Toe Jam Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/14/simpsons.anniversary.end/index.html As it turns 20 on Thursday, "The Simpsons' " greatest enemy may be itself.For many fans -- particularly hard-core followers in the mold of the show's sneering Comic Book Guy -- the glory days are long past. Some refuse to watch anymore; others admit they still find it funny, but they're disappointed the show didn't bow out at the top of its game. Jacob Burch, an administrator of the "Simpsons" site NoHomers.net, is one of those fans. The characters have gotten flat, says Burch -- who, at 23, has practically been watching the show his whole life -- and it's more likely to go for cheap laughs nowadays. "It seems less cohesive, more about trying to get the jokes in there, instead of make a story and let the jokes come off of that," he says, adding, "I just think there's only so much you can do [with the characters]." On the site, Burch now focuses on the show's history, letting the more passionate fans moderate the chats about current episodes. John Ortved, author of a new oral history of the show, "The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History" (Faber and Faber), agrees. "It's clearly not as good," he says. "I think the only people who think it's good -- or as good as it was -- are [producer] Al Jean and [co-creator] Matt Groening." Ortved makes the case that despite new writers and characters, the show has fallen out of touch and gotten more craven, playing to guest stars and cross-promoting other Fox shows. "What's been described to me is ... Al Jean just doesn't get it," he says. "The young, hip writers are either getting their jokes annihilated by Al Jean and his sort of yes men, or they've stopped writing them because they know they're going to get rewritten anyway." While not directly addressing the complaints, Groening and Jean have said "The Simpsons," whose 20th anniversary special is scheduled for January, isn't going anywhere. In February, Groening told CNN that he'd "be surprised if we close up anytime soon. ... The show's still fun to do." click link for more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxBuddy21 Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Used to watch it religiously but the problem is it has lost its edge with shows like Family Guy and South Park out there. In its prime, it was a great show but it has since lost its luster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brave Little Toaster Oven Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I thought the show was supposed to be ending last season? Ive been waiting on the last episode for a while now. I still like the show, but it doesnt compare to South Park and Family Guy now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Ironic - the Simpsons being called out for what makes Family Guy successful - going for cheap laughs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinInsite Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Simpsons were never about shock value like South Park or Family Guy. At it's best it was all about telling a story and clever writing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Been time for the Simpsons to go for about 5 years now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie4redskins Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I remember watching the season premiere in 1997 or 98. Never watched it again. Even the reruns on Fox are unbearable because they never play anything from pre 2003. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slateman Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Its still better than 90% of whats on TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVille_Skins Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Ironic - the Simpsons being called out for what makes Family Guy successful - going for cheap laughs. I think there is a difference between cheap laughs, and forcing laughs. Family guy comedy is mostly goes for low blows, and is at times very offensive, but it's hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chachie Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 The supporting castmembers (the other citizens of Springfield) are still very funny but I must admit- the Simpson family characters do not make me laugh anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Seasons 1-9 were A+, gold material. Now the show is plain stupid and unwatchable. That goes for the terrible movie they made as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brave Little Toaster Oven Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Lisa ruins the show with her arrogance. I hate her character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toe Jam Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 I think there is a difference between cheap laughs, and forcing laughs. Family guy comedy is mostly goes for low blows, and is at times very offensive, but it's hilarious. And Lois is super hot. :paranoid: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 One more thing...this show died when Phil Hartman did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVille_Skins Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 And Lois is super hot. :paranoid: Eh, i dont know, I feel Stewie, er I mean Desiree, is much more attractive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjgev1-qnQg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braxford Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I would like to see a spin off of the show with the kids out of the house and Homer and Marge in a retirement home and all the crazy retirement hijinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickyshooZ Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I didn't even think they were still making episodes. The show wasn't very good when I stopped watching (I can't even really remember when). It's just not the same show anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toe Jam Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Eh, i dont know, I feel Stewie, er I mean Desiree, is much more attractive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjgev1-qnQg "Hey Brian! I can't wait until after dinner so we can go home and you can watch me have my period!" :rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan since a Fetus Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I thought the last couple of seasons weren't that good. However, this season has been pretty good. I am liking it better than South Park right now, who I think has lost its edge. The only SP that I liked from this season was the Dolphin episode. Family Guy IMO is crap. I liked it when it first came out, now not so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 One more thing...this show died when Phil Hartman did. Christ, that was 11 years ago. Fans have been complaining that the show has lost its edge since 1995 at least. (That's when I discoved the "our favorite family" newsgroup. Remember newsgroups?) I think the show has had trouble since 2001 or thereabouts. I just don't know how many "Homer finds a new career" shows you can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I stopped watching The Simpsons regularly about ten years ago. Great show. GREAT show, but nothing lasts forever. I think they've squeezed about all the blood they can out of that stone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLRedskins Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 How many episodes have they done so far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixcuincle Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I was tempted to watch yesterday because Peyton Manning was on but decided to keep watching 60 minutes instead. Yes I'm 24 and I act like a senior citizen watching 60 minutes and ****. The best show on Sunday isn't even the Simpsons or Family Guy. It's American Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidenreich Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 The best show on Sunday isn't even the Simpsons or Family Guy. It's American Dad Agree 100%. AD brings the goods every week. I still watch the Simpsons when I'm home on a Sunday night. But it's not must see TV anymore..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerPacker Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I was tempted to watch yesterday because Peyton Manning was on but decided to keep watching 60 minutes instead. Yes I'm 24 and I act like a senior citizen watching 60 minutes and ****. The best show on Sunday isn't even the Simpsons or Family Guy. It's American Dad Dexter >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>American dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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