'I was appalled and embarrassed': Matt Groening reveals he wasn't comfortable with how The Simpsons portrayed Australia in iconic episode
It was The Simpsons episode that saw mischievous Bart go head-to-head with the Australian judiciary after a prank call went awry.
And while the iconic episode Bart v Australia is now considered somewhat of a cultural badge of honour for the country, The Simpson's creator Matt Groening has revealed he still feels embarrassed about the absurd way in which Australia was portrayed.
'Australians are very forgiving. I was slightly appalled and embarrassed by our disrespect for the facts, but, what are you going to do? It's a cartoon,' said Matt in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald this week.
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'What are you going to do? It's a cartoon': The Simpson's creator Matt Groening has revealed he still feels embarrassed about the absurd way in which Australia was portrayed in The Simpsons' iconic episode Bart v Australia
Speaking to the publication about how the Australian-themed episode came about, Matt said: 'I studied Australian culture and history to makes sure we got it right and then the writers said no, no, we're going to go out of our way to get everything wrong.
'I said at the time, I don't think that's a good strategy.'
The writers had other plans, however, opting to forgo reality in favour of a tongue-in-cheek tour of Australia, focusing upon everything from a half-baked Crocodile Dundee character and a naked Prime Minister.
'I said at the time, I don't think that's a good strategy': Matt admitted he wasn't sold on the idea of intentinoally portraying Australia in a false way
Mixed reviews: While some Australian fans took offense at the the time of the episode's release, many praised the show's creators for taking a jab at what Americans must think of the outside world
While some Australian fans took offense at the the time of the episode's release, many praised the show's creators for taking a jab at what Americans must think of the outside world.
Producer David Mirkin previously spoke about the spoof episode, telling The Newcastle Herald in 2005 that: 'It was intentional to make it very inaccurate. That was our evil side coming out.'
'We'll take our knowledge of Australia and we'll twist it around to stimulate an audience and annoy them at the same time.'
'That was our evil side coming out': Producer David Mirkin has also spoken about the spoof episode
Matt is set to appear at the Sydney Opera House this Wednesday to deliver a talk as part of the Graphic Festival.
Joined by The Simpsons' cartoonist Lynda Barry, Matt will indulge the audience in a slew of never-before-seen outtakes from the show as well as delving into the more complex aspects of the show's humour.
It will mark their only appearance in Australia.
Must-see! Matt is set to appear at the Sydney Opera House this Wednesday to deliver a talk as part of the Graphic Festival
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