Why so negative??

[speedmaster]

As a relative newbie to this site and a general observer I find it really discouraging to see nearly every second thread devoted to negative subjects such as "worst episodes ever" "worst season ever" etc. etc. etc. Some of the comments in these threads are ridiculous also.. People are constantly saying how they "haven't watched the show since season whatever" "The plot makes no sense" "I hate so and so character"
Really? I'm sorry but if you haven't watched and episodes for years, why are you here?
It's a cartoon people.. and it's a funny one at that. It's broken all sorts of records for the longest running animated show and all other animated shows currently on at the moment only exist because of the Simpsons.
Some episodes are a bit average but you get that in any show. It's impossible to live up to peoples nostalgic expectations of the first episode they ever saw.

I really think many "fans" on here ridicule the show because it makes them look clever and well informed on plot-lines etc.

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

[cloneasaurus]

It's not really surprising people are "so negative" when a show that had 8 seasons of amazing TV changes so much it doesn't feel like what they fell in love with in the first place. If people love a certain section of the show, but aren't fond of the rest, it still makes sense that they're here. I don't know why you're surprised. The show has been on for 23 seasons and has changed a lot... which is why people stopped watching/liking at whatever season they did.

Also, there's plenty of positivity here. Looking at GD there's way more "favourite" and "debate" threads than negative threads. Of course there is no denying that the board does sometimes come off as bitter and unnecessarily cruel. But that's an unfortunate by-product of being on the air 23 years and alienating a lot of fans.

[Sonic]

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

False.

[Jesse Pinkman]

sometimes the negativity does get a little extreme, but it's the fault of the people working on the show for making it so bad.

[laurso99]

Really? I'm sorry but if you haven't watched and episodes for years, why are you here?

Presumably some people just come here to celebrate the episodes they have liked and enjoyed.

Some episodes are a bit average but you get that in any show.

No you don't. Some shows end while there still good.

It's impossible to live up to peoples nostalgic expectations of the first episode they ever saw.

Nobody's expecting it to match the first 8 or so seasons. And if it can't live up to the memories of the old fans why not end it? It's had a good run.

I really think many "fans" on here ridicule the show because it makes them look clever and well informed on plot-lines etc.

If we wanted to look clever, we'd probably spend our time quoting Oscar Wilde instead and stay away from forums like these. Anyway debate is good, it's good that people disagree, it stimulates conversation. I don't really see the problem here...

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

You can be a fan of "Classic era Simpsons", a term which in it's self may have vague boundaries as to the start and cut off point (so there is even disagreement and debate between what you would call "non-fans"), without being a fan of later Simpsons.

Anyway, sorry to get so preachy, I'm not trying to have a go, but like I said; disagreement is good. It's good we disagree. It's not that us "non-fans" are miserable and cynical, we just like conversation. Anyway, you're entitled to your opinion, like I'm entitled to mine. This is actually quite a good thread in that it engages conversation.

[parklife]

have you seen the show as of late?

[The Governor]

As a relative newbie to this site and a general observer I find it really discouraging to see nearly every second thread devoted to negative subjects such as "worst episodes ever" "worst season ever" etc. etc. etc.

It's not our fault the show isn't funnier and has not been for years.

Some of the comments in these threads are ridiculous also.. People are constantly saying how they "haven't watched the show since season whatever" "The plot makes no sense" "I hate so and so character"Really? I'm sorry but if you haven't watched and episodes for years, why are you here?

This is a Simpsons message board, not a cheer leading board and if you have seen the show at any time, then it validates you being here.

It's a cartoon people.. and it's a funny one at that. It's broken all sorts of records for the longest running animated show and all other animated shows currently on at the moment only exist because of the Simpsons.Some episodes are a bit average but you get that in any show. It's impossible to live up to peoples nostalgic expectations of the first episode they ever saw.

No, the show has had various merchandising runs that made it more money than the show itself through advertising revenue. If the show would've existed minus all the crap to sell, it would've been deemed to expensive to produce and ended a long time ago. Plus, it's on Fox, home of such garbage TV and shows that either run too long, not long enough or should've never been allowed to air at all. As for the nostalgia excuse, there was NINE seasons I loved the show and then upper management decided to kill the warmth and satire and make the show "Funnier!" by making Homer the brain dead retarded star to attract fans who were too stupid to realize it had been dumbed down.

I really think many "fans" on here ridicule the show because it makes them look clever and well informed on plot-lines etc.

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

Since when does someone watching the current show become "well-informed"? That sounds like something a stupid person would say if he had to complain about someone being smarter than themselves. If you mean "well informed" by understanding plotting, characterization, satire and wit, then you obviously have no concept of these things, much like the people behind the current show.



LOL HOMURR IZ FUNNIE!!!111!!!

[Mr. Krikt]

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

The Simpsons used to be good, now it's not.

Also I think your signature says it all.

[The Spruce Moose]

As a relative newbie to this site and a general observer I find it really discouraging to see nearly every second thread devoted to negative subjects such as "worst episodes ever" "worst season ever" etc. etc. etc. Some of the comments in these threads are ridiculous also.. People are constantly saying how they "haven't watched the show since season whatever" "The plot makes no sense" "I hate so and so character"
Really? I'm sorry but if you haven't watched and episodes for years, why are you here?
It's a cartoon people.. and it's a funny one at that. It's broken all sorts of records for the longest running animated show and all other animated shows currently on at the moment only exist because of the Simpsons.
Some episodes are a bit average but you get that in any show. It's impossible to live up to peoples nostalgic expectations of the first episode they ever saw.

I really think many "fans" on here ridicule the show because it makes them look clever and well informed on plot-lines etc.

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Yeah the negativity here can be overwhelming if you're not used to it, but when you think about it you really shouldn't be surprised. Most of it comes from frustration more than contempt or outright malice...most of it...because in the end we all are or at least were fans of a show we considered to be fantastic. To see it "fall" so much and repeatedly can't be easy or feel good. I suppose coming here might be therapeutic in that respect, although that's probably giving too much credit to the impact one television series can have on someone's life. Of course there's also the obvious answer of boredom. Even someone like me, probably the most outspoken supporter of current Simpsons, realizes this and can acknowledge when truly awful episodes still air including several from this season. Do I feel the criticisms devolve into unfair jokes just to fit the common opinion at times? Of course, but that really isn't the majority.

[MDB]

I have to say: yes, here is a lot of negatives BUT all of them have their reason, The people who criticize everything the simpsons does now, are disappointed with the newer seasons of the show, I still enjoying the show but I have to understand and accept that other persons don't. The problem is the show used to be the best animation show ever, now it has evolved until be another animation show.

[The Duke of Insomnia]

We have a valid reason for this negativity. Its simply because the show just isn't good anymore.

[Homer I Am]

[lolcats]

In the words of Ricky from Ricky 1:

''Don't be negative!''

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Ha, I didn't know anyone else knew about that movie.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Anyway, as said by the great Oscar Wilde, "All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling."

[derek]

messageboards are occupied by the angriest internet dwellers

you can bet your butt there will be copious amounts of negativity

[Nauru-1]

A fan of a TV show isn't like a fan of a sports team. My interest in the Simpsons lives and dies by whether it's a good product, something which I and certainly others feel has been lacking for quite some time.

[Brad Lascelle]

If I loved something once and thought it went downhill and then progressively began to suck more and more over a span of 15 years to the point where it was absolutely unwatchable... I wouldn't be a regular contributor to a message board devoted to it. I simply would find something better to enjoy and become a fan of that.

But that's just me.

[The Governor]

If I loved something once and thought it went downhill and then progressively began to suck more and more over a span of 15 years to the point where it was absolutely unwatchable... I wouldn't be a regular contributor to a message board devoted to it. I simply would find something better to enjoy and become a fan of that.

But that's just me.

Hyperbole.

Every fucking minute of the show currently is not that unwatchable. There are good bits in the show but you have to wade through a lot of crap to see it

[Brad Lascelle]

Hyperbole.

Every fucking minute of the show currently is not that unwatchable. There are good bits in the show but you have to wade through a lot of crap to see it

I agree wholeheartedly. It's why I still watch regularly. I think tonight's episode could turn out quite awesome.
But you and me aren't everyone else.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Welcome my son... welcome to the machin... er, to the internet.

[The Governor]

Flip the issue, whyshould we be unabashedly positive over what the current show puts out? Is it still satirical? Is still written as a dose of class that appeals to many tastes? Should I still give fawning praise to a show that I feel has lost its identity and merely exists because of it's good name?

Of course the standard reply is: "If you don't like it, don't watch it!" which means: "Your opinions suck, fuck off" which does nothing than deflect any debate.

]
messageboards are occupied by the angriest internet dwellers

you can bet your butt there will be copious amounts of negativit

People on the internet watch the show, too. Their opinions hold just as much water as yours.

[Mozy]

[Sinister Burns]

It's kind of stupid to frequent a fansite and call yourself a fan if you only like a third of the subject matter. If you don't like it, don't watch. More importantly, don't feel obliged to decry it on a forum for people who do like it.

[Brad Lascelle]

It's kind of stupid to frequent a fansite and call yourself a fan if you only like a third of the subject matter. If you don't like it, don't watch. More importantly, don't feel obliged to decry it on a forum for people who do like it.

Evidently we need a different forum for that. Those that decry tend to overwhelm everything else... especially when they sink to the level of Tim Long when he thought a talking bar rag would be a great premise for an episode.

There was a lot to like and a lot to gripe about in tonight's episode but good luck having a meaningful discussion when you have absolute asinine rhetoric latching onto single plot points and blowing them out of proportion in a fashion even Comic Book Guy would be proud of.

The reason Simpsons fans have no voice online is because of BS nonsense like tonight's episode review thread. When constructive feedback gets drowned out in a sea of "worst episode ever" hyperbole, we simply become our own worst enemy.

It discourages the writers from giving our feedback any merit.
It discourages fans with positive assessments of an episode from contributing to online Simpsons fandom.
It discourages people with legit criticisms from sharing them.

[elgo]

As a relative newbie to this site and a general observer I find it really discouraging to see nearly every second thread devoted to negative subjects such as "worst episodes ever" "worst season ever" etc. etc. etc. Some of the comments in these threads are ridiculous also.. People are constantly saying how they "haven't watched the show since season whatever" "The plot makes no sense" "I hate so and so character"
Really? I'm sorry but if you haven't watched and episodes for years, why are you here?
It's a cartoon people.. and it's a funny one at that. It's broken all sorts of records for the longest running animated show and all other animated shows currently on at the moment only exist because of the Simpsons.
Some episodes are a bit average but you get that in any show. It's impossible to live up to peoples nostalgic expectations of the first episode they ever saw.

I really think many "fans" on here ridicule the show because it makes them look clever and well informed on plot-lines etc.

In my eyes you're not a true fan if you have nothing positive to say....

Agreed, speedmaster. I am a long-time lurker and just registered to tell you that you said it bettethan I could ever say it. Episodes like tonight's are excellent and some are mediocre or poor. Still, I watch The Simpsons as it is better than most shows on TV - I have been watching from the start.

I also know people who don't like the current episodes and were once huge fans. They don't spend a lot of their time thinking about the show, and they certainly don't devote their time to whinging about the show online. Of course, sometimes these people will see z new episode and enjoy it. Likewise, going back to the classic years, there have been episodes that seemed crap on Sunday night but when seen a second time, I liked them.

The Simpsons writers covered this ground amply during the classic years, with Comic Book Guy and Itchy Scratchy and Poochie, among other devices. It is just a shame because NHC is a large, vibrant community like no other... yet it is filled with whiners and whingers.

There is a silent majority of us who like the show through its changes (which are part of life and necessary to keep going after so many years), and many others who don't care for the newer episodes but like back on the golden years fondly, not feeling bitter or entitled. To us, the whining on this board is very strange, as it betrays an unhealthy fixation with the series, equally as unhealthy - no, more unhealthy - than indiscriminately loving everything the show does.

[The Governor]

Still, I watch The Simpsons as it is better than most shows on TV - I have been watching from the start.

Heh, there's a number of people here, believe it or not, that still like the Simpsons, but don't think it's the king shit of TV anymore. I mean, every time I read the statement the show's somehow better than most shows on TV, I feel you're saying it out of the fact other TV is bad because it's "not the Simpsons." Ask yourself: is the show still THAT great, or are you just doggedly loyal to the show's name?

I also know people who don't like the current episodes and were once huge fans. They don't spend a lot of their time thinking about the show, and they certainly don't devote their time to whinging about the show online. Of course, sometimes these people will see z new episode and enjoy it. Likewise, going back to the classic years, there have been episodes that seemed crap on Sunday night but when seen a second time, I liked them.

People will follow what they choose to follow, or not. You're trying to marginalize and pigeonhole opinions whom you disagree with. I could say your fandom is blinding you to the obvious FACT the show has gone downhill, but that's neither here nor there.

The Simpsons writers covered this ground amply during the classic years, with Comic Book Guy and Itchy Scratchy and Poochie, among other devices. It is just a shame because NHC is a large, vibrant community like no other... yet it is filled with whiners and whingers.

You've only made one post here and you think you have the 'right' to tell us how this forum is SUPPOSED to be? Does this 'silent' majority just sit back and scoff at what's written online and pat each other on their backs, congratulating each other on how much more "superior" people they are just to drop in on the peasantry once in a while? Look, the people who talk about the show online watch the show, too, and their opinions have just as much weight as yours.

There is a silent majority of us who like the show through its changes (which are part of life and necessary to keep going after so many years), and many others who don't care for the newer episodes but like back on the golden years fondly, not feeling bitter or entitled. To us, the whining on this board is very strange, as it betrays an unhealthy fixation with the series, equally as unhealthy - no, more unhealthy - than indiscriminately loving everything the show does.

You seem to harbor discriminatory feelings at those who don't love the show indiscriminately because those who don't like the show same the way you do are just whingers and whiners (your words). I was 14 when Season 1 premiered and I was old enough to understand the show was something more than a generic kiddie cartoon that just happened to air during the evenings. It wasn't until I was more educated when I realized the what made the show great and I certainly noticed when the show "evolved" from being something special to something that became a parody of itself that parades around like it thinks its still special. Silent majority, or whatever, popularity has nothing to do with quallity.

[zartok-35]

If anything, lately, we've had more threads with candy-asses whining about negativity, than any actual negativity.

[The Governor]

There was a lot to like and a lot to gripe about in tonight's episode but good luck having a meaningful discussion when you have absolute asinine rhetoric latching onto single plot points and blowing them out of proportion in a fashion even Comic Book Guy would be proud of.

For God's sake, take some prozac and get back in the toll booth lane.

The reason Simpsons fans have no voice online is because of BS nonsense like tonight's episode review thread. When constructive feedback gets drowned out in a sea of "worst episode ever" hyperbole, we simply become our own worst enemy.

This coming from a guy who thinks it's somehow "wrong" to give an episode lower than a "3" because it's not proper fan etiquette.

It discourages the writers from giving our feedback any merit.
It discourages fans with positive assessments of an episode from contributing to online Simpsons fandom.
It discourages people with legit criticisms from sharing them.

Even if 100 percent of all feed back was constructive, we'd still be the butt of their jokes because we posted on a fan board. If you think being a good little fan is going to make what you write on a message board have any more value than a "CBG" you're dellusional.