesn't take many important issues seriously, at least not openly.

[Reply #26 on:]

unfortunately, the kids see its a cartoon and also think its a kids'show. Ok, they figure it out after seeing it (and not understanding any jokes) that its not supposed for their age...

I know kids can differ very good. But even "adults" cant differ good enough blah blah blah

listen You should know yourselfes. This topic wandered my mind already a bit, and when i saw the "martini drinking contest" in here... I dunno, but this in a way showed me that the tv show might have an influence concerning the alcohol consumption.

Kids can differ. but if they see once a week a 25min long ad for liquor. I just dont know.

Groening shows pot smokers, acting moronically. he shows politicians, acting moronically. he shows policemen acting moronically - he makes fun, out of everything thats bad and thats sad in the world.

but he doesnt show people drowning their lives in alcohol. I would like if he would make fun out of it. but I dont even see that, and THATs frightening me.

the arrogant Dabljuh

p.s. iliketowankalot, why dont you want to listen to whats inside this topic? are you afraid of something?

[Reply #27 on:]

SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #28 on:]

 

Originally posted by Dabljuh:
. . . but he doesnt show people drowning their lives in alcohol. I would like if he would make fun out of it. but I dont even see that, and THATs frightening me.

the arrogant Dabljuh

You mean, like Barney?

[Reply #29 on:]

I bet the same people that are arguing that beer is evil, are the same people that don't go to ball games in case they get hit by a stray ball, or won't eat hotdogs because the sauce may cause cancer.

Blargh!

I am glad alcohol is in the world.  There's nothing better than getting together with friends, having a few drinks at the beach, and watching funny videos or talking to strange exotic women 

KIDS ARE GOING TO DRINK.

Better that they have good role models like Homer and Bender, who have fun as drunks, than going around beating the shit out of people like some other TV characters.  Think about that.

[Reply #30 on:]

Being the one who started the "Martini-Drinking-Contest"-thread on this board I would like to explain that.

The phrase "Martini-Drinking-Contest" is a quote from Bender. It originally dealt with the influence alcohol has on robots.
So I guess the title was suitable. I can asure you that Futurama has no influence on my alcohol consumption.

Also I'm not a kid. I'll have my 30th birthday on Valentines day this year.

And I prefer a humorous approach to alcohol or alcoholism to seeing ads for liquor on TV, in newspapers etc.

In my opinion it is truely the parents' job to teach their children how to deal with alcohol and drugs.

I don't like the glorification of either alcohol or other drugs, but I don't think that Futurama does any of this - unlike highly respected songs like "cocaine" by Eric Clapton, "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" by the highly respected Beatles.

Alcohol and drugs are part of our western society. Like it or not. Wine for example is a part of our christian philosophy, just take the "Last Supper" of Christ. How much more can you glorify a drug than calling it the blood of a Redeemer?

Ainoth

[Reply #31 on:]

 

Originally posted by DrOwlFS:
I bet the same people that are arguing that beer is evil, are the same people that don't go to ball games in case they get hit by a stray ball, or won't eat hotdogs because the sauce may cause cancer.

Blargh!

I am glad alcohol is in the world.  There's nothing better than getting together with friends, having a few drinks at the beach, and watching funny videos or talking to strange exotic women   

KIDS ARE GOING TO DRINK.

Better that they have good role models like Homer and Bender, who have fun as drunks, than going around beating the shit out of people like some other TV characters.  Think about that.

haha that's true...you can't change whether or not a person wants to drink... 

[Reply #32 on:]

SHUTUP SHUTUP SHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Topics like this make me very angry...
Lets sum it up and end it...

Dabljuh is an idiot with no life.
Dabljuh is the kind of person I hate, the kind that treat kids like idiots.
Dabljuh is an idiot.

I think we get it now, eh?

[Reply #33 on:]

 

Originally posted by alpha39:
SHUTUP SHUTUP SHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Topics like this make me very angry...
Lets sum it up and end it...

Dabljuh is an idiot with no life.
Dabljuh is the kind of person I hate, the kind that treat kids like idiots.
Dabljuh is an idiot.
I think we get it now, eh?

hmm...i think i sense a fight coming on...dabljuh vs. alpha39...good luck to both of ya... 

[Reply #34 on:]

My money's on Alpha and if things aren't going Alpha's way I'll toss you a beer bottle to smash Dabijuhs puny little head with.
The ironing would be delicious.

[Reply #35 on:]

Uh, if this was a challenge, I can choose the weapons. Either CS or Q3A

Nixon+Morbo=???: ok i forgot about Barney. They have an episode where Barney could become astronaut, if he hadnt drunk alcohol-free champagne at the end, so homer became the astronaut... Your right, but read on...

@Ainoth: Anyway, its so... normal in the TV shows (Futurama and The Simpsons) that people drink like bottomless holes... I always drink a few beers myself when going out, so im neither anti-alcohol nor anti-drugs. Everyday-drinking is what I dislike. And that people start thinking, that everyday-drinking would be either good or normal.
btw i guess the glorification of certain drugs is a counter-part to the "devils influence" that some parts of the society usually like to lay upon drugs. e.g. Cocaine is a very "good" (big advantages,small risks) drug, unless, like every drug, you take too much of it, over a period of time too long.
There is no problem with letting a drug influence your personality, its just a problem when 'taking the drug' is part of it.


@futurefreak

haha that's true...you can't change whether or not a person wants to drink...

Sure you can. what the hell is advertising all about? You can change what cars people buy, what food they buy, what their favorite color is...

alpha39, im a kid myself, as much as you. But not kids are idiots, humans are idiots. I bet everybody would believe that the color of the sky is beige, if there are just enough people saying that over a duration of time... what kind of problem do you have? Cant you talk seriously about a serious topic? well, neither can I.
Lick My Balls.

To make some things clear
- I DO drink alcohol
- I DO smoke
- I live in europe and still eat meat
- I dont believe in god and stuff
- I have unprotected sex
- I LIKE Futurama and The Simpsons

My only *fuckin* question is - DID, and if yes, HOW did alcoholism influence Groenings private life? I just *feel* it has, somehow. My stomach says me that. And i know, if it really had, that would be the reason why alcohol is handled differently in the show than other drugs...
In a way that does not celebrate alcoholism, but tries to hide the true alcoholic character.
Homer could not go out of bed without drinking a duff. Neither could Bender.

And it looks like, nobody knows, nobody wants to know. Is there no personal bio of groening or what?

the arrogant Dabljuh

[Reply #36 on:]

uh...GO ALPHA39!!!!!

ah crap looks like another meaningless post...

[Reply #37 on:]

 

Originally posted by Slurm:
Alcohol isn't evil it tastes great, makes women appear more attractive and leaves you invunrable towards critisism.

I Agree! You'r about one of the only normal people round here!

I'm not dissin' the girls though... I'm not!

[Reply #38 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kif:
No more posts? Let this topic die? Don't you have a heart?

Yo Jon! Thanks for (trying) to stop this pathetic argument!

[Reply #39 on:]

Damn you drunks. Nobody reads what I write. again:

Is Groening alcoholic himself? His Dad? His Mommy? Thats my question, drunkards

the arrogant Dabljuh