Morrissey Is Pissed After 'The Simpsons' Portrayed Him as a Racist Meat-Eater

The singer says he would sue the show but that would require "more funding than I could possibly muster"

BY Josiah HughesPublished Apr 19, 2021

As previously promisedThe Simpsons used their platform to poke fun at Morrissey last night, hiring Benedict Cumberbatch to voice the character. As could be expected, Moz did not waste much time to respond to the portrayal.

The episode was called "Panic on the Streets of Springfield" and sees Lisa become obsessed with Quilloughby, the singer of a fabled indie band called the Snuffs. When she goes to see them perform a reunion show, however, she finds out that he's a racist, overweight meat-eater.

"I found out veganism was invented by foreigners, for whom there are far too many on this planet," Quilloughby said in the episode.

In response, a statement penned by Morrissey rep Peter Katsis was posted on the singer's social media channels shortly after the episode aired.

"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," it reads.

The worst part is that in the statement's critique of the show, it makes a pretty solid point — the narrative surrounding The Simpsons is that the show has made plenty of racist decisions by casting white actors to perform characters of colour, in particular surrounding the caricature-like voice that Hank Azaria used while performing Apu.

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

Of course, Morrissey himself has said plenty of racist things on a near-constant basis over the years. Still, you can read the response to The Simpsons below.

UPDATE (4/19, 11:40 p.m. ET): Morrissey himself has now responded to the episode and penned a lengthy message on his website Morrissey Central, saying he would sue The Simpsons but a lawsuit like that "requires more funding than I could possibly muster in order to make a challenge. Neither do I have a determined business squad of legal practitioners ready to pounce."

He then wrote: "There is no place in modern music for anyone with strong emotions," Morrissey continues. "Limitations have been placed on art, and no label will sign an artist who might answer back. Anyway, forgive me, we all know this because we can see how music – and the world in general, has become a mesmerizing mess, and we must let it go spinning along unbearably because free speech no longer exists. We all know this."

He hardly stops ranting there, though, so you if you want to read the whole thing, you'll have to click here.


 

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