However, for intertextuality to be entertaining, it does not need to be “funny”, as humorous and other usages of intertextual references are equally important for the show’s success. Moreover, the show positions itself in a long tradition of self-referential …show more content…
They are heavily influenced by individual animation series, such as the Warner Brothers cartoons and particularly Hanna-Barbera’s Tom and Jerry and Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks, but the various episodes that trace their historical development also show elements of Disney cartoons, Robert Crumb’s Fritz the Cat and Felix the Cat (Arnold 260; von der Goltz 163). Therefore, The Itchy & Scratchy also enables the producers of The Simpsons to position their show in relation to other animated shows or films and use this intertextual mirror to reflect upon the characteristics of the whole series instead of single