Keris Stainton on the TV women we love...
Who doesn't love Lisa Simpson? I mean, what's not to love? She's intelligent, funny, sophisticated - she's even a feminist! - and she's only 8 years old. She's also a cartoon character, but it's actually pretty easy to forget that.
Funny how when The Simpsons first began the promotion was all about Bart, when he's perhaps the least interesting member of the family (apart from Maggie). Homer and Marge are entertaining in their own way, but Lisa is easily my favourite Simpson.
With an IQ of 159 she's literate and articulate. A buddhist and a vegetarian, she was an environmental activist before it was fashionable.
She always (or at least almost always) acts honestly and with integrity. (And on those rare occasions when she doesn't, she gives herself a very hard time.)
Watching her deal wearily with the actions of her boorish ("Baboon! Baboon! Baboon! Baboon! Baboon! Baboon!") father and irritating brother only adds to her charm.
She's idealistic and, yes, sometimes self-righteous and dogmatic, but, you know, give her a break: she's still a child, after all.
Marge gave a lot up to marry Homer and have three children, and her promise will surely be realised in Lisa.
The visions of Lisa in the future have included her as America's first female president and, you know, I could see it happening. If she wasn't, you know, fictional and animated...
Homer: It's like David and Goliath, only this time David won.
[Lisa sighs]
Lisa's Brain: I know, I heard it too. Here's some music.
[Piano music plays quietly. Lisa smiles contentedly]
Keris co-edits Shiny Media’s fabulous women’s fiction blog, Trashionista and contributes to TV Scoop, The Bag Lady and Bridalwave. She once dreamt she was having sex with Mr Burns, but doesn't like to think about it.
