Nuclear Power Industry and Springfield
This Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News item is slightly amusing. As it turns out, certain members of the nuclear power industry have actively thought about how The Simpsons affect the perceptions people may have regarding nuclear power. According to Tom Kmiecik, of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant:
“When the Simpsons first started, people were concerned the nuclear industry would be portrayed badly. As an industry, we all sort of decided that the power plants being upset with the Simpsons would be like a rock quarry being upset with the Flintstones,” Kmiecik said.
Of course, becoming alarmed or concerned over The Simpsons may be a futile effort. Everybody from automakers, whole countries, and the Fox News Network has been the butt of a joke and a subject for satire. But, then again, the nuclear power hasn’t gotten the same attention as some of the other usual targets. Nuclear power is an engrained part of the show, as it’s part of Springfield’s identity as a town, as well as the character of Mr. Burns too.
Still, at least Tom Kmiecik is showing a good sense of humor about it all. After all, what choice would they ultimately have? Raising a stink about it, being combative, and other such attitudes would like doing more damage to the nuclear industry. So, it’s for the best that they just take their lumps in stride without creating too much of a fuss. One gets the feeling that taking on The Simpsons would likely be a public relations disaster.
Springfield, Nuclear Power, Mr. Burns, The Simpsons
Leave a Reply