Bart Simpson
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Pp Template:Use American English Template:Featured article Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox character
Bartholomew Jo-Jo "Bart" Simpson is a character in the American animated television series The Simpsons who is part of the titular family. Bart made his television debut in the short "Good Night" on The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening created and designed Bart while waiting in the lobby of James L. Brooks's office. Initially called to pitch a series of shorts based on his comic strip Life in Hell, Groening developed a new set of characters. Unlike the other Simpson family members, who were named after Groening's relatives, Bart's name is an anagram of brat. After two years on The Tracey Ullman Show, the Simpson family received their own series, which premiered on Fox on December 17, 1989. Bart has appeared in every episode of The Simpsons except "Four Great Women and a Manicure".
Always ten years old, Bart is the eldest child and only son of Homer and Marge Simpson and the brother of Lisa and Maggie. Known for his mischievousness, rebelliousness and disrespect for authority, Bart's most iconic traits include his chalkboard gags in the opening sequence, prank calls to Moe's Tavern, and catchphrases like "Eat my shorts", "¡Ay, caramba!", "Don't have a cow, man!", and "I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?". Bart has also appeared in The SimpsonsTemplate:'-related media, including video games, the 2007 film version of the series, The Simpsons Ride, commercials, comic books, and an extensive line of merchandise. Nancy Cartwright, Bart's voice actor, intended to audition for the role of Lisa, and Yeardley Smith auditioned for Bart. Smith's voice was deemed too high-pitched for a boy, while Cartwright found Lisa less appealing as a character and opted to try out for Bart—a role she felt better suited her.
Bart was the show's protagonist during its first two seasons, giving rise to "Bartmania", which spawned Bart-themed merchandise touting his rebellious persona and pride in underachieving. Those traits were criticized by parents and educators, who viewed him as a negative influence on children. By the third season, Homer became the show's figurehead character and the series shifted its focus to the family as a whole, although Bart remains a breakout character. He is considered one of the most iconic fictional television characters of the 1990s, and has been described as an American cultural icon; several critics have included him on their lists of the greatest fictional characters of all time.
Time named him one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century, and Entertainment Weekly named him Entertainer of the Year in 1990. Cartwright has received accolades for her portrayal of Bart, including a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992 and an Annie Award in 1995. In 2000, Bart and the rest of the Simpson family were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Role in The SimpsonsEdit
The Simpsons employs a floating timeline, in which characters either do not age or age minimally; the show is always presumed to take place in the present year.Template:Sfn<ref name="v778">Template:Cite journal</ref> Always ten years old,<ref name="r412">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bartholomew,Template:Sfn best known by his short-form name Bart, is the eldest child and only son of Homer and Marge Simpson;Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn he has two younger sisters, Lisa and Maggie.Template:Sfn In several episodes of The Simpsons, events have been tied to specific times, though these timelines are sometimes contradicted in later episodes. In "I Married Marge" (season three, 1991), Bart's birth is placed in the early 1980s.<ref name=IMarriedMarge>Template:Cite episode</ref> In "Simpsorama" (season 26, 2014), Bart states his birthday as February 23,<ref name=ISimpsorama>Template:Cite episode "February 23rd." "Ha! February has no 23rd!" "Yes it does!"</ref> while The Bart Book by series creator Matt Groening lists it as April 1.Template:Sfn In "Bart's Birthday" (season 36, 2024), Bart, in a hypothetical series finale, celebrates his eleventh birthday, much to his dismay, as he has always identified as being ten years old.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
Bart lived with his parents in Springfield's Lower East Side before the family purchased their first home.<ref name=LisasFirstWord>Template:Cite episode</ref> When Lisa was born, Bart initially felt jealous of the attention she received but soon warmed to her when her first word turned out to be "Bart".<ref name=LisasFirstWord/> Bart's first day of school occurred in the early 1990s. Initially excited, his enthusiasm was quickly crushed by an indifferent teacher, prompting Marge to worry about him. During recess, Bart befriended Milhouse and began entertaining classmates with gestures and rude jokes. Principal Skinner warned Bart, "You've just started school, and the path you choose now may be the one you follow for the rest of your life! Now, what do you say?" Bart replied, "Eat my shorts".<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> However, the episode "That 90's Show" (season 19, 2008) contradicted much of this timeline, revealing that Homer and Marge were childless during the early 1990s.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
Bart's hobbies include skateboarding,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> watching television—particularly The Krusty the Clown Show and its segment The Itchy & Scratchy ShowTemplate:Sfn—reading comic books, especially Radioactive Man,Template:Sfn playing video games,<ref name="u296">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and causing general mischief.<ref name="r263">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His favorite movies are Jaws and the Star Wars trilogy, while his favorite board games include Hippo in the House, The Game of Lent, and Citizenship.Template:Sfn Throughout the series, Bart has been a student at Springfield Elementary School, where he is part of Edna Krabappel's fourth-grade class.<ref name="k910">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="d697">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although too young for full-time work, Bart has taken on several part-time jobs over the years. He works as a bartender at Fat Tony's social club in "Bart the Murderer" (season three, 1991);<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> as Krusty the Clown's assistant in "Bart Gets Famous" (season five, 1994);<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> as a doorman in Springfield's burlesque house, the Maison Derrière, in "Bart After Dark" (season eight, 1996);<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> and briefly owns his own factory in "Homer's Enemy" (season eight, 1997).<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
CharacterEdit
CreationEdit
Matt Groening conceived Bart and the rest of the Simpson family in 1987 while waiting in the lobby of producer James L. Brooks's office.<ref name="p299">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="k770">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Groening was invited to pitch a series of animated shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show and initially planned to adapt his comic strip, Life in Hell. Realizing that adapting the strip would require him to relinquish publication rights, he decided to create something new.<ref name="a529">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Groening sketched a concept for a dysfunctional family,Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> naming the characters after members of his family.Template:Sfn<ref name="k983">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the rebellious son, he chose "Bart", an anagram of brat,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn instead of his own name because he felt that "Matt" would not "go over well in a pitch meeting".<ref name="i616">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="w413">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart's middle initial "J" is an homage to the animated characters Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, who were named after creator Jay Ward.<ref name="x978">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="q895">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Although numerous interpretations of his middle initial have been given, Groening said that Bart's full middle name is "Jo-Jo", which was chosen by Cartwright during a recording session.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
According to The Oregonian, Bart was conceived as "a much milder, troubled youth given to existential angst who talks to himself"; the character was changed due to Nancy Cartwright's voice acting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Groening has credited numerous sources as inspirations for Bart's character. His older brother, Mark Groening, influenced Bart's rebellious attitude. Mark introduced him to a variety of comics, including Mad (when it was still a comic), Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge, Little Lulu, and Tales From the Crypt; all were sources of inspiration for Matt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart was envisioned as an exaggerated version of a typical misbehaving child, combining the extreme traits of characters such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.Template:Sfn Groening described Bart as "what would happen if the son of Eddie Haskell [from Leave It to Beaver] got his own show".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was disappointed with the premise of Dennis the Menace, which inspired him to create a character who was genuinely mischievous.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bart first appeared with the Simpson family on April 19, 1987, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night".Template:Sfn<ref name="u828">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On December 17, 1989, the shorts were developed into The Simpsons, a half-hour series on the Fox Broadcasting Company,<ref name="s787">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="a058">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where Bart and the Simpson family became the central characters.<ref name="b306">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DesignEdit
The Simpson family was designed to be easily recognizable in silhouette.<ref name="h479">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="x786">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The characters were initially crudely drawn because Groening submitted rough sketches to the animators, expecting them to refine the designs, but they simply traced over his drawings.<ref name="q232">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Bart's early design, featured in the first shorts, included hair with spikes of varying length;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> this was later standardized to nine spikes of equal length. Groening primarily worked in black-and-white at the time and, without considering the eventual use of color, designed Bart's spikes to look like an extension of his head.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This design feature is not replicated in other characters, although some background characters in the first few seasons shared his spiky hairline.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bart's head was described by director Mark Kirkland as a basic rectangular shape resembling a coffee can. Homer's head is also rectangular, with a dome on top, while spheres define the heads of Marge, Lisa, and Maggie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the season-seven (1995) episode "Treehouse of Horror VI", Bart, alongside Homer, was first rendered as a three-dimensional character in the episode's "Homer3" segment. The computer animation was by Pacific Data Images. Designing Bart's 3D model, the animators did not know how they would depict his hair; realizing that vinyl Bart dolls were in production, they purchased one to use as a model.<ref name="3D">Template:Cite news</ref>
VoiceEdit
Bart's voice is provided by Nancy Cartwright,Template:Sfn<ref name="n954">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> who also voices several other child characters on The Simpsons who include Nelson Muntz,<ref name="k637">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="g377">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ralph Wiggum,<ref name="g377"/> Todd Flanders,Template:Sfn and Kearney Zzyzwicz.Template:Sfn After Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner were cast as Homer and Marge due to their roles on The Tracey Ullman Show,<ref name="z494">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the producers held auditions for Bart and Lisa. Yeardley Smith initially auditioned for Bart, but casting director Bonita Pietila felt that her voice was too high-pitched. Smith recalled, "I always sounded too much like a girl. I read two lines as Bart, and they said, 'Thanks for coming!Template:'".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She was subsequently cast as Lisa instead.<ref name="m386">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On March 13, 1987, Cartwright auditioned for Lisa.<ref name="i801">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Discovering that Lisa was described only as the "middle child", with little personality at the time, she became interested in Bart, who was characterized as "devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, [and] clever".<ref name="i801"/>Template:Sfn Groening allowed her to audition for Bart, and offered her the role immediately after hearing her read.<ref name="BBC News">Template:Cite news</ref> Cartwright is the only one of the six primary Simpsons cast members who had formal voice-acting training before joining the show.Template:Sfn
According to The Guardian, Cartwright's speaking voice has "no obvious traces of Bart".<ref name="y825">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The voice she uses for Bart came naturally to her, since she had incorporated elements of it on shows like My Little Pony, Snorks, and Pound Puppies.<ref name="y825"/><ref name="l405">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Cartwright described Bart's voice as easy to create: "Some characters take a little bit more effort, upper respiratory control, whatever it is technically. But Bart is easy to do. I can just slip into that without difficulty".<ref name="y825"/> She typically records five or six takes of each line for variety, allowing producers more options to work with.<ref name="BBC News"/> Even in flashforward episodes, Cartwright continues to voice Bart; in the episode "Lisa's Wedding" (season six, 1995), Bart's voice was electronically pitched lower to reflect his age.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite Bart's fame, Cartwright is seldom recognized in public. When she is recognized and asked to use Bart's voice in front of children, she declines because it "freaks [them] out".<ref name="i159">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the first season of The Simpsons, Fox Network barred Cartwright from interviews to avoid the revelation that Bart was voiced by a woman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cartwright was paid US$30,000 per episode for her work on The Simpsons until 1998.<ref name="l144">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="p643">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A pay dispute arose that year, during which Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors and began preparing for new casting.<ref name="Glaister">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="s696">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The conflict was resolved, and Cartwright's salary increased to $125,000 per episode.<ref name="y759">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="o315">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The voice cast pushed for higher wages in 2004, seeking $360,000 per episode.<ref name="l796">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="e937">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The dispute was soon settled, and Cartwright's pay was increased to $250,000 per episode.<ref name="t905">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="g965">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2008, further negotiations increased the cast's salaries to about $400,000 per episode.<ref name="h432">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="i903">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Fox demanded production-cost reductions in 2011, threatening to cancel the series if costs were not cut. In response, Cartwright and the other main cast members agreed to a 30-percent pay reduction, lowering their per-episode earnings to just over $300,000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cartwright was paid $315,000 per episode by 2016, which, according to Variety, made her one of the highest-paid voice actors.<ref name="w127">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HallmarksEdit
In the opening sequence of many episodes of The Simpsons, the camera zooms in on Springfield Elementary School, where Bart is shown writing lines on a chalkboard. This scene, known as the "chalkboard gag", varies by episode.Template:Sfn The messages often include political humor, such as "The First Amendment does not cover burping",<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> pop culture references like "I can't see dead people",<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> and meta-commentary such as "I am not a 32-year-old woman" or "Nobody reads these anymore".Template:Sfn The animators create the gags quickly, and they sometimes reflect current events.<ref name="z743">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the episode "Homer the Heretic" (season four, 1992), the chalkboard gag read "I will not defame New Orleans"; it was an apology for a controversial song in the previous week's episode, "A Streetcar Named Marge", which described the city as a "home of pirates, drunks, and whores".<ref name="q396">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="n461">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
An early hallmark of Bart's character was his prank calls to Moe's Tavern, where he would ask owner Moe Szyslak for a fictitious person with a gag name.<ref name="r263" /> Moe would try to find the person, eventually realizing it was a prank and (unaware that Bart was the caller) responding with angry threats. The calls were inspired by the Tube Bar recordings, a series of prank calls to bar owner Louis "Red" Deutsch (whose profane reactions influenced Moe's violent temperament).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The calls first appeared in "Homer's Odyssey" (season one, 1990), the third episode to air.<ref name="y694">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It became increasingly difficult for the writers to create new fake names and Moe's responses, leading to the pranks being phased out as a regular feature by the fourth season;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Some">Template:Cite news</ref> however, they have occasionally resurfaced in later episodes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The catchphrase "Eat my shorts" originated as an ad-lib by Cartwright during one of the show's early table readings, inspired by an incident during her high-school years.<ref name="g797">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While performing with the marching band at Fairmont High School, the group chanted "Eat my shorts" instead of their usual cheer ("Fairmont West! Fairmont West!")<ref name="g385">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The phrase may also refer to The Breakfast Club (1985), in which John Bender says it to Principal Vernon.<ref name="k518">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart's other notable catchphrases include "¡Ay, caramba!" and "Don't have a cow!".<ref name="v311">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="b263">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="z868">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The former was inspired by a Portuguese flamenco dancer;Template:Sfn the latter, popularized during the 1950s, originated from the British phrase "Don't have kittens".Template:Sfn Both were prominently featured on merchandise such as T-shirts during the show's early seasons.Template:Sfn<ref name="Time">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Another catchphrase, "Cowabunga", was borrowed from Chief Thunderthud of The Howdy Doody Show.<ref name="z052">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Bart frequently appears nude in The Simpsons, often by mooning.<ref name="Time"/> In The Simpsons Movie (2007), he skateboards nude.<ref name="a832">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="m370">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although various objects obscure his genitalia throughout the scene, his penis is briefly visible.<ref name="m117"/> This scene was among the first created for the film, but producers were initially concerned that it might result in an R rating.<ref name="m117">Template:Cite magazine</ref> However, the Motion Picture Association of America ultimately rated the film PG-13 for "irreverent humor throughout".<ref name="u277">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="l934">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The scene was later recognized by Entertainment Weekly as one of 30 Unforgettable Nude Scenes.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
PersonalityEdit
Bart's disregard for authority has been compared to America's founding fathers, and been described as a modern fusion of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In his book Planet Simpson, Chris Turner characterizes Bart as a nihilist who has the philosophical view that life lacks inherent meaning, purpose, or value.Template:Sfn Bart's rebellious nature makes him disruptive at Springfield Elementary School, where he identifies as an underachiever.Template:Sfn<ref name="l059">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He frequently clashes with his teacher, Ms. Krabappel, and Principal Skinner.<ref name="z888">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="o292">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart acknowledges his poor performance at school: "I am dumb, okay? Dumb as a post! Think I'm happy about it?"Template:Sfn Much like his father, his mental processes are often illogical and absurd;<ref name="f142">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> he once believed that if he reincarnated as a butterfly, he could burn the school down without suspicion, imagining he could hold a gas can as a butterfly.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Bart thinks that writing his name in wet cement will leave people wondering how he did it in hardened cement.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> "Brother's Little Helper" (season eleven, 1999) reveals that Bart has attention deficit disorder.<ref name="r841">Template:Cite magazine</ref> His intelligence may be impacted by the hereditary "Simpson gene", which affects males in his family.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Despite his misbehavior and selfishness, he has moments of integrity and compassion and occasionally helps Ms. Krabappel and Principal Skinner.<ref name="Confidential">Template:Cite episode</ref><ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
Bart is a really good boy. He's just mischievous. He's not bad, like characters who followed him such as [Eric] Cartman (South Park) or Beavis and Butthead. Bart can do some nasty things, but they seem so tame, by today's standards. What was shocking 19 years ago, when the show started, isn't the least bit shocking today. Bart hasn't changed.{{#if:— Nancy Cartwright<ref name=Sentinel>Template:Cite news</ref>|{{#if:|}}
— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries}}
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Bart's mischievous nature and Homer's often-negligent, incompetent behavior create a turbulent, volatile, and abusive relationship between them.<ref name="r756">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="u412"/> Bart frequently calls Homer by his first name rather than "Dad",Template:Sfn and Homer often refers to him dismissively as "the boy".<ref name="p862">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="c582">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Homer's short temper leads to cartoonishly-violent outbursts, such as impulsively strangling Bart.<ref name="u941">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="o514">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Marge is the more caring, understanding and nurturing parent,<ref name="o164">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn although she acknowledges that Bart is "a handful"Template:Sfn and is often embarrassed by his antics.<ref name="Defined">Template:Cite episode</ref> In the episode "Marge Be Not Proud" (season seven, 1995), Marge struggles with adjusting her parenting style after Bart is caught shoplifting; she becomes more distant to avoid over-mothering, which causes Bart to feel guilty and try to make amends.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Despite his rebellious attitude, Bart occasionally endures humiliation to please his mother.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> Marge frequently defends him, understanding his complexity.<ref name="u412">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="d796">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She describes him as her "special little guy",Template:Sfn saying, "I know Bart can be a handful, but I also know what he's like inside. He's got a spark. It's not a bad thingTemplate:Nbsp[...] of course, it makes him do bad things".<ref name="Defined"/>
Bart shares sibling rivalry with his younger sister, Lisa.<ref name="r151">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although they often disagree—sometimes physically—they have a deep bond and care for one another.<ref name="r151"/> Bart often apologizes when he goes too far and recognizes Lisa's superior intellect, frequently seeking her advice about problems.<ref name="First Word">Template:Cite episode</ref><ref name="Duffless">Template:Cite episode</ref> He is a popular "cool kid" at school,<ref name="Summer">Template:Cite episode</ref> and has many friends;<ref name="z099">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> his closest is Milhouse Van Houten.<ref name="h244">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His influence on Milhouse is often negative, leading them into mischief.<ref name="p387">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In "Homer Defined" (season three, 1991), Milhouse's mother forbids him from playing with Bart due to his bad influence; Bart is unfazed until he realizes how much he values their friendship, and Marge convinces Mrs. Van Houten to reconsider.<ref name="Defined"/>
Bart is a fan of the children's television host Krusty the Clown, and has stated that "I've based my whole life on Krusty's teachings"; his room is filled with Krusty merchandise.Template:Sfn<ref name="KGB">Template:Cite episode</ref> Bart helps Krusty a number of times, thwarting Sideshow Bob's attempt to frame Krusty for armed robbery in "Krusty Gets Busted" (season one, 1990),<ref name="KGB"/> reuniting Krusty with his estranged father in "Like Father, Like Clown",<ref name="LFLC">Template:Cite episode</ref> and helping Krusty relaunch his career with a comeback special in "Krusty Gets Kancelled".<ref name="KGK">Template:Cite episode</ref> Bart's initial confrontation with Sideshow Bob in "Krusty Gets Busted" sparks a long-term rivalry. The writers developed Bob as an intelligent, obsessive antagonist, inspired by the dynamic between Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.<ref name="JeanBW">Template:Cite news</ref>
ReceptionEdit
BartmaniaEdit
Bart became one of television's most popular characters in 1990, sparking a cultural phenomenon known as "Bartmania".Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Kleinfield">Template:Cite news</ref> He became the most prominent Simpsons character on merchandise, particularly T-shirts; during the early 1990s, millions of Bart-themed T-shirts were sold.<ref name="k622">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart's rebellious persona led some American public schools to ban T-shirts with sayings such as "I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?" and "Underachiever (and proud of it, man!)".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="p594">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A T-shirt with the latter caption is in the National Museum of American History.<ref name="z648">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The popularity of Simpsons merchandise was a commercial success, generating $2 billion in revenue in its first 14 months of sales.<ref name="j552">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart's appeal also inspired a thriving black market for counterfeit merchandise, particularly T-shirts. The items featured Bart with various slogans and redesigns, including "Teenage Mutant Ninja Bart", "Air Simpson Bart", and "RastaBart".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Although Groening generally tolerated bootleg merchandise, he objected to a series of "Nazi Bart" shirts with Bart in Nazi uniforms or as a white power skinhead.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 20th Century Fox sued the creator of the offensive designs, who agreed to cease production.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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Bart was described as "television's king of 1990",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "television's brightest new star",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and an "undiminished smash".<ref name="Shirts">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He was one of the most popular write-in candidates in the 1990 United States congressional, senatorial and gubernatorial elections, second in a number of areas only to Mickey Mouse among fictional characters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the 1990 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bart debuted as one of the giant helium-filled balloons for which the parade is known.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This was noted in The Simpsons episode "Bart vs. Thanksgiving", which aired the day of the parade, where Homer tells Bart: "If you start building a balloon for every flash-in-the-pan cartoon character, you turn the parade into a farce!". Behind and unbeknownst to Homer, the television briefly shows a Bart Simpson balloon.<ref name="Thanksgiving">Template:Cite episode</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The album The Simpsons Sing the Blues was recorded in September 1990 and released in December. It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200,<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.<ref name="RIAA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first single from the album was the pop rap song "Do the Bartman", performed by Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song was written by Bryan Loren, a friend of Michael Jackson (who provided backing vocals on the track).<ref name="fact">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Jackson was a fan of The Simpsons (especially Bart),Template:Sfn and had called the producers offering to write Bart a single and make a guest appearance on the show.<ref name="h963">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Jackson guest-starred in the episode "Stark Raving Dad" (season three, 1991) with the pseudonym John Jay Smith.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although "Do the Bartman" was never released as a single in the United States, it was successful in the United Kingdom; it was the number-one song from February 16 to March 9, 1991, and was the year's fifth-best-selling song.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It sold half a million copies, and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry on February 1, 1991.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cultural influence, reception, and commendationsEdit
Bart has been described as one of the most iconic television characters of the 1990s,<ref name="s099">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="r815">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="o959">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and is considered an American cultural icon.<ref name="h053">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="j592">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="u994">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1990, Entertainment Weekly named him Entertainer of the Year, writing that "Bart has proved to be a rebel who's also a good kid, a terror who's easily terrorized, and a flake who astonishes us, and himself, with serious displays of fortitude".<ref name="k288">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1998, Time included Bart on the magazine's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century, the only fictional character on the list.<ref name="j265">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="k818">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He had appeared previously on the cover of TimeTemplate:'s December 31, 1990, issue.<ref name="a643">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1996, Bart was named 48th on TV Guide's list of "50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2002, he and Lisa were ranked eleventh on TV Guide's "Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time" list.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2022, Paste writers ranked Bart the 26th-greatest cartoon character of all time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
From entertainment critics, Bart has received mostly positive reviews. Screen RantTemplate:'s Dan Peeke praised him as the "best main character" in 2020, calling him "relatable" and saying that "everyone can relate to at least some element of his personality".<ref name="z099"/> In a 2024 review, Darryn King of Vulture called Bart a "back-talking, trouble-making, prank-calling, cherry-bomb-detonating, and, yes, graffiti-tagging cartoon creation, who was at the time fast becoming a cultural icon".<ref name="z107">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A 2023 Collider review said that the episode "Bart Gets an 'F'" was a "turning point for the show, showing that Bart could be more than just a punchline while paving the way for future episodes that fleshed out his character".<ref name="c631">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to Erma Bombeck, "Kids need to know that somewhere in this world is a contemporary who can pull off all the things they can only fantasize about, someone who can stick it to their parents once in a while and still be permitted to live".<ref name="u725">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2003, a survey of parents in the United Kingdom ranked Bart the most influential fictional character for children under age twelve.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cartwright has received a number of awards for her performance. At the 44th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1992, she received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for her portrayal of Bart in the season-three episode "Separate Vocations", sharing the award with five other voice actors from The Simpsons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Episodes featuring Bart have been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, including "Radio Bart" in 1992,<ref name="m526">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Future-Drama" in 2005,Template:Sfn and "Homer's Phobia" in 1997.Template:Sfn Cartwright received an Annie Award for Voice Acting in the Field of Animation in 1995 for her work as Bart.<ref name="s173">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2000, Bart and the rest of the Simpson family were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.Template:Sfn<ref name="m113">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Negative influence on childrenEdit
Bart's rebellious nature, often accompanied by a lack of consequences for his actions, led some parents, educators, and conservative groups to view him as a negative influence on children.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Critics said that Bart's behavior made him a poor role model, with Robert Bianco of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette describing him as a character who "outwits his parents and outtalks his teachers; in short, he's the child we wish we'd been, and fear our children will become".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Educators expressed concern that Bart's "underachiever and proud of it" attitude and disdain for education posed a "threat to learning",<ref name="BartaBrat">Template:Cite news</ref> and others called him "egotistical, aggressive, and mean-spirited".<ref name="CoolDude">Template:Cite news</ref> In response to criticism, producer James L. Brooks defended the character: "I'm very wary of television where everybody is supposed to be a role model. You don't run across that many role models in real life. Why should television be full of them?"<ref name="w387">Template:Cite news</ref>
U.S. drug czar William Bennett visited a Pittsburgh drug treatment center in 1990 and saw a poster of Bart. Bennett said, "You guys aren't watching The Simpsons, are you? That's not going to help you any".<ref name="f165">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="q047">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bennett later apologized, saying that he was "just kidding": "I'll sit down with the little spike head. We'll straighten this thing out."<ref name="f175">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="j510">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bill Cosby called Bart a poor role model in a 1991 interview, describing him as "angry, confused, [and] frustrated".<ref name="Nowayman">Template:Cite news</ref> Groening responded, "That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal. He thinks normal is very boring and does things that others just wished they dare do".<ref name="Nowayman"/> U.S. president George H. W. Bush said in 1992, "We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons".Template:Sfn The show's writers then produced a short segment that aired three days later (before a rerun of "Stark Raving Dad"), in which Bart says: "Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end to the Depression, too."<ref name="z432">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="s787"/>
MerchandisingEdit
In addition to T-shirts, Bart has been featured in a variety of The Simpsons-related merchandise which includes dolls, napkins, air fresheners, cups, chewing gum, beach towels, sleeping bags, snow boots, rubber sponge balls, license-plate frames, scratch paper, laminated magnets, and handheld pinball games.<ref name="Kleinfield" /> Two books have been published about the character: Bart Simpson's Guide to Life (1993) and The Bart Book (2004), both primarily by Groening.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer (2001) contains a chapter analyzing Bart's character and comparing him to the "Nietzschean ideal".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bart has appeared in media related to The Simpsons. He is featured in most of The Simpsons video games, such as Bart vs. the World (1991),Template:Sfn Bart Simpson's Escape from Camp Deadly (1991),Template:Sfn Bart vs. the Space Mutants (1991),<ref name=Kesten>Template:Cite news</ref> Bart's House of Weirdness (1992),<ref name="p369">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and The Simpsons Game (2007).<ref name="x990">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:NoteTag Bart was a recurring character in the Bongo Comics-distributed Simpsons Comics, which debuted in November 1993 and was published until October 2018.Template:Sfn<ref name="msnbc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He headlined his eponymous comic-book series, which was distributed by Bongo Comics from 2000 to 2016.<ref name="msnbc"/><ref name="gazette">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bart plays a role in The Simpsons Ride, a motion-simulator rideTemplate:Sfn launched in 2008 at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood.Template:Sfn On December 9, 2024, Monday Night Football hosted an animated Simpsons version of the Cincinnati Bengals-Dallas Cowboys game which paralleled the events on the field.<ref name="r960">Template:Cite news</ref>
Bart and other Simpsons characters appeared in television commercials for Nestlé's Butterfinger candy bars from 1988 to 2001, using the slogan "Nobody better lay a finger on my Butterfinger!".<ref name="h181">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Groening later noted that the success of the Butterfinger commercials played a significant role in Fox's decision to greenlight the half-hour series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bart has also appeared in commercials for the fast-food Burger King chain.<ref name="h709">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2001, Kellogg's introduced the limited-edition Bart Simpson Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch cereal.<ref name="x608">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Groening pitched Bart as a spokesperson for Jell-O before the launch of the half-hour series, suggesting a commercial in which Bart would sing "J-E-L-L-O" and burp the letter "O". He believed that kids would try to mimic it, but the idea was rejected.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On April 9, 2009, the United States Postal Service introduced a series of five 44-cent stamps commemorating Bart and the other members of the Simpson family. The stamps were the first since Sesame Street which were issued while their show was still in production. Designed by Groening, they became available for purchase on May 7, 2009.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
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External linksEdit
- Bart Simpson on IMDb
Template:The Simpsons Template:Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control