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learnasl · 1 year

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The Simpsons Makes History with the Use of ASL and Casting Deaf Voice Actors

The Simpsons' Season 33 episode 17, entitled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” is notable for American Sign Language (ASL) (even though the characters have only four fingers), and for its casting of Deaf actor John Autry II to voice the Deaf character Monk. Autry became the first Deaf performer to voice a character on the show through this role.

The ep. 17 additionally features a few other Deaf performers, such as comedian Kathy Buckley and three youngsters, Kaylee Arellano, Ian Mayorga, and Hazel Lopez from No Limits, a nonprofit organization committed to deaf children. This fact reinforces the influence of “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” as a turning point in US entertainment history for the Deaf community.

Care for Deaf People and Deaf Culture

“The Sound of Bleeding Gums” installment of The Simpsons demonstrates that its creators care about dealing with real-life issues on the show, specifically regarding people of different communities such as the Deaf. For instance, to voice the Deaf character Monk they chose Deaf actor John Autry II, who gave an exceptional performance. One other noteworthy aspect is the script, which was carefully written by Loni Steele Sosthand, whose sibling was born deaf. Furthermore, details about Deaf culture were carefully presented. At another point in the episode, Monk tells Lisa,“I’m not anybody’s cause,” reflecting how Deaf people actually feel. They really don't want pity or help in carrying out things simply because they can’t hear. They believe they are capable of doing anything a hearing individual can do. The Deaf are proud of who they are and being Deaf is a vital part of their identity.

The Use of ASL in the Episode

The creators also deserve credit for trying to have characters with just four fingers communicate in American Sign Language. This process must have been difficult to animate, which could explain why signing appears at the end of the episode. It's a brief scene, but it's entertaining to watch the characters attempt the nearly impossible task of signing while missing a fifth finger. Despite The Simpsons characters only having four fingers on each hand, the producers used two ASL consultants to ensure the accuracy of the ASL used in the episode.

A Bright Future for the Deaf in Entertainment

With CODA winning Best Picture and other awards at the 2022 Oscars, and the airing of “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” on The Simpsons, the Deaf community undoubtedly has a bright future ahead in the entertainment industry, especially in the field of animation. The Deaf actor John Autry II provides a great source of inspiration for other aspiring Deaf and hard of hearing actors. His ability to land a starring role star on The Simpsons despite his being Deaf is uplifting and encouraging to both the Deaf and hearing populations alike.

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outfitandtrend · 2 years

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[ad_1] This Sunday, Fox will air (and Disney+ will release the episode shortly after) the latest episode of The Simpsons – Season 33, Episode 17 – and it’s one for the history books. The episode, titled The Sound of Bleeding Gums, will follow Lisa meeting a new character, Monk, the son of the late jazz musician Bleeding Gums Murphy. OG Simpsons fans will know Bleeding Gums from multiple early Simpsons episodes and will remember him dying in the Season 6 episode, Round Springfield. So why is the introduction of this new character, Monk, history-making? Well, the character is deaf and will be voiced by deaf voice actor, John Autry II. And this marks the first time a deaf voice actor will appear on The Simpsons. Autry himself has applauded the animated sitcom for this monumental decision, telling Variety,“It’s so incredible… It’s life-changing equality and participation. This can impact change for all of us. It’s about hard of hearing and hearing characters coming together. It’s a part of history.”The new Simpsons episode will also mark the first time American Sign Language (ASL) is used on the show. However, this – at first – proved difficult as all Simspons characters only have four, not five, fingers. The writer of the episode, Loni Steele Sosthand said,“[It] was a little tricky, especially because the one thing we’re translating is Shakespeare. But I think we pulled it off.”Sosthand’s brother, Eli Steele, who is deaf, will also voice a character in The Sound of Bleeding Gums, as will deaf comedian Kathy Buckley and Kaylee Arellano, Ian Mayorga and Hazel Lopez, three deaf children from No Limits, a nonprofit devoted to deaf children. As much as I personally believe that The Simpsons has lost its touch, I will admit that some of the new episodes are good and I think this new episode will definitely be one of them, and therefore can’t wait for it to air. Read Next Did you enjoy this story? If so, subscribe to our daily newsletter to receive our top tending stories. [ad_2] Source link

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