'In a world obsessed with Hate Laws, there are none that protect me’

The Simpsons have parodied Morrissey – and he’s not happy.

In  the episode which aired on Sunday in the US - titled Panic on the Streets of Springfield - Lisa become obsessed with a British singer named Quilloughby and his band The Snuffs after finding their 1980s work online.

But when she goes to a reunion concert she finds the lead singer, as voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, is now an overweight, racist, meat-eater.

‘I was [a vegan], until I found out veganism was invented by foreigners, for whom there are far too many on this planet,’ the character says at one point.

The episode also includes this spot-on parody of The Smiths, Everything Is Horrid Except for Me (And Possibly You), by Bret Mckenzie of Flight Of The Conchords and Simpsons writer Tim Long

Everyone is horrid except for Quilloughby and Lisa: https://t.co/2CIoa9SQ7L pic.twitter.com/mXwD83qC2s

— CUMBERPORN (@cumberporn) April 19, 2021

However the episode received a tart response from Morissey and his manager.

In a long statement posted on his website, Morrissey wrote: ‘The hatred shown towards me from the creators of the Simpsons is obviously a taunting lawsuit, but one that requires more funding than I could possibly muster in order to make a challenge.’

He also complained: ‘You are especially despised if your music affects people in a strong and beautiful way, since music is no longer required to.… In a world obsessed with Hate Laws, there are none that protect me’

And on the singer’s official Facebook page, his manager Peter Katsis slammed the episode as ‘harshly hateful’.

The post read, verbatim: ‘Surprising what a "turn for the worst" the writing for The Simpson’s tv show has taken in recent years.

‘Sadly, The Simpson’s show started out creating great insight into the modern cultural experience, but has since degenerated to trying to capitalize on cheap controversy and expounding on vicious rumors.

‘Poking fun at subjects is one thing. Other shows like SNL still do a great job at finding ways to inspire great satire.

‘But when a show stoops so low to use harshly hateful tactics like showing the Morrissey character with his belly hanging out of his shirt (when he has never looked like that at any point in his career) makes you wonder who the real hurtful, racist group is here.

‘Even worse – calling the Morrissey character out for being a racist, without pointing out any specific instances, offers nothing. It only serves to insult the artist.

‘They should take that mirror and hold it up to themselves.

‘Simpson’s actor Hank Azaria’s recent apology to the whole country of India for his role in upholding "structural racism" says it all.

Unlike the character in the Simpson’s "Panic" episode… Morrissey has never made a "cash grab", hasn’t sued any people for their attacks, has never stopped performing great shows, and is still a serious vegan and strong supporter for animal rights.

‘By suggesting all of the above in this episode…the Simpson’s hypocritical approach to their storyline says it all.

‘Truly they are the only ones who have stopped creating, and have instead turned unapologetically hurtful and racist.

‘Not surprising…… that The Simpsons viewership ratings have gone down so badly over recent years.’

He later blasted Cumberbatch for taking part in the ‘Simpsons bullshit’ asking: ‘Why did Cumberbatch even agree to take this voice-over gig playing the Morrissey character?

‘Could he be that hard up for cash that he would agree to bad rap another artist that harshly?

‘Clearly he would have read the outline or script before he took the gig.

‘Could he actually be as big an asshole as the people on The Simpson’s writing team?  and the FOX team?

‘Apparently so.  Maybe he should speak up and tell his side of this. ‘

‘Does he even have enough balls to do that?’

The episode is expected to premiere on Sky One in the UK on May 14.

Published: 20 Apr 2021