Simpsons' Harry Potter Spoof

Harry Potter has been called the "Anti-Bart (Simpson)", playing upon his good-goodiness. The clip is good in that Lisa Simpson is the original anti-Bart, so is the right one for the Harry Potter role.

I was persuaded to read Harry Potter by my daughters - revenge I suppose for pushing "The Hobbit" on them at an early age. I almost gave up on the first book after the first few chapters, but then was pleasantly drawn into some good imaginative writing and excellent story-telling.

Since then, the books and films have got progressively darker. As Harry as grown in maturity and power as a young wizard, his sworn enemy and murderer of his parents, Voldemort, as grown even more in evil menace. Starting as an orphan, Harry has successively lost most of his protectors in book after book, surviving only by some skill and a lot of luck.

During vacations from his school, Hogwarts, Harry must stay with his uncle and aunt, whom he despises and who hate him in return. However, while with them he is protected from Voldemort so all his dangers and adventures take place at Hogwarts. At age 18 (in the last book) Harry must both leave his uncle's home and graduate from Hogwarts.

We also find that he and his wise counsellor Albus Dumbledore, are not the saccharine goody-goodies they appeared to be, but also both have stubborn and even rebellious streaks. Harry breaks the school rules, helps dangerous animals to escape execution, assists escaped prisoners, and finally defies the powerful Ministry of Magic.

The series of books by JK Rowling have been a triumph of good imaginative writing and brilliant storytelling, guaranteed by a fine accompanying set of films to be classics of the 21st century.