Comments on: Marge Simpson in Playboy: a pretty clever business move

By: Celina

Celina — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:27:11 +0000

That had been done before by Maxim

http: //www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5094509/Lads-mag-Maxim-moves-online-only-after-collapse-in-sales. html
(remove the tabs)

By: cathy

cathy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:37:48 +0000

It’s less subversive because there has been a rather popular erotic comic piece with the same character and theme floating aroung the internet for a while.

By: Asada

Asada — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:40:32 +0000

yeah I didn’t get it either.

This is so very unlike Marge’s character that I think they are pushing it for bucks.

By: Natalia Antonova

Natalia Antonova — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:04:08 +0000

So Tali, personally, I’m curious now – do you consider everything that happens in the sex industry to be rape? Since you’re speaking from the position of an anti-rape advocate?

By: Tali

Tali — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:38:32 +0000

Without getting into a debate of sex-positive vs. anti-pornography ideology, I think it’s safe to say that the November cover of Playboy is a move based more heavily in consumerist tastes than subversive art.

Allison, that is the anti-pornography feminist position. Marge in Playboy is no more subversive art than Suicide Girls, and no less driven by consumerist demands than the rest of the sex industry.

You own your opinion, of course, but it would be satisfyingly sisterlike to this anti-rape advocate if you acknowledged that you do indeed occupy a position on the feminist continuum about commodification.

Sincerely,
Tali

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:42:58 +0000

It’s an interesting technique to try to attract a younger audience then the magazine usually attracts. I agree with Rachel’s post, I’m not sure that it will draw in younger audiences for good but it’s a good step in a positive direction. Some people are arguing though that sexualizing a cartoon character such as Marge crosses a line. http://www.newsy.com/videos/marge_simpson_playboy_cover_girl

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:25:37 +0000

Well written! Personally, I think it was a great idea on Playboy’s part to feature Marge in order to reach out to younger men. I’m not sure it will draw buyers in for good, however. Getting pornography online is just so easy. And I’m not so sure how I feel about the images of Marge and the first woman of color being similar. Seems kind of suggestive to me…