David Cooper
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0032 - Moe Syzslak
🕑 Added 2021-10-25 08:01:00 +0000 UTCRecently I did a bunch of head sketches for the launch of Eye on Springfield - buyers could request a sketch of any Simpsons character inside. I got a wide variety of requests, people were very imaginative and specific with what they wanted, which I loved!
But the most common request? Moe.
This was very surprising to me! I would not have expected him to be such a popular character. The show itself defines him as ugly, hateful, and often prejudiced. He is often held as the lowest of the low in Springfield, a representation of the worst they have to offer. You'll find him in the front row of almost any mob (and Springfield has a lot of mobs.)
But despite this, he is beloved! I think it is because people love an underdog. Moe rarely gets a win, he's often down on his luck, and I believe this gets him sympathy from an audience. We just want him to succeed, even though it's unlikely he ever will.
The timing of this post is strange though - just last week Moe got engaged in an episode and this appears to be a lasting canonical change! So maybe, after 32 seasons, Moe's luck is finally about to change. I wonder if this will change his standing with audiences.
A running joke that may have flown under the radar is Moe's constantly changing nationality. He is seen taking a citizenship test, implying at least he is not American, but references have been made to him being Russian (with his forefathers being bartenders to the Czar), Italian (having an accent as a youth) and Dutch (he outright claims this one.) It's one of those eternal mysteries that we love the show for.
One of my favourite trivia bits about Moe is that he is partially based on comedian Rich Hall. Hall has publicly said this is an honour, but I have to wonder how he really feels about being compared to the ugliest character in a deliberately ugly show.
This post is part of my "Every Simpsons Character Ever" series. For a list of my rules in this project, click here.
