Never underestimate the power of a good song and a good cameo to make an impact in peoples memories. Whacking Day has some great gags. The final scene where Skinner and Willy race with boxes of mountain bikes towards the school bullies they forgot are locked in the basement of the school, is particularly brilliant. And in this episode we get the debut of one of the best characters in Simpsons history Superintendent Chalmers. But overall the reception that the episode got, and the esteem it holds today doesn't match its actual influence. What do I mean by that? Well the episode has received plenty of plaudits for its message which basically amounts to leave the snakes alone, in a country where similar Whacking Days have actually been a legitimate thing. The episode even received a Genesis award from the Humane Society of the United States for its moving message, and for the impact it had on consciousness raising on this issue. It holds a special place to this day in the hearts of activists and those who oppose these barbaric traditions. Unfortunately, the notion that the film helped to eradicate mass animal slaughters through consciousness raising is not exactly true. In fact, in some cases the opposite can be said. For example, in Dalrymple Australia, local MP Shane Knuth encouraged locals to start a Toad Day Out where local punters kill thousands of poisonous Cane Toads every year. Knuth claimed the whole idea came about because of Whacking Day. So in other words, rather than empathising with the destructive menace, the people of Dalrymple saw Whacking Day as an instruction guide. Which would no doubt be of annoyance to those at the Genesis Awards and writer George Meyer. The episode's legacy as a powerful animal rights episode is thus not quite the complete picture.
Contributor for WhatCulture across the board, and professional student.
Sports obsessed. Movie nerd. Wrestling tragic. Historical junkie.
I have only loved three things my entire life: my family, Batman, and the All Blacks.
