Morrissey issues statement slamming The Simpsons
He was parodied on the cartoon
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
Morrissey has issued a lengthy statement on his website criticising The Simpsons after he was parodied in a new episode.
Aired in the US last night (18th April), The Simpsons episode called Panic on the Streets of Springfield sees Lisa Simpson unite with a new imaginary friend, a downbeat man called Quilloughby who sports a quiff and is from 1980s England.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch played the Morrissey character in the episode and a teaser image released last week featured Lisa and Quilloughby standing outside Springfield Lads Club.
Responding to the episode, Morrissey wrote on his official website: "This is my first comment (and hopefully my last) on The Simpsons' episode - which I know has enraged many people.
"The hatred shown towards me from the creators of The Simpsons is obviously a taunting lawsuit, but one that requires more funding than I could possibly muster in order to make a challenge. Neither do I have a determined business squad of legal practitioners ready to pounce. I think this is generally understood and is the reason why I am so carelessly and noisily attacked.
"You are especially despised if your music affects people in a strong and beautiful way, since music is no longer required to. In fact, the worst thing you can do in 2021 is to lend a bit of strength to the lives of others.
"There is no place in modern music for anyone with strong emotions. Limitations have been placed on art, and no label will sign an artist who might answer back. Anyway, forgive me, we all know this because we can see how music - and the world in general, has become a mesmerizing mess, and we must let it go spinning along unbearably because free speech no longer exists. We all know this.
"In my case, nothing about my life has ever been matter-of-fact; nothing about my songs has ever been matter-of-fact … so why would they now be? Since my very first interview several decades ago I have lived with horrible accusations to such a degree that it is generally understood that 'this is how we write about Morrissey'. In other words, I'm quite used to it. I've had enough horror thrown at me that would kill off a herd of bison.
"Accusations usually come from someone with a crazed desire for importance; they don't operate at a very high level. Writing for The Simpsons, for example, evidently requires only complete ignorance. But all of these things are too easy for me to say. In a world obsessed with Hate Laws, there are none that protect me. Often, the scandal sheets (do we STILL refer to them as 'news'papers?) attempt to psychologically wound an artist, and then, hopefully stir up enough hatred against that artist so that s/he is physically wounded. False theories of race are now the most common (and boring) aspect of all criticism, and will continue to be so until accusations of racism are in themselves illicit.
"I have watched 'Smiths fans' being attacked by the UK press on the grounds that 'Smiths fans' are too backward to understand the person that I am; I have watched the modern Morrissey audience be ridiculed by the UK press with the belief that they, too, couldn't possibly know who I am, and I have lost several high-profile friends because they could no longer live with the night and day harassment from British journalists who are suicidally anguished because they cannot urge the people around me to drum up tell-tale incidents of racism.
"This battle fatigue I face alone, although I am very grateful to the writer Fiona Dodwell for her eloquent appraisals of the victimization that now automatically associates with my name, and on which The Simpsons latest episode feasts.
"People continually ask me why I do not retaliate - especially following the Sky Sports open slander. The answer is explained in the first few lines of this comment. Life is difficult and you must face it on your own, and even with the impossible-to-imagine legal artillary, everything can be repaired … except the human heart."
On Monday morning (19th April), Morrissey's manager Peter Katsis also issued a statement denouncing The Simpsons for suggesting he is overweight and racist in the episode.
Katsis also accused The Simpsons of being ‘hypocritical’ and pointed towards Simpson’s actor Hank Azaria's recent apology for voicing Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in the show.
Peter Katsis’ full statement reads:
"Surprising what a “turn for the worst" the writing for The Simpson’s tv show has taken in recent years.
“Sadly, The Simpson’s show started out creating great insight into the modern cultural experience, but has since degenerated to trying to capitalize on cheap controversy and expounding on vicious rumors.
“Poking fun at subjects is one thing. Other shows like SNL still do a great job at finding ways to inspire great satire.
“But when a show stoops so low to use harshly hateful tactics like showing the Morrissey character with his belly hanging out of his shirt (when he has never looked like that at any point in his career) makes you wonder who the real hurtful, racist group is here.
“Even worse - calling the Morrissey character out for being a racist, without pointing out any specific instances, offers nothing. It only serves to insult the artist.
“They should take that mirror and hold it up to themselves.
“Simpson’s actor Hank Azaria's recent apology to the whole country of India for his role in upholding "structural racism” says it all.
“Unlike the character in the Simpson’s “Panic” episode…….
“Morrissey has never made a “cash grab”, hasn’t sued any people for their attacks, has never stopped performing great shows, and is still a serious vegan and strong supporter for animal rights.
“By suggesting all of the above in this episode…the Simpson’s hypocritical approach to their storyline says it all.
“Truly they are the only ones who have stopped creating, and have instead turned unapologetically hurtful and racist.
“Not surprising…... that The Simpsons viewership ratings have gone down so badly over recent years."
Earlier this year, a certain Smiths record featured in The 100 Collection – Absolute Radio’s countdown of The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time. You can check out the full list below.
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