P on The Simpsons

[pynchonoid]

Thanks to davemarc and Till for the reminders about
Pynchon's previous interviews.

I see Pynchon making a steady move out of what some
people -- the reporters that Pynchon mentioned when he
was interviewed by a CNN producer back in 1997, as
well as some voices here on Pynchon-L, who continue to
perpetuate the myth that Pynchon does not give
interviews -- have termed his "reclusive author"
stance, with this trend of increasing contacts with
the press in recent years. 

The Simpsons episode indicates, to me, that in some
ways he is a fun-loving, TV-watching human (who also
happens to be an amazing writer, considered by many to
be the best living American writer, and higher
praise), not the reclusive, paranoid, drugged object
of cult worship.  Once more, P shows himself ready,
willing, and able to present himself to journalists,
researchers, and to the public, on his own terms.

Based on the Simpsons appearance, I think Pynchon
would be the last to stuff himself in some "postmodern
novelist" box --his appearance specifically poked fun
at the idea of sticking any sort of label on Pynchon
-- but he certainly shows the ability to play with his
image and joke with his public.

I doubt we'll see him on "60 Minutes" any time soon,
but I would expect to see him play a more active role,
in the public eye, as the time for publication of his
next book draws near.

P.S.  That P chooses to appear on The Simpsons doesn't
undercut his attack on the Tube in Vineland (and
elsewhere in his work), either -- if anything, his
appearance on the program pokes fun at people who are
caught up in the images of "celebrities" that are
promulgated by the Tube, especially those people who,
frustrated that they can't get him to -- as Hector
proposes to Zoyd - give up his cherry, and call him a
recluse.
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