I just watched "Sideshow Bob Roberts" (1994), an episode of the Simpsons which covers Sideshow Bob's release from prison and his election as mayor. It was hilarious, but depressing how little has changed.
1. Schwarzenegger is still a Republican, and even became governor of CA in 2003. Consequently, he's even more credibly a prominent Republican than when this episode aired.
2. Rush Limbaugh is still on the radio. And yes, he's still a fat blowhard.
3. The secret Republican conclave applauded a top loading water dispenser as their next mayor. Arguably, this echoes the Romney-is-an-empty-suit claim.
4. Democrats still have to fight the soft on crime reputation.
5. One-liners are more important than substance in debates.
6. Personal illness during debates affects perceptions. (Scott Brown sounded a bit sick during today's debate.) However, I'm guessing most don't know that it's a reference to the Kennedy-Nixon debates.
7. Krusty the Clown votes for Bob, even though Bob tried to frame him for armed robbery, because he is itching for an upper-class tax cut.
8. Voter fraud is a major plot device (in this case, having the deceased people - and pets - vote). Note, however, that the voter fraud in this case was perpetrated by Bob, a Republican, even though most current efforts against fraud (turnout?) are being pushed by Republicans.
9. The Democrat is being portrayed as a womanizer, a tax evader, and illiterate. Two of these three still apply today, and it appears literacy/intelligence/education is no longer necessarily seen as virtuous (see: Rick Santorum and Massachusetts Senate debate).
10. Margins of error in polling data are still funny.
11. Lisa has a great line when she says "I can't believe that a convicted felon (Bob) could receive so many votes (100%), while another convicted felon (Quimby) could receive so few." Since broadcast, a handful of Democrats (including Blagojevich) and Republicans (including George Ryan) have gone to jail. Also, see Providence, RI and Washington DC for convicted criminals returning to public office.
12. Larry King is still old, and probably will still be involved in the debates, or coverage of the debates.
The things that don't age well:
1. Dukakis debate reference.
2. Citizen Kane reference when Bob celebrates at Republican headquarters election night.
3. Stacey Coone was the sergeant involved with the Rodney King trial.
4. People don't remember Matlock, or why old people loved it so much. (RIP Andy Griffith)
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