the scoop: SIMPSONOLOGY by Brittney Hansen
SIMPSONOLOGY [simp-suhn-ol-uh-jee] -noun, plural -gies
Photos by Denise Du Vernay
1. The science that deals with the study of the American animated sitcom, The Simpsons. 2. The study of this science. 3. The features and processes in the science occurring in any given environment: the Simpsonology of Chris Turner’s Planet Simpson; the Simpsonology in the classrooms at UC Berkeley. Origin: 1989-2006 Simpson- + -logy Related term: Simpsonologist [simp-suhn-ol-uh-jist]-noun, plural -gists, a person who specializes in Simpsons research and study Denise Du Vernay considers herself an educator, pop culture freak, voter, rhubarb enthusiast, writer, nervous fidgeter, driver, wine drinker, girlfriend, friend, daughter, aunt and sister – but most importantly, a Simpsonologist. She recently co-authored a textbook called “The Simpsons in the Classroom: Embiggening the Learning Experience with the Wisdom of Springfield.” Du Vernay is also a bi-weekly columnist for MatchFlick.com, along with coauthor Karma Waltonen. In an article for the Web site called “Confessions of a Simpsons Geek,” Du Vernay wrote, “My love of ‘The Simpsons’ began not unlike anyone else’s, I guess. I remember seeing the shorts on ‘The Tracey Ullman Show.’ I didn’t think it would be fantastic, but I was intrigued by the concept, and watched that first season. The Simpsons and I were pals – not super tight – until I was 21 and got my heart broken. I began spending time with my friend Patrick, who was also a sad mess. I would record the episodes on my parents’ VCR and bring them to his place. Patrick and I watched all of the episodes from that winter and spring, but especially ‘The Otto Show’ and ‘Lisa on Ice’ repeatedly.” Originally from St. Michael, Minn., Du Vernay, 36, received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Earth Science from the University of South Dakota in 1998. Du Vernay fled the Midwest after having her heart broken, and with the help of “The Simpsons,” she moved to Florida to pursue a Master of Arts in Literature. “I didn’t need the awesome companionship of the Simpson family anymore, but I didn’t desert them, not after they’d been there for me,” she wrote on Matchflick.
36 | May 2010
Then one day she met Karma Waltonen. Waltonen was a guest speaker in Du Vernay’s pedagogy class at Florida State University, and a magical union was formed. “We met one day and became instant best friends and discovered that we both loved Weird Al and ‘The Simpsons’ and you couldn’t tear us apart after that,” said Du Vernay. “Once you have a Weird Al connection…” Du Vernay and Waltonen both taught classes on writing about “The Simpsons” at FSU; Du Vernay’s was called “The Simpsons: Satire, Theory and Pop Culture.”