Yes! More on the Simpsons!

[jbor]

What some people don't seem able to get their heads around is the fact that
the bag over his head and the "reclusive author" label aren't the only
aspects of that Simpsons cameo. There's the book blurb he gives for Marge's
book, that big neon flashing sign pointing at his house, and the fact that
he's hounding passers by in cars to accept an autograph from him. These
three other components aren't part of some media conspiracy to label him a
"recluse" at all. In fact, it's quite pathetic and desperate the way that
the cartoon Pynchon, supposedly a "reclusive author", is reduced to this
sort of thing in order to get people to notice him.

Sure it's ironic in itself, but the larger irony -- the self-conscious,
postmodern irony -- is that doing a guest spot on the Simpsons is *exactly*
the type of resort to crass commercialism which he's ostensibly parodying in
the scene.

best

> Pynchon's "blurb" for Marge's book is actually a backhander (à la Oscar
> Wilde or Dorothy Parker, though not so subtle). As we know, he doesn't like
> cameras at all, and for those viewers who don't realise this or don't know
> who he is the paper bag over his head is a gimme. It's probable also that
> it's a dig at the number of blurbs he has given, often for mediocre works.
> 
> The neon sign pointing to the house and the placard he hangs over his neck
> play around with his reputation as a recluse -- as we know, he's a famous
> American author who has never once given an interview, or done a book
> signing tour (i.e. those "free autograph[s]" he's hawking to passers by) --
> and, again, for viewers who don't understand he refers to himself as "a
> reclusive author".
> 
> And, the final quip -- "But wait ... there's more!" -- mimics those late
> night tv ads for DemTel products where you get a set of steak knives and a
> new garden setting and the state of Tasmania thrown in when you purchase the
> exercise bike in four easy payments, and it's funny enough on that level for
> the non-aficionados. But, at another level, it does seem to support Tim's
> idea (and thanks for the spoiler warning when you posted the transcription,
> much appreciated) that the new book is nigh, that that's the "more" which is
> imminent -- and, he's making fun of himself for resorting to such a cheap
> commercial gesture to promote himself and his forthcoming book. It's a
> brilliant example of that trademark reflexivity or self-consciousness of
> postmodernism that Pynchon is both sending himself up for resorting to such
> a shameless publicity stunt, while at the same time he's actually pulling
> the stunt.