4. MoneyBART
The Simpsons is famed for its "couch gags", the ever-changing opening sequence before each episode that see Homer and co. dashing toward their favourite piece of furniture, only to be thwarted in some way. Usually humorous, the couch gag featured in the 2010 episode 'MoneyBART' was anything but. Written by the ultra-secretive British graffiti artist and political activist Banksy, the opening sequence depicts Korean animators slaving away in a dimly-lit sweatshop assembling and preparing Simpsons merchandise set to the soundtrack of monotone music. A swipe at outsourcing, and a reference to reports the Simpsons characters are animated in Seoul, South Korea, this 'couch gag' was negatively received at the time of airing. Nelson Shin, founder of Akom, the Korean company that has animated the Simpsons since its inception, and which were lampooned in the opening,
said at the time:
"Most of the content was about degrading people from Korea, China, Mexico and Vietnam. If Banksy wants to criticize these things ... I suggest that he learn more about it first."