April 13, 2002

9:42 AM

Simpsons Producer Apologizes to Rio.James Brooks, executive producer of "The Simpsons," apologized to Rio de Janeiro this week for a recent episode of the long-running animated show in which the city was depicted with rats and monkeys teeming on its streets. "We apologize to the lovely city and people of Rio de Janeiro," Brooks said in a statement on Friday. "If that doesn't settle the issue, Homer Simpson offers to take on the President of Brazil on Fox Celebrity Boxing," he added.
posted by ncurley (7 comments total)

In other news, residents of Rio's favelas announced they were incensed by the latest apology. "We do have rats and at least the occasional monkey on the streets. Additionally," he paused, beaming with an oddly-timed self-satisfaction, "many residents have monkeys on their backs. When will the Simpsons apologize for this insulting apology?" He said the favelas could not afford an expensive tourism campaign, but promised that every American who visited would be entitled to a free case of an STD.
posted by dhartung at 10:24 AM on April 13, 2002

Fuck Rio, by the way.
They've gotten a bit self-important for a country where you're just barely required to wear pants, haven't they?
posted by dong_resin at 10:56 AM on April 13, 2002

"Rio's tourist board said on Monday it was considering legal action against "The Simpsons" producers for undermining its $18 million tourism campaign. "

I didn't know there was an international law against undermining.
posted by Settle at 12:00 PM on April 13, 2002

yes unfortunately world stocks of under are running desperately low. Any country where you can run your car on alcohol needs a bit of piss-taking.
posted by johnnyboy at 12:18 PM on April 13, 2002

Er, I called it a "country", when Rio de Janeiro is, in fact, a "state".

You can just barely tell I'm a product of Florida public school, eh?
posted by dong_resin at 1:02 PM on April 13, 2002

I didn't know there was an international law against undermining.

Well Settle, only if the undermining is done by Americans.
posted by roel at 1:23 PM on April 13, 2002

Finally, now I feel safer going abroad and visiting the fine city of Rio after that frightening Simpsons episode. Favelas? Are those the ones made with beef or chicken?
posted by skallas at 6:20 PM on April 13, 2002