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Subscribe to RSSTEHRAN -- The Simpsons are corroding the morals of Iranian youth, an official said on Monday, as dolls based on Bart, Homer and the rest of the American cartoon family joined the shapely Barbie among Western toys targeted by a new crackdown in Tehran.
"The Simpsons dolls are merchandise from an animated series, of which some episodes are even banned in Europe and America," Mohammad Hossein Farjoo, whose agency oversees what Iranian children can play with, told the Sharq newspaper. He did not elaborate on what episodes might have been censored elsewhere.
"We do not want to promote this cartoon by importing the toys," added Farjoo, whose full title is Secretary for Policy-making at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults in Tehran.
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Though Iran's economy is laboring under Western sanctions against its nuclear program, foreign goods, including genuine and counterfeit toys like Barbie and the Simpsons, are widely sold. Merchants say new efforts to implement bans that have been in place before mean the merchandise is getting harder to obtain from wholesalers and shops prefer not to display the wares.
Obama: Diplomacy 'preferred solution' with Iran
The Islamic Republic's morality police, fighting "Western intoxication" as the dispute over nuclear technology has raised fears of war, last month went on a drive against Barbie.
The American doll's full figure and revealing wardrobe particularly offend Iran's leaders, who decree that women must be fully swathed in loose-fitting clothes in public. "Imports of all kinds of dolls that display full adult figures are banned because they promote Western culture," Farjoo said.
It was not clear in what regard the irreverent Simpsons family had offended Iranian regulations - most versions of the cartoon dolls are hardly anatomically accurate.
NBC's Richard Engel and Ali Arouzi report on the escalating tension between the two nations.
However, while Farjoo said that all-American super-heroes like Superman and Spiderman were still welcome in Iran - because they do battle for the oppressed - the values of the Simpsons, a famously self-centered and irreligious bunch, were not.
Their popularity in Iran is hard to gauge; those with access to foreign satellite channels are familiar with the Fox Television cartoon. But it is not shown in Iran, relieving local networks of finding a translation for Bart Simpson's singular response to tiresome instructions of all kinds: "Eat my shorts!"
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Leave a Comment:
Iran is missing out on great culture since the disolve of our Republic.
English, she is not your language first, no?
I am a proud supporter of the Simpsons. Love that show! My son who is 14 loves the show and has learned a lot of life lessons from it both about life in general and politically. Repression doesn't work. It's all these repressed yahoos causing all the trouble after all.
Ban the Simpson's............time for a fight!
Imperial Supporter,
If English is not your native language, I should hope I could write yours as well as you write mine. Good job!
Well I guess the Simpsons now have another 3 years worth of material. How about South park? lol
Looks like the Iranians have better taste than I thought! :)
D'oh!
"The Morality Police"???!!!????.......Please get the shaw back!!!!! Kohmeni was such a depressing GROUCH it is Legend that when a Fresh Glass of Milk Was put on the table in front of him, The Milk Went Sour Within 2 minutes. "The Morality Police"??!!!???!!!! At LEAST The Simpsons are the Dysfunctional DORK Family......What do you cal "The Morality Police"????!!!!!???? Somebody??!! Please Help!!!!!!!!!!! The World! It is Out of Control!!!! Islamic Fundamentalists Geeks need to go back to their infancy and get Nipple fed by their moms.....
PhantomBeast,
'Shah'
Mmmmmm nuclear doughnut blast mark!
I can almost hear Homer now...
D'oh, stupid Iranian dictator!
homer HAS to go work at the Iranian Nuclear Plant, and in the process screw up the bomb being made. Thats worth a 2 parter at least
Well, in fairness to Iran, if it's acceptable in your society for govt to regulate questionable material, then the Simpsons would be fair game. Let's face it, it promotes disrespect and boorish behavior as cool, probably not something a country like Iran wants to encourage.
Clearly such regulation isn't acceptable in America, but we shouldn't judge every country by our standards. Perhaps Iranian parents are happy to have their govt do this sort of thing. It's not for us to tell them they're wrong.
It is irrelevant whether you think the Simpsons is good or not. The point is we have the freedom in North America to watch what we want and buy what we want. If you don't like it, change the channel. Or.... you don't even have to own a television if you think it's all bad.
What interests me is...... a country that reveres a child molester (Mohammed) says "The Simpsons' is immoral?
This calls for a new Simpsons movie! How they were vacationing in Turkey and got lost in the mountains entering Iran... Homer eventually becomes The Ayatollah of Rockendrollah and Bart earns the rights for his underground dolls to go legit, by chanting billion times: Allahu Akbar, I didn't do it!
I hope they're keeping Futurama on at least.
Or South Park--that would do too.
Pay no attention to the phony 'supreme' poobah behind the screen. Bart Simpson rigged the last Iranian presidential election!
Barbie, Battlefield 3, and now The Simpsons.
Whatever will these companies do without profits from Iran????
I've heard Bender is a national hero in underground Iran - he is my hero as well!
I love hearing these stories about Iran. Mostly so that I can see the words "morality police" used without irony.
I love America.
TO MAGA: Thank You, You ARE CORRECT...Shah
Let us rephrase this "The Simpsons are corroding the morals of Iranian youth" to The Simpsons are making the Iranian youth more accepting of America" perhaps? The idea of this kind of Islamic Rule is to keep people as sheltered as possible from other life styles (nor sure if that is the best way to phrase it.)
It's blasphemous for a muslim person to want their country to be like America. According to their holey book, THEIR way is supposed to dominate. The only way they should want to be like America is if America was also under the repressing law that is sharia.
What a bunch of fools and windbags. I am glad I live in the U.S. since we do not have these kinds of idiots well apart from Gingrich, Bachmann, Perry, Santorum and the Christian right Taliban.
you forgot obama and reid
Those two adopted the wrong county, they would look better with a towel wrapped around their heads.
......The Simpsons is still on the air?
i'm sure that rock was hard to get out from under. but you did it!
Moheeheeko
They are alive and well. About to show their 500th (I think it's 500) episode featuring Julian Assange for some strange reason...
Simpson's should be banned everywhere including here in the U.S. All adult cartoons should be banned. They are crude and I wouldn't watch them ever and would never allow children to watch them. Really wish we could go back to the days when TV was wholesome for anybody to watch.
You mean like when Wile E Coyote keeps falling off a cliff and goes boom? ;)
"wholesome" Like back when every cartoon on TV had what people consider today as "horribly racist" characters? You know that dvd boxsets of "Looney Tunes" have the "may noty be suitable for children" stickers on them right?
You sounds like a GNOP morality cop to me! If you don't like it , don't watch it. Personally I don't care for The Simpsons, but I don't want to ban it!!
And wouldn't it be lovely if the world behaved like a Disney cartoon with dancing teapots and cute singing birds that drape a shawl over your shoulders? In contrast to the rest of the television propaganda "adult cartoons" like the Simpsons offer an insight to everything that is right and wrong with our culture. Time to wake up Dee Doo.
m-612920 must be a liberal, trying to ban anything you don't agree with? How about the constitution, are you going to ignore it too, like your beloved leader Obummer?
m-612920: You do realize that you can control your own tv right? If something offends you, you have the power to change the channel or turn it off.
You do not get any say in what I choose to watch on my tv.
Prohibition: I am a liberal. I do not want to ban things I do not agree with.
If people want to watch the Simpsons they have that right. Myself I think it is garbage. When my children were little I didnt allow it on. Its a choice that should be available. People have a right to live the way they want to live.
Crock of crap you iranian wannaabe. Who made you morality of taste police?
You can still turn to whatever channel your church deems appropriate.
Sounds more like a conservative GOP-taliban to me.
thinking like yours should be banned here in America...
You are assuming that she is not receiving television signals directly into her brain; force feeding comedy to the public to distract from the Government's shortcomings is a classic tactic. Apparently, you do not subscribe to Schizo Monthly, the magazine that explains this all in depth. The editor strongly encourages you to NOT take your meds, and finds that thicker tin foil works better.
Religious totalitarians of all stripes hate The Simpsons. Why? Because religious literalists are incapable of discerning irony and subtlety. Christian Fundamentalists and Islamic extremists are united in their opposition to anything that helps people question authority. Imagine a world where these people rule. How sterile and dead it would be! Laughter itself would be regarded as sacrilege (and sacrilege would be a capital crime). Throughout most of human history, religious tyranny sucked the joy out of life. How fortunate we are to live in these times. There is still a sliver of freedom left. Treasure it!
Cowabunga, dude! Eat my shorts!
I'm so with you m-612920!!!!! Hate, hate, hate the Simpson's. It has nothing to do with politics or Christianity...it's just a world-class stupid show.
In a related story, Iran has lowered the price of it's Jihad doll, pull the string and it's tells you to run...
They banned the Simpsons?!! Okay, that's it.. Nuke 'em!!
"The Simpsons dolls are merchandise from an animated series, of which some episodes are even banned in Europe and America," Mohammad Hossein Farjoo, whose agency oversees what Iranian children can play with, told the Sharq newspaper.
-----
According to the Iranians...America has banned some Simpsons episodes. WTF? When did this happen? Or, the Iranians are full of it. I don't recall any banned Simpsons episodes in America.
CptJal - The only example of a banned episode I can think of is the one where they go to NYC to pay Homer's parking fines. Many stations don't show the episode because of how prominently the two towers play into the episode. Otherwise I have no idea what he's talking about.
As far as I know there haven't been any banned Simpsons episodes. There was a South Park episode that Comedy Central blocked out the image of Mohammed which was the wrong thing to do and a whole other issue entirely.
I think you're right, falconer. Iran is as full of crap about this as they are about most things.
I'm sorry that you can't help but pop a public boner over the mere sight of any female skin. Perhaps if you had more experience with such matters it wouldn't be a problem!
It's a bizarre fear of arousal that causes all that cover-ups. They covered the "loins", and the men turn their attention to her breasts. They cover the woman's breasts, and the men turn their attention to her hair. They cover the woman's hair, and the men turn their attention to her face. They cover the woman's face, and the men turn their attention to the camels and sheep.
Here in the free lands, we practice a bit more self-control.
So Papa Smurf says he doesn't like The Simpsons! Let them live as the 99 smurfs and the one virgin Smurfette.
D'oH!
Count your blessings to be a free American!!
Hey the Iranians should be lucky that "All in the Family" is off the air...."hey meat head...get a life"
Moheeheeko, have you been in a cave for the last 20 yrs? Its on TV more now than ever. . . .and probably still the best written comedy on tv.
Thank you, come again
Apu
Harry, spoken like a true liberal. I love the name calling. Never a good discussion, just sound bites and name calling. May you someday live in the world you want to create.
Look, it said 'liberal' it's trying to form a coherent thought. How cute.
Look! It spelled coherent correctly. How cute!
DOH!!!
My children are both around 10 years of age and have never watched the simpsons or family guy (even worse).
I agree with Iran! Save your children, it's not worth it to watch those shows, it is all poison for the soul.
This coming from someone who who doesn't know the exact age of his/her own children.
At least here, if you don 't want to watch something, you can change the channel. Or someone can help you with that.
then move to Iran. simple as that.
ps- you know your kids are watching it when you're not around...
If you don't like it, don't watch it, but don't dare to dicate to me what I can and can't watch or what I let my children watch.
As a parent it is YOUR job to monitor what your kids watch. However, the rest of the world is not made up with just children and some young and grown adults enjoy the Simpson's humor. Please come down from your soap box.
Maybe Leave it to Beaver is more your style. "Ward honey, I think you were too hard on the Beaver last night" is that better?
@ Time for Peace: Its great if you're from Mars, but not if you're from Venus, If you want to drive a car then you better have a penis..... Mrs. Francine Smith
I like the Beaver show, especially when Eddie Haskell shows up. If she wants a more modern one without sex, try Robot Chicken--ooops, there's the robot and the washing machine going at it--never mind. Stoopid Monkey.
I think it's wrong to deny your kids laughs for fear they'll become like the Simpsons. But if you're such a fan of Iran, why don't you study up on them more? Maybe take a long extended vacation? Just don't get picked up for being a spy from the USA. You'll quickly realize how backwards Iran is, and wonder why you ever agreed with them on anything. Go on, I dare you!
"موْسيْقىْ" . . . . means "DOH"
Yeah, more repression... let us know how that works out for ya. You tell a kid he can't have something, that just makes him want it all the more!
Explains why they are always so grumpy....
They are partially true. I am sure everyone here has noticed the decline of morals in this country, especially the bad attitude of kids in school. They talk back, they are combative etc. etc. Hmmm, they actions resemble the Kids on The Simpsons. You have to wonder, "Where did this come from? "
It is all going to end up as this country is. Just a memory. Too bad, this was such a place in its day. We had world -wide respect and now with Obama we have become a laughing stock.
Where did this come from?
PARENTS
Umm, the Simpsons have always had a strong family message. They aren't perfect, but they love each other and always eventually do the right thing. Now with Family Guy you may have a point, but I don't consider that a show appropriate for children anyway.
Decline of western civilazation?? Yup, Obama Did that. Cheeessse Louiseeee
Just think, only 37 months ago children respected their parents and did everything they were told with a smile. My, Obama has certainly been busy destroying the American family.
That's been the complaint of the older generation against the "young whippersnappers" for thousands of years, there were similar complaints written in the time of ancient Rome and Greece. It isn't really "a decline of morals", it's the fact that some people forget how rowdy they were when they were young, and think today's kids are somehow worse, viewed through older and more responsible eyes.
We lost a lot of "world wide respect" from the diplomatic blunders of the Bush Jr. administration, his bombast and blunders made his administration a laughing-stock around the world. Obama, on the other hand, is a skilled diplomat that has restored much of the honor and prestige that was lost during the Bush Jr. years.
But yes, there are some who've become a laughing-stock during the Obama administration - the Teapublicans and their hysterical over-reaction to the horror having an articulate smart black man as President. Their sorry lot of Presidential contenders just adds to the amusement.
boogyman2 - You mean with BUSH gone, Obama has repaired our image on the national stage right? I mean, Obama hasn't invaded another country under the pretense of WMD that never existed right?
Oh and since you are so convinced that the US is in moral decline, perhaps you can A) Actually try to make a difference, or B) Move to North Korea. I am sure with your ideals, you would be a welcomed citizen
The morals here were never all that great, sorry to tell you. The time you pine for is when women didn't have equal rights and blacks didn't have equal rights. A man had the right to rape his wife and you think the morals are declining?!
Whenever people make these silly comments, I always wonder exactly WHAT time in American history they pine for, and if they've conveniently forgotten how it was immoral back then too.
You cannot blame Simpsons for that and have me take you seriously.
Wait just a minute. Lisa is not irreligious; she became Buddhist and meditated with Richard Gere!
The Simpsons features church in its episodes more than any other show on television. They are hardly irreligious. Homer starts his own religion, Bart loses his soul, Lisa becomes Buddhist, Rev Lovejoy even had his own episode... I love when people talk out their a**...
Doyourhomework: Not entirely true. Two words: Morel Orel. The forgotten 25th commandment: Thou shalt not love people when they talke out their a*** Love, Mr. Clay Puppington. ;D
The way to in-slave a society is to ban all outside knowledge and culture. Sad because there are a whole lot of people in Iran that are peaceful people that want to to be free from a Dictator. It must be terrifying living in and country waking up every day knowing something bad might happen to you or your family if you dare to speak against the powers that be. Hey we ourselves look like we are headed in that direction down the road.
Technically, Iran is a Republic, with their legislator and President selected by the vote of the people. But it is a defective "puppet Republic", because it has an un-elected council of Ayatollahs that has veto power over all legislation and selects who is allowed to run for office. The people know that, and they've been trying to overthrow the system and get a true representative Democratic Republic in its place, so far their efforts have been unsuccessful.
Mountainbike: You are correct about not all citizens in the Middle Eastern regions being radical extremeists from Al-Queida. I don't think this country will ever get to the point where murdering women will be classifed as an honor killing and thereby not subject to prosecution. That's a frightening thought. Makes me want to hide out in Costa Rica.
Cartoon and reality, I would say someone needs to learn to tell the difference. Iranian leaders are notrious for going through life like they've got a big stick up their collective butts!