Homer's Triple Bypass - S4-E11
Question: Bart and Lisa say they don't feel highs and lows because their generation watches MTV. Can someone explain more?
A nameless member
19th Oct 2023
The Simpsons (1989)
Answer: They probably mean that MTV has little to do with real life, and viewers became numbed and emotionally detached from reality by watching the contrived idealized images almost non-stop. It prevents them developing empathetic feelings toward others in their lives.
This episode aired Dec 1992, and given that it took 6-9 months to produce an episode, the writing took place early or mid 1992. MTV's first reality show, "The Real World", didn't air until May 1992. "Road Rules", MTV's 2nd reality TV show didn't air until 1995.
But that's all equally applicable to watching endless music videos, shortening attention spans. The fear is/was that constant "input" like that would slightly numb people to the real world, with exciting music/images being the only thing that generates an emotional response, in comparison to the more "boring" real world.
19th Nov 2003
The Simpsons (1989)
Tree House of Horror II: A Simpsons Halloween - S3-E7
Corrected entry: How can Moe not realize he got a prank call that's really long, and isn't even asking for a name? (00:11:35)
Correction: He does know that it's a prank call and that Bart is the one calling. He goes along with it because he doesn't want to make Bart mad.
I'm pretty sure that this is just an internet theory.
No, in this episode Bart has supernatural powers and the whole town lives in fear of him. He's making people do what he wants because he can.
Answer: I think Lisa and Bart are actually referring to Generation X and early Millennials. People of these ages are also known as "the MTV Generation." They dealt with the political, social, and economic issues that were happening in the '80s and '90s. Many were also "latchkey kids" who had to be independent from an early age. They are known for being apathetic or even cynical, after growing up the way they did.