In the ongoing culture wars over whether gays should have the right to marry, an animated question reared its head on Sunday prime-time television: As goes “The Simpsons,” does the nation go too? The show is no stranger to hot-button social, religious and political issues. But when a show as mainstream and popular as this takes on one of the most divisive issues in American society, it is certain to attract attention. A parental advisory proceeded the show’s broadcast. TV experts, fans and advocates for same-sex marriage ruminated over the large significance of the moment. “The issue was mainstream to some degree, but now that they’ve deigned it worthy of the show it is interwoven into the fabric of popular culture,” said columnist Ray Richmond. He added, “`The Simpsons’ bestows upon something a pop-culture status it never had before, simply by virtue of being ripe for a joke.” Read More >>>
