Difference between revisions of "Lisa Simpson"
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| − | '''Lisa Marie Simpson''' is a | + | '''Lisa Marie Simpson''' is a character in the animated [[television]] series ''[[The Simpsons]]'', voiced by [[Yeardley Smith]]; Lisa is the only character Smith voices on a regular basis. [[Matt Groening]], the creator of the series, named her after his sister. |
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| + | Lisa is an extremely intelligent 8 year old girl, one of the brightest characters on the show, with an [[I.Q.]] of either [[Homer's Enemy|156]] or [[Smart and Smarter|159]]. She plays what appears to be a [[Baritone Saxophone]]. Lisa is also a Buddhist and often serves as a mouthpiece for the show's writers, many of whom are postgraduates, to voice their knowledge of philosophy, science and history.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} | ||
==Personality== | ==Personality== | ||
| − | [[Image:Lisas First Word.png|200px|thumb|left|[[Bart Simpson|Bart]] holding baby Lisa as seen in | + | [[Image:Lisas First Word.png|200px|thumb|left|Toddler [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] holding [[baby]] Lisa as seen in "[[Lisa's First Word]]".]] |
| − | + | [[Image:LisaSimpson Saxophone.png|thumb|200px|left|Lisa with her saxaphone.]] | |
| − | + | Lisa is quite eclectic in her knowledge and is notably more concerned with world affairs than her cohorts. Critics have also pointed out that Lisa's situation alludes to the plight of real children, who are often underestimated by adults. Lisa shares her intellect and overachieving personality traits with other [[female]] members of the Simpson family ("[[Lisa the Simpson]]" revealed that Simpson [[male]]s inherit a [[gene]] on the [[Y chromosome]] that prevents them from channeling their intellect). Lisa also deeply values her [[integrity]], as demonstrated when she cheats on a test on ''[[The Wind in the Willows]]'' to attain her highest grade of A+++, but later admits her dishonesty to an unreceptive [[Seymour Skinner|Principal Skinner]]. (She later re-grades the test as an F.) Like her brother [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], Lisa has received [[detention]] quite a number of times, often because of her rebellious and sometimes bitter attitude and anti-social behavior that is capable of deeply embarrassing authority figures. | |
| − | Although her rebellion against social norms is usually constructive, Lisa can be whiny, cruel and self-righteous at times. Notably, in "[[Lisa the Vegetarian]]", her increasing sense of moral righteousness regarding her vegetarianism leads her to proselytize, culminating in her spiteful disruption of a "meat-based" barbecue prepared by Homer (an act she comes to rue). At times, Lisa appears to resist certain situations merely for the sake of resisting them, not because of any genuine ideological opposition. She appears to enjoy breaking the norm for its own sake; in | + | |
| + | Although her rebellion against social norms is usually depicted as constructive and heroic, Lisa can be whiny, cruel and self-righteous at times. Notably, in "[[Lisa the Vegetarian]]", her increasing sense of moral righteousness regarding her [[vegetarianism]] leads her to proselytize, culminating in her spiteful disruption of a "meat-based" [[barbecue]] prepared by Homer (an act she comes to rue). At times, Lisa appears to resist certain situations merely for the sake of resisting them, not because of any genuine ideological opposition. She appears to enjoy breaking the norm for its own sake; in [[Bart Star]], she triumphantly declares that she, a girl, would like to join the football team. When it is revealed that there are already girls on the team, she declares her distaste for a sport that would use a pig's skin to make its ball. When it is revealed that the ball is actually synthetic, she is at a loss for words and runs off visibly upset. She was also able to talk at a very young age, as seen in "[[Homer's Barbershop Quartet]]". | ||
| − | Despite her high IQ, Lisa does have typical childhood issues, sometimes requiring adult intervention. In "[[Lost Our Lisa]]", she tricks [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] into allowing her to ride the bus alone, only to become hopelessly lost. After his coworkers [[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] and [[Carl Carlson|Carl]] point out that he allowed his 8 year old daughter to ride a bus by herself, Homer comes to her rescue. In one episode, Lisa has a Jewish imaginary friend named | + | Despite her high [[IQ]], Lisa does have typical childhood issues, sometimes requiring adult intervention. In "[[Lost Our Lisa]]", she tricks [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] into allowing her to ride the bus alone, only to become hopelessly lost. After his coworkers [[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] and [[Carl Carlson|Carl]] point out that he allowed his 8 year old daughter to ride a bus by herself, Homer comes to her rescue. In one episode, Lisa has a Jewish [[imaginary friend]] named Rachel who "just got into [[Brandeis University|Brandeis]]." In the earlier seasons, Lisa displayed more personality traits of an eight-year old, including obsessing over getting a pony, being addicted to TV, fighting with Bart, and obsessing about her weight in one episode. She also finds Bart's joke-calls to Moe's tavern funny (although she never does it personally). |
| − | + | Arguably, Lisa's most notable trait about her character is that she is ''very'' intelligent. In "[[Homer's Enemy]]", it is mentioned that Lisa has an IQ of 156. She is a high-ranking member of [[Mensa International|Mensa]] [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]]. Lisa demonstrates an early intelligence by changing her own [[diaper]] as an [[infant]] and completing a puzzle in Principal Skinner's office at 3 years old. When unable to attend school due to a [[teacher]]s' [[strike action|strike]] (in "[[The PTA Disbands]]"), she suffered a sort of "school withdrawal" and invents a [[perpetual motion]] machine that Homer describes as going "faster and faster". He goes on to chastise her, saying "In this house, we obey the [[laws of thermodynamics]]!" | |
| − | In "[[Homer's Enemy]]", it is mentioned that Lisa has an IQ of 156. She is a high-ranking member of [[Mensa International|Mensa]] [[Springfield]]. Lisa demonstrates an early intelligence by changing her own diaper as an infant. When unable to attend school due to a | ||
| − | + | Lisa's political convictions are generally [[leftist]] and rather [[liberalism|liberal]].<!-- This could be expanded with appropriate episode citations. --> She is a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]], and a supporter of the [[Free Tibet movement]].<ref name="s14e12">{{cite episode | title = I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can | episodelink = I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can | |
| − | Lisa's political convictions are generally leftist and rather liberal. She is a vegetarian, and a supporter of the Free Tibet movement. Lisa yells "Free Tibet!" after winning the school spelling bee. | + | | series = The Simpsons | serieslink = The Simpsons | network = Fox | airdate = 2003-02-16 | season = 14 | number = 303 | minutes = }}Lisa yells "Free Tibet!" after winning the school spelling bee.</ref> |
| + | <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.snpp.com/guides/foreign.html|title= A Foreign Affair|accessdate=2007-06-16|last=Rasmussen | ||
| + | |first=Claus|coauthors=''et al''|date=2004-06-10|work=The Simpsons Archive|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040812122015/http://www.snpp.com/guides/foreign.html|archivedate=2004-08-12 | ||
| + | |quote=Lisa yells "Free Tibet!" after winning the school spelling bee.}}</ref> While still supportive of the [[Christianity|Christian]] church she was raised in,<ref>[http://www.snpp.com/episodes/DABF02 Episode DAB-F02]</ref> Lisa is now a practicing [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] following her decision to follow the [[Noble Eightfold Path]].<ref name="s13e06">{{cite episode | title = She of Little Faith | episodelink = She of Little Faith | series = The Simpsons | serieslink = The Simpsons | network = Fox | airdate = 2001-12-16 | season = 13 | number = 275 | minutes = }}</ref> She also supports the theory of [[Darwinism]] and [[evolution]], calling Darwin "one of the greatest minds" of all time, as seen in the episode, "[[The Monkey Suit]]." Though apparently not an adherent, she mentions in one episode that she considers [[Wicca]] "very empowering." <ref> "Catch 'Em if You Can" </ref> | ||
| − | + | Lisa has had relationships with several different boys, including [[Ralph Wiggum]] ("[[I Love Lisa]]"), [[Nelson Muntz]] ("[[Lisa's Date with Density]]") and [[List of one-time characters from The Simpsons#Colin|Colin]] (''[[The Simpsons Movie]]''). [[Milhouse Van Houten]] also has a crush on her, and tries to get her to kiss or date him frequently, and as yet has been unsuccessful. | |
| − | === | + | ==Character== |
| − | [[Image: | + | ===Creation=== |
| − | + | [[Image:Yeardley Smith.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Voice actress [[Yeardley Smith]].]] | |
| + | [[Matt Groening]] first conceived the Simpson family in the lobby of [[James L. Brooks]]' office. He had been called in to pitch a series of animated shorts, and had intended to present his ''[[Life in Hell]]'' series. When he realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require him to rescind publication rights for his life's work, Groening decided to go in another direction.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video|people=BBC|year=2000|title='The Simpsons': America's First Family (6 minute edit for the season 1 DVD)|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250735/|format=DVD|location=UK|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> He hurriedly sketched out his version of a dysfunctional family, and named the characters after various members of his own family, and Lisa is the name of one of his sisters.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> Lisa then made her debut with the rest of the Simpsons clan on [[19 April]], [[1987]] in the [[The Simpsons shorts|Tracey Ullman short]] "[[Good Night (The Simpsons short)|Good Night]]".<ref>Richmond, Ray; Antonia Coffman (1997). The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family. Harper Collins Publishers, pg. 14. ISBN 0-00-638898-1</ref> [[Nancy Cartwright]], originally auditioned for the role of Lisa, but soon thought that her voice would be better suited voicing Bart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1017238.stm|title=Bart's voice tells all|accessdate=2007-05-16|date=[[2000-11-10]]|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> | ||
| − | === | + | In the Tracey Ullman Show shorts, Lisa was more of a "female Bart" and was equally mischievous. As the series progressed, Lisa began to develop into a more intelligent and more emotional character with "[[Krusty Gets Busted]]" being one of the first episodes where her true intelligence is fully shown.<ref name="Reiss">{{cite video | people=Reiss, Mike|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Krusty Gets Busted"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Many episodes focusing on Lisa have an emotional nature, the first one being "[[Moaning Lisa]]". The idea for the episode was pitched by [[James L. Brooks]], who had wanted to do an emotional episode where Lisa is sad because the show had done a lot of "jokey episodes".<ref name="Reiss1">{{cite video | people=Reiss, Mike|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Moaning Lisa"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==Cultural influence== |
| − | + | In 2001 Lisa received a special "Board of Directors Ongoing Commitment Award" at the [[Environmental Media Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlight/2001-11-15-simpsons.htm|title= Lisa Simpson animates environmental awards|author=W. Reed Moran|date=2001-11-15|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> "[[Lisa the Vegetarian]]", an episode from [[The Simpsons (season 7)|the seventh season]], won both an Environmental Media Award for "Best Television Episodic Comedy"<ref name="EMAIMDB">{{cite news|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096697/awards|title=Awards for "The Simpsons"|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]}}</ref> and a [[Genesis Awards|Genesis Award]] for "Best Television Comedy Series, Ongoing Commitment".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hsus.org/about_us/offices_and_affiliates/hsus_hollywood_office/the_genesis_awards/genesis_award_winners_and_memorable_moments/1995_genesis_awards.html|title=1995 Genesis Awards|accessdate=2007-10-21|publisher=[[Humane Society of the United States|hsus.org]]}}</ref> | |
| − | + | Both Lisa and Bart ranked #11 in ''[[TV Guide|TV Guide's]]'' "Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time."<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters.list/ CNN - TV Guide's 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters]</ref> | |
| − | + | In [[Japan]], the broadcasters of the series found they were able to turn the apparent viewer dislike of the series around by focusing marketing attention on Lisa. Lisa's well-intended but ill-fated struggles to be a voice of reason and a force of good in her family and city struck a chord with the Japanese.<ref>{{cite book | last=Turner | first=Chris | title=[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]] |publisher=Random House of Canada |id=ISBN 0-679-31318-4|page=pg. 327}}</ref> | |
| − | [[ | ||
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==See also== |
| − | + | *[[Lisa's sax solo gags on The Simpsons]] | |
| + | *[[List of characters from The Simpsons]] | ||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | *[http://www.thesimpsons.com/bios/bios_family_lisa.htm Lisa Simpson] at The Simpsons.com | ||
{{Simpsons characters}} | {{Simpsons characters}} | ||
[[Category: Characters|Simpson, Lisa Marie]] | [[Category: Characters|Simpson, Lisa Marie]] | ||
[[Category:Simpson family|Simpson, Lisa Marie]] | [[Category:Simpson family|Simpson, Lisa Marie]] | ||
Revision as of 16:44, December 5, 2007
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Lisa Marie Simpson
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Character Information
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Lisa Marie Simpson is a character in the animated television series The Simpsons, voiced by Yeardley Smith; Lisa is the only character Smith voices on a regular basis. Matt Groening, the creator of the series, named her after his sister.
Lisa is an extremely intelligent 8 year old girl, one of the brightest characters on the show, with an I.Q. of either 156 or 159. She plays what appears to be a Baritone Saxophone. Lisa is also a Buddhist and often serves as a mouthpiece for the show's writers, many of whom are postgraduates, to voice their knowledge of philosophy, science and history.[citation needed]
Personality
Lisa is quite eclectic in her knowledge and is notably more concerned with world affairs than her cohorts. Critics have also pointed out that Lisa's situation alludes to the plight of real children, who are often underestimated by adults. Lisa shares her intellect and overachieving personality traits with other female members of the Simpson family ("Lisa the Simpson" revealed that Simpson males inherit a gene on the Y chromosome that prevents them from channeling their intellect). Lisa also deeply values her integrity, as demonstrated when she cheats on a test on The Wind in the Willows to attain her highest grade of A+++, but later admits her dishonesty to an unreceptive Principal Skinner. (She later re-grades the test as an F.) Like her brother Bart, Lisa has received detention quite a number of times, often because of her rebellious and sometimes bitter attitude and anti-social behavior that is capable of deeply embarrassing authority figures.
Although her rebellion against social norms is usually depicted as constructive and heroic, Lisa can be whiny, cruel and self-righteous at times. Notably, in "Lisa the Vegetarian", her increasing sense of moral righteousness regarding her vegetarianism leads her to proselytize, culminating in her spiteful disruption of a "meat-based" barbecue prepared by Homer (an act she comes to rue). At times, Lisa appears to resist certain situations merely for the sake of resisting them, not because of any genuine ideological opposition. She appears to enjoy breaking the norm for its own sake; in Bart Star, she triumphantly declares that she, a girl, would like to join the football team. When it is revealed that there are already girls on the team, she declares her distaste for a sport that would use a pig's skin to make its ball. When it is revealed that the ball is actually synthetic, she is at a loss for words and runs off visibly upset. She was also able to talk at a very young age, as seen in "Homer's Barbershop Quartet".
Despite her high IQ, Lisa does have typical childhood issues, sometimes requiring adult intervention. In "Lost Our Lisa", she tricks Homer into allowing her to ride the bus alone, only to become hopelessly lost. After his coworkers Lenny and Carl point out that he allowed his 8 year old daughter to ride a bus by herself, Homer comes to her rescue. In one episode, Lisa has a Jewish imaginary friend named Rachel who "just got into Brandeis." In the earlier seasons, Lisa displayed more personality traits of an eight-year old, including obsessing over getting a pony, being addicted to TV, fighting with Bart, and obsessing about her weight in one episode. She also finds Bart's joke-calls to Moe's tavern funny (although she never does it personally).
Arguably, Lisa's most notable trait about her character is that she is very intelligent. In "Homer's Enemy", it is mentioned that Lisa has an IQ of 156. She is a high-ranking member of Mensa Springfield. Lisa demonstrates an early intelligence by changing her own diaper as an infant and completing a puzzle in Principal Skinner's office at 3 years old. When unable to attend school due to a teachers' strike (in "The PTA Disbands"), she suffered a sort of "school withdrawal" and invents a perpetual motion machine that Homer describes as going "faster and faster". He goes on to chastise her, saying "In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!"
Lisa's political convictions are generally leftist and rather liberal. She is a vegetarian, and a supporter of the Free Tibet movement.[1] [2] While still supportive of the Christian church she was raised in,[3] Lisa is now a practicing Buddhist following her decision to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.[4] She also supports the theory of Darwinism and evolution, calling Darwin "one of the greatest minds" of all time, as seen in the episode, "The Monkey Suit." Though apparently not an adherent, she mentions in one episode that she considers Wicca "very empowering." [5]
Lisa has had relationships with several different boys, including Ralph Wiggum ("I Love Lisa"), Nelson Muntz ("Lisa's Date with Density") and Colin (The Simpsons Movie). Milhouse Van Houten also has a crush on her, and tries to get her to kiss or date him frequently, and as yet has been unsuccessful.
Character
Creation
Matt Groening first conceived the Simpson family in the lobby of James L. Brooks' office. He had been called in to pitch a series of animated shorts, and had intended to present his Life in Hell series. When he realized that animating Life in Hell would require him to rescind publication rights for his life's work, Groening decided to go in another direction.[6] He hurriedly sketched out his version of a dysfunctional family, and named the characters after various members of his own family, and Lisa is the name of one of his sisters.[6] Lisa then made her debut with the rest of the Simpsons clan on 19 April, 1987 in the Tracey Ullman short "Good Night".[7] Nancy Cartwright, originally auditioned for the role of Lisa, but soon thought that her voice would be better suited voicing Bart.[8]
In the Tracey Ullman Show shorts, Lisa was more of a "female Bart" and was equally mischievous. As the series progressed, Lisa began to develop into a more intelligent and more emotional character with "Krusty Gets Busted" being one of the first episodes where her true intelligence is fully shown.[9] Many episodes focusing on Lisa have an emotional nature, the first one being "Moaning Lisa". The idea for the episode was pitched by James L. Brooks, who had wanted to do an emotional episode where Lisa is sad because the show had done a lot of "jokey episodes".[10]
Cultural influence
In 2001 Lisa received a special "Board of Directors Ongoing Commitment Award" at the Environmental Media Awards.[11] "Lisa the Vegetarian", an episode from the seventh season, won both an Environmental Media Award for "Best Television Episodic Comedy"[12] and a Genesis Award for "Best Television Comedy Series, Ongoing Commitment".[13]
Both Lisa and Bart ranked #11 in TV Guide's "Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time."[14]
In Japan, the broadcasters of the series found they were able to turn the apparent viewer dislike of the series around by focusing marketing attention on Lisa. Lisa's well-intended but ill-fated struggles to be a voice of reason and a force of good in her family and city struck a chord with the Japanese.[15]
See also
External links
- Lisa Simpson at The Simpsons.com
- ↑ Template:Cite episodeLisa yells "Free Tibet!" after winning the school spelling bee.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Claus; et al (2004-06-10). A Foreign Affair. The Simpsons Archive. Archived from the original on 2004-08-12. Retrieved on 2007-06-16. “Lisa yells "Free Tibet!" after winning the school spelling bee.”
- ↑ Episode DAB-F02
- ↑ Template:Cite episode
- ↑ "Catch 'Em if You Can"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 BBC. (2000). 'The Simpsons': America's First Family (6 minute edit for the season 1 DVD) (DVD). UK: 20th Century Fox.
- ↑ Richmond, Ray; Antonia Coffman (1997). The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to our Favorite Family. Harper Collins Publishers, pg. 14. ISBN 0-00-638898-1
- ↑ Bart's voice tells all. BBC News (2000-11-10). Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
- ↑ Reiss, Mike. (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Krusty Gets Busted" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ↑ Reiss, Mike. (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Moaning Lisa" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
- ↑ W. Reed Moran. "Lisa Simpson animates environmental awards"USA Today. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
- ↑ "Awards for "The Simpsons""Internet Movie Database{{{date}}}. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
- ↑ "1995 Genesis Awards"hsus.org{{{date}}}. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ CNN - TV Guide's 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters
- ↑ Template:Cite book
