Character's Past

[Purple Unicorn]

Whose character's past you'd like to be explored more?

Since Edna's line "...when I moved to Springfield" in Lisa the Iconoclast I felt an urge to know more about her past and we've actually got to know about it in s17's "Seemingly Never Ending Story". Now I want more!

As for now, I'd be really glad if they take a deeper look in Mona's and Abe's lives. I remember there was a discussion regarding how cool it would be to see an episode about their initial meeting, something classy like "I Married Marge". Tho, I know I'm demanding too much from modern staff.

Anyway, do you think any of the characters lack of the backstory?

[Bertholomew]

Yes, there's always room for more characters to be explored, and opens up more things to joke about in future. But I'm afraid of them screwing it up and not liking the character as much.
I actually just watch the seemingly never-ending story today on TV, and it kinda annoyed me that snake was just made out to be archaeologist, seemed a bit tacked on. I do agree that Edna's 'history' was done well, it makes sense as it's been referenced a little before, and explains that she wouldn't be completely turned off by Moe considering how bad her ex was.

I'd like to see Frink's history explored, since he does have a son and wife that referenced but rarely seen. His goofy character could produce some funny situations.

[Frightened Inmate No. 2]

I think that it would be interesting to see a backstory for any of the characters. I do like the idea of seeing Mona and Abe's history, since it would be a good way to bring back Glenn Close. I also think that they could expand on Mayor Quimby. They could show how he became mayor, and what he was like when he was younger.

I doubt the writing staff would do this though, because it of course isn't as interesting as the history of a talking rag.

[Dark Homer]

Well, I do kind of want to know what happened to Mr. Krabappel... but for the most part I don't care for exploring the pasts of the side characters. I like that the side characters are incredibly flexible, that their pasts and histories can change for the sake of a joke (one day the Ol' Sea Captain has sailed the seven seas or whatever, the next day he's not even a real sea captain who doesn't know what he's doing). So I don't like when their histories are "locked down" in a big way, because it sorta removes a lot of that rich comic potential. The biggest crime of the Skinner Is Armin Tamzarian episode is that it almost completely cuts off Skinner's past as a source to be mined for jokes

Also I hated that stupid reveal that Krabappel has only been in Springfield for only a year or so, I rather liked the idea that all her enthusiasm for teaching slowly dissipated over the years instead of, what, weeks?

[Bertholomew]

@Dark Homer I think her loss of enthusiasm is a comment on how difficult Bart's class is, and also the attitude of the other teachers: Mr.Largo, Miss Hoover and even one time appearance teachers (e.g 'Always with the magnets') share a unenthusiastic attitude.

I do prefer characters which are primarily used for jokes to have flexibility, but developed characters to have a more fixed 'history' and to not contradict what has come before (like Skinner, although i pretty much disregard the Armin Tamzarian thing because it's never to be referred to again, and during commentary It's suggested to think about the episode as an 'Experiment').

[iambobdole1]

I also think that they could expand on Mayor Quimby. They could show how he became mayor, and what he was like when he was younger.

*ahem* http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.p...y-Master-Thief

[Financial Panther]

What a plug.

[Jims]

I wouldn't mind learning a little more about Ned Flanders. It's kind of weird, because they covered his "origins" or whatever in Hurricane Neddy but we haven't really seen anything else about him. Maybe his childhood or young adult years were really boring.

Hey, if they did a flashback, then they could have Maggie Roswell back for another episode.

[iambobdole1]

Old Jewish Man. I'm actually kind of serious with this. They've given little hints about him here and there, and he could be more interesting than he seems.

[lolcats]

In Financial Panther's avatar, how did that man get into the financial business?

[Dark Homer]

@Dark Homer I think her loss of enthusiasm is a comment on how difficult Bart's class is, and also the attitude of the other teachers: Mr.Largo, Miss Hoover and even one time appearance teachers (e.g 'Always with the magnets') share a unenthusiastic attitude.

I'm not sure I understand, do you think her character would instantly do a 180 if she simply had a different class?

[Bertholomew]

No, as the teachers are an influence as well, and I believe she had already taught for a few years prior to Springfield elementary

[shoz999]

Whose character's past you'd like to be explored more?

Since Edna's line "...when I moved to Springfield" in Lisa the Iconoclast I felt an urge to know more about her past and we've actually got to know about it in s17's "Seemingly Never Ending Story". Now I want more!

As for now, I'd be really glad if they take a deeper look in Mona's and Abe's lives. I remember there was a discussion regarding how cool it would be to see an episode about their initial meeting, something classy like "I Married Marge". Tho, I know I'm demanding too much from modern staff.

Anyway, do you think any of the characters lack of the backstory?

What about Ruth's Power's Husband, supposedly identical to Homer just much worst and described to care more about his job than Ruth and Laura? Plus, the Simpsons could use a few classic returns of old Characters.

[Purple Unicorn]

What about Ruth's Power's Husband, supposedly identical to Homer just much worst and described to care more about his job than Ruth and Laura? Plus, the Simpsons could use a few classic returns of old Characters.

Well, since Ruth only appears at the background without open her mouth I doubt it's possible. But you reminded me, which husband I'd like to see on the show. Imagine Edna's ex move to Springfield. Nice way to shake Nedna a little imo.

[Lionheart]

The Bouvier family, specifically Marge's father.

[MagicalManFromHappyLand]

I'd like to see another episode exploring the back-story of Moe's bar rag, I think we've still got a lot to learn about one of the most compelling characters in the history of the show.

[Dark Homer]

No, as the teachers are an influence as well, and I believe she had already taught for a few years prior to Springfield elementary

But in "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" she's perfectly happy and kind of naive though? My problem with that whole thing it that her character does a complete 180 in such a crazy short amount of time... I forget when they said that story occurred, I'm assuming the summer right before Bart enters fourth grade... so that would be maybe a few days to seven months at most (if for some reason we charitably assume literally every single scene of her teaching in the entire show took place from May to June) for her big character evolution to have happened. It's just a really dumb and cartoony concept that she became who she is because of Bart and Nelson specifically (and the teachers, I guess) and not years and years of dealing with kids like Bart and Nelson

[leprechaun_dan]

I'd like to take a look back at Hans Moleman's severe drinking problem

[Ernie]

There's too much to look into and not to mention too little effort put into attempting to explore the characters more.

[Sinister Burns]

I also think that they could expand on Mayor Quimby. They could show how he became mayor, and what he was like when he was younger.

.

[chippos]

Dr Hibbert's family. We know he has two kids, but we never see them at Springfield Elementary. And does his wife ever speak?

Where the hell is Dr. Nick from?

I agree that the lack of definite character backgrounds leads to flexibility, which in turn leads to humor. In fact, I really don't even want it to be set in stone. But sometimes, its just fun to ponder about a character's past.

[iambobdole1]

Dr Hibbert's family. We know he has two kids, but we never see them at Springfield Elementary. And does his wife ever speak?

For what it's worth, I think Hibbert's family was originally meant to be a parody of the Huxtables, since they were competing with The Cosby Show for ratings at the time.

[Dark Homer]

Dr Hibbert's family. We know he has two kids, but we never see them at Springfield Elementary. And does his wife ever speak?

probably private school and yes, she sounds like tress macneille doing an impression of dr. hibbert

[Ernie]

Dr Hibbert's family. We know he has two kids, but we never see them at Springfield Elementary. And does his wife ever speak?

Where the hell is Dr. Nick from?

I agree that the lack of definite character backgrounds leads to flexibility, which in turn leads to humor. In fact, I really don't even want it to be set in stone. But sometimes, its just fun to ponder about a character's past.

From what I have seen, Dr.Hibbert appears to be very rich, and I assume that the two kids attend private schools.