The Simpsons Take on Colony Collapse Disorder of Bees

Also Learn How TDG Saves The Bees

December 8, 2008 at 12:22AM by Brian Clark Howard | comment

Pint-sized eco-pixie Lisa Simpson already won TDG's "Heart of Green" award last year for her star turn in the blockbuster The Simpsons Movie. Last night, lovable, do-gooding Lisa wears a beard of bees and campaigns against a greedy billionaire in the episode "The Burns and the Bees" (full episode should appear on Hulu shortly).

In the show, Springfield's bees are all dying, and the eccentric Groundskeeper Willy laments that the same is happening to bees around the world (learn more about mysterious colony collapse disorder). Lisa tries to point out how bees are beneficial in ecosystems and agriculture, to which Homer responds that "Flowers are the painted whores of the plant world."

(Speaking of the dim-witted father to Lisa and Bart -- he features prominently in the recent winner of the highbrow Turner Prize in art).

Viewers learn that swarming bees rarely sting (good for Lisa and that buzzy beard). Hijinx also ensue after Homer and Moe breed local bees with African species (ala killer bees). Mix in a beehive-shaped stadium erected by Mr. Burns -- without regard to habitat -- and maverick Mark Cuban (who has been in the news recently himself).

Struggling bees continue their assault in the media, from Seinfeld's Bee Movie to The Happening and now Springfield, ??.