Yes! More on the Simpsons!

[Tim Strzechowski]

And then, of course, he *may* just dig _The Simpsons_ . . .


From: "jbor" <jbor at bigpond.com>



> 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.
>
>
>