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THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT has identified a new enemy in its battle to avoid the ‘moral corruption’ of its country’s youth: The Simpsons.
Dolls depicting Springfield’s First Family have been outlawed by the government, joining Barbie dolls on the list of western toys which are now deemed contraband in the country.
The animated series that made the family famous – now in its 23rd season, making it the longest-running sitcom in US history – is not shown on Iranian TV, though it can be seen by Iranians with access to foreign satellite TV networks.
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“We do not want to promote this cartoon by importing the toys,” Reuters quotes an official from the country’s Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults as saying.
“The Simpsons dolls are merchandise from an animated series, of which some episodes are even banned in Europe and America,” he added, though it was not clear to which episodes he was referring.
Genuine and counterfeit dolls of The Simpsons – and, indeed, Barbie – remain widely accessible in Iran, despite the trade sanctions imposed by Western countries in protest at Iran’s nuclear programme.
Not all western dolls are banned there: superheroes like Superman are still welcomed because of their moral code and intent to fight crime.
Tuesday 26 November, 2024
Tuesday 26 November, 2024
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Don't have a cow, man: Simpsons dolls banned in Iran
THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT has identified a new enemy in its battle to avoid the ‘moral corruption’ of its country’s youth: The Simpsons.
Dolls depicting Springfield’s First Family have been outlawed by the government, joining Barbie dolls on the list of western toys which are now deemed contraband in the country.
The animated series that made the family famous – now in its 23rd season, making it the longest-running sitcom in US history – is not shown on Iranian TV, though it can be seen by Iranians with access to foreign satellite TV networks.
“We do not want to promote this cartoon by importing the toys,” Reuters quotes an official from the country’s Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults as saying.
“The Simpsons dolls are merchandise from an animated series, of which some episodes are even banned in Europe and America,” he added, though it was not clear to which episodes he was referring.
Genuine and counterfeit dolls of The Simpsons – and, indeed, Barbie – remain widely accessible in Iran, despite the trade sanctions imposed by Western countries in protest at Iran’s nuclear programme.
Not all western dolls are banned there: superheroes like Superman are still welcomed because of their moral code and intent to fight crime.
Read: Julian Assange to guest star in The Simpsons
More: Channel 4 announcers deliberately mispronounce The Simpsons
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Bart Simpson Cowabunga Homer Simpson Iran Lisa Simpson Maggie Simpson Marge Simpson The Simpsons Trade sanctions Western culture