Lenny and Carl: The Chorus of Reason in "The Simpsons" Universe

In the pantheon of Simpsons supporting characters, which has stretched far and wide over the last 18 years, there are few who are as important as Lenny and Carl. Lenny Leonard and Carl Carlson recur consistently throughout the series, providing color and commentary in family situations and at Mo's Tavern. However, this twosome and its ambiguous relationship are more than comic fodder for lumbering oaf Homer Simpson. Indeed, Lenny and Carl serve a greater purpose.

In almost every occasion in which Homer or Mo engage in an activity which is morally or legal questionable, or just plain stupid, there is often a guffaw and a comment from the periphery of the scene. The comic panel swings to Lenny, Carl, or both, who dispense with all-too-simple advice doused with delicious comic flavor. Indeed, like the pet owner who places medicine in their pet's food, Lenny and Carl provide pointed commentary that is consumable by the general public because it is amusing.

The most common theme throughout the Simpsons series is that Homer goes off on far-flung adventures without considering his job or his family. Whether it is pretending to be a robot in order to get closer to his son or running for sanitation commissioner, Lenny and Carl provide the voice of reason necessary to keep the Simpson family from drifting off completely into oblivion. In nearly every episode, these two provide the chorus of reason that television viewers need in order to keep them watching.

For example, one episode features Homer retiring from the nuclear plant because Bart makes an income selling his homemade T-shirts. While dining at the Gilded Truffle, Homer encounters an angry Lenny and Carl. Lenny expresses his disbelief that Homer is living off of his son, though it is masked in the blue collar milieu of frustration that someone like Homer would have it so well without much work. Lenny and Carl go off in a huff, leaving Homer to realize quickly that early retirement in living off of one's children is not everything that he thought it would be.

However, many of the snide remarks made by Lenny and Carl are appeals to the audience instead of to Homer Simpson. One of the favorite tricks of Matt Groening and his writers is to have people provide funny comments or poignant statements before the ad break. When Homer goes off on one of his adventures, in which hilarity is a sure bet, Lenny and/or Carl will ask if Homer still works at the nuclear plant or inquire otherwise about his employment status. The reason why this is so important to the success of The Simpsons is that they are saying what everyone is thinking. I know that on occasion, my suspended disbelief is allowed to remove free and I wonder about Homer's employment situation. Then, Lenny or Carl says something and I am able to suspend my disbelief once again and enjoy the show.

The most compelling reason why Lenny and Carl are the best characters on The Simpsons is that they are not unflawed observers of the ridiculous and inane. Indeed, both are filled with flaws that are brought up as comic devices in the commission of a Homer, Bart, or Mo story line. Lenny has a bad eye, made worse when it is in contact with yogurt or springs. Carl, who often benefits from being quieter, has to contend with a purported divorce, a tumultuous friendship with Lenny, and remaining loyal to his ne'er-do-well friends. As the show continues to develop, there are sure to be many more flaws that come about. However, these only act as proof that Lenny and Carl are worldly enough to be the chorus of reason to the Herculean character flaws of Homer and his ilk.