Does anyone else think that The Simpsons should just end? IMO It has been in decline since the late nineties and all the new episodes are awful. Does anyone here still like the new episodes?
I havent watched the Simpsons for about 4 years. There was a time when I watched it religiously every day, but I just dont bother watching it any more.
Pete Nattress Cheesy Bits img src/uploads/sccheesegif
Registered 23/09/2002
Points 4811
18th February, 2005 at 07:01:04 -
I agree, I found it started to detorioate a few years ago. Now they just keep rehashing previous storylines and attempt to pass it off as ironic ("Worst. Episode. Ever.") because they literally have NO MORE ideas. They're just milking it for everything it's worth.
The episodes are shown in such a haphazard order in the UK that it's difficult to tell if it's declining or not over time. The new episodes that C4 show on Fridays are noticeably very different from the older ones, though.
I mean, there was a new episode about some business woman trying to exclude children and getting rid of anything to do with children, I can't remember it exactly. But it was the most horrendous piece of shit that I have ever seen. Wasn't even remotely funny, the sad thing it they tried to make it funny but it just didn't work. It put me off it, but I still enjoy watching it, it's just that they need to find something new.
There's even a Simpsons film coming out soon, that will probably ruin it for good I bet.
It has been going downhill. The one with nsync in it made me want to puke. But most of the new ones I still enjoy, so I dont want it to stop. I heared its IS stoping soon anyways. After the next series or somthing. or mabey im heard wrong.
It seems to me that they go wrong when they try to put to many pop culture reffrences in it. And theres far too many celebrity cameos in it as well.
Since I don't live in America and don't have sky, I have no idea how the latest Simpsons are. If given the choice I'd prefer a new series of Futurama to a new series of Simpsons.
Yah. The Simpsons has turned far more risque than when it first started, because the creators know that teenage culture changes over the years. Basically its a lot ruder than before, but I don't really have a problem with the program.
I will admit that the newer episodes just don't quite have the same amount of intellectual humour and incongruity as the older ones had. However, the newer ones are still funny and still quite good. And the Simpsons are starting to show their age (World's longest running television series with 16 seasons), but we don't want Law & Order to come up and take over the coveted world record, now do we? (Law and Order is at 15 Seasons right now)
The new episodes seem to be almost entirely based around Homer. There also seems to be a lack of multiple storylines, so they get tired very quickly. The humour seems to be moving more and more towards the inane and ridiculous, while this worked with Family Guy, it really doesn't work with the Simpsons.
While they've been declining since the first few series, they're still better than most american crap. Futurama's better, but you have to be into sci fi to get most of the jokes.
"Futurama's better, but you have to be into sci fi to get most of the jokes."
Naturally. It's not like the Jetsons, is it?
I think this decline was deliberate - after all, FOX cancelled other quality pieces of entertainment, or moved them to crap slots and then cancelled them. If nothing was done, why, The Simpsons would be next!
"Futurama's better, but you have to be into sci fi to get most of the jokes."
well i dont know about that, the thing is about some jokes (and this is true about the Simpsons and Futurama) is that there are loads of references to people and jokes that only Americans would understand.
Damien and I have talked about this many times before. Infact, not a day goes by that my brother and I dont talk about the Simpsons and its decline. I find the several series of Futurama MUCH funnier than the new episodes, but ofcourse it would be unsafe to assume any show going for as long as the Simpsons have would be able to keep quality standards. That said, I dont find Family Guy funny much at all. Oooh, and is anyone here a fan of 'Mission Hill'? Much better alternative to the New Adventures of the Simpsons, or Futurama, personally.
My theory on the new Simpsons is that the show which has always been a parody of pop culture and family life has become SO fixed in pop culture itself (Kids these days have never known a world that wasnt occupied by the show) that all it can achieve these days is self mocking and tired cameo's based entirely around the hype created by the overused guest stars.
I fear it is too late to turn the tide around. But thats not to say the new episodes have no shed of humour. I've laughed atleast once during every episode. Im also sure I get most of the Americana related jokes. However, after watching episodes from the early nineties, where every minute I'd be belly laughing, it really is sad to watch the newer series.
I put it down to key fundemental changes to characters. With shows like this I think a formula MUST be stuck to. Unlike South Park, where the show has always been quite lucid, and in my opinion has just gotten better and better, the Simpsons was once a well oiled sitcomy ship. Early on the decision to keep the characters fixed in time was decided. Which is fine. Im even willing to except that the dialogue can refer to times when the characters we're the same age as 'the past.' Thats fine, because the Simpsons is non contextually specific AND must keep up with pop culture to work. However, three shifts exist. Four very evil ones:
1. Maude's Death. Pointless. Annoying. And UNFUNNY. I think I read something about the women who does her voice died, which I'm not sure about.
2. Apu's Many Babies. He was never a major character, why does the Simpsons have to get involved with it anyway? NOT FUNNY.
3. Apu's Marriage. See above.
I am nerdy it up excessively here, and I should be greatful that a show like the Simpsons existed in the first place, because it WAS great. But it's just such a shame that it has become what it has. I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes, I think its pretty fitting.
'Homer just gets stupider and stupider every year.'
'Professor, THAT'S NOT A QUESTION!'
'oh yeah? he's thrown a kettle over a pub, what have you done?'
I prefer to watch an old episode of the Simpsons I've seen 5 times before than watch a new one. The newer one rely on Homer being stupid too much, and he has got too stupid to be believable. Even in a cartoon where the characters have yellow skin, believability is vital.
I think that the simpsons is the coolest. They have been going down hill but they are still making me chuckle.
There is a fine line between the simpsons and family guy. In simpsons they will make you have a quick giggle on the inside. Family will make you lol. They are just plain funny. I like how in family guy they do quick little flash backs and they are just pure humor.
"Futurama's better, but you have to be into sci fi to get most of the jokes."
well i dont know about that, the thing is about some jokes (and this is true about the Simpsons and Futurama) is that there are loads of references to people and jokes that only Americans would understand.
No, really really. I've heard someone say before that Futurama isn't as joke-packed than The Simpsons, but it's probably moreso. Almost everything that happens is a parody of or tribute to some sci-fi element. It's still a great show even if you don't get most of it, but there's another whole layer of humour on top of the usual slapstick and satire.
I agree that the new episodes aren't as good as they used to be, but the moment they take The Simpsons off the air, (which I've also heard they're going to do), I'll have heart attack considering I will have lost my reason to live. Or maybe I'll just start watching the DVD's.
I also heard the reason they're going to at least stop making new Simpsons episodes is due to Matt Groening's lack of ideas. Anybody have any ideas?
"I also heard the reason they're going to at least stop making new Simpsons episodes is due to Matt Groening's lack of ideas. Anybody have any ideas?"
its impossible because every possible thing has already been done in the simpsons, EVERYTHING.
I saw the episode when they visit England (or London) and Tony blair actually did his own voice in it. A few mistakes though, we don't use the london dungeon as a prison anymore, its a museum, we don't use the word Candy its sweets, and we dont talk like its still the 50's.
still its not to be taken seriously.
Those cartoons you mentioned ARE satirical, but unlike chummy little kids shows they all have solid basis' in pop culture and reality.
I seriously doubt those mistakes about England are actual mistakes. Whilst they arent accurate THEY ARE how some Americans think British people really live. Satire firmly based on reality. Yeah?
Sort of like the Australian episode. It's the Americans that use corporal punishment, not us. And kangeroos dont just stand in the middle of the city. It was ridiculous, but still funny. Plus, it's a classssssic episode.
'oh yeah? he's thrown a kettle over a pub, what have you done?'
i love this year's season of the simpsons, their blatent anti-passion of the christ jokes are awesome. any show who puts dime store christians in there place is fine by me.
I like all simpson's series, i will write the italian translaction for some word used by homer:
En | It
donut ciambelle
nuclear nucleare
beer birra
brain cervello
tv tv
d'oh d'oh
today italia 1 (one of italian network) have stream "monorail"
@Nukuler: Look deeper into the meaning and what not. I love the commentary the creators of South park make, (like the Wal-Mart episode). I think it's an awesome and funny show.
And I think you hate it 'cause your a Jew.
Fine Garbage since 2003.
CURRENT PROJECT:
-Paying off a massive amount of debt in college loans.
-Working in television.
I'm sick of family guy, the first series is excellent, though after that it trips a bit, being less intelligent. Spongebob squarepants is the cartoon that symbolises our generation.