Doh!
Posted by Ben on March 23rd, 2004
Coming to you from Wired’s Furthermore… section:
Rutgers University has turned its attention to a new area of health concern: The Simpsons. A team of researchers analyzed 63 episodes of the hit cartoon show for health-related messages and was alarmed by the study’s findings. “Fats, sweets and alcohol, particularly beer, doughnuts and salty/fatty snacks, accounted for 52 percent of all foods eaten in this program,” said their report. The study indicated that 40 percent of The Simpsons’ health messages run counter to those promoted by health professionals. Fans argue the satirical show portrays the doughnut-devouring characters as balding, drunken losers, but lead researcher Carol Byrd-Bredbenner is not amused. “We should be able to weave some good health messages into The Simpsons … Perhaps we could have more pasta and less doughnuts.”
Your tuition dollars at work, kids. The day Homer Simpson eats a bowl of pasta willingly is the day the show jumps the shark.
Mmm…donuts…