Ralph Wiggum
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Ralph Wiggum | |
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The Simpsons character | |
First appearance |
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Created by | Matt Groening |
Designed by | Matt Groening |
Voiced by | Nancy Cartwright |
In-universe information | |
Gender | Male |
Occupation |
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Family |
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Ralph Wiggum
The creator of the show, Matt Groening, has cited Ralph as his favorite character.[4] He generally remains one of the more popular and often quoted secondary characters in the show. In 2006, IGN ranked Ralph No. 3 on their list of the "Top 25 Simpsons Peripheral Characters," behind Sideshow Bob and Troy McClure.[5]
Role in The Simpsons
Ralph is characterized as a mentally challenged and good-natured 8-year-old boy in Lisa Simpson's second-grade class,[3] taught by Ms. Hoover. Initially, he was mostly used as a silent background character without consistent characterization. However, in later seasons his role expanded, being a featured character in several episodes.
These episodes include: "
Personality
Ralph's primary role in the show is to deliver clueless asides and odd non-sequiturs. Ralph is presented as quite stupid, verbally challenged, and slow. In one of his most famous quotes, Ralph responds to the news that he is failing English class with the retort: "Me fail English? That's unpossible!",[7]
However, in other instances, Ralph speaks with relative ease, notably in "I Love Lisa" when he gives an uncharacteristically powerful performance as George Washington in a school play. Occasionally, Ralph has even been used to break the fourth wall straightforwardly.[8]
Although it has never been explicitly stated in any Simpsons-related media that Ralph is intellectually disabled and/or
Creation and design
Ralph was named after comedian Jackie Gleason's character on The Honeymooners Ralph Kramden.[10][11] Ralph's first credited appearance in the show was in the episode "Moaning Lisa", where he was considerably different in appearance and behavior. Ralph's modern design first appeared in the second-season episode "Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment". Early Ralph spoke with a voice similar to that of Nelson Muntz's until Cartwright settled into his higher-pitched whine. Originally intended to be a "Mini-Homer," Ralph eventually took on a life of his own.[12][11] The staff later retconned Ralph into the son of Chief Wiggum, a fact initially hinted at in "Kamp Krusty" and later made canon in "I Love Lisa".[13] Groening considers Ralph "really hard to write."[13]
Ralph's normal attire usually consists of a blue long-sleeve shirt with a collar, a belt with a red buckle, and brown pants. However, almost all Simpsons-related media and merchandise, portray Ralph with white or light gray colored pants. Ralph's hair is meant to evoke a bowl-cut style.[14] In one particular issue of the comic book, Ralph is drawn in a realistic style, depicted with blonde hair.[15] Adult Ralph in "Bart to the Future" has light brown hair.
Reception
Ralph has become one of the show's most popular characters. He is commonly featured on media and merchandise related to the show, including the
References
- ^ Groening 2010, pp. 186, 1099, 1199.
- ^ Groening 2010, p. 1099.
- ^ a b c Groening 2010, p. 186.
- ^ Moro, Eric (2007-07-28). "SDCC 07: The Simpsons Panel". IGN. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ "The Simpsons: Top 25 Peripheral Characters". IGN. 16 February 2012.
- ^ Mula, Frank; Archer, Wes (1993-02-11). "I Love Lisa". The Simpsons. Season 04. Episode 15. Fox.
- ^ Scully, Mike; Anderson, Bob (1994-11-13). "Lisa on Ice". The Simpsons. Season 06. Episode 8. Fox.
- ^ Spoiler-centric events near the end of the game involving Ralph.EA Redwood Shores, Rebellion, Amaze Entertainment (October 30, 2007). The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable). Electronic Arts.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ The Simpsons episode "Moms I'd Like to Forget."
- ^ Larry Carroll (2007-07-26). "'Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers". MTV. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- ^ ISBN 978-0062748034.
- ^ Jean, Al (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode 'Moaning Lisa' (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ a b Joe Rhodes (2000-10-21). "Flash! 24 Simpsons Stars Reveal Themselves". TV Guide.
- ISBN 978-0-06-123129-2.
- ^ Hamill, Mark (w), Morrison, Bill (a). Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror, "Catastrophe in Substitute Springfields", no. 7 (September 2001). Bongo Comics.
- ^ "Matt Groening | The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 2007-06-23. Retrieved 2006-04-26.
Bibliography
- * ISBN 9780061711282.