Contents
=> “Facts about The Simpsons”
=> “The Wisdom of Homer Simpson” - speaking and reading activity
=> What’s Happening
=> Doh!
=> In the Next Issues

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“Facts about The Simpsons”
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Useful Vocabulary
To air = to broadcast on TV
prime time = programs broadcast between 7:00 and 9:00 ip.m.–the best time slot.

The Simpsons are one of the best known families in all of America. The Simpsons show has been airing for 14 years, and that is the longest run of any comedy in U.S. history.

It is broadcast in more than 60 countries.

In June 2003, the BBC did a poll to discover who the public thought was the “Best American.” Homer Simpson was the winner with 40% of the votes, defeating the likes of Abraham Lincoln (10%), Martin Luther King (10%) and Bill Clinton (4%).

To see the results go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2985728.stm)

But these are just statistics, and as Homer Simpson himself says: “People can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of all people know that.”

There is no denying that Homer is stupid, selfish, lazy, childish, gluttonous, and
materialistic–like many of us Americans. But somehow he is totally lovable,
perhaps because he always ends up doing the right thing.

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The Wisdom of Homer Simpson - speaking and reading activity
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Before we get to Homer Simpson’s philosophies on life, ask your students to complete the unfinished sentences below. Students can be serious or funny. Give them a sufficient amount of time, because these are pretty philosophical.

1. For a boy to be a man he should/shouldn’t…
2. Never say anything unless you’re sure…
3. One little sentence that will help get you
through life is “…
4. If something’s hard to do, then…
5. It takes two [people] to…
6. If someone really likes you, but you are not interested
in that person, you should tell him/her…
7. Trying is the first step towards…
8. A good father promises his kids…
A great father promises his kids…

Now give (read, dictate) the following Homer quotes to your students. Are any of their answers similar? How are they different?

1. HOW TO BE A MAN
<>Words
TATTLE = to reveal someone else’s guilt in something. [Russian = “stuCHEET”]
MAKE FUN OF = laugh at someone else, at their expense.

Homer tells his son Bart the rules “that teach a boy to be a man. Don’t tattle. Always make fun of those different from you. Never say anything unless you’re
sure everyone feels exactly the same way as you do.”

2. HOMER’S ADVICE TO HIS SON, BART
<>Words
TO COVER FOR SOMEONE = to take over someone’s responsibilities while they are away.

“The three little sentences that will get you through life…
Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, boss! Number 3: It was like that when I got here.”

3. ON WORK
“If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing.

4. ON LYING
“It takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen.”

5. ON EFFORT
“Trying is the first step towards failure.”

6. ON LOVE
Lisa (daughter): “What do you say to a boy to let him know you’re not interested?”
Homer: “I’ve heard them all [the excuses]: I like you as a friend. I think we should see other people. I don’t speak English. I’m married to the sea. I don’t wanna kill you, but I will.

7. FATHERHOOD
Homer: “I promise you kids lots of things. That’s what makes me such a good father!”
Lisa: “Actually, KEEPING promises would make you a good father.”
Homer: “No, that would make me a great father.”

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What’s Happening
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<> KEVIN AT AMERICAN CORNER IN MOSCOW
March 5, 2004. Time: 5.p.m. Address: ul. Nikoloyamskaya 1. Library of Foreign Literature. Kevin’s Presentation “Humor: Can it Cross Borders?” features jokes (both Russian and American), funny songs, and an examination of how humor works.

<> DON’T ROB KEVIN
Kevin is in California for a couple weeks, so please do not rob his Vladivostok apartment at 11 Ulitsa, Pocetskaya, Apt. 21, Door Code: 512.

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In the Next Issue (around February 29th, 2004)
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Word Games and Board Crosswords,
and probably some womanly March 8 stuff

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Copyright 2004 Kevin McCaughey & I.M. Poosheesty
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