do you actually believe that the simpsons are getting worse?

[Company Picnic]

Blimey, this thread grew quickly - it's interesting though.

Personally I enjoy the new episodes (although I've not seen any of Season 23), but I generally view the show in much the same way I view music. There is plenty of quite shallow music that is pleasing to the ear, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it, but in terms of quality standards can't compare to the depth and complexity of more intelligent music made by people who are proficient with their instruments and care about their composition. In the end though, it's all genuine, and has to be taken for what it is.

I will have to admit though that the show isn't the same anymore. I would say from what I've read that this is because not only has much of the personnel involved left for other projects, but the man (Al Jean) tasked with overseeing the shows concept doesn't aspire to achieve the standards that it used to reach back in the 'classic era'. Unless the staff is changed, there can be no significant change to the format of the show - they're writing what they think is good. It still has plenty of enjoyable moments, and I'm happy to watch post-classic episodes, but unless the people involved with the show take drastic action to improve the quality rather than just sitting back and letting it drift on as it is there won't be any change.

As for how the show has reflected changes in society - I definitely agree that it's contrary to the shows ethos. I find the overused celebrity appearances and constant 'internet references' as probably the most obnoxious points about the show these days - if they concentrated more on sound character-driven plots again, that would definitely make for some improvement.

[bradbradford]

I would like to add an interesting tidbit to this argument. First of all, I will be the first to say I have always listed the show as my all time personal favorite, and I still do this. Unlike many, I still get genuinely excited for new episodes and almost always enjoy them. Does some of that have to do with wearing nostalgia goggles? Absolutely. However, I still defend the current show and think it still churns out some great episodes.

I've often been on the side that argues that the show needed to change up its style to adapt to current television trends, but I am still able to see that often times the show does not stand up to the older seasons.

This becomes most evident upon watching reruns. I realized lately, that even if I enjoyed one of the newer episodes a ton on its premiere, I am always less than excited when I see a rerun from the recent seasons. However, even though I've seen the classic episodes a million times, they still hold up, and I always enjoy watching them as reruns. I think that says a lot about the differences.

That being said, I still love the new episodes and the show is still consistently one of my favorite things on television.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Pretty much Lisa Simpson's own words on the show:

Um, excuse me sir. The thing is, there's not really anything wrong with (The Simpsons), it's as good as ever. But after so many years, the characters just can't have the same impact they once had.

Adding a new character is often a desperate attempt to boost low ratings, that or parading out trendy guest star after trendy guest star.

You can't be cool just by spouting off a bunch of worn-out buzzwords.

We should thank our lucky stars that they're still putting on a program of this caliber after so many years... *both Simpson kids stares blankly at the idiot box*

Yes. Terrible.

BART: What else is on?

Lisa changes the channel, screen goes to static and the credits roll.



FOX RESPONDS:
Hey, this ain't art, it's business! Whaddya got in mind for season 24, Al? Sexy broad? Gangster octopus?

[irvine_11]

You know that episode "The Seemingly Neverending Story?" I think that the series should be renamed that title.

[akuronin]

i have no way to disagree, the simpsons stopped ridiculing society and culture.
point taken.

all in all it still remains a personal favourite though, and i will sit it through to the end.

[Company Picnic]

i have no way to disagree, the simpsons stopped ridiculing society and culture.
point taken.

all in all it still remains a personal favourite though, and i will sit it through to the end.

I think you and Zombies both made good points earlier in the thread. I know it sounds weird, but a lot of modern culture really is very boring and sterile. Everything is marketed to an audience in a certain way and is driven more by financial incentives than creativity. This problem is just as evident in The Simpsons as anywhere else, but it's not necessarily as endemic in the show as it is elsewhere.

[Dobbie]

Has The Simpsons gotten worse? Obviously. You can blame everything you want; that modern culture is shit (I agree with this), that the fans are in denial, or whatever. But nothing can change the fact that the show currently has very limited appeal now. The years have gone by but that isn't an excuse for rushed storylines, bland and unlovable characters or crappy jokes/plots. The show has gone downhill because the writers and everyone involved became complacent and stuck in this 'paycheque' scheme. I doubt anyone cares about the state of the show as long as it produces money and that's the sad reality of show business, especially with Fox involved.

The Simpsons is a cash cow for Groening. His new toy is Futurama, a show that he actually puts time to care about. Hence the poor quality episodes we've had over the years.

If you enjoy the new Simpsons episodes that's fine but don't expect everyone to be kissing Al Jean's shoes like yourself.

[The Governor]

If the show and modern-culture were people they'd have this conversation:

SIMPSONS:
Uh, can I get off my knees now?

MODERN CULTURE:
Nope, keep sucking!

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Just in case you missed it..

Fox: So.. Al, what do you have in mind for season 24?

Al: A sexy gangster octopus broad moves in next door, and wackiness ensues!

Fox: Love it, love everything about it. As long as you guys keep taking pay cuts we will keep churning this garbage out, year after mind-numbing year.

Al: Thank you, oh, mighty overlords. As I just bought a new boat for my kids to ruin in a year.

Fox: Now send Seth in here!

Al: Yes, my master!

Seth Mcfarlane walks in..

Seth: Hello?

Fox: Seth, my boy, sit down.. we have more shows to discuss..

Seth: I thought I could do movies now instead... maybe end 'Family Guy' this season?

Fox: Naw.. we need eight more Family Guy spin-offs.. or else!!

Seth: *silent*

Fox: You knew the deal when you met with Sata.. er, umm.. Mr. Murdoch.

Seth: I know... d'oh!

Fox: Hey, this ain't art, it's business! Whaddya got in mind for next season?
We hear sexy gangster octopus broads are in this season.. maybe Peter could rape one or something... so Stewie could have a squid half brother.. or something.

Seth: I think Stewie was already a squid once maybe.. but fuck it.. I'll tell the writers to get working on a bastard half-squid/half-human new Griffin family member.

Fox: Sounds great, doors right there buddy, go get to it. Oh, and can you send in the president of Comedy Central next..

Pres of C.C. walks in...

Fox: Why in the fuck have you been airing Futurama regularly and not pre-empting it with football games!
For fuck shakes, Matt called us bitches years ago.. so we have to punish him forever for it.. while still making money off what we truly hate!!!!

CC President: *silent*

Fox: Anyway just randomly keep changing it's time slot... hold new epiosdes over each year.. make it really hard for fans to actually see the show in any format, also make sure you don't advertise for it.. and make sure you treat the show with no respect and try and take away it's dignity in the process.

CC President: WTF is wrong with you guys?

Fox: You are about to see... guards, take him to the lava pits!!!
Muahahha ha hahhah hahahahhahh hahha hah ahhahhah ahha ha ha ha hahha hahhahhaahha hahh ahh ahahhahh ahahahahah!

Fox: Now.. to do an 'Alf' reboot before anyone else!!!!

Fox: Muahahha ha hahhah hahahahhahh hahha hah ahhahhah ahha ha ha ha hahha hahhahhaahha hahh ahh ahahhahh ahahahahah, Al Jean and Mike Scully can produce!!

[Behold Gravity]

In response to the thread title, yeah. I thought they might've hit a trough in quality but nah, still getting worse. Modern Simpsons is what modern society tries to be, empty.

[akuronin]

i can not do anything but laugh with that remark,as it strikes me as reality but also as something diferent.

"every generation has its way"

modern culture is empty, yet we all use the internet and cell phones, and we all absorb it like a sponge.


in case of the simpsons, falling back on a previous remark :
no i am not sucking up to all jean, and he took over from matt groening a long time ago.

i am a matt groening fan as much as i am a simpsons fan, and i do not believe that you can pass an intellectual property over to diferent people without any drawbacks.
as the original creators wil always shine through their creations, and the humour or even feel will always differ.
in case of all jean, i clearely feel or notice a part of the "familly guy" humour and ways in the simpsons.

its a rock band without the original leading voice, its just diferent and does not sound right for the full one hundred procent, but peope will give it a chance or accept it over time.

[leprechaun_dan]

I still enjoy the show every once and a while. I'm not as harsh on the newer episodes as I used to be because I mainly focus on the humour rather than the storyline now.

However, I can't deny that The Simpsons is gradually getting worse and worse as it goes on.

[The Governor]

its a rock band without the original leading voice, its just diferent and does not sound right for the full one hundred procent, but peope will give it a chance or accept it over time.

Groening stopped working for the Simpsons full time in Season 5.

[laurso99]

Personally i think that there's been alot (and i mean alot) of stuff both in UK and in the States that are better than current Simpsons. Shame but it's been that way for about 12 years at least. I understand why people still like the show, i don't, but it's not all that good in comparison to some other stuff out there that perhaps people don't know about.

[Homer I Am]

Didn't I already post a thread like this?

[laurso99]

I think loads of people have, but for relative newbies who still love the show, it must be the first thing to pop out of there head.

[Mr Black]

no, I don't think the show is getting worse, because I haven't seen a new episode for years. I've given up on it, much like the show gave up on story based plots where the characters stay in characterisation and the jokes aren't silly pop-culture references and episodes aren't built around guest stars.

[christmas_ape]

I tried watching that episode with the "twelth night" plot (I can't remember what it's called) today, and I couldn't even get through the first act. The dialogue was atrocious, showing not one ounce of subtlety, and every potentially funny line ruined by poor delivery. This is an episode I understand has a high reputation, but honestly I can't believe this was aimed at an adult audience, as surely anyone in possession of their faculties would have found the dire sledgehammer satire insulting. If any classic Simpsons episode left me with this impression, I wouldn't be on this forum.

I don't understand how anyone can't feel the show has declined. Tell me the show's come with anything approaching the brilliant satire of "Homer Badman", "Last Exit to Springfield" or "Radio Bart" in the last ten years with a straight face, because I refuse to believe such a thing is possible.

[The Governor]

I don't understand how anyone can't feel the show has declined. Tell me the show's come with anything approaching the brilliant satire of "Homer Badman", "Last Exit to Springfield" or "Radio Bart" in the last ten years with a straight face, because I refuse to believe such a thing is possible.

Some people think just because something alluded to on the show, it's somehow the greatest satire in the world. No, that's called "allusion", kind of like how they had an Avatar parody as couch gag. That's not satire, or even a parody, it's an ALLUSION to a popular movie.

[christmas_ape]

I'm only going on what I glean from Dead Homer Society, perhaps not the most balanced of sources, but that does seem to be how the show operates now. Pointless allusions to prove relevancy plus ego-stroking celebrities. The show never seems to attack anything anymore; even Mr. Burns, figurehead of robber-baron capitalism, is reduced to a senile incompetant for cheap physical comedy. It's especially infuriating considering some of the things they savaged previously have dramatically increased in prominance, like tabloid "journalism". The Simpsons has become a toothless, pathetic institution whose only saving grace is that it has no dignity left to lose.

[Nauru-1]

I look at the show now and I ask where any semblance of irreverence went. I ask where characters that can be at turns charming, awkward, witty, silly, smart, stupid, outrageous and human went. It's really at the point where I don't even feel like keeping with the product anymore. If it didn't have its early-mid 90's heritage I'd struggle to find a reason why it demands any level of respect in the context of television.

[iceman132]

It has gotten almost impossible to watch and is just background noise at this point.

There is a decent episode every now and again.... However, I can watch the older episodes over and over again whereas I can barely sit through the new episodes.

The last episode that I really enjoyed was where Moe dated a midget ......And that was about 3 years ago. (The subplot with Maggie was cringe worthy though)

[shoz999]

Honestly... I find it strange how every time an episode gets a mixed review from critics, suddenly Fans say it's a bad episode. In movies, like Madagascar or Starwars: The Empire Strikes Back (Yes! The Original Empire Strikes Back had mixed reviews), had mixed reviews yet the audience loved it so much. Here, mixed reviews of episodes seemed to get attack a lot. I even seen some people saying that Season 1's episode, some that got mixed reviews, are bad as well. Apparently when it gets a positive review, half or most of the fans suddenly agree it's a good episode. I find it a little coincidence everytime a new episode gets a new review from the critics and than if it's positive, the fans go positive but when it's even barely close to positive, yet mixed, suddenly the opinions they have it or negative. It's like a mixed review is the new "attack" review of the Simpsons. Though, believe me. Even though it had a 50 to 50 chance of being either good or bad, Season 23 is actually going with the flow so far, their are a few bad episodes, but this season is so far pretty going real good.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

This season is worse than any other terrible season out now.

[The Governor]

i can not do anything but laugh with that remark,as it strikes me as reality but also as something diferent.

"every generation has its way"

modern culture is empty, yet we all use the internet and cell phones, and we all absorb it like a sponge.

Eh, it's all relative; Every generation has something that's the fall guy, but whatever trendy shit becomes the target of the downfall of society, there's always something that stands out as product that shaped it's contemporary generation, something that transcends criticism. The Simpsons did that back in the 90's like the Beatles are synonymous with the 60's. However, unlike the Beatles, the Simpsons didn't know when to quit. It's become a show where people only care that it continues and calling it's modern lack of talent a work of absurd genius in a lame straw-man attempt to defend the show, or the show's longevity is an amazing feat, not remembering it's on an essentially a sleazy network, as Bart said: "They'll air anything."

[akuronin]

well a network or not,

we never see the fox logo which is a part of the simpsons show, we never see the "shush" ending, we do not see credits either.some people dont even know how manny celebrity's realy voiced their parody characters.

example ( johny cash : the red fox in homers peper trip )

even with the canyonaro where it pushes away the fox logo to start the ending song, they cut out the logo so it will not show on our tv sets.
and the problem is the fact, that a lot of people would feel empty if the simpsons ended. and currently it keeps a lot of people bussy earning money.

the new episodes clearly focus on pure visual gags, and ignore any story related to the family, or even fails to parody on the world.
it gives slight odes to popular cultural creations now.

the writers are in a dip, and schould talk to senior writers to get up and running again...

yet i do not give up on the show, but i feel the diference, these new episodes do not facinate or grasp me as much as the old ones.

[uruguayo]

I believe that while not the best season,the season is not all bad ...

[The Governor]

well a network or not,

Just because it's not acknowledged in EVERY episode, Fox has had the reputation of airing very gimmicky programming from the start.

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

I believe that while not the best season,the season is not all bad ...

You lie!

[Haoie]

Eeeh, it's been about the same with little dips and peaks for a long time.