The Samsonadzes
Georgian animated sitcom (2009–2010)
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The Samsonadzes (Georgian: სამსონაძეები, Samsonadzeebi) is a Georgian animated sitcom created and produced by Shalva Ramishvili. It first aired in Georgia in November 2009 and ended sometime in 2010.[2]
Description and resemblance to The Simpsons
The series has been described as "bearing more than a passing resemblance" to the American animated television sitcom The Simpsons,[2] although the creator has denied accusations of plagiarism.[3]
The Samsonadzes are "a yellow-skinned cartoon family, consisting of a dopey husband" (Gela Samsonadze, who works in a bank) "and his lavishly coiffed wife, Dodo, who live in a made-up city with their children", Shorena and Gia. They also have a parrot, Koke.[2] Their home city has been noted for its apparent resemblance to Tbilisi.[1]
Ramishvili has stated that the series aimed to be "relevant to Georgian reality and touch on social issues that will resonate with a Georgian audience",[2] while its chief scriptwriter, Zviad Bliadze, explained: "We just took an average family and made a parody of the common traits, like laziness or love of alcohol."[citation needed]
Russian focus
The series has attracted some attention by featuring Russian leaders in a negative light, in a context of tense Georgia–Russia relations. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears in one episode, sending a spy into Georgia.[2] Ramishvili described this criticism of the Russian government as "simply our civil liberty and duty".[4]