The Simpsons and House of Leaves

[sutrix]

The French Side has a fledgling thread about The Simpsons. The English side could--nay, should--have a deeper discussion regarding the TV show, and it's abject, obvious, and not so obvious reflections in House of Leaves.

If you don't know about everyone's favorite animated family, you can check out their official website, which has a handy episode guide and a handier character guide, among other things. But if you really want to know them, watch the show.

There has been light discussion earlier talking about specific episodes, but what I think matters more is comparison to the show and the characters as a whole.

Let's start with the obvious: the House. Navy's House and Homer's House are similar in the way most two-storey apartments are, except one thing: Homer's House is surrounded by other Houses. Navy's House on Ash Tree Lane seems to stand alone. I don't recall any instances of neighbors or even a hint of a neighborhood.

Now consider the Simpsons and their corresponding Navidson counterparts: Homer is Navy, Marge is Karen, Bart is Chad, Lisa is Daisy. What about the two other members of the Simpson family?

If you'll notice, there are very few episodes where Maggie Simpson, the baby, does anything other than suck at her plastic nipple. Yet, she is ever present, mostly in Marge's arms. I may be reaching too far, but I think she is more than a bit like Delial. Ever present, yet absent. The only difference here is, Homer doesn't carry any guilt over her--or, in a manner of speaking, Homer doesn't carry her, Marge does. Karen does come to carry Navy's burden later, so perhaps this analogy isn't all that far off.

What about Grandpa Abraham Simpson? Following the above line, it would be fair to assume he is Zampano, but the difference here is too big: Homer's father is indirectly responsible for the existence of the Simpson family, just like Zampano is responsible for The Navidson Record's, and thus, the Navidson family's existence, but he does not, unlike Zampano¹, control the family in any way.

Who, then, is Johnny Truant? A highly doubtful mirror is the television--the big difference being that, again, the television has no control over the content of the episode unlike Johnny. But the television is a medium, like Johnny, and just as without him we would not have the book in our hands, without TV there would be no Simpsons.²

We become both the Editors as well as the audience--the you in This is not for you.³

The rest of the crew--Holloway, Wax, Jed, even Reston--have no obvious mirrors in The Simpsons (or at least none I could see). I could point out vague similarities. But, like The Navidson Record, their presence is of secondary importance. Sure, there is a major incident in TNR with Holloway, but really, how much of an impact does it have on future events, anyway? It gives us an idea that the House can screw minds up, but ultimately Navy goes back inside nevertheless.⁴

In the story of Jacob and Esau, Zampano speculates a bit on who is who, but here, isn't Homer both Navy and Tom? His physical characteristics, drinking habits, laziness, are similar to Tom, and yet, he is the bearer of the House, the father of the kids, and more importantly, it is his family, just like Will Navidson.⁵

Hillary and Mallory have canine and feline counterparts as well, and that's about it for character mirrors according to me.

Lastly--for my little article, at least--deus ex machina plays a prominent role in many Simpsons episodes, just like the end of The Navidson Record. All of the Simpsons escape, or get back what they lost, or solve the problem, without any casualties whatsoever. The way they get out of situations is--aside from being hilarious most of the time--terribly illogical. The only difference here is, that unlike The Simpsons, even deus ex machina cannot really restore joy and happiness to the Navidson family--something The Simpsons seem to be loaded up with in every episode.

And that may very well be the biggest difference between the two: joy and humor form the backbone of one, while the other's heart is always filled with loss, guilt and infinite sorrow.⁶
________________
¹Or Johnny Truant, if you prefer.
²Set aside for now the idea that perhaps we could then have weekly motion picture serial episodes in movie halls.
³Unless, of course, you choose to believe that the dedication is dedicated to one specific person.
⁴Holloway and co, as well as Reston, have dire importance within the text, the novel we read, of course, but within The Navidson Record--the film, they are but minor sidestories.
⁵A family which Navy abandons, of course. Let's not get into that now, either.
⁶Quite like Tom and Will, when you think about it.

[MoleculaRR]

Good idea for a thread. Of course, there's plenty to talk about regarding the "Oh Brother, Where Art There?" episode which shows up in (I think) chapter X (the only episode where Homer's long lost half-brother, Herb Powell appears).

More interesting, though, is the shifting geometry of their House itself. I once tried sketching an outline of their floorplan based on evidence from several episodes, and I couldn't get it to line up. I don't have time to explain in detail right now, but one easy example occurs in the Simpson's bedroom.

Typically, their window looks out on the front lawn, and there are several times when someone yells from that upper window at someone on the lawn. But in at least one episode, the window faces Flanders House. I can't remember the exact episode, but I saw it again recently.

I'll try to remember better or point to a show description later. Anyway, the point is that the walls definitely shift in the Simpsons, but rather than read the show as allegory to the novel, I think that The Simpsons uses satire to play with the ontology of space in the same way that HoL uses the uncanny to play with space. The point in either case is that our spaces are defined and shaped by our experience with them, rather than merely providing a backdrop for us to do what we do.

[Stencil]

This is good stuff, sutrix and MoleculaRR.


The episode "O Were Brother Art Thou?": Firstly it was (when first screened) named after a film I think was never completed (the Coen Brothers would later use the title too). Other things about the episode:

-Herb lives in a big, big House.

-He was an orphan, growing up in Care

-He was voiced by Danny DeVito, who, if the HoL film was ever made, would be the perfect bald gnome Error

-The car Homer creates (which ultimately destroys his brother) Herbert calls a "monstrosity"

[Nash]

Originally Posted by MoleculaRR

Of course, there's plenty to talk about regarding the "Oh Brother, Where Art There?" episode which shows up in (I think) chapter X (the only episode where Homer's long lost half-brother, Herb Powell appears).

Herbert Powell (with Dany DeVito as Herb) appears twice, in "Oh brother, Where Art Thou ?" (episode 15 season 2, 7F16, 02/21/1991) in which Homer discovered and ruined his half-brother and in "Brother, can you spare two dimes ?" (episode 24, season 3, 8F23, 08/27/1992).

According to the date, it may be the first one in the Navidson Record.

[Stencil]

Originally Posted by Nash

Herbert Powell (with Dany DeVito as Herb) appears twice, in "Oh brother, Where Art Thou ?" (episode 15 season 2, 7F16, 02/21/1991) in which Homer discovered and ruined his half-brother and in "Brother, can you spare two dimes ?" (episode 24, season 3, 8F23, 08/27/1992).

According to the date, it may be the first one in the Navidson Record.

That second episode has it's resonances with HoL. Firstly, there's a really great reference to 2001 involving a chair. Then, theres the whole tension between Herb and Homer as Homer gives Herb (now down and out) a home and lends him the money.

Also, as the Simpsons writers always do when they have a rich character in a mansion, they rip-off the opening scene of Citizen Kane where the first letter of the character's surname appears on the gates to the mansion. Here it is "P."

Herb creates a way for communication that should not be possible: he creates a machine that translates the babble of toddlers, the first user being Maggie.

[sutrix]

Intriguing observations.

Originally Posted by MoleculaRR

Typically, their window looks out on the front lawn, and there are several times when someone yells from that upper window at someone on the lawn. But in at least one episode, the window faces Flanders House. I can't remember the exact episode, but I saw it again recently.

Is that the episode where Homer buys a voice-message machine which can dial all the numbers in Springfield? He calls all the homes up with a message to donate a dollar. Flanders' phone keeps ringing in the night with that message and Simpson shouts out from his window telling Flanders to shut up and let him sleep.

Originally Posted by Stencil

The episode "O Were Brother Art Thou?": Firstly it was (when first screened) named after a film I think was never completed (the Coen Brothers would later use the title too).

Yes, it starred George Clooney, and was about three escaped convicts.

There's another point I forgot to mention: The titles at the beginning of the show always end up showing The Simpsons sitting in the sofa watching TV (although how they get there seems to keep changing). I always thought that they were watching The Simpsons on TV. Like Navy reading House of Leaves.

[Stencil]

Originally Posted by sutrix

The titles at the beginning of the show always end up showing The Simpsons sitting in the sofa watching TV (although how they get there seems to keep changing). I always thought that they were watching The Simpsons on TV. Like Navy reading House of Leaves.

Good point.

[modiFIed]

On the credenza in my office...



...the hero of my existence.

[John B.]

Originally Posted by Stencil

The episode "O Were Brother Art Thou?": Firstly it was (when first screened) named after a film I think was never completed (the Coen Brothers would later use the title too).

For what it's worth: "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" was the title of a movie that John Sullivan, the title character of Sullivan's Travels, wants to make and is doing research for (his research is the movie's plot). Good movie--and it's more than a little interesting to compare and contrast Preston Sturges' film to the Coen Brothers'.

In my opinion, the most obvious link between the Simpsons and House of Leaves wouuld be that both Homer and Navy's Houses are always shifting. I've listened to the commentaries on the Simpsons DVDs, and the always-changing-House is mentioned (It's just an inconsistency, don't get excited :)). In fact, it may have been poked fun at on the show.

[DanSRose]

Originally Posted by Stencil

The episode "O Were Brother Art Thou?": Firstly it was (when first screened) named after a film I think was never completed (the Coen Brothers would later use the title too).

The film is also a retelling of the Odyssey, another story about home (or trying to get back home) and the journey reconnect to family, complete with a blind man (actually 2: Homer and the old seer who gives Ulysses directions). The connections with Zampano as Homer , Navy as Ulysses, Johnny as Ulysses, has been discussed somewhere here a long time ago.

[modiFIed]

Originally Posted by John B.

For what it's worth: "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" was the title of a movie that John Sullivan, the title character of Sullivan's Travels, wants to make and is doing research for (his research is the movie's plot). Good movie--and it's more than a little interesting to compare and contrast Preston Sturges' film to the Coen Brothers'.

John B. lives! He lives!

Thanks for reminding me of that - I just knew I knew where that came from, but couldn't think of it.

Sullivan's Travels is a great film - really pulls you out of your complacency with its jarring second half.

And, of course, it has Veronica Lake.

Ahhh, Veronica. How did you fall?

[woxel1]

Originally Posted by annylei

In my opinion, the most obvious link between the Simpsons and House of Leaves wouuld be that both Homer and Navy's Houses are always shifting. I've listened to the commentaries on the Simpsons DVDs, and the always-changing-House is mentioned (It's just an inconsistency, don't get excited :)). In fact, it may have been poked fun at on the show.

Well, the simplest answer is usually the best one!

And it's never too late for a HOL Simpsons parody... TreeHouse of Horror, anyone?

[ianthebruce2]

Originally Posted by MoleculaRR

"Oh Brother, Where Art There?" episode which shows up in (I think) chapter X (the only episode where Homer's long lost half-brother, Herb Powell appears)..

Herb also appears in another episode in which he once again becomes rich by inventing a baby translator after watching Marge struggle to understand Maggie's baby talk. I know this is unrelated to HOL, but couldn't help myself.

[ianthebruce2]

Oh, nash already caught it. Sorry.

[MoleculaRR]

Thought of another connection. This is anachronistic, of course, but episode #EABF21 / SI-1418 (originally aired in 2003) features Homer's mother contacting him by leaving clues in newspapers. He finds her messages by reading the first letter of each line of text in an article about something that would necessarily draw his attention. If I recall, it had something to do with a giant taco.

[sutrix]

Yes. If memory serves me, the way Homer deciphers (or "sees") those messages parodies the way John Nash sees supposed hidden code in A Beautiful Mind.

[sutrix]

We had a Simpsons Halloween marathon today, where they played almost every halloween special all day long.

In Halloween Special IV, there's a part called Terror at 5^1/2 Feet!

In it, Bart dreams of dying in his schoolbus, and then, while riding the schoolbus, sees a gremling ripping the bus, tires, etc. The two aliens which appear in almost every halloween special watch the bus and comment, "Frightened of a creature that does not exist."

[poco loco]

That is a remake of an original twilight zone where a gremlin is attcking a plane while in flight...the original is so old it is in black and white

[Stencil]

Originally Posted by poco loco

That is a remake of an original twilight zone where a gremlin is attcking a plane while in flight...the original is so old it is in black and white

It stars William Shanter, so I've heard . .

Anyway, this may be nothing, but Marge more often than not calls her husband "Homie".

[katatonic]

Originally Posted by Stencil

It stars William Shanter, so I've heard . .

John Lithgow, actually. And it's quite creepy - I recommend seeing it.

[marsjams13]

i just noticed that no one has mentioned a very obvious connection - Homer is always strangling Bart

[Stencil]

Originally Posted by katatonic

John Lithgow, actually. And it's quite creepy - I recommend seeing it.

You're thinking of the 1980's remake. I was thinking of the one from the early 60's.

[sutrix]

Originally Posted by marsjams13

i just noticed that no one has mentioned a very obvious connection - Homer is always strangling Bart

What's the connection?

[fearful_syzygy]

Yeah, I don't remember Homer ever having ridiculous purple fingernails. But perhaps I've just missed that episode.

[marsjams13]

P strangling JT


i didn't say it was a particularly meaningful connection, but it was obvious, at least in my head.

[sutrix]

Originally Posted by fearful_syzygy

Yeah, I don't remember Homer ever having ridiculous purple fingernails. But perhaps I've just missed that episode.

I conveniently forgot about Pelafina when I made this thread. Honest.

[marsjams13]

Originally Posted by fearful_syzygy

Yeah, I don't remember Homer ever having ridiculous purple fingernails.

details, schmetails.

[katatonic]

Originally Posted by Stencil

You're thinking of the 1980's remake. I was thinking of the one from the early 60's.

Really? That was 80's? He looked so much younger than in Harry and the Hendersons.
Well, sorry.

[dd]

Originally Posted by Stencil

-The car Homer creates (which ultimately destroys his brother) Herbert calls a "monstrosity"

Yes, and the toady guy in the car company wants to call it the "Persephone" after a young lady who was wedded against her will to the God of the underworld, but her mother wasn't happy and they made an arrangement that they'd do a time share and stay in the underworld for half a year each.

Only the boss of the company didn't like the idea of calling the car after "some Greek broad" and wanted an exciting animal name instead, something more dangerous, more like a monster.

Er, Karen as double/alter ego of the monster anyone? With possibly Pelfina thrown in there somewhere? I'd work it out myself, only I've just drank half a bottle of wine. Gimme til tomorrow.