Flanderization

Last updated
A visual demonstration of Flanderization; over time, certain features of the character are exaggerated while details are lost, to the point that the character becomes merely a caricature of their initial self. Winston Rowntree - Sitcom Flanderization (AI upscaled).png
A visual demonstration of Flanderization; over time, certain features of the character are exaggerated while details are lost, to the point that the character becomes merely a caricature of their initial self.

Flanderization is the process through which a fictional character's essential traits are oversimplified to the point where they constitute their entire personality, or at least exaggerated while other traits remain, over the course of a serial work.

Contents

The term Flanderization was coined by TV Tropes, [1] in reference to Ned Flanders of The Simpsons , who was caricatured over the show's run from a friendly and good-hearted neighbor (among other characteristics, while maintaining his Christian faith) into a dogmatic, evangelical "bible-thumper". [2]

Flanderization is often associated with and cited[ by whom? ] as a consequence of "jumping the shark", a term used to demonstrate a creative work's gradual decline in quality which leads to a sudden decline in popularity.[ citation needed ]

Definition and etymology

Flanderization is the process through which a single element of a character's personality, often an originally mild element, is inflated in importance over the course of a work until it becomes the character's primary defining trait. [3] [4] The term was coined by TV Tropes, [1] a wiki that collects and documents descriptions and examples of plot conventions and devices in fiction and pop culture, in reference to the character of Ned Flanders. [2]

Flanders himself is a complex example of Flanderization, having undergone the process in the middle seasons of the show before once again returning to a similar portrayal to his original one. [5] Originating as "perhaps the only genuinely well-meaning, good-natured person in Springfield", Flanders was originally intended to be an ideal ("annoyingly perfect" [6] ) neighbor who served as a contrast and foil for Homer Simpson. As a devoutly religious and church-going man, his faith was intended to serve as a contrast to Homer's lack of religious sophistication. However, over the course of the show's run, Flanders was simplified into a religious fundamentalist whose Christianity was his primary defining characteristic. [7]

While Flanderization is primarily discussed in the context of fictional characters, it has also been applied to real people and historical events. [8]

Examples

Flanderization is a widespread phenomenon in serialized fiction. In its originating show of The Simpsons , it has been discussed both in the context of Ned Flanders and as relating to other characters; Lisa Simpson has been discussed as a classic example of the phenomenon, having, debatably, been even more Flanderized than Flanders himself. [9] The specific case of Ned Flanders has been discussed as a symptom of the general decline of The Simpsons, once one of the most popular sitcoms in television history and once known for how dynamic its characters were. [10] Other works have also been criticized as going through Flanderization, usually (but not exclusively) in television series. Several characters in the American version of The Office , such as Kevin Malone, have been referred to by the term. [11] Dinesh from Silicon Valley is a lesser example of Flanderization, specifically in the show's final two seasons with the departure of T.J. Miller as Erlich Bachman. [12]

"It's ironic that the act of reducing a character to a single trait is called 'Flanderization', when Lisa Simpson is the most Flanderized character in TV history."

Amelia Tait, Vice News [9]

Outside of The Simpsons, Family Guy has been highlighted as one of the most prominent examples in animation, particularly with the characters of Peter and Brian Griffin. [13] Other animated series criticized for Flanderization include SpongeBob SquarePants , [14] The Fairly OddParents , Dexter's Laboratory , Thomas & Friends & The Loud House . Flanderization can sometimes occur in reboots or revivals of older, positively-received works, including Teen Titans Go! , ThunderCats Roar , Ren and Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon, and Velma .

Though the primary reference for Flanderization is in television, other fictional media can also have characters exhibit Flanderization. Many film characters have been described as being Flanderized in a sequel or franchise compared to their original portrayal. [15] Flanderization in cinema is particularly prevalent in horror films, especially slasher films. [16] Flanderization has also been described as a pitfall for tabletop role-playing games, where complex characters are often played for long periods of time by amateur writers. The practice of building roleplay characters around single quirks has been mentioned as a frequent cause of Flanderization. [2] As well as player characters, non-player characters in role-playing games are frequently Flanderized, due to the need for a single game master to play multiple characters. [17]

Flanderization has also been discussed in the context of real-world phenomena, such as subcultures that are Flanderized by the mainstream culture into simpler and more accessible forms; one example of this is the beatnik stereotype of the Beat Generation. [8] Another example of real-world Flanderization is the tendency for musicians, especially those associated with social media such as TikTok and SoundCloud, to simplify their musical personas after finding some commercial success. Musicians accused of Flanderization include Lil Pump, Lil Yachty, and Flo Milli. [18]

Interpretation

Flanderization has been described as symptomatic of a decline in writing quality and the mass success of a product under the capitalist structure. [3] It has been used as an argument against making sequels for a work [19] and described as "a lesson for other shows" whose characters have not gone through the process. [3] Some works have consciously attempted to avoid Flanderization, such as Rick and Morty , although the show itself has been accused of jumping the shark by other means as early as season 3. [20]

The specific case of Ned Flanders attracts special attention. Debate exists over whether Flanders is a consistently Flanderized character or whether he later returned to a more complex, dynamic portrayal. [5] [7] The appropriateness of the term "Flanderization" has also been disputed, as many characters in The Simpsons have undergone the caricaturing process, and Flanders himself may not be the most extreme case. [9] [10] Flanders's shifting portrayal has also been controversial as representative of a shift in media portrayals of religious people. As both the primary representative of Christianity on The Simpsons and as one of the most significant Christian fictional characters in the world, [21] the simplification of Ned Flanders as a character has been the subject of criticism, study, and reinterpretation. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart Simpson</span> Fictional character from The Simpsons

Bartholomew Jojo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional character from the American animated television series The Simpsons who is part of the Simpson family. Bart made his television debut in the short "Good Night" on The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening created and designed Bart while waiting in the lobby of James L. Brooks's office. Initially called to pitch a series of shorts based on his comic strip Life in Hell, Groening instead developed a new set of characters. Unlike the other Simpson family members, who were named after Groening's relatives, Bart's name is an anagram of brat. After two years on The Tracey Ullman Show, the Simpson family received their own series, which premiered on Fox on December 17, 1989. Bart has appeared in every episode of The Simpsons except "Four Great Women and a Manicure".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edna Krabappel</span> Character from The Simpsons

Edna Krabappel-Flanders was a fictional character from the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, voiced by Marcia Wallace. A 4th-grade teacher, she teaches Bart Simpson's class at Springfield Elementary School. In the twenty-third season, she marries Ned Flanders.

Springfield (<i>The Simpsons</i>) Fictional city in animated TV sitcom The Simpsons

Springfield is the primary fictional setting of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons and related media. It is an average-sized, fictional city within an unknown state in the United States. The fictional city's geography, surroundings, and layout are flexible, often changing to accommodate the plot of any given episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ned Flanders</span> Fictional character from The Simpsons franchise

Nedward "Ned" Flanders Jr., commonly referred to by his surname, is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons, voiced by Harry Shearer and first appearing in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire." He is the good-natured, cheery next-door neighbor to the Simpson family and is generally loathed by Homer Simpson, though there are numerous instances where the two are portrayed as good friends. A scrupulous and devout Evangelical Christian, he is among the friendliest and most compassionate of Springfield's residents and is generally considered a pillar of the Springfield community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Final girl</span> Trope in slasher horror films

The final girl or survivor girl is a trope in horror films. It refers to the last girl(s) or woman alive to confront the killer, ostensibly the one left to tell the story. The final girl has been observed in many films, notable examples being Psycho, Voices of Desire, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Halloween, Alien, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, and Terrifier 2. The term "final girl" was coined by Carol J. Clover in her article "Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher Film" (1987). Clover suggested that in these films, the viewer began by sharing the perspective of the killer, but experienced a shift in identification to the final girl partway through the film.

"Viva Ned Flanders" is the tenth episode of the tenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on Fox in the United States on January 10, 1999. In the episode, Ned Flanders, who is revealed to be 60 years old, feels that he has not lived his life to the fullest. He asks for help from his neighbor, Homer Simpson, who takes Ned to Las Vegas to show him "the right way to live". However, while there, the two become intoxicated and accidentally marry two cocktail waitresses named Amber and Ginger.

"Alone Again, Natura-Diddily" is the fourteenth episode of the eleventh season of the American television series The Simpsons, and marks the final regular appearance of the character Maude Flanders. The episode aired on Fox on February 13, 2000. In the episode, she is killed in an accident while watching an auto race, devastating Ned Flanders and prompting Homer to find a new woman for his grieving friend. After a series of unsuccessful dates, Ned begins to question his faith in God. However, his faith is restored after hearing the female lead singer of a Christian rock band, played by guest star Shawn Colvin, sing in church. The episode's title is a parody of the song title "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan.

"Bart the Lover" is the sixteenth episode of the third season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on Fox in the United States on February 13, 1992. In the episode, Bart, playing a prank on his teacher Edna Krabappel, responds to her personal ad as a man named Woodrow, which goes off the rails. In the subplot, Ned Flanders asks Homer to curtail his swearing, so Homer starts using a swear jar.

"Realty Bites" is the ninth episode of the ninth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on December 7, 1997. The episode sees Marge becoming a real estate agent, while Homer enjoys Snake's car. It was written by Dan Greaney and directed by Swinton O. Scott III.

Religion is one of many recurring themes on the American animated television series The Simpsons. Much of the series' religious humor satirizes aspects of Christianity and religion in general. However, some episodes, such as "Bart Sells His Soul" and "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily", can be interpreted as having a spiritual theme. The show has been both praised and criticized by atheists, agnostics, liberals, conservatives and religious people in general for its portrayal of faith and religion in society. The show can function as a mediator of biblical literacy among younger generations of irreligious viewers.

"Homer Loves Flanders" is the sixteenth episode of the fifth season of The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 17, 1994. In the episode, Ned Flanders invites Homer to a football game and the two become good friends. However, in a reversal of their usual roles, Ned soon grows weary of Homer's overbearing friendship and stupid antics, and actually begins to hate him.

"Bart Has Two Mommies" is the fourteenth episode of the seventeenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 19, 2006. The episode was written by Dana Gould and directed by Michael Marcantel.

<i>The Simpsons</i> season 10 Season of television series

The tenth season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons aired on Fox from August 23, 1998 to May 16, 1999. It contains twenty-three episodes, starting with "Lard of the Dance". The Simpsons is a satire of a middle-class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. Set in the fictional city of Springfield, the show lampoons American culture, society, television, and many aspects of the human condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes</span> 1st episode of the 20th season of The Simpsons

"Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes" is the first episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 28, 2008. In the episode, Homer meets bail bondsman Lucky Jim and Wolf the Bounty Hunter after getting charged for being involved in a fight, and they convince him to become a bounty hunter. In a twisted turn of events, he becomes Ned Flanders' partner. Meanwhile, Marge unknowingly begins working at an erotic bakery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Okilly Dokilly</span> American metal band themed around The Simpsons

Okilly Dokilly was an American metalcore band from Phoenix, Arizona, that played "Nedal" music; a subgenre of metal music themed around the animated character Ned Flanders from the television series The Simpsons. All band members performed dressed as Flanders, and the majority of the lyrics to their songs are quotes of his.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Race in horror films</span>

Depictions of race in horror films have been the subject of commentary by fans and academics. Critics have discussed the representation of race in horror films in relation to the presence of racist ideas, stereotypes and tropes within them. The horror genre has conversely also been used to explore social issues including race, particularly following popularization of social thrillers in the 2010s.

"Better Off Ned" is the 16th episode of the thirty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 678th episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on March 15, 2020. The episode was directed by Rob Oliver and was written by Joel H. Cohen and Jeff Westbrook from a story by Al Jean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Hallorann</span> Fictional character

Richard Hallorann is a fictional character created by Stephen King from his 1977 novel The Shining. He has telepathic abilities he called "the shining" and is the head chef at the Overlook Hotel. He meets Danny Torrance, a young boy who is also telepathic, and learns that the evil spirits of the hotel have taken control of Danny's father, Jack.

<i>The Simpsons</i> and Portland, Oregon

There are many connections between the American animated sitcom The Simpsons and the city of Portland, Oregon, the hometown of series creator Matt Groening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Serious Flanders</span> 6th and 7th episodes of the 33rd season of The Simpsons

"A Serious Flanders" is a two-part episode of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It is the sixth and seventh episodes of the thirty-third season and the 712th and 713th episodes overall. Part One premiered on the Fox network in the United States on November 7, 2021, while Part Two premiered on November 14, 2021. Both parts are written by Cesar Mazariegos. Part One is directed by Debbie Mahan, while Part Two is directed by Matthew Faughnan.

References

  1. 1 2 Delos Trinos, Angelo (August 24, 2019). "The Simpsons: 10 Storylines That Have Aged Poorly". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Christensen, Aron; Lindquist, Erica (19 November 2020). "Flanderizing Characters". Loaded Dice 2. Folsom: Loose Leaf Stories. ISBN   9781643190624.
  3. 1 2 3 Zachary, Brandon (30 March 2020). "Flanderization: How Ned Flanders Became Synonymous With Bad Writing". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  4. ↑ Glinni, Gabriele (2020-12-30). "La 'flanderizzazione': quando un personaggio viene banalizzato". Pillole di Folklore e Scrittura (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  5. 1 2 Eames, Tom (18 June 2018). "7 classic TV characters who totally changed from their first appearance". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  6. ↑ Emily Lackey, "11 Annoying ‘90s Sitcom Neighbors, Ranked Archived 2021-05-19 at the Wayback Machine ", Bustle, Dec. 21, 2015; accessed 2021.03.19.
  7. 1 2 Tyler, Adrienne (31 December 2019). "How The Simpsons Ruined Ned Flanders". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  8. 1 2 Iglesias Rivas, Sara (2014). Allen Ginsberg's "Howl": a literary and cultural analysis (BA). University of Santiago de Compostela. p. 10.
  9. 1 2 3 Tait, Amelia (5 June 2020). "Definitive Proof That the Simpson Children Have Aged". Vice. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  10. 1 2 Henegan, Jacob (29 March 2017). "Why The Simpsons couldn't survive the new millennium". Homi Soit. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  11. ↑ Barker, Stephen (8 October 2020). "The Office: 5 Characters That Became Parodies Of Themselves (& 5 That Had Great Character Development)". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  12. ↑ Loofbourow, Lili (9 April 2018). "Silicon Valley is better without T.J. Miller". The Week. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  13. ↑ Sharp, Nathan (28 August 2020). "Family Guy: 10 Major Ways The Show Has Changed Throughout The Seasons". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  14. ↑ Neilan, Dan (17 January 2018). "Let's trace the rise, fall, and much later rebirth of Spongebob Squarepants". The AV Club. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  15. ↑ Tibbetts, John (18 July 2019). "10 Movie Characters Who Became Total Caricatures In Sequels". WhatCulture. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  16. ↑ Young, E (19 March 2019). "Leprechaun Returns is a true return to form". Global Comment. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Christensen, Aron; Lindquist, Erica (19 November 2020). "De-Flanderizing an NPC". Loaded Dice 2. Folsom: Loose Leaf Stories. ISBN   9781643190624.
  18. ↑ Gölz, Yannik. "Die Hoffnungsträgerin der Hoe-Anthems in der Findungsphase". laut.de (in German). Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  19. ↑ Supovitz, Ethan (9 April 2020). "Psycho-Pass: 5 Reasons Why We Need More Sequels (& 5 Why We Don't)". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Weiss, Josh (23 October 2020). "Dan Harmon says new Rick and Morty seasons actually 'more on schedule' thanks to pandemic". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  21. ↑ Pinsky, Mark I. (5 February 2001). "Blessed Ned of Springfield". Christianity Today . Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  22. ↑ Stefánsson, Stefán Birgir (2013). The Id, the Ego and the Superego of The Simpsons (BA). University of Iceland.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.