Armenian Representation in U.S Television: The Simpsons

Growing up in the south, Parskhye representation was nonexistent, and Armenian representation was rare on television. No major films highlighted Armenian causes, people, or characters. This lack of representation made the few times when an Armenian name or face flashed across the screen unforgettable. One key time in which a show provided representation has stood out to a generation of Armenians. I am not talking about the Kardashians or those Iconic System of A Down interviews and live performances. The show I am referring to is The Simpsons. While the show itself is full of many stereotypical representations of Asian people, for a generation of Armenians, we clung to the show because it offered something we had never had, representation. The brief analysis I provide highlights the relationships between the television show and a generation of Armenians today who have clung to characters sometimes 22 years after the show revealed their identities. 

The Simpsons is a famous American TV show that began airing in 1989. The show highlights a town called Springfield and the mishaps and adventures of the Simpson family as they navigate life. The series has many side characters, such as Seymour Skinner and Moe Szyslak.  What these two men have in common is Armenian ancestry. 

Seymour Skinner shocked Armenian fans across the US when an episode aired in 1997 revealed that Skinner was actually Armin Tamzarian, an Armenian man who had essentially committed identity theft. This moment was so iconic that ARA THE RAT (a modern Armenian-inspired and designed clothing line) crafted Armin Tamazarian pins displaying the honorable school principal proudly standing next to the Armenian flag.

Another important character in this theme is Moe Szyslak. Moe is a character from the show that is most notably known for his bar and somewhat unappealing habits. In 2021, another development within this character came to light. What some fans may have missed is that Moe is half Armenian (and half monster). When this episode aired, many Armenians took to social media to share this seemingly important update.

Throughout the series, other forms of Armenian representation have been scattered throughout episodes. This has ranged from using music written by Armenian composers to characters based on historical figures. Thanks to ARA THE RAT, there is a well-developed list of these and guest appearances that you can find on their website.

Representation of diverse characters is important in films and TV shows. Undeniably, the lack thereof leads those seeing a glimpse of representation to cling on even tighter; at times, we lose sight of other issues and misrepresentations. The Simpsons is a show that has faced many justified criticisms about its misrepresentation of Asian characters; despite this, the impact the show had on the Armenian community in the U.S is something undeniable as symbols of the show have become a common feature among the modern pop culture.