Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Just Asking Questions
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Print Subscription
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Fair & Balanced

Reason Staff | 11.3.2003 11:58 AM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Reader Chris Puzak alerts us that Matt Groening is now saying "just kidding" about the Fox News/Simpsons lawsuit story.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Courage Through Conformity

Reason Staff
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Hide Comments (7)

Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.

  1. Bart S.   22 years ago

    The problem is, I don't know who to believe. Mr. Groening certainly sounded credible when he first mentioned the issue. Fox becomes embarassed with the revelation that thier attack dogs are too agressive and don't have a sense of humor a WEEK later the story is retracted.

    I smell bullshit somewhere....

  2. Anonymous   22 years ago

    In Bart S.'s world, there's no such thing as a practical joke. Sad.

  3. Mark S.   22 years ago

    I never liked Groening. Despite the fact she could be a cast-iron bitch, every time I heard a crack against Any Rand on the Simpsons or Futurama I wanted to throw a heavy object through the TV because you just know that hippie hypocrite is condemning libertarians (like me) by association. I don't like being the punchline of anyone's jokes.

  4. JSM   22 years ago

    Matt Groening is good, but maybe too good. Lucky for him he has the longest running, and most popular syndicated and primetime cartoon.

    The original story got me thinking about what is "fair and balanced." I concluded that to get fair and balanced news in general, one might have to listen to NPR on the commute in the car and watch Fox at home on TV. That way, you get the spin from both sides. Just my thoughts.

  5. Ryan Jensen   22 years ago

    The Simpsons? How about the South Park episode where the police officer learns to read? He is given Atlas Shrugged as his first "real" book and finishes the show saying "This is the worst piece of crap I have ever read. Just because of this book, I am never reading again" (or something like that) and everyone cheers. [Chickenlover, Episode 203]

    I think it's funny being the brunt of jokes. But hey, I'm Norwegian and grew up memorizing Ole and Lena jokes as reading primers in elementary school (MN).

    Ryan

    PS Ole and Lena got married. On their honeymoon trip they were nearing Minneapolis when Ole put his hand on Lena's knee. Giggling, Lena said, "Ole, you can go a little farther now if ya vant to"... so Ole drove to Duluth.

  6. Ryan Jensen   22 years ago

    Correction:

    Officer Barbrady in South Park says:

    "At first I was happy to be learning how to read. It seemed exciting and magical. But then I read this: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I read every last word of this garbage, and because of this piece of sh**, I'm never reading again." [cheers]

  7. 80sfan   22 years ago

    If I had to choose between being a Matt Groening fan and a libertarian, I'd probably have to be an excommunicated-libertarian/Matt Groening fan.

Please log in to post comments

Mute this user?

  • Mute User
  • Cancel

Ban this user?

  • Ban User
  • Cancel

Un-ban this user?

  • Un-ban User
  • Cancel

Nuke this user?

  • Nuke User
  • Cancel

Un-nuke this user?

  • Un-nuke User
  • Cancel

Flag this comment?

  • Flag Comment
  • Cancel

Un-flag this comment?

  • Un-flag Comment
  • Cancel

Latest

Trump's Proposed Ban on Institutional Investors Owning Single-Family Homes Would Make No One Better Off

Christian Britschgi | 1.8.2026 5:35 PM

The Minnesota Fraud Scandal Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Veronique de Rugy | 1.8.2026 4:35 PM

Venezuelan Socialist Regime Announces Release of a 'Number of Important' Political Prisoners

César Báez | 1.8.2026 3:39 PM

Why Insulting Brigitte Macron Online Can Mean Prison Time in France

Jack Nicastro | 1.8.2026 2:49 PM

Elon Musk Said Rand Paul Is the One Person in Washington Who 'Gets It'

Billy Binion | 1.8.2026 12:33 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

I WANT FREE MINDS AND FREE MARKETS!

Help Reason push back with more of the fact-based reporting we do best. Your support means more reporters, more investigations, and more coverage.

Make a donation today! No thanks
r

I WANT TO FUND FREE MINDS AND FREE MARKETS

Every dollar I give helps to fund more journalists, more videos, and more amazing stories that celebrate liberty.

Yes! I want to put my money where your mouth is! Not interested
r

SUPPORT HONEST JOURNALISM

So much of the media tries telling you what to think. Support journalism that helps you to think for yourself.

I’ll donate to Reason right now! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK

Push back against misleading media lies and bad ideas. Support Reason’s journalism today.

My donation today will help Reason push back! Not today
r

HELP KEEP MEDIA FREE & FEARLESS

Back journalism committed to transparency, independence, and intellectual honesty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

STAND FOR FREE MINDS

Support journalism that challenges central planning, big government overreach, and creeping socialism.

Yes, I’ll support Reason today! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK AGAINST SOCIALIST IDEAS

Support journalism that exposes bad economics, failed policies, and threats to open markets.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BAD IDEAS WITH FACTS

Back independent media that examines the real-world consequences of socialist policies.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BAD ECONOMIC IDEAS ARE EVERYWHERE. LET’S FIGHT BACK.

Support journalism that challenges government overreach with rational analysis and clear reasoning.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Support journalism that challenges centralized power and defends individual liberty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BACK JOURNALISM THAT PUSHES BACK AGAINST SOCIALISM

Your support helps expose the real-world costs of socialist policy proposals—and highlight better alternatives.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BACK AGAINST BAD ECONOMICS.

Donate today to fuel reporting that exposes the real costs of heavy-handed government.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks