Simpsons\', Is the Animated Story of America\'s

¶ … Simpsons', is the animated story of America's most dysfunctional family 'The Simpsons' started life as a five-minute slot on 'The Tracey Ullman Show'. Although it wasn't quite the polished show it is today, the basics where there: a dysfunctional family, living in a place called Springfield, populated by other average Americans, supported by the local nuclear power plant and located somewhere in America. The mix of believable characters, tight, witty scripts and a low schmaltz-factor immediately charmed the audience.

In the episode "JAWS WIRED SHUT," Homer finds himself running from a group of incensed movie ushers brandishing sections of an oversized Kit-Kat bar. The chase ends in the park where Homer's forward momentum is severely changed by a bronzed fist emanating from a statue of Frederick Tatum. The result is a broken jaw, which Dr. Hibbert is more than happy to wire together. The failure to speak clearly or eat solid food might break a lesser man, but after some initial frustration, Homer hits his wired shut stride. Using a chalkboard to communicate, he gains a newborn respect from his family for his thoughtfulness and understanding. Even when the wires come off, he is able to maintain a more peaceful behavior. Unfortunately, Marge, who had delighted in her husband's fresh outlook, now is becoming anxious by the suddenly relaxed nature of her formerly chaotic household. Seeking an outlet for her pent up energies, she perhaps overcompensates and drives smack dab into the middle of a demolition derby. Homer arrives as she is being battered from every angle, but cannot quite trigger his outrageous stunt mechanism. His first beer since the accident not consumed with via a straw does the trick. Homer saves the day.

After his painful mishap, Homer initially rebels against his temporary oral closure, filling the time by snorting steaks and siphoning beer. Homer basic thought patterns have not really changed, but the idiotic outbursts are concealed, thus cooling his jets and presenting a newly perceived image to his family. His asking about her day warms Marge, but for Homer the best part of the "conversation" is learning that Marge shares some his negative feelings toward Ned Flanders. He takes time to comfort an upset Lisa, but "Maybe a hug will cork her cry hole" is not exactly an all-time champion of empathetic posturing. Homer commiserates with his son over the latter's sudden identity crisis Eventually, it's clear that Homer has comfortably ensconced himself into his new approach as he contently sits cross-legged in front of his father while the old coot blathers through a series of incoherent ramblings

Homer Simpson is a great dad to his three children. As youngsters grow up in a world where image is everything, Homer is an antidote to the superficial. He is not bothered what he looks like or what people think about him - he simply cares about his family and trying to do the right thing. That is what he does best and what he is doing in this episode helping out his family, specially his children in the best way he thinks is right. Many parents today will appreciate just what that pressure is like. He is able to give Bart what all children want more than anything - time and attention. He also impresses upon his child that there is more to life than material goods.

To his kids - Bart, Lisa and Maggie - and to children everywhere, Homer shows the right thing to do is to act from your heart. Politicians, moral campaigners and pundits have often described the Simpson family as dysfunctional. This seems to be based on Bart's rebelliousness and Homer's love of beer and TV. However, the fact that the Simpson family is not perfect is what makes them so influential for our children.