Humor, Plots, Characterizations...

Yes, The Simpsons is a comedy. So naturally when people watch they want humor, they want to laugh.

But me, I think more about plots then I do about the humor. For instance, if there was a real out-there plot with a whole lot of laughs, I would look for the plot, because the plot, to me, is the definitive of what the episode is, not the humor.

I also look at characterizations.

Point is, whilst comedy is of course important in the show, is it the most important thing? Or do plots/characterizations, or maybe something different matter more to you guys?

If I laugh alot at shows (e.g. Futurama) I usually can't take them seriously and the plot becomes irrelevant for me.

If I experience the occasional laugh at a show, in a plot-focused series like the Simpsons - the show seems better, more realistic, grounded and meaningful, than just a pointless gagfest that just doesn't fufill me at all.

plot > humor

For some reason the words Family Guy came to mind as I read the posts so far. That's an example of a show which sacrifices everything, allowing character assassination (Meg Griffin) for a laugh and bending plots around stupid premises even if they don't actually work (James woods, any and all appearances).

The Simpsons have been increasingly guilty of this as years go by because the list of avaliable plots grows ever thinner. Honestly I'd like to see a spinoff which decentralizes OFF and opens up possibilities for entire episodes to center on the varying townsfolk. It's been discussed during commentaries (22 short films). The characters are all goig to become more exaggerated with the current restrictions, there's only so much characterizing you can do from one angle. This would also make more plots viable. And once the pressure for good stories is lifted, the humor will come back naturally.

Now this is all my heavily biased opinion but it's about the only way I see the show improving and lasting beyond another few years. If that's Fox's intention, and they want to keep the show profitable that would be a pretty good place to start.

Humor is more important to me than the plot. It's the main reason why I watch The Simpsons.

Originally Posted by D'ohmer

Humor is more important to me than the plot.

i really think you'd like family guy. not even trying to be mean, or star a FG war, but i seriously think so.

for me, plot comes first, which is why episodes with little humor, like say Round Springfield or something, I can enjoy because they have good plots {IMO}

From what I've seen of FG, the humor doesn't appeal to me, but thanks though

Originally Posted by D'ohmer

From what I've seen of FG, the humor doesn't appeal to me, but thanks though

i was just saying because that show, EVERY episode is humor first, then plot

But if the humor doesn't appeal to me, then it's not worth it (IMO)

Originally Posted by D'ohmer

But if the humor doesn't appeal to me, then it's not worth it (IMO)

i see what you were saying, it's alright, it was just a suggestion of course

It's okay

Thanks anyway

The Simpsons has good humor and good characters.
Course these days its all over the place but I still enjoy it.
I'm not going to get into Family Guy in this topic.

Plot is the most important but at the same time if the episode has no humour what is the point?

But the plot is definitely more important... anyone can write jokes but writing a good story takes skill...

i just realized something

why the hell do we have to set up competitive polarities between plot/emotion/characterization/etc. and humor, as if the latter thrives better without the guiding constraints of the former and the former can only be successful if the latter is toned down? it's a bunch of bullshit. some of the most beautiful and transcendent moments of The Simpsons have been a combination of comedy and tone, jokes given weight by narrative context, sentiment made all the sweeter by coexisting humor.

so yeah, every one of these 'plot vs. humor the ultimate death match' style threads just further reinforce a nonexistent adversarial dynamic between two phenomena that flourish together beautifully

Plot is over rated! In reality I live a plot-less life. I might have maybe 3 plots per year if I'm lucky. So I don't like shows with too much real life. Booooring!
I dont mind Simpson episodes that stray into the whacky, moderation in all things of course!

Originally Posted by TheForbiddenDonut

i just realized something

why the hell do we have to set up competitive polarities between plot/emotion/characterization/etc. and humor, as if the latter thrives better without the guiding constraints of the former can only be successful if the latter is toned down? it's a bunch of bullshit. some of the most beautiful and transcendent moments of The Simpsons have been a combination of comedy and tone, jokes given weight by narrative context, sentiment made all the sweeter by coexisting humor.

so yeah, every one of these 'plot vs. humor the ultimate death match' style threads just further reinforce a nonexistent adversarial dynamic between two phenomena that flourish together beautifully

it's called personal opinion. i think the show needs a good plot in episodes, it's my opinion, i can't be wrong obviously.

uh i think the same way, did you read my post?

don't get why you took that post as a personal affront to an idea i am clearly supporting

Originally Posted by TheForbiddenDonut

uh i think the same way, did you read my post?

don't get why you took that post as a personal affront to an idea i am clearly supporting

oh

i was more focused on the swears in your post thinking you hated the idea of the thread

i understand now, sorry 'bout that

All one of the swears?

anyway, I agree with everything tfd said, the two aren't mutually exclusive. An episode needs a good plot to be engaging, and good jokes to be enjoyable, IMO.

Ideally I look for all three in good measure. I do think all three of these can be successful individually with the right kind of focus. A character can act out-of-character with the right set-up, a plot can be off-the-wall if done with a superior level of wit and cleverness, and humour can be used sparingly if other elements are take its place to make a show remain entertaining.