When did the Simpsons become millionaires?

[Sideshow Ben]

The Simpsons can and do buy whatever they want these days from luxury brands like Mapple, become foodies, eating at fancy restaurants on a whim, attend Dinosaur robot shows which apparently are about $100 a ticket. Not to mention vacations and such. It is clear that they are living a very luxurious lifestyle of late, especially season 23.

What's the deal with this? Did it happen gradually or all of a sudden?

Did Homer's pumpkin stock skyrocket or something?

[Dark Homer]

hahaha I like the pumpkin stock theory

my theory is the writers just completely ran out of ideas, so they went to a writer's workshop and were told to "write what you know." and they've been in hollywood for such a long time that what they know is eating at fancy restaurants, getting VIP passes at video game conventions, and buying fancy gizmos, the simpsons's upper-lower-middle classness be damned. that's also why springfield is essentially just los angeles now

[Swoony]

The Simpsons can and do buy whatever they want these days from luxury brands like Mapple, become foodies, eating at fancy restaurants on a whim, attend Dinosaur robot shows which apparently are about $100 a ticket. Not to mention vacations and such. It is clear that they are living a very luxurious lifestyle of late, especially season 23.

What's the deal with this? Did it happen gradually or all of a sudden?

Did Homer's pumpkin stock skyrocket or something?

Funny that you mention this, because watching the first episode of the series I was thinking the same thing. It's like they don't care about the little details anymore. Remember when Homer had to work a second job in order to provide for his family? Or when he reverted to buying his kids cheap novelty toys because he was so broke? I don't even know if Homer works anymore. Now they either have him at work or not depending on the plot or writer. It's inconsistant. Times have sure changed.

[The Governor]

The reason: Both cars have been paid off for a while!

[The Spruce Moose]

when the writers became rich and lazy

[qwertyuio]

Well, considering classic episodes like The Day The Violence Died ("Hey Dad, can I have a thousand dollars?") I would say there is a quite flexible reality in this aspect, except when it is clearly shown as a main topic of the story.

[Sideshow Ben]

Well, considering classic episodes like The Day The Violence Died ("Hey Dad, can I have a thousand dollars?") I would say there is a quite flexible reality in this aspect, except when it is clearly shown as a main topic of the story.

I would consider these to be strictly gags. I love the irony in them. I think that is much different from the plot bringing them to spending this kind of money naturally within the story.

[Bella Drape 'er]

It is clear that they are living a very luxurious lifestyle of late, especially season 23.

When Homer spent all that money he won in Million Dollar Maybe. Maybe what he meant by "spending" it, was that he actually invested the money in a bank?

Or maybe that's just what the writers want me to think...

[qwertyuio]

I would consider these to be strictly gags. I love the irony in them. I think that is much different from the plot bringing them to spending this kind of money naturally within the story.

Yes, of course they are gags but they show that there is not such a strict view on the economic status of the family, except when it is brought as a main topic (e.g. Simpsons Roasting In An Open Fire or Lisa's Pony).

But not that I disagree with your point either. I should watch those episodes, though.

[Company Picnic]

They seem to be far more aware of themselves and the show business world these days, to the point where perhaps they've become more of a television family than a genuine family.

Dark Homer had it right, the shows writing has completely lost contact with the reality of what it is to be a regular person. The humour has suffered for it considerably as the characters are much more difficult to take seriously.

[TriforceBun]

Good topic, and this has bothered me for awhile as well.

Homer can't make a particularly large amount at his current job, and being a single-income family with three kids, it's hard to believe that they're always on the cutting-edge of new gizmos and have zero problems going on vacation (especially when you consider how often Homer or one of the other family members wrecks the car or whatever).

It's not the worst problem in the show but it's one of several aspects that makes the Simpson family feel much less relatable and "human" to me.

[biffwestwood]

When Homer spent all that money he won in Million Dollar Maybe. Maybe what he meant by "spending" it, was that he actually invested the money in a bank?

Or maybe that's just what the writers want me to think...

Maybe he used some of the money to get his house back after Ned bought it in "No Loan Again Naturally" and after Homer paid him off, he "fired" his "landlord Ned Flanders". That is one of my theories on the prize money not lasting very long.

[Bella Drape 'er]

Maybe he used some of the money to get his house back after Ned bought it in "No Loan Again Naturally" and after Homer paid him off, he "fired" his "landlord Ned Flanders". That is one of my theories on the prize money not lasting very long.

Yeah, but No Loan Again Naturally was in the season before?

[ANdre1001]

I totally agree with Sideshow Ben, the financial flexible reality in the classic era was strictly to certain Jokes and Gags, but lately the Simpsons Family goes into situations that makes them less believable and therefore less enjoyable, the writers now have no boundaries on what the Simpson family can do, therefore this crazy stories involving in some cases a wealthy Simpson family.

I really lol'ed to the Pumpkin stock skyrocketing theory, which kinds of makes sense since the Simpson family gains considerable amount of money every October to spend all year long XD

[Jesse Pinkman]

they're only rich when it goes along with whatever is happening plot wise and/or joke wise

[Alex_Of_Darkness]

Yes they're rich like Frank Grimes said

[ANdre1001]

they're only rich when it goes along with whatever is happening plot wise and/or joke wise

Not on this last seasons ¬¬

[Homer I Am]

They changed, I started noticing this when every family member started winning money. Bart got $3000 and the family went to England and these days it seems they don't have a problem getting that amount of money to go get new items and go on holidays. It's all apart of their outlandish storylines, what really disappoints me is that it makes them a bunch of fakes. The episodes use to feel like they were actually real and the Simpsons family felt like a real family, with all this Mapple crap they do it's really annoying.

[CeetjeBeetje]

What's the deal with this? Did it happen gradually or all of a sudden?

Did Homer's pumpkin stock skyrocket or something?

Haha, could be. But maybe they found another monkey's paw.

[Homer the Vigilante]

It has to be the pumpkins. Some people like to stick their dicks into pumpkins.

[TriforceBun]

Come to think of it, with how often one member of the family gets well-known around town (or around the country), and/or discovers a hidden talent, they've probably all stumbled into a good bit of money at some point or another.

Then again, I'd say that having so many episodes where a Simpson is successful in some new, large-scale way is another problem.

[Sideshow Ben]

Come to think of it, with how often one member of the family gets well-known around town (or around the country), and/or discovers a hidden talent, they've probably all stumbled into a good bit of money at some point or another.

Then again, I'd say that having so many episodes where a Simpson is successful in some new, large-scale way is another problem.

"Well, I guess I learned my lesson. The thing is, I lost creative control of the project. And I forgot to ask for any money. Well, live learn."

[Jesse Pinkman]

Not on this last seasons ¬¬

i was actually talking primarily about the last seasons. why do you not think so?

[Dark Homer]

when was the last time they even referenced the simpsons's relative poorness? when was the last time they couldn't afford something?

I haven't actually seen a full episode of "the middle" but I think they're the only show that still bothers to remember the middle-classness of its family

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

I haven't actually seen a full episode of "the middle" but I think they're the only show that still bothers to remember the middle-classness of its family

You're correct; I've watched nearly every episode of "The Middle" since the show started and the middle-classness of the family is still remembered, from the look of the house to the furniture to the vehicles that they drive. Even when they got something new it was only temporary and they acted and enjoyed every minute of it like every middle-class family who never had something rich would.

You should actually watch the show Jamie, it's pretty good.

[Haoie]

I like epis when they struggle with money, especially from the good eras.

Like, say, Dog of Death.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I think it is just easier for the writers to write stories where money is no big deal these days. I mean I think Jean even seems to dislike or at least find strange those scenes from the early years of say Marge going over the bills at the kitchen table. Doesn't he even say on commentaries with these types of scenes that nobody he knew as a kid's parents ever did this kind of stuff anyway? I dunno maybe they just don't think a struggling lower middle class family is funny...?

[Homer I Am]

Another reason Al Jean should be fired.

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

I mean I think Jean even seems to dislike or at least find strange those scenes from the early years of say Marge going over the bills at the kitchen table. Doesn't he even say on commentaries with these types of scenes that nobody he knew as a kid's parents ever did this kind of stuff anyway? I dunno maybe they just don't think a struggling lower middle class family is funny...?

Of course it's funny, there are tons of things that can revolve around a middle class family; the fear of being evicted, the constant need for a job; it may not be as funny as they want it to be but it is relatable, it grounds the family and it makes them real. Just because Al Jean didn't hear from somebody doesn't mean that it doesn't happen; I mean I've seen my dad look through bills with a visible worried face. Maybe the kids just like to say what they think is interesting rather then what actually happens.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Of course it's funny, there are tons of things that can revolve around a middle class family; the fear of being evicted, the constant need for a job; it may not be as funny as they want it to be but it is relatable, it grounds the family and it makes them real. Just because Al Jean didn't hear from somebody doesn't mean that it doesn't happen; I mean I've seen my dad look through bills with a visible worried face. Maybe the kids just like to say what they think is interesting rather then what actually happens.

Oh I totally agree with you Zombies, I was simply trying to figure out why the writers have gotten away from those types of plot points. Thinking about it more I guess the last time the family had to worry about money was No Loan Again Naturally, but before then it might have been Lisa's Sax and that of course was only to buy Lisa her saxophone over an air conditioner. I am having a hard time remembering a Scully Episode where the family had money troubles.

What I mean is when the show-runner doesn't like these plot points it isn't really a wonder that they've strayed from them. Of course I might be totally wrong in even saying Jean made those claims on any such commentary it is merely a vague memory I think is correct. I suppose the series age might have something to do with it too...