Weather: Hi 13°C / Lo 7°C
Where are the IRA when you need them? - Bart Simpson
Friday, 17 October 2008
enlarge
Print
Email
Doh! Have The Simpsons put their foot in it by poking fun at our enthusiasm for parades?
In a controversial episode already aired in the US, Mayor Quimby declares in the hit cartoon show that St Patrick’s Day will be “booze free”, prompting Bart to quip: “Where are the IRA when you need them?”
As soon as the St Patrick’s Day parade starts, Lisa remarks: “Oh no, the Northern Irish are also having a parade,” as a group of orange-coloured men walk down the street holding ‘Pride of Ulster’ placards.
A shocked Bart replies: “There are two kinds of Irish people? What are they fighting over — who gets to sleep in the bathtub?”
Moe then butts in with: “Actually those Prods and Cathys have hated each other for centuries,” as a brawl breaks out between the Northern and Southern characters.
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.
Also in this section
- In Pictures: Heart-throbs! Hollywood's leading men
- Paul O'Grady's dog Buster dies
90%
10%
Comments
37 Comments
Armagh Bhoy, my Father was killed by the IRA, thanks for that!!!!!!
Posted by Barry | 25.02.09, 15:22 GMT
Very very funny - Obviously nobody said to to Bart - "They haven't gone away y'know" - Gerry A mustn't be gettin his message across to his Irish diaspora that we're all one in Ireland - like hell!
Posted by Peadar | 25.02.09, 14:57 GMT
Dry your eyes Barry, Its only a cartoon.
Posted by Armagh Bhoy | 25.02.09, 14:07 GMT
I wonder if the USA would be so supportive of the Simpsons, if Bart said "where are al-Qaeda when you need them"
Posted by Barry | 25.02.09, 10:05 GMT
It seems as though The Simpson's writers do not understand the situation here at all, Pete from Ireland.
Posted by Pete | 24.11.08, 22:29 GMT
plez people i thought we had turned a corner and were starting 2 make friends of our so called enemies. we all have opinions thats what makes us different but dont let it cloud what really matters that working 2gether we can achieve so much more 4 each and every1 of us. im sorry 4 all that has lost loved ones in troubles, my stepmom lost her husband due to mistaken id and im from a mixed marriage family. But i do agree with Liam also, tradgedy should not be celebrated as a laugh although i like the Simpsons.
Posted by debbiedudes | 30.10.08, 19:03 GMT
IS THIS FELLA VERYUNHAPPY FOR REAL! GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE! ITS ONLY A BIT OF FUN
Posted by MICKY | 20.10.08, 10:00 GMT
Cor interesting points you bring up there...
Posted by Irishkiwi | 20.10.08, 05:57 GMT
Het is niet goed dat een Simpson vergelijkingen geven tussen twee groepen nog vermaak het is voor ieder het recht te laten zien waar je voor staat ,dit kan zonder geweld waar ik op tegen ben. Dat een dergelijke uitzending in de US is geweest geef blijk van de inzichten ,In de US lachen ze over al om.
Ik hoop voor vreden voor de bevolking en laat zien waar je voor staat.
God zegend Ierland en Sinn Feinen en Ierland is van Ierland
Posted by Cor, Nieuwleusen, Netherlands | 18.10.08, 11:46 GMT
Anyone got a link to the clip of this?
Posted by Somer Himpson, Springfield Road, Belfast | 18.10.08, 00:22 GMT
Personally I couldn't care what these cartoon figures do or say. I have NEVER watched them nor do I EVER intend to. Much rather watch REAL PEOPLE.
Posted by CannuckCol | 17.10.08, 23:44 GMT
Aww does anyone know where i can find it, tried looking it up on youtube but only seen a 15 second clip and would like to see the whole thing - looks good craic!! And for all those ppl takin it seriously, you need to wind your neck in and have a laugh once in a while.
Posted by (N)irish simpsons fan | 17.10.08, 23:38 GMT
Very unhappy - writing a formal complaint?? You may get someone to give you a hand with that. It's harmless satire, nothing more.
Posted by Jimmy, Belfast | 17.10.08, 21:58 GMT
Haven't seen it but sounds good! Will be good to see Orangemen in the Simpsons, this highlights Northern Ireland as a separate country as well can only be good for the Loyalist side although i am sure the Simspons makers maybe wanted to keep it mixed!
Does anyone know when it will be showed in the UK?
Posted by A.Johnston | 17.10.08, 20:27 GMT
i wonder why so called loyalists are very touchy when actor in the good old USA show republicans as the good guys?
Posted by Aussie | 17.10.08, 17:23 GMT
Brilliant stuff, just downloaded the episode and watched the start of it, very funny. If 'the hole in the wall gang' have been doing it for years it was inevitable that The Simpsons, Family Guy or South Park were going to poke fun at Northern Ireland eventually. I'm actually glad that the whole rediculousness of it has been lifted to a global stage, fair play Simpsons! They should do a range of cuddly toys for christmans, pull string Barts that shout 'where's the IRA when you need them' or action figures 'Green leprechaun VS Orange leprechaun'LOL
Posted by H. Jackson | 17.10.08, 16:25 GMT
To Veryunhappy. if you read the article above, the episode does include people who are dyed. I haven't seen the episode myself but orangemen dyed orange with Pride of Ulster placards marching on St Patrick's day sounds like a right good laugh.
By the way is there an echo where you are typing. just wondering about the Commandooooos part.
On a serious note, if you can't appreciate satire you should avoid any comedy show that references Northern Ireland. Shows like Give my Head Peace, Have I Got News For You, The Blame Game, Mock of the Week, etc.
I personally find American Actors, such as Rchard Gere and Brad Pitt, trying to portray Northern Ireland characters more offensive that anyone referencing us through satire.
Posted by P Conlon | 17.10.08, 15:50 GMT
to veryunhappy go and get a life! Your not a fan of the Simpson's anymore ah well Im sure Matt and co will be able to manage without you
Posted by simpson fan | 17.10.08, 15:40 GMT
Haven't the Hole in the Wall crowd been doing just this with Give Ma Head Peace?!
Posted by johnh | 17.10.08, 15:35 GMT
I dont think this is funny in any way. i have family which have dyed in the troubles. This is like laughing at what they done. Do you find it funny laughing at people who have dyed????? well do ya??????? How about you write about the LVF or UVF or the red armed commandooooos. Didnt think so. So stop trying to be the big people. I was a fan of the simspons until today i will be writting a formal complaint in regards to this.
Posted by Veryunhappy | 17.10.08, 15:13 GMT
37 Comments