DIPLOMARBEIT Titel der Diplomarbeit “The Simpsons” and Intertextuality – How a cartoon initiated a second boom in Prime Time Animation Verfasserin Claudia Czernecki angestrebter akademischer Grad Magistra der Philosophie (Mag.phil.) Wien, 20. Dezember 2012 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 343 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: Diplomstudium Anglistik und Amerikanistik Betreuer: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Stefan L. Brandt E-mail adresse:
[email protected] Table of Contents Introduction: The Simpsons - Entertainment across generations? .......................................... 1 1. The Simpsons’ production background - A fresh breeze in a stale media landscape .... 4 1.1. The Simpsons’ potential as an animated series ...................................................................... 9 1.2. The Simpsons emerges as a sophisticated and reflective show ........................................... 16 2. Postmodernism – How The Simpsons represents a cultural movement ....................... 24 2.1. The Simpsons rejects metanarratives ................................................................................... 26 2.2. The Simpsons represents a fragmented and plural society .................................................. 33 2.3. Why is The Simpsons hyperreal? ......................................................................................... 36 2.3.1 Homer the passive television viewer .................................................................................................. 38 2.3.2 Cartoon within a cartoon ..................................................................................................................