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Difference between revisions of "Life in Hell"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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{{Realworld}}
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{{Italic title}}
 
{{comics
 
{{comics
 
|title= Life in Hell
 
|title= Life in Hell
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}}
 
}}
  
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'''''Life in Hell''''' was a 1977-2012 weekly comic strip by [[Matt Groening]]. The strip featured a family of anthropomorphic rabbits (father [[Binky]], mother Sheba and son {{ap|Bongo|Life in Hell}}) and a pair of identical-looking gay lovers ([[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]]). Groening used these characters to explore a wide range of topics about love, sex, work, and death. His drawings are full of expressions of angst, alienation, self-loathing, and fear of inevitable doom.
+
'''''Life in Hell''''' was a 1977–2012 weekly comic strip by [[Matt Groening]]. The strip featured a family of anthropomorphic rabbits (father [[Binky]], mother Sheba, and son {{ap|Bongo|Life in Hell}}) and a pair of identical-looking gay lovers ([[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]]). Groening used these characters to explore a wide range of topics about love, sex, work, and death. His drawings are full of expressions of angst, alienation, self-loathing, and fear of inevitable doom.
  
−
''Life in Hell'' started in 1977 as a self-published comic book Groening used to describe life in Los Angeles to his friends. Groening photocopied and distributed it in a small "punk" corner of the record store in which he worked, Licorice Pizza on Sunset Boulevard. ''Life in Hell'' debuted as a comic strip in the avant-garde Wet magazine in 1978,<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> to which Groening made his first professional cartoon sale. The first strip, entitled "Forbidden Words", appeared in the September/October issue. Popular in the underground, Life in Hell was picked up by the Los Angeles Reader<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> (an alternative weekly newspaper where Groening also worked as a typesetter, editor, paste-up artist and music critic) in 1980, where it began appearing weekly.
+
''Life in Hell'' started in 1977 as a self-published comic book Groening used to describe life in Los Angeles to his friends. Groening photocopied and distributed it in a small "punk" corner of the record store in which he worked, Licorice Pizza on Sunset Boulevard. ''Life in Hell'' debuted as a comic strip in the avant-garde ''Wet'' magazine in 1978,<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> to which Groening made his first professional cartoon sale. The first strip, entitled "Forbidden Words," appeared in the September/October issue. Popular in the underground, ''Life in Hell'' was picked up by the ''Los Angeles Reader''<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> (an alternative weekly newspaper where Groening also worked as a typesetter, editor, paste-up artist, and music critic) in 1980, where it began appearing weekly.
  
−
''Life in Hell'' reached the attention of Hollywood producer [[James L. Brooks]], who received one strip — "The Los Angeles Way of Death" from 1982.<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> In 1985, Brooks contacted Groening with the proposition of developing a series of short animated skits, called "bumpers", for ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''. Originally, Brooks had wanted Groening to adapt his Life in Hell characters for the show. Fearing the loss of ownership rights to his characters, Groening instead created an entirely new batch of characters, the Simpsons. Groening continued ''Life in Hell' until 2012.<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref>
+
''Life in Hell'' reached the attention of Hollywood producer [[James L. Brooks]], who received one strip—"The Los Angeles Way of Death" from 1982.<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref> In 1985, Brooks contacted Groening with the proposition of developing a series of short animated skits, called "bumpers," for ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''. Originally, Brooks had wanted Groening to adapt his ''Life in Hell'' characters for the show. Fearing the loss of ownership rights to his characters, Groening instead created an entirely new batch of characters, the Simpsons. Groening continued ''Life in Hell'' until 2012.<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm</ref>
  
 
== References to ''Life in Hell'' on ''The Simpsons'' ==
 
== References to ''Life in Hell'' on ''The Simpsons'' ==
Line 22: Line 22:
 
{{TH|Reference}}
 
{{TH|Reference}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:The Pacifier - Binky 3.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:The Pacifier - Binky 3.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 1|1]]}}
+
{{TB|1}}
 
{{TB|5}}
 
{{TB|5}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Pacifier]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Pacifier]]"}}
 
{{TB|Rabbit dolls can be seen on the floor of Maggie's room and a framed picture of Binky is seen on the TV room.}}
 
{{TB|Rabbit dolls can be seen on the floor of Maggie's room and a framed picture of Binky is seen on the TV room.}}
−
{{TBT| [[File:The Funeral - Binky.png|250px]]}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:The Funeral - Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
+
{{TRs|2|6}}
 
{{TB|9}}
 
{{TB|9}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Funeral]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Funeral]]"}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Bart's Haircut Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|15}}
 
{{TB|15}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Haircut]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Haircut]]"}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Scary Stories Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|18}}
 
{{TB|18}}
 
{{TB|"[[Scary Stories]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Scary Stories]]"}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds a Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Family Portrait Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|25}}
 
{{TB|25}}
 
{{TB|"[[Family Portrait]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Family Portrait]]"}}
 
{{TB|Lisa plays with a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Lisa plays with a Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Bart's Hiccups Binky and Bongo.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|26}}
 
{{TB|26}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Hiccups]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Hiccups]]"}}
 
{{TB|Maggie and Lisa are seen with Bongo and Binky dolls.}}
 
{{TB|Maggie and Lisa are seen with Bongo and Binky dolls.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:The Money Jar Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|27}}
 
{{TB|27}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Money Jar]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Money Jar]]"}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds an eyeless Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Lisa holds an eyeless Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Shut Up Simpsons Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
+
{{TRs|3|9}}
 
{{TB|29}}
 
{{TB|29}}
 
{{TB|"[[Shut Up Simpsons]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Shut Up Simpsons]]"}}
 
{{TB|Maggie squeaks a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TB|Maggie squeaks a Binky doll.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:The Bart Simpson Show Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|32}}
 
{{TB|32}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Bart Simpson Show]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Bart Simpson Show]]"}}
−
{{TB| Bart names his Binky doll "Ed".}}
+
{{TB|Bart names his Binky doll "Ed".}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Binky.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|34}}
 
{{TB|34}}
 
{{TB|"[[Simpson Christmas]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Simpson Christmas]]"}}
 
{{TB|Maggie gets Binky and Bongo dolls.}}
 
{{TB|Maggie gets Binky and Bongo dolls.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Bart the Hero Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|36}}
 
{{TB|36}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart the Hero]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart the Hero]]"}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Bart's Little Fantasy Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|37}}
 
{{TB|37}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Little Fantasy]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Little Fantasy]]"}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Home Hypnotism Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|39}}
 
{{TB|39}}
 
{{TB|"[[Home Hypnotism]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Home Hypnotism]]"}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
 
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen on the floor.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Echo Canyon Life in Hell.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|41}}
 
{{TB|41}}
 
{{TB|"[[Echo Canyon]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Echo Canyon]]"}}
−
{{TB|Bart and Lisa read 'Life in Hell' comics.}}
+
{{TB|Bart and Lisa read ''Life in Hell'' comics.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:00 43 Bart's Nightmare.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:00 43 Bart's Nightmare.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|43}}
 
{{TB|43}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Nightmare]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart's Nightmare]]"}}
 
{{TB|Homer's shadow is cast on the floor as he looks down at Bart and the broken cookie jar, which is an allusion to the "Shadow Rabbit" gag in ''Life in Hell''.}}
 
{{TB|Homer's shadow is cast on the floor as he looks down at Bart and the broken cookie jar, which is an allusion to the "Shadow Rabbit" gag in ''Life in Hell''.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie in Peril Bongo.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
 
{{TB|46 & 47}}
 
{{TB|46 & 47}}
 
{{TB|"[[Maggie in Peril (Chapter One)]]" and "[[Maggie in Peril (The Thrilling Conclusion)]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Maggie in Peril (Chapter One)]]" and "[[Maggie in Peril (The Thrilling Conclusion)]]"}}
Line 111: Line 98:
 
{{TH|Reference}}
 
{{TH|Reference}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Referee Life in Hell.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Referee Life in Hell.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 1|1]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 1|1]]|2}}
 
{{TB|6}}
 
{{TB|6}}
 
{{TB|"[[Moaning Lisa]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Moaning Lisa]]"}}
 
{{TB|The referee in the video game looks like Akbar or Jeff.}}
 
{{TB|The referee in the video game looks like Akbar or Jeff.}}
 
{{TBT|}}
 
{{TBT|}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 1|1]]}}
 
 
{{TB|9}}
 
{{TB|9}}
 
{{TB|"[[Life on the Fast Lane]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Life on the Fast Lane]]"}}
−
{{TB|Lisa's research "about what happens to kids whose parents no longer love and cherish each other" bares a striking resemblance to the 'Life in Hell' strip "The 12 Stages of Divorce for Kids", along with stage two (denial), and stage three (fear). However, Lisa's version is only 8 stages and "self-pity" is stage five (it is stage eight in the strip).}}
+
{{TB|Lisa's research "about what happens to kids whose parents no longer love and cherish each other" bears a striking resemblance to the ''Life in Hell'' strip "The 12 Stages of Divorce for Kids," along with stage two (denial) and stage three (fear). However, Lisa's version is only eight stages, and "self-pity" is stage five (it is stage eight in the strip).}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Binky Bad Dream House.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Binky Bad Dream House.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 2|2]]|2}}
 
{{TB|16}}
 
{{TB|16}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror]]"}}
−
{{TB|In the segment "Bad Dream House" a Binky doll is seen beside the box Bart unpacks. Later Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Bongo doll...}}
+
{{TB|In the segment "Bad Dream House," a Binky doll is seen beside the box Bart unpacks. Later, Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Bongo doll.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:I Can't Believe It's A Law Firm!.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:I Can't Believe It's A Law Firm!.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 2|2]]}}
 
 
{{TB|23}}
 
{{TB|23}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart Gets Hit by a Car]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart Gets Hit by a Car]]"}}
−
{{TB| [[Lionel Hutz]]' office is is next to Yogurt Nook, where the proprietors look like [[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]]. Later they can also be seen in the courtroom.}}
+
{{TB|[[Lionel Hutz]]'s office is next to Yogurt Nook, where the proprietors look like [[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]]. Later, they can also be seen in the courtroom.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie Binky sleeping.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie Binky sleeping.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 3|3]]}}
 
{{TB|36}}
 
{{TB|36}}
 
{{TB|"[[Stark Raving Dad]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Stark Raving Dad]]"}}
−
{{TB| Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Binky doll.}}
+
{{TB|Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Binky doll.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:A Streetcar Named Marge Sheba.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:A Streetcar Named Marge Sheba.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 4|4]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 4|4]]}}
 
{{TB|61}}
 
{{TB|61}}
 
{{TB|"[[A Streetcar Named Marge]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[A Streetcar Named Marge]]"}}
−
{{TB| Sheba appears in a pop-up book, opened by a baby to warn Maggie that the school principal is coming.}}
+
{{TB|Sheba appears in a pop-up book, opened by a baby to warn Maggie that the school principal is coming.}}
 
{{TBT|}}
 
{{TBT|}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 5|5]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 5|5]]}}
 
{{TB|90}}
 
{{TB|90}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Last Temptation of Homer]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Last Temptation of Homer]]"}}
−
{{TB| When Homer's sweat has made the writing on his palm unreadable he tries to decipher the text anyway, which spells out: "Nom Yo Ho Renge Kyo", a mantra once sang by [[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]].}}
+
{{TB|When Homer's sweat has made the writing on his palm unreadable, he tries to decipher the text anyway, which spells out: "Nom Yo Ho Renge Kyo," a mantra once sung by [[Akbar]] and [[Jeff]].}}
−
{{TBT|[[File: Maggie green Binky.png|250px]]}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie green Binky.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 6|6]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 6|6]]}}
 
{{TB|108}}
 
{{TB|108}}
 
{{TB|"[[Sideshow Bob Roberts]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Sideshow Bob Roberts]]"}}
−
{{TB| Maggie has a green Binky doll in her crib.}}
+
{{TB|Maggie has a green Binky doll in her crib.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Matt Funk Lord of USA Groening.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Matt Funk Lord of USA Groening.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 7|7]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 7|7]]|2}}
 
{{TB|134}}
 
{{TB|134}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]"}}
−
{{TB| Matt Groening's name turns up in the opening credits as "Funk Lord of the USA". He used to describe himself as such at the start of each 'Life in Hell' comic.}}
+
{{TB|Matt Groening's name turns up in the opening credits as "Funk Lord of the USA." He used to describe himself as such at the start of each 'Life in Hell' comic.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Matt Groening Life in Hell poster.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Matt Groening Life in Hell poster.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 7|7]]}}
 
 
{{TB|138}}
 
{{TB|138}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]"}}
−
{{TB| In [[Matt Groening]]'s office a 'Life in Hell' poster can be seen. Later [[Troy McClure]] says: "Yes, the Simpsons have come a long way since an old drunk made humans out of his rabbit characters to pay off old gambling debts."}}
+
{{TB|In [[Matt Groening]]'s office, a 'Life in Hell' poster can be seen. Later, [[Troy McClure]] says, "Yes, the Simpsons have come a long way since an old drunk made humans out of his rabbit characters to pay off old gambling debts."}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo I&S audience.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo I&S audience.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 8|8]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 8|8]]|2}}
 
{{TB|158}}
 
{{TB|158}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart After Dark]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Bart After Dark]]"}}
−
{{TB| In the ''[[Itchy and Scratchy]]'' short ''[[Good Cats, Bad Choices]]'' Bongo is in the audience.}}
+
{{TB|In the ''[[Itchy and Scratchy]]'' short ''[[Good Cats, Bad Choices]]'', Bongo is in the audience.}}
 
{{TBT|}}
 
{{TBT|}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 8|8]]}}
 
 
{{TB|165}}
 
{{TB|165}}
 
{{TB|"[[Mountain of Madness]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Mountain of Madness]]"}}
−
{{TB| Bart asks Lisa to come and look at two identical snowflakes, a nod to the ''Life in Hell'' episode: ''Lies My Older Brother and Sister Told Me'' (1986).}}
+
{{TB|Bart asks Lisa to come and look at two identical snowflakes, a nod to the ''Life in Hell'' episode: ''Lies My Older Brother and Sister Told Me'' (1986).}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Wiggum Life in Hell.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Wiggum Life in Hell.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 9|9]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 9|9]]|3}}
 
{{TB|188}}
 
{{TB|188}}
 
{{TB|"[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]"}}
−
{{TB| [[Chief Wiggum]] steals a ''Life in Hell'' rabbit from The Simpsons' house.}}
+
{{TB|[[Chief Wiggum]] steals a ''Life in Hell'' rabbit from The Simpsons' house.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Pig with pins.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Pig with pins.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 9|9]]}}
 
 
{{TB|195}}
 
{{TB|195}}
 
{{TB|"[[Lisa the Simpson]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Lisa the Simpson]]"}}
−
{{TB| As a last-minute science project, Lisa makes a pig out of an eraser and pushpins, a make-your-own-office-toy featured in a 1982 ''Life in Hell'' strip entitled "How To Kill 8 Hours A Day And Still Keep Your Job" .}}
+
{{TB|As a last-minute science project, Lisa makes a pig out of an eraser and pushpins, a make-your-own-office-toy featured in a 1982 ''Life in Hell'' strip entitled "How To Kill 8 Hours A Day And Still Keep Your Job."}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Ralph Binky.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Ralph Binky.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 9|9]]}}
 
 
{{TB|196}}
 
{{TB|196}}
 
{{TB|"[[This Little Wiggy]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[This Little Wiggy]]"}}
−
{{TB| A Binky doll is seen in [[Ralph Wiggum]]'s room.}}
+
{{TB|A Binky doll is seen in [[Ralph Wiggum]]'s room.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie Bongo.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Maggie Bongo.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 10|10]]}}
+
{{TRs|[[Season 10|10]]|2}}
 
{{TB|219}}
 
{{TB|219}}
 
{{TB|"[[Make Room for Lisa]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Make Room for Lisa]]"}}
−
{{TB| Maggie has a Bongo doll.}}
+
{{TB|Maggie has a Bongo doll.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Akbar.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Akbar.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 10|10]]}}
 
 
{{TB|222}}
 
{{TB|222}}
 
{{TB|"[[Mom and Pop Art]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Mom and Pop Art]]"}}
−
{{TB| Homer notices a drawing of Akbar and Jeff in a museum and feels that [[Matt Groening]] doesn't belong in a museum as he "can barely draw."}}
+
{{TB|Homer notices a drawing of Akbar and Jeff in a museum and feels that [[Matt Groening]] doesn't belong in a museum as he "can barely draw."}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Faith Off Marquee.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Faith Off Marquee.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 11|11]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 11|11]]}}
 
{{TB|237}}
 
{{TB|237}}
 
{{TB|"[[Faith Off]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Faith Off]]"}}
−
{{TB| The Springfield Church picks out "Life in Hell" as their "topic for today".}}
+
{{TB|The Springfield Church picks out "Life in Hell" as their "topic for today."}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 12|12]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 12|12]]}}
 
{{TB|259}}
 
{{TB|259}}
 
{{TB|"[[Worst Episode Ever]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Worst Episode Ever]]"}}
−
{{TB| [[Comic Book Guy]] pours a can of soda over a ''{{ap|Radioactive Man|comic}}'' comic, which bounces off and lands on a [[Bongo Comics]] issue instead.}}
+
{{TB|[[Comic Book Guy]] pours a can of soda over a ''{{ap|Radioactive Man|comic}}'' comic, which bounces off and lands on a [[Bongo Comics]] issue instead.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo Hex and the City.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bongo Hex and the City.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 13|13]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 13|13]]}}
 
{{TB|270}}
 
{{TB|270}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror XII]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[Treehouse of Horror XII]]"}}
−
{{TB| One of the rabbits in the hole full of Trix is Bongo.}}
+
{{TB|One of the rabbits in the hole full of Trix is Bongo.}}
−
{{TBT|}}
+
{{TBT|[[File:Simpsorama Life is Hell.png|250px]]}}
−
{{TB|[[Season 13|13]]}}
+
{{TB|[[Season 26|26]]}}
−
{{TB|278}}
+
{{TB|558}}
−
{{TB|"[[Jaws Wired Shut]]"}}
+
{{TB|"[[Simpsorama]]"}}
−
{{TB| Maggie plays with a Bongo doll.}}
+
{{TB|Some of the [[New New York creatures|mutant rabbits]] resemble Binky and Bongo.}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bart and Lisa pull at a Bongo doll.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TBT|[[File:Bart and Lisa pull at a Bongo doll.png|250px]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 33|33]]}}
 
{{TB|[[Season 33|33]]}}
Line 220: Line 200:
 
{{TB|"[[The Star of the Backstage]]"}}
 
{{TB|"[[The Star of the Backstage]]"}}
 
{{TB|[[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] pull at a {{ap|Bongo|Life in Hell}} doll.}}
 
{{TB|[[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] pull at a {{ap|Bongo|Life in Hell}} doll.}}
 +
{{TBT|[[File:Life in Hell-sinki.png|250px]]}}
 +
{{TB|[[Season 35|35]]}}
 +
{{TB|761}}
 +
{{TB|"[[Frinkenstein's Monster]]"}}
 +
{{TB|[[Homer]] was reading ''[[Life in Hell-sinki]]'', a reference to ''Life in Hell'' and to [[Helsinki]], the capital city of [[Finland]].}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 238: Line 223:
 
{{TH|Story name}}
 
{{TH|Story name}}
 
{{TH|Reference}}
 
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== References to ''The Simpsons'' in ''Life in Hell'' ==
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Latest revision as of 19:05, February 24, 2025


Life in Hell
Life-inhell.jpg
Comic Information
Release date: 1977 to 2012
Publisher: Matt Groening


Life in Hell was a 1977–2012 weekly comic strip by Matt Groening. The strip featured a family of anthropomorphic rabbits (father Binky, mother Sheba, and son Bongo) and a pair of identical-looking gay lovers (Akbar and Jeff). Groening used these characters to explore a wide range of topics about love, sex, work, and death. His drawings are full of expressions of angst, alienation, self-loathing, and fear of inevitable doom.

Life in Hell started in 1977 as a self-published comic book Groening used to describe life in Los Angeles to his friends. Groening photocopied and distributed it in a small "punk" corner of the record store in which he worked, Licorice Pizza on Sunset Boulevard. Life in Hell debuted as a comic strip in the avant-garde Wet magazine in 1978,[1] to which Groening made his first professional cartoon sale. The first strip, entitled "Forbidden Words," appeared in the September/October issue. Popular in the underground, Life in Hell was picked up by the Los Angeles Reader[2] (an alternative weekly newspaper where Groening also worked as a typesetter, editor, paste-up artist, and music critic) in 1980, where it began appearing weekly.

Life in Hell reached the attention of Hollywood producer James L. Brooks, who received one strip—"The Los Angeles Way of Death" from 1982.[3] In 1985, Brooks contacted Groening with the proposition of developing a series of short animated skits, called "bumpers," for The Tracey Ullman Show. Originally, Brooks had wanted Groening to adapt his Life in Hell characters for the show. Fearing the loss of ownership rights to his characters, Groening instead created an entirely new batch of characters, the Simpsons. Groening continued Life in Hell until 2012.[4]

References to Life in Hell on The Simpsons[edit]

Shorts[edit]

Picture Season Episode number Episode name Reference
The Pacifier - Binky 3.png 1 5 "The Pacifier" Rabbit dolls can be seen on the floor of Maggie's room and a framed picture of Binky is seen on the TV room.
The Funeral - Binky.png 2 9 "The Funeral" Lisa holds a Binky doll.
Bart's Haircut Binky.png 15 "Bart's Haircut" Lisa holds a Binky doll.
Scary Stories Binky.png 18 "Scary Stories" Lisa holds a Binky doll.
Family Portrait Binky.png 25 "Family Portrait" Lisa plays with a Binky doll.
Bart's Hiccups Binky and Bongo.png 26 "Bart's Hiccups" Maggie and Lisa are seen with Bongo and Binky dolls.
The Money Jar Binky.png 27 "The Money Jar" Lisa holds an eyeless Binky doll.
Shut Up Simpsons Binky.png 3 29 "Shut Up Simpsons" Maggie squeaks a Binky doll.
The Bart Simpson Show Binky.png 32 "The Bart Simpson Show" Bart names his Binky doll "Ed".
Binky.png 34 "Simpson Christmas" Maggie gets Binky and Bongo dolls.
Bart the Hero Binky.png 36 "Bart the Hero" A Binky doll is seen on the floor.
Bart's Little Fantasy Binky.png 37 "Bart's Little Fantasy" A Binky doll is seen on the floor.
Home Hypnotism Binky.png 39 "Home Hypnotism" A Binky doll is seen on the floor.
Echo Canyon Life in Hell.png 41 "Echo Canyon" Bart and Lisa read Life in Hell comics.
00 43 Bart's Nightmare.png 43 "Bart's Nightmare" Homer's shadow is cast on the floor as he looks down at Bart and the broken cookie jar, which is an allusion to the "Shadow Rabbit" gag in Life in Hell.
Maggie in Peril Bongo.png 46 & 47 "Maggie in Peril (Chapter One)" and "Maggie in Peril (The Thrilling Conclusion)" A Bongo doll is seen in Maggie's crib.

Episodes[edit]

Picture Season Episode number Episode name Reference
Referee Life in Hell.png 1 6 "Moaning Lisa" The referee in the video game looks like Akbar or Jeff.
9 "Life on the Fast Lane" Lisa's research "about what happens to kids whose parents no longer love and cherish each other" bears a striking resemblance to the Life in Hell strip "The 12 Stages of Divorce for Kids," along with stage two (denial) and stage three (fear). However, Lisa's version is only eight stages, and "self-pity" is stage five (it is stage eight in the strip).
Binky Bad Dream House.png 2 16 "Treehouse of Horror" In the segment "Bad Dream House," a Binky doll is seen beside the box Bart unpacks. Later, Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Bongo doll.
I Can't Believe It's A Law Firm!.png 23 "Bart Gets Hit by a Car" Lionel Hutz's office is next to Yogurt Nook, where the proprietors look like Akbar and Jeff. Later, they can also be seen in the courtroom.
Maggie Binky sleeping.png 3 36 "Stark Raving Dad" Maggie is seen sleeping next to a Binky doll.
A Streetcar Named Marge Sheba.png 4 61 "A Streetcar Named Marge" Sheba appears in a pop-up book, opened by a baby to warn Maggie that the school principal is coming.
5 90 "The Last Temptation of Homer" When Homer's sweat has made the writing on his palm unreadable, he tries to decipher the text anyway, which spells out: "Nom Yo Ho Renge Kyo," a mantra once sung by Akbar and Jeff.
Maggie green Binky.png 6 108 "Sideshow Bob Roberts" Maggie has a green Binky doll in her crib.
Matt Funk Lord of USA Groening.png 7 134 "Treehouse of Horror VI" Matt Groening's name turns up in the opening credits as "Funk Lord of the USA." He used to describe himself as such at the start of each 'Life in Hell' comic.
Matt Groening Life in Hell poster.png 138 "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular" In Matt Groening's office, a 'Life in Hell' poster can be seen. Later, Troy McClure says, "Yes, the Simpsons have come a long way since an old drunk made humans out of his rabbit characters to pay off old gambling debts."
Bongo I&S audience.png 8 158 "Bart After Dark" In the Itchy and Scratchy short Good Cats, Bad Choices, Bongo is in the audience.
165 "Mountain of Madness" Bart asks Lisa to come and look at two identical snowflakes, a nod to the Life in Hell episode: Lies My Older Brother and Sister Told Me (1986).
Wiggum Life in Hell.png 9 188 "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" Chief Wiggum steals a Life in Hell rabbit from The Simpsons' house.
Pig with pins.png 195 "Lisa the Simpson" As a last-minute science project, Lisa makes a pig out of an eraser and pushpins, a make-your-own-office-toy featured in a 1982 Life in Hell strip entitled "How To Kill 8 Hours A Day And Still Keep Your Job."
Ralph Binky.png 196 "This Little Wiggy" A Binky doll is seen in Ralph Wiggum's room.
Maggie Bongo.png 10 219 "Make Room for Lisa" Maggie has a Bongo doll.
Akbar.png 222 "Mom and Pop Art" Homer notices a drawing of Akbar and Jeff in a museum and feels that Matt Groening doesn't belong in a museum as he "can barely draw."
Faith Off Marquee.png 11 237 "Faith Off" The Springfield Church picks out "Life in Hell" as their "topic for today."
Bongo.png 12 259 "Worst Episode Ever" Comic Book Guy pours a can of soda over a Radioactive Man comic, which bounces off and lands on a Bongo Comics issue instead.
Bongo Hex and the City.png 13 270 "Treehouse of Horror XII" One of the rabbits in the hole full of Trix is Bongo.
Simpsorama Life is Hell.png 26 558 "Simpsorama" Some of the mutant rabbits resemble Binky and Bongo.
Bart and Lisa pull at a Bongo doll.png 33 707 "The Star of the Backstage" Bart and Lisa pull at a Bongo doll.
Life in Hell-sinki.png 35 761 "Frinkenstein's Monster" Homer was reading Life in Hell-sinki, a reference to Life in Hell and to Helsinki, the capital city of Finland.

Specials[edit]

Picture Special name Reference
Binky The Force Awakens from Its Nap.png The Force Awakens from Its Nap A Binky doll is among the stuff in the cabinet.

Comics[edit]

Picture Comic issue Story name Reference
Simpsons Illustrated
Treat or Trick Life in Hell.png Simpsons Illustrated #7 Treat or Trick Someone is seen dressed as Bongo.
Simpsons Comics
Otto Bongo.png Simpsons Comics #31 Radioactive Homer Otto Mann dresses as Bongo at the masquerade ball.

Books[edit]

Picture Book Reference
The Krusty Book Matt Groening's Life in Hell is #35 in Krusty's Top 40. Krusty describes it as a "funny, funny strip" and says "I bet that guy's great to work for."

References to The Simpsons in Life in Hell[edit]

Picture Date Reference
Life in Hell 1988 Bart.png 1988 Bart is seen in a crowd.
Life in Hell 1994 excerpt.png 1994 In one comic, Matt Groening is asked several questions about the Simpsons, but does not answer them.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm


External links[edit]

The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to Life in Hell.


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