The modern landscape of American entertainment is filled with commentary on the state of the union. Viewers turn toThe Daily Show instead of Fox or CNN, satirical films such asWag the Dog, cartoons likeThe Simpsons, or controversial action dramas similar to24 in order to learn more about current events in the United States. Popular culture is educating America more than the nightly news, aiding viewers in their quest to understand the American political system.
InHomer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture, Joseph J. Foy and other contributing scholars offer diverse political perspectives through the framework of popular culture. From the classic filmMr. Smith Goes to Washington to the cutting-edge television programChappelle's Show, a wide spectrum of entertainment media is used to explain the complexities of U.S. politics and how audiences engage with them. Popular culture and politics have never been so intertwined in the American consciousness as they are today. As political knowledge becomes increasingly fragmented,Homer Simpson Goes to Washington explains how popular culture can actually help connect people to their government.