“The Simpsons” just gave viewers a lesson in American economic history, with a little help from Hugh Jackman.
On Sunday’s season finale, Jackman voiced a janitor who helps explain, through the power of song, the slow collapse of the U.S. middle class to Bart Simpson
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Learning about the difficulties facing American working people, Bart sings, “What do you want me to do?” to which Jackman’s janitor answers, “Burn it.”
Uh, anyone got a fire extinguisher? pic.twitter.com/25n2tIhXMk
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) May 23, 2022
“Hmm, I do enjoy destroying things,” Bart acknowledges, throwing his clothes unto a grill and pulling out a match before Jackman stops him to say, “I meant the system, burn it down and then reform it. It’s a metaphor.”
Though as Bart pants out, he doesn’t know what a metaphor is thanks to America’s failing public education system.
In another scene, Bart goes to work at the Springfield power plant with his dad, commenting, “Oh man, what a gig. Homer’s got it made.”
Is that a new carbon blob in Sector 7-G, @RealHughJackman? pic.twitter.com/8xjZ7HqxV7
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) May 23, 2022
“He sure does,” Jackman tells him, adding, “Hate to burst your bubble kid, but the kind of job your dad has just doesn’t exist anymore,” before beginning a song about 20th century labour history in the United States.
For 30+ years, Homer Simpson has supported his family on a single income union job with a high school education. For millions, that life isn’t actually attainable, thanks to corporate greed and rising inequality.
Tune in to @TheSimpsons tonight for a look into how we got here. https://t.co/e2R5Zrk0NS
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) May 22, 2022
In a big musical number, Jackman is joined by former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who explains, “The decline of unions, rampant corporate greed, Wall Street malfeasance and the rise of shortsighted politics all contributed to increased economic inequality, widespread real unemployment, wage stagnation, and a lower standard of living for millions of Americans.”
And Bart… there *will* be a test.
🧑🏫: @RBReich pic.twitter.com/d1Vye5V3lt
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) May 23, 2022
The musical number also calls out everyone from Fox News to Facebook for creating the conditions for American decline.
“Facebook feeds our fright/They convince us things were great/When gas was cheap and men were white,” a gathered crowd sings, as a character who appears to be Mark Zuckerberg pushes a button labelled “death of democracy.”
The likeness of Tucker Carlson was also featured, announcing, “Putin for president, next on Fox News.”
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On Twitter, fans applauded to episode for tackling serious issues of economic stagnation for the middle class with a heavy dose of laughs.
This episode was 💯 https://t.co/5xH7m5D9AK
— Kevin A. Donges (@KevinADonges) May 23, 2022
Wow! Did not see that happening – LOVE IT!!! https://t.co/sxt6PbfST5
— Jen – know your history! (@Milono) May 23, 2022
But then this ep of The Simpsons became a musical about the death of the American dream/collapse of the middle class. 🙃Always been so weird that the outlet that drags Fox News the hardest is *cartoons on Fox*. pic.twitter.com/2ZDUSFVAYz
— Miss Alissa (@themstems) May 23, 2022
The Simpsons did an entire musical episode describing the death of the Middle Class with @RealHughJackman and @RBReich. 33 years on TV, and this show can still put out bangers.
— Lowell “Vote Blue in 2022” Renold (@LowellYoda) May 23, 2022