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General => Movies and TV => Topic started by: El Barto on September 21, 2010, 11:52:24 AM

Title: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 21, 2010, 11:52:24 AM
As one or two of you might have noticed, I'm an old-skool Simpsons fan.  I started watching it right at the second season.  For many years, getting baked on a Sunday night and watching a new episode was something I genuinely looked forward to.  Back then, it really was the best show on television.  I don't think I've watched a first run episode in 3 years now.  I just don't find the show funny any more.  It seems like they have one or two episodes a year which really stand out, and the rest of them are just weak.  I recently started wondering why that is. 

It's certainly possible that all the good writers split and the show has just started to suck.  But then, it's also possible that the show hasn't changed at all, and I've just gotten used to all the jokes.  Maybe I'm just jaded because I remember how good it was back in the golden years.  Who knows?

What I'm wondering is how many people still watch the thing.  Does anybody still think it's funny?  Considering the ages of the show and the average DTFer,  it stands to reason that plenty of people didn't start watching it until well after the golden era ended, so do people who only started watching a few years ago find it funny?

How long have you watched it for and when was it funny?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: zerogravityfat on September 21, 2010, 11:58:12 AM
i used to watch it regardless of family guy, but now i just really gave up on it. family guy is not very funny anymore either, but it's still much better than the simpsons.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on September 21, 2010, 12:00:14 PM
Big fan here, I've always found it funny (in various degrees though).
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: carl320 on September 21, 2010, 12:02:30 PM
I remember watching it when it premiered, and thought it was hilarious.  I watched it religiously for years.  Towards the late 90s I watched it less, and now, it seems to have lost some of its charm, and I hardly watch at all.  There are some funny jokes and overall the humor is the same, but it's gotten too stream of consciousness, with episodes meandering for a half an hour.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Arch Benemy on September 21, 2010, 12:10:39 PM
I first saw an episode when I was like 6, and I didn't get it at all. A few years later i grew to love it, but now I would rather flick channels than see what it has become. Maybe I'll get 1 laugh a season from the new shows, whereas the earlier seasons were laugh-a-minute. I feel the same way about South Park too, imo it began to go downhill after the film, but many people seem to love that show now, so maybe I'm just being cynical.

Can't blame Groening though, The Simpsons is a massive cash cow that he'll surely milk till it's dry. Luckily Curb Your Enthusiasm is still great though so I've got a comedy fix
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on September 21, 2010, 12:14:51 PM
I've watched it since about 1996, 1997 - I was quite young when I got into it, and BBC2 were a few series behind at the time anyway, so I was just in time for its apex.

I don't especially like what Al Jean's done with the show, but I do genuinely find it funny. It's a completely different kind of funny, though. I used to have my Sky+ set up to record any and all episodes of the Simpsons, and I also used to have a lot of insomnia. (Hence the post count!) So I'd quite often drag my duvet into the living room, curl up into a ball, put my laptop on the desk, and throw on some Simpsons. Was expecting to want to switch it off at some point. Never did.

I think the modern stuff is still often creative, often funny, and actually a fairly strong show. After the old ones had been repeated so much (and I'd originally seen them at an age where I only got about half of the jokes!), they were quite a good detox. They get a bad rap, and fairly, 'cause they do mute its legacy, a bit. But it's still a cracking bit of telly.

I think they've curtailed some of the old problems. They don't tend to use guest stars as gratutiously as they used to (although I still have no idea why you'd need to employ so many extra actors when you've got what is ostensibly the most talented voice cast in America at your fingertips), and they don't shoehorn the characters in quite as badly as they used to (although they still write a whole lot of jokes that don't make a lick of fucking sense - for such a big celebrity, Krusty is ALWAYS a few steps away from wherever the main characters are, and Homer never does a day's work any more) - I think they've got a lot better. There are some fairly sweet episodes. There was a nice one where the kids got Krabappel drunk, and Bart felt guilty. It's not a million miles away from the old stuff. More like a thousand. It's lost its voice to an extent, too, which is a shame, but it's still a good show. Moreso than it used to be in the early 2000s, I'd say. It absolutely is not on its way out, and long may it continue.



That said, the one thing that pisses me off is that the writers don't seem to think they need to write good dialogue. 'Cause it's a comedy show, they seem to think that they can just have the characters speak any exposition. Especially Marge, who I'm surprised doesn't have an even hoarser voice, given the amount of talking to herself and stating the obvious she gets up to.

Can't blame Groening though, The Simpsons is a massive cash cow that he'll surely milk till it's dry. Luckily Curb Your Enthusiasm is still great though so I've got a comedy fix
I think it's more Al Jean's baby, nowadays. Besides which, very few people cancel a show unless it's failing in the ratings, or they've run out of storylines (or fear it). Springfield's so big that there's an infinity of possible storylines, and it's still getting fairly strong ratings. And the reviews aren't bad, either! It's not generating award after award, and it doesn't deserve to, but it's definitely in a good place to survive.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: sonatafanica on September 21, 2010, 12:16:31 PM
Over the summer I decided I would educate myself on the show, so I watched the first eight seasons. Some parts were really funny, most of it was o.k.

I haven't watched many recent episodes, but what I have seen has been pretty boring.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: lordxizor on September 21, 2010, 12:17:25 PM
I still watch and find it amusing. Not a good as the old episodes, but I enjoy it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: zepp-head on September 21, 2010, 12:34:57 PM
The old school Simpsons is my favorite show of all time.  I don't really like the newer episodes, but as long as some people do, more power to them for keeping it running for this long, it's just not my particular cup of tea anymore.

To address the actual matter at hand, I don't think it's a matter of seeing it in its Golden Age or getting used to the jokes, I do feel the quality of the writing has declined significantly over the years.  Watching the old seasons really hammers that idea home to me and makes me think "look at what we had, we took it for granted".  Season 7 is my particular favorite, I could watch each episode from that one a thousand times and never tire of it.  If I watched a newer episode more than once I would likely not enjoy it much at all, there is no subtlety in the humor anymore, at least for the most part.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 12:43:27 PM
The old episodes were definitely better than the last few seasons...


The leprechaun told me to burn things.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Vahvahenki on September 21, 2010, 12:48:05 PM
I really like the old episodes but I can't stand the newer ones, it's like they try to fit as many random jokes in one episode without a real story to back it up.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 21, 2010, 12:48:41 PM
I'm a huge fan, seasons 3-10 or so are propably in my top 10 TV shows ever, if not in my top 5. I have watched the newer episodes aswell, being a fan and all. But it was the first episode of the 21:st season when i literally for the first time shut off the television because the episode was so dull.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on September 21, 2010, 12:57:27 PM
It used to be the best show on TV.  It peaked from seasons 3-8, and really started to decline around season 13 or 14.  The writing isn't as good.  It feels forced to include celebrities as themselves and the antics are more over the top.  It used to be guest stars were just voices of one-off characters central to one episode, now they all guest star as themselves.  Homer went from being stupid to over-the-top dumb.

It's like watching someone you love slowly waste away.  You love them and desperately want a miracle recovery, but at the same time you would just like to see their suffering come to an end.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on September 21, 2010, 12:58:26 PM
I love the Simpsons. I do think it's gone stale, but I think it happened later than most people do. Most people say it stayed strong till season 9 then just dived off the deep end. I'd say it was still very strong right up to season 13, and then 14-16 still had some strong episodes. But 17 and onwards has been pretty dire, from what I've seen.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 01:06:27 PM
I did actually enjoy the simpsons movie though. I thought it was pretty funny.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on September 21, 2010, 01:42:06 PM
I did actually enjoy the simpsons movie though. I thought it was pretty funny.
This. I think it benefitted from having a longer run-time. Gave them time to set up the jokes, and do justice to all of the acts. I think part of the problem with modern Simpsons is that they're trying to fit too much stuff into half an hour, and don't always do any of it justice.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: zepp-head on September 21, 2010, 01:45:24 PM
I really like the old episodes but I can't stand the newer ones, it's like they try to fit as many random jokes in one episode without a real story to back it up.

AKA the MacFarlane method.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Jarlaxle on September 21, 2010, 02:02:15 PM
Each episode usually has one or two funny lines, but really, it cannot compete on a scale of funny with other shows on TV.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on September 21, 2010, 02:16:29 PM
I still watch it.  I DVR it every sunday night.  It's slipped over the years but last year was a comback of sorts for me.  That season was well written.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on September 21, 2010, 03:20:12 PM
I enjoyed the move as well.
All I've seen of the series is season 19 on, I wanna see the old stuff though, would you say it's still relevant and funny for a new fan? and which seasons do you define as the golden era?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 03:24:28 PM
I enjoyed the move as well.
All I've seen of the series is season 19 on, I wanna see the old stuff though, would you say it's still relevant and funny for a new fan? and which seasons do you define as the golden era?

If you like the new stuff, you'll like the old stuff. I would say seasons 3-11 were pretty golden.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 21, 2010, 03:35:22 PM
You also have to look at the times. Back then they used to smoke and make jokes you can't do on tv now. Like that one where it starts with Lisa watching a music video or some dance thing Homer walks in and says "Aw" then Lisa starts shaking her booty in a circle. Homer stops her looks at the TV and starts drooling over their dancing and you see a chick shaking her booty in his drool. Lisa asks for money Homer gives her some she says it's not enough and he gives her his wallet.

It's a great show with many episodes and i'm glad they started showing them again on Fox.

Family Guy on the other hand to me got old fast, but that's another topic
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 03:43:46 PM
(https://static.tvfanatic.com/images/gallery/the-leftorium-picture.png)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 21, 2010, 03:50:06 PM
I enjoyed the move as well.
All I've seen of the series is season 19 on, I wanna see the old stuff though, would you say it's still relevant and funny for a new fan? and which seasons do you define as the golden era?
Personally, I'd say the golden era really began with season 4, which kicked off with Kamp Krusty.  However, there were great episodes throughout 2 & 3.  My all time favorite episode was a second season show, and I think the 3rd season Treehouse was probably there best effort there. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on September 21, 2010, 03:51:48 PM
My favourite was probably either the Frank Grimes episode or the New York one.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 03:53:33 PM
Frank Grimes might me the best episode ever. That one will never get old. Itchy and Scratchy land is up there too.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on September 21, 2010, 04:01:23 PM
Mr. Plow is a homerun and I love Professor Frink.  "HOYVIN-GLAVIN!" and "FLAVIN" :metal
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pirate on September 21, 2010, 04:16:09 PM
I've been a fan pretty much since birth. It is my favourite show ever, even my favourite article across every entertainment medium. I have seen every episode at least once, some 20+ times.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 04:41:13 PM
Mr. Plow is a homerun and I love Professor Frink.  "HOYVIN-GLAVIN!" and "FLAVIN" :metal

Call Mr. Plow, that's my name, that name again is Mr. plow.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on September 21, 2010, 05:15:37 PM
There's a fella with the surname Plows on my floor. That's his actual, real life name.

It's brilliant. I've got an excuse to sing the Mr. Plow song every time I leave my room.

Back to the actual Simpsons, best characters are definitely the police force. Wiggum, Lou and Eddie. Especially Lou and Eddie, in fact. They're the highlight of every scene they're in.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 21, 2010, 05:36:32 PM
There's a fella with the surname Plows on my floor. That's his actual, real life name.

It's brilliant. I've got an excuse to sing the Mr. Plow song every time I leave my room.

Back to the actual Simpsons, best characters are definitely the police force. Wiggum, Lou and Eddie. Especially Lou and Eddie, in fact. They're the highlight of every scene they're in.


The episod. Where Marge want to join the police force and she climb over the wall when all the guys use the door. Lawl
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: emindead on September 21, 2010, 07:06:50 PM
The 3D episode, which was a Tree House of Terror, was a fantastic episode.

Apparently, cartoons do too suffer from the loss of characters. Killing that old doctor, the saxophonist, and Troy McClure damaged the show's essence, imo. (I understand they retired them because of Phil Hartman's death :( )

Also, in recent seasons they just deviated the characters too much. Killing Flanders wife? WTF! We all knew Smithers was in love with Mr. Burns, they should have kept it that way (that was the essence of Smithers, being the secret homo lover; that way it was really funny). Selma (or was it Patty?) becoming a lesbian? (they killed, figuratively, the twins hilarious duo FFS!!!). Lisa becoming a douchebag liberal and Buddhist (they developed that part of the character too late in the series, imo. Instead of staying the genius she was, she's now a cunt). I mean, almost every character has deviated too much from what they were (funny).

Edited for clarity.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 21, 2010, 07:15:49 PM
They killed Sheri and Terry?  And what, Smithers isn't a homo any more?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on September 21, 2010, 07:52:15 PM
My favorite episodes are (in no order except for the first one):

Bart Sells His Soul
$pringfield
You Only Move Twice (the Hank Scorpio episode)
Tomacco
A Star is Burns (The crossover episode with The Critic)
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer

How sad is it that I didn't have to look up those episode names?

Do you know what the newer episodes need?  More Abe Simpson!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 21, 2010, 10:49:06 PM
My favourite episode of all time is Homer at the bat (I think that's the name..)
It's the one where the power plant joins a softball tournament but get replaced by major league players.  ;D
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on September 22, 2010, 04:26:45 AM
My favorite episodes are (in no order except for the first one):

Bart Sells His Soul
$pringfield
You Only Move Twice (the Hank Scorpio episode)
Tomacco
A Star is Burns (The crossover episode with The Critic)
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer

How sad is it that I didn't have to look up those episode names?

Do you know what the newer episodes need?  More Abe Simpson!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ)
I saw a really creepy one recently where Homer dreamt about suffocating Abe. Apparently it was a Sopranos reference. Doesn't make it funny. Best case scenario, "Hey, I recognise that from a TV show. That makes it funny, somehow." Worst case, "That's a fairly tasteless joke with no punchline." Really uncomfortable.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pirate on September 22, 2010, 05:06:34 AM
I'd say  a few of the better episodes were:

Treehouse of Horror I
Treehouse of Horror IV
Treehouse of Horror V
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
$pringfield
Flaming Moe's
Homer at the Bat
Mr. Plow
Marge vs the Monorail
Whacking Day
Homer's Barbershop Quartet
Rosebud

And that's all that I can remember right now. I don't even think I got into the sixth season...
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 22, 2010, 05:28:40 AM
Oh Flaming Moe's..I love that one aswell.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on September 22, 2010, 08:00:41 AM
I'd say season 3 to 7 is when The Simpsons were at it's best.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: AcidLameLTE on September 22, 2010, 08:01:29 AM
One of my favourite shows of all time.

It's worrying how much I can quote from The Simpsons off the top of my head.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: TheVoxyn on September 22, 2010, 08:26:49 AM
I prefer Futurama.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 22, 2010, 09:21:15 AM
I think my funnybone is broken, i watch Futurama from time to time but i never find myself really laughing..
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dark Master Of Sin on September 22, 2010, 09:27:35 AM
My dad has always been big on recording things, so, due to that I saw much of the first few seasons thanks to him. I was around 9 when I really got in to the Simpsons, and I too agree that they have gone quite down hill lately. Though, a few episodes are good. The show is completely hit or miss now in my opinion.

I prefer Futurama.
God, what a great show.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on September 22, 2010, 11:17:20 AM
I prefer Futurama.

I do to  Of late most cartoon shows are better than a lot of the live action shows.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 22, 2010, 10:54:04 PM
"Hey it's Matt Groening the creator of Futurama"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pirate on September 23, 2010, 05:02:56 AM
"Hey it's Matt Groening the creator of Futurama"
lol commentaries!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: AcidLameLTE on September 23, 2010, 11:45:05 AM
Hens love roosters, geese love ganders, everyone else loves Ned Flanders!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 23, 2010, 11:47:04 AM
''Not me!''
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: AcidLameLTE on September 23, 2010, 02:19:50 PM
"The only monster here is the gambling monster that has enslaved your mother! I call him gamblor and it's time to snatch your mother from his neon claws!"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: GuineaPig on September 23, 2010, 04:45:32 PM
My favorite episodes are (in no order except for the first one):

Bart Sells His Soul
$pringfield
You Only Move Twice (the Hank Scorpio episode)
Tomacco
A Star is Burns (The crossover episode with The Critic)
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer

How sad is it that I didn't have to look up those episode names?

Do you know what the newer episodes need?  More Abe Simpson!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ)
I saw a really creepy one recently where Homer dreamt about suffocating Abe. Apparently it was a Sopranos reference. Doesn't make it funny. Best case scenario, "Hey, I recognise that from a TV show. That makes it funny, somehow." Worst case, "That's a fairly tasteless joke with no punchline." Really uncomfortable.

Why would the Simpsons sully a very good moment from The Sopranos, let alone one from 1999?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: PlaysLikeMyung on September 23, 2010, 04:50:04 PM
One of my favourite shows of all time.

It's worrying how much I can quote from The Simpsons off the top of my head.

this is me with Family Guy, a far superior show :P
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Gadough on September 23, 2010, 08:28:42 PM
I prefer Futurama.

Absolutely.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: AcidLameLTE on September 24, 2010, 06:46:51 AM
One of my favourite shows of all time.

It's worrying how much I can quote from The Simpsons off the top of my head.

this is me with Family Guy, a far superior show :P
Good one.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 24, 2010, 07:23:18 AM
(https://www.amiright.com/album-covers/images/album_The-Beatles-Abbey-Simpsons-Road.jpg)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: PlaysLikeMyung on September 24, 2010, 10:00:11 AM
One of my favourite shows of all time.

It's worrying how much I can quote from The Simpsons off the top of my head.

this is me with Family Guy, a far superior show :P
Good one.

wrong

BEST ONE
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: AcidLameLTE on September 24, 2010, 10:38:28 AM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on September 24, 2010, 10:41:32 AM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.

(https://blackflagrocketship.com/shadowcompany/images/smilies/fffuuu.png)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: toro on September 24, 2010, 11:18:19 AM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
This, I can't even stand 5 minutes of that show
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: PlaysLikeMyung on September 24, 2010, 11:19:58 AM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
This, I can't even stand 5 minutes of that show

You both fail. Even with your Keyboard Blastoise you fail, toro :P
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: toro on September 24, 2010, 11:26:27 AM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
This, I can't even stand 5 minutes of that show

You both fail. Even with your Keyboard Blastoise you fail, toro :P
:lol I used to watch FG, the first 2 maybe 3 seasons were good but now... I just can't bring myself to watch it, same goes to the simpsons(simpsons, I'm dissapoint, when I saw the kesha intro I died a little inside.)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 24, 2010, 11:44:57 AM
I've seen bits of the Family Guy that are absolutely hysterical.  Unfortunately, I find Peter Griffen to be just about the worst TV character ever conceived.  They could kill him off and replace him with just about any thing or any one on Earth and it'd instantly become a fantastic show.  A talking fern would be a huge improvement.  Shame, because all of the other characters are great. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on September 24, 2010, 11:52:33 AM
Chris is like the worst character in anything ever.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Seventh Son on September 24, 2010, 12:36:46 PM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
This, I can't even stand 5 minutes of that show

You both fail. Even with your Keyboard Blastoise you fail, toro :P

Don't worry PLM, I got your back. Family Guy fan here representing!  :metal
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 24, 2010, 12:58:03 PM
I hate Chris Griffin with every braincell that i have.  >:(
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zook on September 24, 2010, 01:03:40 PM
I liked Family Guy for a while but it's so bad now, I can't bring myself to watch it anymore. Same actually applies to The Simpsons aswell, but I watched Them for a hell of a lot longer. Probably most of my life.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on September 26, 2010, 06:15:35 PM
Na. Family Guy is one of the worst shows on TV.
This, I can't even stand 5 minutes of that show

(https://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5370/1191457-homer_facepalm_super.jpg)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on February 16, 2011, 09:45:11 AM
I'm still watching The Simpsons back seasons and yesterday I reached episode 4x12, I really liked it, laughed a lot, just to discover that it was written by Conan O'Brien!!! which made my day :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: RuRoRul on February 16, 2011, 10:39:01 AM
My favorite episodes are (in no order except for the first one):

Bart Sells His Soul
$pringfield
You Only Move Twice (the Hank Scorpio episode)
Tomacco
A Star is Burns (The crossover episode with The Critic)
El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer

How sad is it that I didn't have to look up those episode names?

Do you know what the newer episodes need?  More Abe Simpson!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXfQzfl9EQ)
I saw a really creepy one recently where Homer dreamt about suffocating Abe. Apparently it was a Sopranos reference. Doesn't make it funny. Best case scenario, "Hey, I recognise that from a TV show. That makes it funny, somehow." Worst case, "That's a fairly tasteless joke with no punchline." Really uncomfortable.

Why would the Simpsons sully a very good moment from The Sopranos, let alone one from 1999?

I think it was the late season 6 smothering... you know the one I mean.

I actually thought that was pretty funny to see in the Simpsons, especially since I don't really like the new ones that much so it was a bit surprising to see something good. Could be a bit out of place though.

Anyone else hate Lisa? Especiall new Simpsons Lisa.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: TimelessSymphony on February 16, 2011, 06:00:50 PM
The old episodes were definitely better than the last few seasons...


The leprechaun told me to burn things.
haha i love that quote :lol  i love the simpsons i have season 1 through 8 in my iTunes library so i can watch it on my iPod Touch but now i don't like the simpsons as i used too because the episodes kind of repeated themselves... and i REALLY don't like the drawings now compared to the old seasons,

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ZBomber on February 16, 2011, 09:25:01 PM
I sometimes watch the Simpsons. I don't really watch any TV anymore at college though. When I do watch any tv shows, it's on the interert. I've watched the newer episodes on Hulu a couple times when I couldn't fall asleep. I think they are enjoyable, but not really that funny. They have a  couple good jokes, but overall the show just... changed too much.

The first few seasons defined my childhood.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Global Laziness on February 16, 2011, 11:56:19 PM
Like most people, I definitely agree that there's been a significant decline in quality in recent years (although this season is the best they've had in a while). That being said, I still love the show. I've been watching it for...probably 13 years or so now and it will likely always remain as one of my favourite TV shows of all time.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pirate on February 17, 2011, 04:30:13 AM
Like most people, I definitely agree that there's been a significant decline in quality in recent years (although this season is the best they've had in a while). That being said, I still love the show. I've been watching it for...probably 13 years or so now and it will likely always remain as one of my favourite TV shows of all time.
All of this.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: CountVoorhees on February 17, 2011, 11:57:16 PM
Family Guy and The Simpsons are both garbage...
(https://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/sebassbruu/trolldance.gif)


...now. :sadpanda:
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on February 18, 2011, 10:54:01 PM
Family Guy and The Simpsons are both garbage...
*sniparoo*

...now. :sadpanda:
The Simpsons may be garbage now, but Family Guy? Don't you mean always?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: CountVoorhees on February 18, 2011, 11:38:29 PM
Not always, remember that one time when Family Guy was funny?


(https://www.byterology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/family-guy-Season-9.jpg)


Yeah, me either.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on February 19, 2011, 01:09:34 AM
Oh I remember the days when only South Park threads turned into FG hate heh
I'm a fan of both FG and The Simpsons, they're both funny.
I started checking out Futurama too, I don't think it's better than the Simpsons at all, but I'm still in season 1.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: masterthes on February 19, 2011, 04:06:01 AM
Started watching The Simpsons from the very beginning, and I'm talking Tracy Ullman Show beginning. I stopped watching it on a regular basis though like 9 years ago it seems, but I have seen and absolutely loved the movie
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: PlaysLikeMyung on February 19, 2011, 09:41:02 AM
Not always, remember that one time when Family Guy was funny?


(https://www.byterology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/family-guy-Season-9.jpg)


Yeah, me either.

You just lost a ton of cool points
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on February 19, 2011, 09:54:04 AM
Oh I remember the days when only South Park threads turned into FG hate heh
I'm a fan of both FG and The Simpsons, they're both funny.
I started checking out Futurama too, I don't think it's better than the Simpsons at all, but I'm still in season 1.
Futurama is pretty damned good I find. If I were to rank the famous cartoons:
The Simpsons
South Park/Futurama (can't decide really)








Family Guy
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: CountVoorhees on February 19, 2011, 03:23:33 PM
Not always, remember that one time when Family Guy was funny?


(https://www.byterology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/family-guy-Season-9.jpg)


Yeah, me either.

You just lost a ton of cool points

Oh come on, it was a joke. I thought Family Guy was awesome up till about maybe season 6 and then I saw those episodes too many times and then they started reusing their own jokes and it got old. But who cares? I can still do a good Cleveland impression so I don't have to explain myself to you. I'm my own man with my own cool points.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on February 19, 2011, 03:24:45 PM
Cleveland impression

Record a clip?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: SDFprowler on February 20, 2011, 03:10:57 AM
I grew up watching the Simpsons, but when it got to around the 11th and 12th season it just started to suck so I stopped watching it.  When I say "I stopped watching it", I mean that I stopped watching anything post 12th season.  I still love seasons 1 - 12.  4 to 9 are pretty much the golden years where every episode is awesome and hilarious. 

Futurama is my favorite animated show, though.  It's kinda hard to say if it's better than the Simpsons since they're so different, but yeah.. Matt Groening and sci-fi go together perfectly.  It really sucks that Phil Hartman had to die; he was a legend - Matt Groening created Zap Brannigan specifically for Phil Hartman.  Billy West does an awesome job at the voice though of course.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ReaperKK on April 03, 2011, 06:03:56 PM
Classic Simpsons episode for fox primetime tonight, I'm guessing as a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.

These classic episodes are great.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Global Laziness on April 03, 2011, 09:18:26 PM
Classic Simpsons episode for fox primetime tonight, I'm guessing as a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.

These classic episodes are great.

Yeah, I caught some of it and I was wondering myself until I remembered about Elizabeth Taylor. If they're going to run repeats some week, I would much rather they play the old ones.

If I remember correctly, last week's new episode had a dedication to her before the end credits.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: 73109 on April 03, 2011, 09:27:27 PM
My issue is, I like all the Simpsons. I never really know which ones I watch are "classic" but I enjoy nearly every one I watch. Hmm.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Global Laziness on April 03, 2011, 09:32:11 PM
My issue is, I like all the Simpsons. I never really know which ones I watch are "classic" but I enjoy nearly every one I watch. Hmm.

Crappy old animation = classic. :P
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Rina on April 04, 2011, 10:51:06 AM
Classic Simpsons episode for fox primetime tonight, I'm guessing as a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.

These classic episodes are great.

All are classics I guess.  :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 01, 2011, 06:20:40 AM
I'm almost done with season 6, it's been pure gold. Much like season 5.
"Hello, my name is Barney and I'm an alcoholic"
"Mr. Gumble this is a girl scout meeting.." :lol
That 6x18 was hilarious.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JimmyJava on August 01, 2011, 06:32:27 AM
Give those old David Mirkin/Oakley & Weinstein episodes any day of the week, the show's been sucky for 10 years now. I think Matt Groening said on an audio commentary for Season 8, that whenever he reads someone complaining on the show on the internet, he thinks of the voices of those computer nerds from Season 5 coming out of the little messages which automatically makes him go "So what?". If that's not a bad attitude, nothing is.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 01, 2011, 06:36:00 AM
Well I've seen season 20 and up. I find them good. 22 being really great so I still don't understand what fans have been bitching about.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: MasterShakezula on August 01, 2011, 06:43:27 AM
I dunno, maybe I'm spoiled by South Park, American Guy,  It's always sunny in phillidelphia, and Drawn  Together, but I don't find the Simpsons that great.  A bit too mild/lighthearted and serious.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Jamesman42 on August 01, 2011, 07:02:24 AM
If I were to rank all the similar cartoons in the vein of The Simpsons:

The Simpsons
American Dad (on par with The Simpsons IMHO)
Futurama





Family Guy
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on August 01, 2011, 07:05:33 AM
If I were to rank all the similar cartoons in the vein of The Simpsons:

The Simpsons
American Dad (on par with The Simpsons IMHO)
Futurama





Family Guy

It's good to see some lovin' for American Dad. It doesn't seem to get a lot of respect, but it's had a fairly consistent run, and it's a funny show without resorting to copying Family Guy. However, I do love Family Guy too, but it's been a lot less consistent than American Dad over the years.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: MasterShakezula on August 01, 2011, 07:08:04 AM
If I were to rank all the similar cartoons in the vein of The Simpsons:

The Simpsons
American Dad (on par with The Simpsons IMHO)
Futurama





Family Guy

It's good to see some lovin' for American Dad. It doesn't seem to get a lot of respect, but it's had a fairly consistent run, and it's a funny show without resorting to copying Family Guy. However, I do love Family Guy too, but it's been a lot less consistent than American Dad over the years.

I love American Guy.  Much more so than Family Dad.  Though FD's pretty funny, itself. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Jamesman42 on August 01, 2011, 07:10:29 AM
American Dad is like the "new" Simpsons. Classic Simpsons is great for the era they were golden in, but now they're stale. Luckily we have AD to be a bit more modern and fresh, while still having that same sort of Simpsons charm in its overall atmosphere (though I am not saying TS and AD are very much the same or even closely related, but I think we can agree they share a certain vibe).
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 01, 2011, 07:12:10 AM
That guy Dan Castellaneta is really talented. It's funny the voice acting of almost all the characters in the Simpsons are done by like 3 guys and 2 women.
And they're pretty consistent too -considering the long run- as far as I've noticed, I can watch an episode from the newest season then go back to an episode of season 6 and the voices sound very much the same.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on August 01, 2011, 07:26:42 AM
I want to order Season 5 of Futurama from the US and does not anyone know if VLC will play them ( and in colour ? ) I am pretty sure I have played US region dvd's on mac before and they have played properly...

But it appear to be the only way of seeing the most recent series since a UK release is not forthcoming :/


...Edit.... Oh it appears Sky1 have started showing season "7".. I imagine a DVD boxset will be out before too long. I'll wait :D
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on August 01, 2011, 07:27:17 AM
American Dad is like the "new" Simpsons. Classic Simpsons is great for the era they were golden in, but now they're stale. Luckily we have AD to be a bit more modern and fresh, while still having that same sort of Simpsons charm in its overall atmosphere (though I am not saying TS and AD are very much the same or even closely related, but I think we can agree they share a certain vibe).

I find that the modern shows are usually a lot funnier on first viewing, but they wear off more quickly (especially the ones like FG that often rely on shock value or randomness). Even though I know every line of The Simpsons before it happens, it's still funny, and doesn't get stale. And probably every line from those classic seasons is still well known (at least here, not sure how it is elsewhere).
But I still agree on the comparison. American Dad is a more cohesive show than Family Guy, and I think it holds up better over time.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on August 01, 2011, 07:29:59 AM
Family Guy was way funnier in series 1 & 2 when it was new and had ideas. The cutaways and randomness seemed to be in keeping with the theme of the story and wasn't just shoehorned in for the sake of it like later series.

Nowadays it's just seems to be how a competition to see how offensive they can be and the cutaways are just boring.

Also the subtle and almost effortless humour seems to have gone.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on August 01, 2011, 07:35:03 AM
I found season 1 was meh, and when they were still just copying The Simpsons. S2 was alright, and S3 was good, and the first half of season 4 would be my favourite (up until The Fat Guy Strangler). From there I've found they've sort of flip flopped between good and bad seasons.

The problem is that the characters are simply there to support the jokes, instead of the jokes forming organically from the characters like it did with The Simpsons, and that's why it doesn't hold up over time. But I don't even mind the shoehorned cutaways, when they're actually funny. It's the overly drawn out ones, and the pop culture references for the sake of references that lose me (yeah yeah, someone's going to say that's all of them :P).

I still enjoy new FG, despite it's problems.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 01, 2011, 07:38:43 AM
The latest season of Family Guy was really good, a step in the right direction. So far there's only been two bad seasons of Family Guy. 1 to 5 was gold, 6 was a little less in quality but not yet enough to sense a decline, 7 was awful as was the first half of season 8 to be honest.
We're ruining Barto's thread!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on August 01, 2011, 03:48:52 PM
"Uh...has anyone seen the movie Tron?"
"No."
"No."
"No"
"No"
"No"
"Yes...I mean, No. No."
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on August 01, 2011, 03:57:53 PM
I'm a big Simpsons fan. Seasons 4-6 are the best, with 2-8 being the classic years. The show has been garbage since Season 12.

My favorite episodes:

Homer Badman
Marge vs. the Monorail
Cape Feare
Itchy and Scratchy Land
Homer the Great
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: jimbosile on August 02, 2011, 06:58:04 AM
"You're off the case McGarnagle"
"You're off your case."
"What does that mean exactly?"
"IT MEANS HE GETS RESULTS YOU STUPID CHIEF!"
"Dad, sitdown."
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 10, 2011, 09:36:04 AM
:lol

"Hi Homer, Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkings"
"Homer Simpson, Smiling politely"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on August 10, 2011, 01:23:36 PM
What's that smell?

It smells like Otto's jacket.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on September 29, 2011, 02:12:05 PM
Just started season 9. Season 8 was as golden as seasons 4 and on!
Man I can see where 90% of FG ideas were inspired from. No disregard to the comedy on FG but a hell lot of outlines and concepts came from The Simpsons.
I haven't seen the new season premiere yet, has anyone?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 29, 2011, 02:33:30 PM
Yeah.  Like most of the episodes from the last ten years,  it had a few good laughs but was otherwise forgettable.  In fact,  I just read the synopsis of it at the Simpsons Wiki, and most of it was news to me, despite seeing it 4 days ago. 

There is a point to be made, though.  I started watching season 12+ again a few weeks ago (halfway through 14 now), and while most of them are pretty average,  some of their finest work has been well after the golden era.  Sort of like Load and re-Load.  A helluva lot of filler with a couple of awesome tracks thrown in.  If I had to pick the best episode they ever did,  it might well be Trilogy of Error from S12.  While 12-14 largely suck,  I could name 2 or 3 episodes form each of them that are every bit as good as golden-age Simpsons.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: 73109 on September 29, 2011, 02:40:07 PM
If you had to pick one season that was THE The Simpsons, what would it be?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on September 29, 2011, 02:41:06 PM
I'd probably say six.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on September 29, 2011, 02:45:01 PM
Four through six are about equal in awesomeness.  Without grading each episode, I couldn't decide it further.  Also worth noting is that season two doesn't get the credit it deserves.  The last few episodes of one and all of two are where the show really got it's wings.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on September 29, 2011, 04:45:15 PM
Season 6 is probably the best season and showcases everything great about the show, although 4 is damn good.

I think season 2 has its fans. It wasn't as funny or crazy as it became a couple years later, but I like a lot of the stories and there's kind of a heartwarming aspect to it. Characterization was very good.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on September 29, 2011, 05:37:24 PM
I've always thought season 6 was horrendously overrated. But that's just me I guess. As for a favourite season, I couldn't possibly pick. Hard to pick favourites with your favourite show of all time.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on September 29, 2011, 05:44:33 PM
You're horrendously overrated.

One episode from season 6 I never liked, but seems like a huge fan favorite, is Lemon of Troy. *sits back and watches as everyone claims it's the best of the season*
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 29, 2011, 05:46:12 PM
"Its pronounced Chowder"
"Chau dier"
"Punches in face"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Snow_Dog on September 29, 2011, 06:57:20 PM
"Its pronounced Chowder"
"Chau dier"
"Punches in face"

 :lol

"Mr. Mcclure, what does DNA stand for?"

*Looks at camera baffled, and shot cuts*

No matter how many times I see the old ones, they never stop being awesome.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: toro on September 29, 2011, 10:30:51 PM
Season 4 and Season 6 are god tier.

The run from episode 3 to 17(and to an extend to the end of the season) on season 6 is the best run on any show, ever in the history of everything.

Bart vs Australia is Amazing
and And Maggie Makes Three is one of the most touching episodes on the history of TV.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on October 09, 2011, 12:01:03 PM
A couple of things:
I understand the appeal of Bart and how he was a big hit in the early 90's but I don't like him that much. He's such an asshole for the most part and an annoying kid that I can't get to like. Almost at the start of season 10 now and I always feel for Lisa when he ruins something that's important to her and refuses to apologize. Especially when the show really puts emphasis on how disappointed she is.
He has hilarious pranks and I enjoy them, I don't hate him but I'm not a big fan.
Another thing is that as I enter season ten; I simply don't see myself hating the next bunch of seasons labeled "the decline" by most fans cause I found out that a good part of my attachments to an animated show is my enjoyment of voice acting, I love good voice acting and always fascinated by actors who can do multiple widely-different ones.
That's why FG decline didn't get me to stop watching it cause I enjoy Seth Green, Mike Henry and of course Seth Macfarlane. And now I'm also a big fan of  Dan Castellaneta's performances  (Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty, Willie & who knows what else) and I love recognizing him when he does other small one-time characters on the show too. Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Smithers, Flanders, Kent Brockman, Skinner, Otto) is equally amazing of course. I'll always enjoy that, I think.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 09, 2011, 12:44:32 PM
The recent negotiations were a pretty interesting situation.  The voice actors were willing to take monumental pay cuts in exchange for a small slice of the pie, which they couldn't get.  FOX apparently made it quite clear that under absolutely no circumstances would they ever get one cent from the back end.  The other interesting aspect of it is that FOX will actually make much more money from it's cancellation.  The current syndication contract is iron clad as long as the show is on the air.  The day it ceases production,  the syndication rights become subject to a new contract, which will presumably be worth more than a mid-sized country.  Perhaps that's part of the reason FOX is so against the idea of sharing the profits with the voice actors. 

That said,  HS was absolutely correct.  They all make a ridiculous amount of money, and there's no reason to feel bad for them.  He's got a great gig and he's quite happy with it.  I'm thrilled that they're all fabulously well paid,  but it would be cool for them to get some of the profits.  Frankly,  the voice actors are the reason the show is where it is; far more than the producers and the writers. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on October 09, 2011, 02:11:35 PM
That's interesting I didn't know about these negotiations. The actors deserve to be in on the profits since all other attractions of the show are long gone according to most fans.
FOX is filth incarnate and that's not new. But don't you think another network will pick it up if FOX cancels it? Pretty sure Comedy Central and TBS would be interested. I know FOX is paying ridiculous fortunes to Seth Macfarlane to keep him and his shows running no matter how low the ratings for some of the shows get.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on October 09, 2011, 03:01:45 PM
Another thing is that as I enter season ten; I simply don't see myself hating the next bunch of seasons labeled "the decline" by most fans cause I found out that a good part of my attachments to an animated show is my enjoyment of voice acting, I love good voice acting and always fascinated by actors who can do multiple widely-different ones.

I think the voice acting on the show declined somewhat, probably due to the actors' aging. Especially Julie Kavner (Marge). Some of Harry Shearer's characters sound way different than they did years ago, like Skinner and Otto. And Homer's voice changed somewhere around Season 10, to the point where he just isn't as funny to me. He could say ANYTHING in Season 5 and it would be hilarious.

Too bad the show was picked up for 2 more seasons. I get no enjoyment out of it anymore. Some people might say, "if you don't watch it, why do you care if it's still on or not?" I care because all these crappy episodes are tainting the legacy of a once great show. Most episodes in syndication will be the Al Jean years, and a lot of younger people will never know how awesome it used to be.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 09, 2011, 03:24:14 PM
Too bad the show was picked up for 2 more seasons. I get no enjoyment out of it anymore. Some people might say, "if you don't watch it, why do you care if it's still on or not?" I care because all these crappy episodes are tainting the legacy of a once great show. Most episodes in syndication will be the Al Jean years, and a lot of younger people will never know how awesome it used to be.
As if that didn't happen 8 years ago?  The thing is that plenty of the modern, crappy episodes still have some really funny gags in them,  they're just not solid as a whole like they used to be.  That makes them bearable for the most part.  Add to that,  once or twice a year they crank out a very good episode.  I've started keeping track of the highlights of the late era and there are some real gems in there.  When they do actually crank out a good episode,  it's as good as anything they did during the golden years.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on October 09, 2011, 03:38:09 PM
Yeah, it happened over 8 years ago. For a while, there was hope that things could maybe change, but now it's just atrocious. I'm not kidding...I've seen around 40 episodes from the last 10 seasons, and I think nearly all of them are below average to terrible. I almost never crack a tiny smile anytime I give the show a chance.

Something about Al Jean's showrunning style gets on my nerves (he and Mike Reiss were great back in the old days though). The obligatory music montages, the trying to be relevant by referencing flavor-of-the-month current pop culture, the attempts to be edgier to fit in with South Park and Family Guy, and so on.

I mean, in a new Treehouse of Horror segment, Homer communicates with his family by farting.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 09, 2011, 03:40:34 PM
I'm only caught up to season 15 in my re-watching, but I still recall a couple of good episodes since then.  Check out The Seemingly Never-ending Story from season 18.  Excellent work.  It's rare, but they still do something good from time to time. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on October 10, 2011, 04:22:01 AM
I've felt the last 2 seasons have been very strong compared to the 10 year run before the last 2.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on October 10, 2011, 05:58:05 AM
I heard on the radio this morning that 2 more seasons were signed.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 10, 2011, 06:06:02 AM
Season 12, season 20, doesn't make a difference, it's all the same crap to me now. I stopped watching it full time somewhere around season 11, and catch a new episode every season or so. And every time I do, I just yell at the TV and leave disgusted. I can't even tell when they're attempting jokes most of the time. To differentiate any season since 2000 is just splitting hairs to me.
The voice acting can't even save it anymore. None of the characters sound right, because the voice actors have aged 20 years since they started, and all of the characters have become so one dimensional that they can't rely on the strength of their characters like they used to, and rely on the voice actor's ability to sell the point.
And the writing has become such rudimentary pop culture references, rather than the subtlety they used to have. Mapple? Wow, that is some clever stuff, guys. Some real original social commentary that delves deep.
Now they just have a character say "WWWWWHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA?" to everything, which makes me want to claw my ears out. No good episode has ever had a character say "WHAAAAAAAAAAA" in it.

I'm getting all worked up just thinking about new Simpsons. It's been embarrassing itself for so long that I forget it's even the same show that used to be so amazing. It had the best streak of great episodes of any show, then wiped it out with an even longer run of cringeworthy parody of itself.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pirate on October 10, 2011, 07:34:33 AM
Last week's episode (the one with the ex-government agent guy) reminded me of the Poochie episode where they brought in a meaningless character (Roy) that would disappear at the end and never come back. But in that episode they were making fun of other series that did that on a regular basis (it also served as a parallel to what was going on with Itchy and Scratchy in that story). It's weird how that's the norm for Simpsons episodes today.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Snow_Dog on October 12, 2011, 05:53:22 PM
It's been years since I've watched a new episode, because, yeah they got pretty bad. I think I'm going to watch this week's ep, I'm not excited about it, and mostly just watching it to see if my opinion's changed about the new ones.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Phoenix87x on October 12, 2011, 07:49:40 PM
There was a time when The Simpsons owned my life.

But I haven't had the desire to watch a new episode in over 10 years.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on October 12, 2011, 08:03:22 PM
I don't get the hate over the last 10 years. I mean I understand the last 3 or 4 years, but the stuff before that I thought has been solid as well.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on October 12, 2011, 10:03:45 PM
I've never understood the view that the show transformed from the best thing on television into unwatchable crap from Seasons 9 to 10, within about three months. The beginning of a gradual decline, okay, that, I'll agree on.

The show peaked in 7/8/9, and, just as it had been slowly building before that, it started to slowly fall off after. Although the peak was over, it was still consistently excellent, to me, until the end of 13. 14 was the point at which the majority of episodes went from being good-brilliant to the majority being good-poor. There were still some really good ones, but they became rarer.

If I had to choose a point when I would stop watching the show before the decline had progressed so far, the show simply wasn't worth my time, and pretty much everything that was great about the show was lost, I'd say the end of Season 16.

I have seen a few recent episodes, and I will agree that it has picked up a little bit in the last season or two again, but not enough to redeem the show.

Last week's episode (the one with the ex-government agent guy) reminded me of the Poochie episode where they brought in a meaningless character (Roy) that would disappear at the end and never come back. But in that episode they were making fun of other series that did that on a regular basis (it also served as a parallel to what was going on with Itchy and Scratchy in that story). It's weird how that's the norm for Simpsons episodes today.
This is so true.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on October 12, 2011, 10:28:24 PM
Oh, and for a long time, I swore by the fact that my favourite episode was the New York one. I don't think I'd like to try to assign one episode that honour anymore, but that one would still be right up there. And the Frank Grimes one.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on October 13, 2011, 12:23:01 AM
The decline was gradual. Season 9 is good, but it has a higher proportion of bad episodes than the seasons before. I also can feel a change in tone. Season 10 is noticeably worse, and became too Homer-centric and wacky, but I still enjoy a lot of it.

Season 11 is considered the worst by many fans, but I still like some of it even though it's obviously not even close to being as good as the classic years. I find Season 12 to be a big dip in quality, with few redeeming episodes. I pretty much gave up on the show after a few episodes of Season 13, but I have seen several episodes here and there from following seasons.

This is getting too negative...so um...Kent Brockman is a really funny character, and kind of underrated.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 13, 2011, 01:55:06 AM
To me the gradual decline started with maybe season 7 or 8. Season 7 was still amazing, but not quite as godlike as season 6. Season 8 started to have some clunkers, and season 9 had some awful ones. Season 10 is the season I could even call good. It had some classics, and some garbage. There were one or two decent episodes in the couple of seasons after that, but it was mostly pretty bad. So the decline was over 3 or 4 years or so.

I saw some new episode just the other day. I'm not sure exactly how new, but by "new" I mean post-2001. Anyway, it was terrible. The storyline went a million miles a minute without purpose or progression, and had no regard for the characters or the town. It did wacky things that it never even dealt with, just so it could get from point A to point Z. I couldn't finish watching it, but I endured most of it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on October 14, 2011, 01:42:30 AM
Season 10's Tree House of Terror was pretty awesome.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 14, 2011, 01:48:30 AM
What one was that? I like a lot of the later Halloween episodes even in seasons I thought were terrible.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: sonatafanica on October 14, 2011, 02:00:37 AM
i watch the simpsons every now and then which really means that i watch the first 12 seasons straight over the course of a few days sometimes i just watch them over and over again for weeks like i have them playing constantly even when i am listening to music or something like that, it's always simpsons all the time suck my dick
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on October 14, 2011, 07:26:46 AM
What one was that? I like a lot of the later Halloween episodes even in seasons I thought were terrible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treehouse_of_Horror_IX
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 14, 2011, 07:33:34 AM
That one's alright. There are later ones I prefer more though.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 07, 2011, 06:53:08 PM
I'm watching yesterday's episode in a few :)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on November 07, 2011, 09:06:19 PM
This is getting too negative...so um...Kent Brockman is a really funny character, and kind of underrated.
...And the fluffy kitten played with that ball of string all through the night. On a lighter note, A Kwik-E-Mart clerk was brutally murdered last night. :rollin
Season 11 is considered the worst by many fans
Really? It's my favourite.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on November 08, 2011, 02:04:15 AM
Brockman: Professor, without knowing precisely what the danger is, would you say it's time for our viewers to crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside?
Professor: Yes I would, Kent.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 15, 2011, 10:56:51 PM
I watched a handful of episodes from 2-8 this evening.  I hadn't really noticed it before,  but the amount of tasteful, stylistic bits of animation was sky high back then.  Watching 12+,  I never notice scenes where I think "hey,  that was nicely drawn."  Back in the cruder era,  it happened all the time.  Season two's Simpson and Delilah had a wonderful softness to the animation.  There was also a transition from Smithers walking across the checkerboard floor to a pan across the outside of the building that was a great homage to Citizen Kane.  A scene from an episode a few seasons later had Homer's car pulling into a driveway at night,  with the headlights shining perfect circles in a very film noire sort of style.  Aside from all of the references in the writing,  they were equally adept at capturing them visually. 

Back in the day,  artistic touches like that were a big part of what made the show great.  Now it's all pretty sterile with more of an eye towards realism, at least insofar as a cartoon can be realistic,  as opposed to creative.  I suppose it might be related to shipping everything off to Korea to be animated, rather than having it done closer to home,  where the writers can have a bit more control over such things.  I suppose if you're just packing the basic elements in a Fed-Ex package to ship off,  and receive a finished product a few weeks later,  trying to work out clever and subtle artistic touches isn't very practical.

A great example of losing this sort of touch is the final scene of Burns Verkaufen de Kraftwerk.  He speaks menacingly while plunging the letter opener as the Sword of Damocles into the stuffed pig as Homer squeals in excitement.  An absolutely perfectly drawn scene, with perfect timing.  I've watched 12-16 over the last month and a half,  and I haven't seen anything that was even a half-ass attempt at such cleverness.  It's not for a lack of writing,  though that's certainly a problem.  It's that creative animation and what we would call cinematography in the real world is a lost art to them nowadays. 

What a fucking shame. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on November 16, 2011, 12:58:41 AM
Kinda surprised I never posted in this thread as The Simpsons is my favorite show of all time.

Seasons 1-12 are the best Seasons of any comedy ever made. I actually go to bed every night watching the Simpsons on DVD. and Seasons 1-12, I have the most trivia stuck in my head then anyone I know about The Simpsons.


13 on.....not so much. There are handfuls of episodes that are funny every 2-3 seasons after 13, but that's about it.

The newer seasons have had some real winners to it. And I still think it's the best show on Fox's Animation Domination 9American Dad, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Greggory Peccary...I mean Allen Greggory in that order following it).

Radioactive Man
Kidney Trouble
Lisa On Ice
Homie The Clown
22 Short Films

Top 4 episodes ever!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 16, 2011, 07:59:01 AM
El Barto did you like anything about the HD transformation? Or were you indifferent about it?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 16, 2011, 08:27:23 AM
I've probably only seen 2 or 3 of the HD episodes, honestly.  However,  as I just noticed,  I have no reason to think that it'll be an improvement.  The artistic animations left long before the HD transition.  The show, IMO,  looked a helluva lot better before it was all digital.

I'm wrapping up season 16 now (which as sucked pretty hard).  I've still got a month or two to go before I get to 20 where the switch was.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 16, 2011, 08:49:39 AM
With all due respect sir it sounds like you're progressing with an unshakable believe that everything is going to suck, drop the attitude once the episode starts to give it a better chance! Maybe the HD is gonna add/compensate something to your overall satisfaction with the show.
It did little in my case. For FG that is, being the FG veteran that you are to the Simpsons, the visual experience improved at the time when my opinion was low on the show's plot and ideas. But I still miss the hand drawn animations from the earlier seasons.
Right now I'm almost done with season 10 of the Simpsons (I've been slow) and so far the ups and downs of this show has been consistent for me since the beginning. With my overall opinion of it being a brilliant conception executed by very creative people both in the writing room and voice acting. We'll see how it goes next :)
But I kinda stopped watching the current season as I'm watching the older ones. Switching between wide screen and full screen formats of the same show is not comfortable for me and I dunno why is that.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 16, 2011, 08:52:49 AM
Maybe the HD is gonna add/compensate something to your overall satisfaction with the show.
Possibly,  but the few episodes I've seen have been entirely forgettable.  While they might actually get back to employing some creative animations,  I still expect the writing to be terrible.  I think once you get into season 14 or so,  you'll start to understand why. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on November 16, 2011, 09:00:30 AM
El Barto, I'm completely with you.
The animation for the past decade or so has been so sterile and clean, and lacks any artistic style. Even just seeing them with pointy elbows is an instant warning to me that it's too recent for my liking. It looks wrong.

The old animation had it's little flaws, but it had style, and it was much more ambitious in the shots they did, and a lot more expressive in the body language. There was subtlety to the way the characters moved, with hand gestures and facial expressions. Now everything is so plain and uninteresting, and even a basic walk animation looks like they're being taken out of their comfort zone because they just can't draw it right anymore.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on November 16, 2011, 11:17:47 AM
The animation was so much better in the early years. Just compare the original opening with the HD one. Things have become so stiff, bland, and sterile. I miss the weird off-model stuff they used to come up with.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Lynxo on November 17, 2011, 08:11:49 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qtKtU_zcTGU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qtKtU_zcTGU)

Seriously, this is my favorite Simpsons moment of ALL time! Every piece of dialogue is just brilliant in here! From the "Stupid Lisa" part to the fantastic scream in the end, it gets me every time! :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on November 17, 2011, 08:13:29 AM
"LE GRILLE? What the hell is that?!"  :lol

Yup, classic stuff.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Lynxo on November 17, 2011, 08:16:19 AM
"Ah, that's one fiiiiine looking grill. WHY DOESN'T MINE LOOK LIKE THAT?!?!"  :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on November 17, 2011, 11:49:16 AM
Yeah that might be my favourite moment ever too. :rollin :rollin :rollin

Also, is it just me or are the "that's a paddlin" comments on The Simpsons vids really, really annoying.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on November 17, 2011, 02:15:29 PM
Haven't read any posts on this thread, but I think the absolute best years of the show were seasons 6 - 11.

They need to stop now, though.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on November 17, 2011, 04:08:57 PM
That BBQ scene is hilarious. Mom and Pop Art is one of the best Season 10 episodes. "Not the Reichstag!"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on November 17, 2011, 04:20:32 PM
Damn I was tired when I wrote that last post. How could have I forgotten my own avatar?

Hank Scorpio is the greatest villain ever created.

"Don't call my Scorpion, it's Scorpio. But I don't like that either. Call me Hank!"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: wolfking on November 17, 2011, 05:15:41 PM
Brockman: Professor, without knowing precisely what the danger is, would you say it's time for our viewers to crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside?
Professor: Yes I would, Kent.

This is seriously one of the funniest pieces of dialogues from the serious ever, just brilliant!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 17, 2011, 07:13:57 PM
YOU'RE A BREAD COMPARTMENT!   :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on November 18, 2011, 01:21:40 AM
This is indeed a disturbing universe.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Snow_Dog on November 19, 2011, 01:17:03 AM
"UP AND AT EM!"

"up and at them"

"UP AND AT EM!"

"UP AND AT THEM"

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on November 19, 2011, 02:13:43 AM
"Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers!"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on November 19, 2011, 02:17:32 AM
"UP AND AT EM!"

"up and at them"

"UP AND AT EM!"

"UP AND AT THEM"

.........Better.




There's a $1,000 Leaving Town Tax!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 19, 2011, 03:24:51 AM
Season 10's Episode 18 Simpsons Bible Stories was hilarious. Laughed through out!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on November 19, 2011, 02:49:15 PM
Bad quality but still funny as all hell!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqfOxm_1BE0
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Lynxo on November 20, 2011, 08:22:40 AM
"Hi Super Nintendo Chalmers!"
Love that one. :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ReaperKK on November 20, 2011, 09:48:12 AM
Bad quality but still funny as all hell!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqfOxm_1BE0

related:

Laughing Time Is Over

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekxn5KLv9XQ&feature=related

I think I'm going to spend my Sunday watching some classic Simpson episodes.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 06, 2011, 09:53:37 PM
https://www.cracked.com/article_19576_6-pop-culture-visionaries-who-get-too-much-credit_p2.html

Number 1.

Interesting.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on December 06, 2011, 10:19:42 PM
I'm still at season 10, watching an episode every other day or whenever I can. I just checked and I'm only 2 episodes from the end of season 10, I need to start converting season 11.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 06, 2011, 10:34:37 PM
I saw an awful newish episode yesterday where Homer destroyed some rock face tourist attraction, then people thought Mr Burns was dead, and then he bought every media outlet. Everything about this show in the past decade makes me groan. Their transparent attempts at satire, their ridiculous situations, the simple one directional plots that jump from place to place, and every character just making the same one dimensional joke. It was a Mr Burns episode, so every single joke for him was just "I'm old", and just cartoony stupid, instead of the old episodes where they'd make some ancient reference that wasn't so childish and basic.

And today I watched the Stampy episode on DVD. It's hard to even believe this is the same show. To me The Simpsons is two separate shows. There's the first decade of Simpsons, which is one of the greatest cartoons ever. Then there is everything after that, which is a separate and bad show.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 06, 2011, 10:41:54 PM
I remember that episode. From memory, I really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on December 06, 2011, 11:12:04 PM
I like really enjoy that episode too.

The Stampy one's great though. Has one of my favourite Homer moments. "Now I'll pull my arms out with my face!" :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on December 06, 2011, 11:48:18 PM
"That wasn't part of our deal, Blackheart! THAT WASN'T PAAAAAART!"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on December 07, 2011, 08:31:02 AM
I saw an awful newish episode yesterday where Homer destroyed some rock face tourist attraction, then people thought Mr Burns was dead, and then he bought every media outlet. Everything about this show in the past decade makes me groan. Their transparent attempts at satire, their ridiculous situations, the simple one directional plots that jump from place to place, and every character just making the same one dimensional joke. It was a Mr Burns episode, so every single joke for him was just "I'm old", and just cartoony stupid, instead of the old episodes where they'd make some ancient reference that wasn't so childish and basic.

And today I watched the Stampy episode on DVD. It's hard to even believe this is the same show. To me The Simpsons is two separate shows. There's the first decade of Simpsons, which is one of the greatest cartoons ever. Then there is everything after that, which is a separate and bad show.
Sadly,  that was actually one of the better season 15 episodes (and 16 is worse).  Once you get past 12,  you're looking at 2 or 3 good episodes a season (and occasionally they might even qualify as great episodes). 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on December 07, 2011, 11:01:52 AM
The situations definitely jump around way too much in the new ones. You could miss one scene and then have absolutely no idea what's happening, or why it's related to the previous scene.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on December 07, 2011, 11:34:41 AM
I'm really in the minority here. The first season I was dissatisfied with was 19.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Snow_Dog on December 08, 2011, 12:16:08 AM
Saw the episode with Mr. Burns' stuffed bear tonight. I haven't seen this one in years, but it's still awesome.

"How long have we had these fish?"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on December 08, 2011, 05:19:39 AM
I tried to pick my favorite from each season.

1: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
2: Three Men and a Comic Book
3: Radio Bart
4: Marge vs. the Monorail
5: Cape Feare
6: Homer Badman
7: Lisa's Wedding
8: A Milhouse Divided
9: Lisa's Sax
10: Mom and Pop Art
11: Last Tap Dance in Springfield
12: Hungry, Hungry Homer

13 to whatever season they're on now: who cares.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on December 08, 2011, 08:42:21 AM
Interesting.

1  Krusty Gets Busted
2  Simpson and Delilah
3  Bart the Murderer*
4  Kamp Krusty
5  Cape Feare*
6  Homie the Clown
7  A Fish Called Selma*
8  You Only Move Twice
9  Natural Born kissers
10  Mayored to the Mob
11  E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)
12  Trilogy of Error*
13  The Frying Game
14  C E (Annoyed Grunt)
15  My Big Fat Geek Wedding 
16  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star
17  The Seemingly Never-Ending Story*


*top ten episode
Strangely,  season 13 was one of the hardest to pick.  There are 3 equally excellent episodes in there. 
I'd say the show finally tanked after 13,  but there are still one or two great episodes each season after that,  including a couple of classics.

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on December 13, 2011, 10:14:17 AM
Daym that 1023 rips on the Japanese culture pretty bad :lol
At one point Homer just screams at them"why are you so cruel?"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: KevShmev on December 13, 2011, 10:53:16 AM
I haven't watched this show in years, but for a long time, it was one of my favorites.  The first 9 or 10 season are pure gold.

I don't know the name of the episode, but it has to be the one where Marge is laid up in the hospital with a broken leg, Lisa takes over the household chores, Bart and Homer act like pigs, and Lisa then tricks them into thinking they have leprosy. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on December 13, 2011, 10:55:52 AM
I don't know the name of the episode, but it has to be the one where Marge is laid up in the hospital with a broken leg, Lisa takes over the household chores, Bart and Homer act like pigs, and Lisa then tricks them into thinking they have leprosy.

That's Little Big Mom from Season 11. One of the better episodes from that season, I'd say.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on December 13, 2011, 11:22:45 AM
Second favorite Ralph quote (https://vimeo.com/28184392)

...and my favorite... (https://www.hostedfile.com/videos/5817/i-bent-my-wookie.html)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Lynxo on December 13, 2011, 12:44:42 PM
"My cat's breath smells like cat food."  :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: KevShmev on December 13, 2011, 12:54:00 PM
I don't know the name of the episode, but it has to be the one where Marge is laid up in the hospital with a broken leg, Lisa takes over the household chores, Bart and Homer act like pigs, and Lisa then tricks them into thinking they have leprosy.

That's Little Big Mom from Season 11. One of the better episodes from that season, I'd say.

It is probably my favorite.  Tons of great lines in that one.

Also, I always loved the slogan for selling fireworks for Independence Day:

Celebrate your country's independence by blowing up a small part of it.

 :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on December 13, 2011, 01:13:05 PM
Homer: trying to casually buy illegal fireworks: Let me have one of those porno magazines, large box of condoms, a bottle of Old Harper, a couple of those panty shields, and some illegal fireworks, and one of those disposable enemas... eh, make it two.

Later...
Marge seeing Homer's purchases: I don't know what you've got planned for tonight, Homer, but count me out.

 :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on December 13, 2011, 01:16:16 PM
This is one of my very favourite scenes:

Marge: "Why are you frosting that old throw pillow?"
Homer: "I could ask you the same question."
Marge: "Should I just back out of the room now?"
Homer: "Would you?"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on December 13, 2011, 01:21:17 PM
One of my favorites:

Marge: Homer, when are you going to give up this stupid sugar scheme?

Homer: Never, Marge! Never! I can't live the button-down life like you. I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend some of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odors! Oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called City Fathers who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards and say, "What's to be done with this Homer Simpson?"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on December 13, 2011, 01:34:15 PM
Damnit I have hundreds of pages of term papers to grade and now all I want to do is watch old episodes of The Simpsons, and since I'm working from home today I can indulge in that vice.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kosmo on December 13, 2011, 02:34:54 PM
I really can't pick my favorites from each season, except for season 3 where my clear favorite is Homer at the Bat.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on December 14, 2011, 01:26:56 PM
One of my favorites:

Marge: Homer, when are you going to give up this stupid sugar scheme?

Homer: Never, Marge! Never! I can't live the button-down life like you. I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend some of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odors! Oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called City Fathers who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards and say, "What's to be done with this Homer Simpson?"

First you get the sugar then you get the power then you get  the women.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Mladen on December 14, 2011, 01:35:14 PM
FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!   FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 14, 2011, 02:43:25 PM
A part in an episode I saw recently that made me guffaw:

(Brainstorming things to do to save money)
Bart: I'll take up smoking and give that up.
Homer: Good for you son, Giving up smoking is one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. Have a dollar.
Lisa: But he didn't actually do anything!
Homer: Didn't he, Lis? Didn't he?

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on December 14, 2011, 02:59:08 PM
FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!   FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!

The original:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBQf23EAyOI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBQf23EAyOI)

and life imitating art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLqH2iNh6VY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLqH2iNh6VY)

and, one my favorite Simpson lines that most of my friends have adopted for use (especially when they were making cell phones real small): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DtbPOXFk00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DtbPOXFk00)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: TL on December 14, 2011, 05:38:35 PM
My favorite Simpsons moment still has to be when Grampa collaborated with Metallica;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRPzElP_eSI
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 14, 2011, 11:54:19 PM
A part in an episode I saw recently that made me guffaw:

(Brainstorming things to do to save money)
Bart: I'll take up smoking and give that up.
Homer: Good for you son, Giving up smoking is one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. Have a dollar.
Lisa: But he didn't actually do anything!
Homer: Didn't he, Lis? Didn't he?



:lol A classic Simpsons moment.

I saw another new-ish episode the other day (may have been new, or no more than a year or two old, as it was in widescreen).
You know you're in for another shitty episode when the couch gag is Avatar. Nothing quite says cutting edge originality like the millionth direct copy of Avatar that doesn't actually contain a joke other than "we're copying something topical, so thus we think we're funny".
Then the originality continued by mocking Fox, then having every network come up with a fake news story by spreading a virus for reasons that aren't actually explained other than some vague empty idea of "media is evil lololol".
Then it turns into a Mr Burns episode, where he takes all of the vaccine, boiling down his character down to the one dimensional attributes of "I'm old and selfish" yet again. Then he gets amnesia in one of the most ridiculous sequences ever of flying into the sky and getting hit by a plane and bouncing off some trees. My mind was already sort of wandering by that point.
Then Smithers goes and works for Dick Cheney, with a series of fresh, original political jokes.
Then some more super cartoony crap that made no sense and I barely remember.
Then Mr Burns realizes that hate keeps him alive or some shit. Then he plans to take revenge on the town by covering it with a giant dome, in a reference to the movie. Note: reminding me that the Simpsons movie was ever made is not a good decision.
The episode should have finished at that point, but then they kept going with something else I can't remember.

Give up, guys. You've already destroyed your legacy with more bad seasons than good ones.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on December 14, 2011, 11:58:57 PM
Nothing can beat the badness of "Once Upon a Time in Springfield". Once you see that, all the episodes you're talking about now will look like comedy gold. (my opinion of course. Maybe some like it, but it's my most hated episode).
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 15, 2011, 12:40:20 AM
I haven't seen it, although I dare to think of any episode that could beat the horror of the shitpile of an episode where Homer apparently invents grunge. That episode is offensive to me on every single level of decency.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 15, 2011, 12:43:54 AM
I heard about that one and have sworn to never watch it. Everything about it screams that it can only be a milestone crock of shit in the dire history of crocks of shit.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on December 15, 2011, 05:27:31 AM
The Springfield Film festifal is a top 5 episode for me.  Barney kills me in that one.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on December 15, 2011, 09:55:35 AM
The Springfield Film festifal is a top 5 episode for me.  Barney kills me in that one.

I was saying Boo-urns
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: KevShmev on December 15, 2011, 10:32:28 AM
The one where Bart accidently gets Principal Skinner fired is great.  Superintendent Chalmers rant:

"I've had it, Skinner!  The low test scores.  Classrooms filled with ugly, ugly children."

 :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on December 15, 2011, 12:12:59 PM
"I don't like being outdoors Smithers, for one thing, there's too many fat children."
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on December 15, 2011, 04:32:33 PM
" From now on - we're going to spell everything with letters ".
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on December 16, 2011, 12:56:48 PM
" My neck hurts and my ear hurts. I have two 'owies' "
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: emindead on December 16, 2011, 02:05:09 PM
One funny scene pops into my mind. Bart vs. Lisa (the Hockey episode). The kids are wrestling in the bedroom and Homer is switching the lights on and off while shouting: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: The King in Crimson on December 17, 2011, 10:00:53 AM
Aw man, reading some of these posts makes me want to watch old Simpsons episodes.

I wish they were streaming on Netflix. :(
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ruba on December 17, 2011, 12:31:22 PM
FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!   FOOTBALL IN THE GROIN!

 :rollin

Hmmm... I think a couple of my favourites:

Fat Tony: "Now, who wants to sleep with fish?"
Children: *gasp*
Fat Tony: "I brought the Finding Nemo towel."

Homer: "Relax, we're in a electric car"

Homer: "Mmmm... Something...."

That is also great, when in episode that Simpsons visit Brazil, Homer is terrified by a phone bill and tries to get some cable into a power line (bad explanation, hope you get it).
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: KevShmev on December 17, 2011, 12:33:35 PM
Homer (to Lisa):  "Honey, wanna open the window for me?  The cops have Daddy's fingerprints on file."

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 17, 2011, 09:04:09 PM
Fat Tony: "Now, who wants to sleep with fish?"
Children: *gasp*
Fat Tony: "I brought the Finding Nemo towel."

Reminds me of a classic Simpsons line from one of my favourite episodes-

One of Fat Tony's henchmen - Hey, isn't that Troy Mcclure? I thought you said he was dead.
Fat Tony - No, what I said was he sleeps with the fishes.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 18, 2011, 12:43:25 AM
This still makes me lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogaJ0CygjnI
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zydar on December 18, 2011, 01:00:55 AM
    Homer: Eh, I'm sick of this Tarzan movie.
    Lisa: Dad, it's a documentary on the homeless.
    Homer: Oh, right.

Grandpa: Buck McCoy!? He was the greatest of them all. He was bigger than opium!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Fluffy Lothario on December 25, 2011, 08:30:50 PM
SAY YOUR PRAYERS, YOU HEATHEN BABOONS!!!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on December 26, 2011, 11:11:42 AM
He had smooth calm voice, like urkel. And he comes on every Friday night, like urkel.
Right, right. I'll just type it up on my invisible typewriter

I burned down a building and I'm afraid I'll do it again
Right, right. I'll just type it up on my invisible typewriter. Do di do fruitcake
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on December 26, 2011, 07:44:50 PM
One funny scene pops into my mind. Bart vs. Lisa (the Hockey episode). The kids are wrestling in the bedroom and Homer is switching the lights on and off while shouting: FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
Homer is amazing in that episode. :lol

Eye of the tiger, mouth of a teamster! Just think of all the time I wasted on YOU!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 29, 2011, 02:20:21 AM
Ugh, just saw another awful recent episode. Homer was a a paparazzi, and the entire episode was so painfully predictable to the point where you can tell exactly how the entire scene will play it.

There was a part where Homer said he didn't like getting a taste of his own medicine. Then he threw out his camera. The entire rest of the scene played out so predictably. You knew he was going to have actual medicine and throw that out too. And of course he did. He said it was anti-clotting medicine. No surprise exactly what happened 2 seconds later. He got a clot. FUCKING HILARIOUS. Typically rudimentary and unfunny shit.
Then later on he takes Moe's camera. Moe says he got the camera to take photos of women in the ladies room, but none ever came in. Gee, I can't tell exactly how this scene is going to play out. Homer leaves, and two seconds later some hot chicks walk in and ask to use the ladies room. ANOTHER CLEVER SLAM DUNK GUYS.

I don't know how they can stand to churn out such embarrassing garbage week after week. Oh right, money. I can't believe anyone gets paid to write this crap.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: 73109 on December 29, 2011, 09:45:07 AM
Anybody see the recent Christmas episode? I really liked that one.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on December 29, 2011, 11:36:35 AM
Fat Tony: "Now, who wants to sleep with fish?"
Children: *gasp*
Fat Tony: "I brought the Finding Nemo towel."

Reminds me of a classic Simpsons line from one of my favourite episodes-

One of Fat Tony's henchmen - Hey, isn't that Troy Mcclure? I thought you said he was dead.
Fat Tony - No, what I said was he sleeps with the fishes.
One of my very favorite lines ever,  and in one of my very favorite episodes.  A Fish Called Selma is one of the five best they ever did.  Everything that made classic episodes great was really nailed in that one. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on December 29, 2011, 04:06:12 PM
The Dr. Zaius song is a top 5 Simpsons scene.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on January 08, 2012, 06:45:10 PM
Just watched the new episode live. It was hilarious!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on January 08, 2012, 07:26:36 PM
Ugh, just saw another awful recent episode. Homer was a a paparazzi, and the entire episode was so painfully predictable to the point where you can tell exactly how the entire scene will play it.

There was a part where Homer said he didn't like getting a taste of his own medicine. Then he threw out his camera. The entire rest of the scene played out so predictably. You knew he was going to have actual medicine and throw that out too. And of course he did. He said it was anti-clotting medicine. No surprise exactly what happened 2 seconds later. He got a clot. FUCKING HILARIOUS. Typically rudimentary and unfunny shit.
Then later on he takes Moe's camera. Moe says he got the camera to take photos of women in the ladies room, but none ever came in. Gee, I can't tell exactly how this scene is going to play out. Homer leaves, and two seconds later some hot chicks walk in and ask to use the ladies room. ANOTHER CLEVER SLAM DUNK GUYS.

I don't know how they can stand to churn out such embarrassing garbage week after week. Oh right, money. I can't believe anyone gets paid to write this crap.
I'm more astonished that they can't get better writers.

It's the biggest and most important animated TV show of - well, probably out of every TV show that ever broadcast ever. They should have the great and good knocking on their doors at all hours of the day, begging to be a part of that legacy, to have a go with those toys. There is no excuse for a show as prestigious as the Simpsons to have dialogue as terrible as it does. The characters just announce their feelings. Constantly. Marge, in particular, is basically a walking soliloquy. It's a mess of "It was such a good idea to come to this ball game," "I wonder what would happen if I were to press this button here," "Here we are, celebrating Lisa's good grades," "I never thought I'd wind up at a private dental clinic" and so on.

Frankly, though, as long as Al Jean's in the hotseat I can't see a morsel of change in the show's future. Note that in the good years, the showrunner changed every two series or so. It was healthy. Each showrunner had something to prove, something to add, something to bring to the table. Now it's just quietly stagnating. Have the writers changed at all since the early 2000s? I've always had a hunch Jean probably just relies on his old mates, but I've not checked. I get the impression it's pretty much nine-to-five, nowadays - just the day job. A reliable income, keeps the pennies flowing for everyone involved. Shame!



(NB: I am aware that it's kind of rich of me to criticise the Simpsons' writing, given that this post reads like a pile of arse. But hey - I'm very tired and I've been working very hard. Forgive me for not really having the energy at 2:30AM.)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on January 08, 2012, 10:09:55 PM
Al Jean seems to find it hilarious when characters state obvious things, or list a bunch of stuff, even though those jokes fall flat with most viewers. The fact that Jean has been showrunner for 11 years is ridiculous. What I don't understand is how he was co-showrunner with Mike Reiss for two of the best seasons, 3 and 4, but now I just can't stand his style of humor.

Here's a list of writers and directors from Seasons 1-22. https://www.snpp.com/guides/writers.directors.html (https://www.snpp.com/guides/writers.directors.html)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on January 08, 2012, 10:23:17 PM
The Dr. Zaius song is a top 5 Simpsons scene.
A Fish Called Selma is a top 5 episode,  easily.  Just about flawless.

You said he was dead! 
No, what I said was he sleeps with the fishes.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on January 08, 2012, 11:31:55 PM
I'm more astonished that they can't get better writers.

It's the biggest and most important animated TV show of - well, probably out of every TV show that ever broadcast ever. They should have the great and good knocking on their doors at all hours of the day, begging to be a part of that legacy, to have a go with those toys. There is no excuse for a show as prestigious as the Simpsons to have dialogue as terrible as it does. The characters just announce their feelings. Constantly. Marge, in particular, is basically a walking soliloquy. It's a mess of "It was such a good idea to come to this ball game," "I wonder what would happen if I were to press this button here," "Here we are, celebrating Lisa's good grades," "I never thought I'd wind up at a private dental clinic" and so on.

Frankly, though, as long as Al Jean's in the hotseat I can't see a morsel of change in the show's future. Note that in the good years, the showrunner changed every two series or so. It was healthy. Each showrunner had something to prove, something to add, something to bring to the table. Now it's just quietly stagnating. Have the writers changed at all since the early 2000s? I've always had a hunch Jean probably just relies on his old mates, but I've not checked. I get the impression it's pretty much nine-to-five, nowadays - just the day job. A reliable income, keeps the pennies flowing for everyone involved. Shame!



(NB: I am aware that it's kind of rich of me to criticise the Simpsons' writing, given that this post reads like a pile of arse. But hey - I'm very tired and I've been working very hard. Forgive me for not really having the energy at 2:30AM.)

You're completely right (well except for the part about your post sucking). Considering that the Simpsons has been going over 20 years, I'd say that pretty much every writer of every other cartoon comedy on television grew up inspired by the classic Simpsons era. It paved the way for all of these shows that are now miles better than what Simpsons has become. The Simpsons would have no problem at all finding great writers, if they actually realized there was a problem in the writing and tried to remedy it. But they're content to just coast on their past success. As long as people keep watching it, they're going to keep churning it out.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: toro on January 09, 2012, 04:50:56 AM
The Dr. Zaius song is a top 5 Simpsons scene.
I CAN SIIIIIIING

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: robwebster on January 09, 2012, 05:14:28 AM
Al Jean seems to find it hilarious when characters state obvious things, or list a bunch of stuff, even though those jokes fall flat with most viewers. The fact that Jean has been showrunner for 11 years is ridiculous. What I don't understand is how he was co-showrunner with Mike Reiss for two of the best seasons, 3 and 4, but now I just can't stand his style of humor.

Here's a list of writers and directors from Seasons 1-22. https://www.snpp.com/guides/writers.directors.html (https://www.snpp.com/guides/writers.directors.html)
Read it once through - not in great detail, but a fair scan from the bottom up to season nine - and it does seem to be a lot of the same characters. Seth Rogen and Ricky Gervais stood out. I saw Ricky Gervais' episode and it was dreadful (though he did play his own character, basically as himself, so you know, who's surprised?) but I was unaware Seth Rogen did anything. Are they the only two well-known guest writers Jean's enlisted? If so, it's interesting that they're both celebrities, rather than your Aaron Sorkins or your Edgar Wrights. Not that I'm suggesting Aaron Sorkin should write for the Simpsons. That'd be seven shades of mental. Although I don't know much of his stuff, so maybe he'd be great! Do they have any promising upstarts, or even established comedy writers - writers for The Office and 30 Rock etc.? 'Cos right now I can only see the same approach they have to casting. "Regulars and celebrities." But then the celebrities are naturally conspicuous, I guess.

You're completely right (well except for the part about your post sucking). Considering that the Simpsons has been going over 20 years, I'd say that pretty much every writer of every other cartoon comedy on television grew up inspired by the classic Simpsons era. It paved the way for all of these shows that are now miles better than what Simpsons has become. The Simpsons would have no problem at all finding great writers, if they actually realized there was a problem in the writing and tried to remedy it. But they're content to just coast on their past success. As long as people keep watching it, they're going to keep churning it out.
Yes, that's very much the sense I get. There must be tonnes of screenwriters out there who are itching to type "INT. MR. BURNS' OFFICE - DAY." Proper, good screenwriters, who can do jokes and dialogue. I'm utterly stunned that the show's not found any.

There is no excuse, whatsoever, for a show with the history and prestige of Simpsons to have so many poor lines of dialogue survive past the first draft. Part of me wonders if Jean might have a hand in it - mainly 'cos the alternative explanation would be that all the other writers have identical horrendous tics, which seems ridiculous. Makes more sense if it's just one person. But I'm not in a hurry to turn anyone into a bogeyman. Just to express constant, crushing disappointment.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ZirconBlue on January 10, 2012, 09:23:52 AM
I watched my first Simpsons in years a few weeks ago, just to see Neil Gaiman's appearance.  Not bad, although the Ocean's 11 parody elements seemed a bit dated.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on January 10, 2012, 01:03:59 PM
I'm gonna give up on anyone discussing the latest episodes as they air which one would think is one of the primary reasons we have this thread :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Pols Voice on January 10, 2012, 01:15:35 PM
I think you might be the only person who still watches the show, because the ratings have been pretty bad. ;)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on January 10, 2012, 02:04:33 PM
Big D'Oh there :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on January 11, 2012, 03:47:54 AM
Watched some really really old Simpsons the other day . It was just so funny.

The difference was staggering.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on January 12, 2012, 03:12:55 PM
Nah, thanks to the wonders of DVR I still watch every episode as well.  Not the best, but I can't imagine choosing not to watch.  It's been a part of me for over 20 years.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on January 13, 2012, 07:08:38 AM
I watch it if it's on tv. But new episodes are pretty much an A story - clumsy transitional scene - B story - which has almost no relation to A story. And If you happen to miss that transitional scene - you have absolutely no idea what's going on.

Not like classic Simpsons where the start of the episode would naturally and gradually plot the course of the episode.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on February 10, 2012, 12:51:56 AM
Screw the ratings this season has been funny, silly funny. I'm with Kotowboy about the flaws in the episode structure but there are still a lot of good jokes here and there.
Finished season 10, Marge to Florida Sheriff: "I like what you're wearing, it really brings out the red in your neck" :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JimmyJava on February 10, 2012, 06:50:41 AM
Kang: Abortions for all.
(crowd boos)
Kang: Very well, no abortions for anyone.
(crowd boos)
Kang: Hmm... Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others.
(crowd cheers)

 :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on February 10, 2012, 08:27:46 AM
Screw the ratings this season has been funny, silly funny. I'm with Kotowboy about the flaws in the episode structure but there are still a lot of good jokes here and there.
Finished season 10, Marge to Florida Sheriff: "I like what you're wearing, it really brings out the red in your neck" :lol
I think all of the seasons had plenty of decent jokes in them.  The problem is when you have a 24 minute episode with 4 good jokes and little else.  In the old days,  aside from having more jokes,  you had a much more complete picture.  You had good stories, good animation,  good casts, and much more humor.  Even episodes that weren't wall to wall laughter still had a ton of redeeming qualities. 

Season ten is pretty much the beginning of the end.  Half of the episodes are good, occasionally great,  character driven stories,  and half of them are just strings of madcap antics.  Sadly,  that ratio will continue to get worse.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on March 15, 2012, 09:44:38 AM
Barto did you see the 500th episode a couple of weeks ago? It was pretty cool, they had a montage of every couch gag in a quick flash at the beginning.
Sometimes the silliest stuff makes me laugh so much, yesterday I saw the S12EP11 where Bart had 50$ and went on a spending spree with Milhouse who's idea of a crazy adventure was going to the laundry place and washing his shirt and shorts in the washing machine himself. "My mom doesn't believe in fabric softener.." then he takes out a bottle of fabric softener and waves it menacingly going "But she's not around!" and laugh diabolically. I kid you not I laughed at that for so long I had to rewind cause I missed what they were saying in the next scene.
Another one from the last season -last in my viewing, which makes that S11- that had me rolling was this exchange which I luckily found on youtube to share Oh yeah? comere a minute (https://youtu.be/e4QBH14I6uo).
I've been annoying my wife with that line so much :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on March 15, 2012, 10:03:31 AM
Haven't seen any recent episodes since the last season premier (and strangely saw that one twice???).

Worst Episode Ever is actually pretty good.  Tom Sevini's hand giving CBG the wedgie was great, as was the selection in his secret vault. 

Season 12 was highly hit and miss. The good episodes were great (and includes what I consider their best episode ever), and the bad ones were really awful.  Up until 12, the episodes that weren't particularly good weren't particularly bad, either.  With 12 they started producing some genuinely bad ones. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on March 15, 2012, 10:10:17 AM
I'm starting to see what you've been telling me about with season 12.
It's safe to say that my favorite secondary characters are Barney, Milhouse and Nelson yet I can count the episodes where they've been heavily involved on one hand. I hope to see more of them later.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on March 15, 2012, 11:15:57 AM
Barney pretty much disappears altogether once they sober him up.  Nelson's great as a secondary character, but there are plenty of episodes where he's the primary character and those are generally lacking.  The backstory with his old man is priceless, though. 

Fortunately, both seasons 12 and 13 have a handful of excellent episodes mixed in with the crap.  After that they get very sparse.  It appears that 17-3 is as far as I could make it on my attempt to rewatch the latter episodes.  I saw seasons 18/19 when they first aired, but that's it.  Season 20 is when I stopped watching altogether. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on March 27, 2012, 09:29:27 PM
Season 17 may not be all that great (well according to most, I like), but "Stupid horse! It's a deer crossing!" might be my favourite line in Simpsons history. :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on March 27, 2012, 11:59:29 PM
Godzilla was on TV a couple of days ago and my wife was watching it. That 98 Godzilla movie is special to me for a bunch of reasons that doesn't include it being a good movie. So I've seen it several times long time ago but that was the first I've seen it after I became a Simpsons fan.
So we're watching and I notice Harry Shearer with his distinguishable voice playing that news anchor and I start paying more attention as I'm a fan of voice actors and Shearer is one of my favorites, next thing I know I see Hank Azaria is playing the camera man in the movie and I'm thinking "That's very cool!" and smiling at the irony of how these two actors were virtually unknown to me, nothing more than forgettable minor roles actors you see every now and then but never try to find out their names but now I'm gonna stay put and finish the movie just to see them acting and hear involuntary hints of The Simpsons characters voices, which is something I always detect with animated voice actors in live action roles or interviews.
I kept watching, thinking of the nice coincidence of these two guys in the same movie together and then this (https://youtu.be/8lydwpGK9ic) scene comes on and I "Whoa!" loudly upon seeing Nancy Cartwright playing the secretary :lol. This must have been a coordinated joke of some sorts but there's no mention of it almost anywhere, I was really glad to find that youtube video of the scene to share it here. Bart and Smithers if you close your eyes and just listen  :biggrin:
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on March 29, 2012, 05:41:50 PM
Speak of the devil! Harry Shearer made a guest appearance the other day on Conan. For those who're not familiar with the Conan show: every Monday there's a segment called Fan Corrections where fans make youtube videos of themselves pointing out a mistake they spotted on the show, the mistake can be anything from a historical mistake in the show sketches to a wrong naming of football mascots but most likely something inaccurate Conan said in the monologue or interview. Conan always proves the fans wrong but making a twisted sketch that proves the opposite of whatever they said.
So check out this week's Fan Correction (https://teamcoco.com/video/fan-correction-flanders) segment which called for Conan to bring Harry Shearer on.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on April 30, 2012, 05:32:59 PM
Barto have you read this (https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2012/04/springfield-oregon-matt-groening-announces-location-of-%E2%80%9Cthe-simpsons%E2%80%9D) news?
Did you imagine it to be Oregon? I kinda thought it was Chicago.
Another source. (https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/the-simpsons-matt-groening-reveals-springfields-state-oregon-2012114)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on April 30, 2012, 06:04:43 PM
It was always the most likely scenario, since Groening is from Portland.  Not sure why he'd bother confirming it now, though.  It was more amusing as a long-running joke.  Trying to drum up some press, I suppose. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on April 30, 2012, 06:31:58 PM
"You can't seriously want to ban alcohol! It tastes great, makes women appear more attractive, and makes one virtually invulnerable to criticism!"

 :lol :rollin
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on April 30, 2012, 08:10:06 PM
My all time favorite Simpsons moment (Although not the best quality)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rzbNqqaVd8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rzbNqqaVd8)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on April 30, 2012, 08:11:51 PM
I am studying plants in biology lab this week.... Every time I hear "Epidermis" I can't help but think of Nelson
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on April 30, 2012, 08:16:06 PM
I am studying plants in biology lab this week.... Every time I hear "Epidermis" I can't help but think of Nelson

Now we know the real reason you fell.

"Hey Chino!  Your epidermis is showing!"

*Chino falls from balcony*
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on April 30, 2012, 08:21:27 PM
You see, epidermis means your hair. Hold on a second, HAHA!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 01, 2012, 12:41:29 AM
It was always the most likely scenario, since Groening is from Portland.  Not sure why he'd bother confirming it now, though.  It was more amusing as a long-running joke.  Trying to drum up some press, I suppose. 

Seems kind of pointless to me at this stage. Does anybody eve care anymore? They intentionally contradicted it being in any specific location so many times that this seems to be trivial at best now.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on August 13, 2012, 09:17:47 AM
^ I cannot be the only "relatively new" fan out there and those care.
Barto your PM inbox is full man!
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 07, 2012, 06:54:09 PM
Wow.  Treehouse of Horror really blew this year.  A laugh here and there, but overall all completely forgettable.  And is it me, or are the vignettes quite a bit shorter than they used to be?  Doesn't seem like any of them topped 5 minutes.  That'd make the show 50% commercials now. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 07, 2012, 08:03:58 PM
Wow.  Treehouse of Horror really blew this year.  A laugh here and there, but overall all completely forgettable.  And is it me, or are the vignettes quite a bit shorter than they used to be?  Doesn't seem like any of them topped 5 minutes.  That'd make the show 50% commercials now.

I was afraid of the time issue after watching the one at 6, where Flanders kills all of Homers enemies it was really short.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 26, 2013, 05:53:26 PM
'Simpsons' actress Marcia Wallace dies at 70 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/10/26/the-simpsons-marcia-wallace-dies/3245593/)

Adios Edna Krabappel. Probably watch a few Edna-centric episodes this evening. A couple of them made my top 20.

Interestingly, CNN reported that they were going to kill off a major character this year. I honestly did't care, since it won't be one of the Simpsons themselves. In retrospect, I suspect they were planning it to be Edna all along, since they were aware of the situation with Marcia Wallace's health. Hopefully they'd already produced the relevant episode, so as to giver her a proper send off.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: GentlemanofDread on October 26, 2013, 05:57:24 PM
They said it wasn't Edna they were going to kill off.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 26, 2013, 06:12:30 PM
They said it wasn't Edna they were going to kill off.
Really. Huh. Did they say this in response to MW's death, or were they dropping hints beforehand?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: GentlemanofDread on October 26, 2013, 06:15:28 PM
'Statement from executive producer Al Jean, on behalf of The Simpsons:

I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace. She was beloved by all at "The Simpsons" and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character.

Earlier we had discussed a potential storyline in which a character passed away. This was not Marcia's Edna Krabappel. Marcia's passing is unrelated and again, a terrible loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing her.'
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 26, 2013, 07:47:35 PM
Its going to be interesting how they're going to find a replacement teacher...its actually a fresh idea for The Simpsons.

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 26, 2013, 07:51:13 PM
Ironically, losing a character this way will actually get them a much bigger ratings boost than had they gone ahead and just whacked somebody for the sake of doing it. I wouldn't have bothered watching another "Ned's wife gets killed" episode, but I might actually tune in to the first non-Edna episode.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ? on October 27, 2013, 02:34:11 AM
Aww, sad to hear that...

There'll actually be 5 Simpsons reruns in a row today on Finnish TV, so maybe I'll see an episode with Edna in it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Dr. DTVT on October 27, 2013, 09:42:27 AM
I wonder how they are going to deal with Ned losing his second wife now.  Edna was so ingrained, I don't think you can just stop writing her into scripts like they did with Phil Hartman's characters.  Damn I miss Lionel Hutz.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 27, 2013, 09:59:14 AM
I didn't know she and Flanders were married. As for writing out her character, I say you kill Krabappel off in spectacular fashion; particularly since Marcia Wallace would have dug such an exit.  She died. She have heart attack and fell out of window onto exploding bomb, and was killed in a shooting accident.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on November 04, 2013, 12:37:38 PM
Well done.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/the-simpsons-tribute-marcia-wallace-chalkboard-message-video_n_4210838.html
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Zantera on May 14, 2015, 01:44:40 AM
https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/14/8604495/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons-no-mr-burns-flanders
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 01:49:10 AM
They've lost voice actors over the years, but main cast aside, this is the one guy the show cannot do without. Continuing without him will make the show even more of a shadow of its former self than it has been for the past 15 years.

How can you even make an episode without these characters? Will they just have them silently appear in the background but say nothing? Will they kill some characters off? Will they replace the characters with new ones? They'd have to. There's no good solution here other than finally admitting it's old yeller time.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ariich on May 14, 2015, 02:17:31 AM
Either that or they get in good impressionists to voice the most important characters that Shearer voices.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ? on May 14, 2015, 03:49:27 AM
The series has been renewed for at least two more seasons, but I can't see the point in going on if so many key characters either disappear or get new voices. :-\ At this point I wouldn't be sad if the show ended, because only a handful of episodes in the latest season were better than merely alright IMO.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 04:22:03 AM
I wouldn't be sad if the show ended. I'm more sad that it's still going. :biggrin:

They could recast the voice actors, but those characters are so well known after 25 years that I don't think they could get away with it without it being very noticeable.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 04:55:45 AM
They could either feature them less or after 25 years or so - they might re use old lines. I'm sure they probably have enough to work with if that happens.

But yeah if Shearer leaves then no more Otto, Mr Burns, Lenny, Dr. Hibbert, Kent Brockman, Ned Flanders, Whelan Smithers, Principal Skinner.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 05:06:00 AM
They'll probably replace Mr Burns and Smithers with Rich Texan and business lady, have Gill take over driving the school bus, have Dr Nick become the main doctor, replace Skinner with Supernintendo Chalmers, and replace the Flanders with some desperately trying to be relevant unconventional family with three mummies and an adopted Ethiopian kid and they'll be Satanists.

I say this all jokingly, but I'm sure at least one of them will come true.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 05:47:43 AM
I saw a new episode of the show recently and it was just awful. Like you said before - jokes that they setup and payoff in the same scene and are cringe worthily obvious.

Like Lisa saying "this wall is insured against car crash" or something - then a car immediately crashes into it.

Plus it's horribly self aware and referential. It's not a funny sitcom anymore. It's a TV show that knows it's a TV show and all the characters are just going through the motions.

Bart misbehaves ! Lisa is smart and an activist ! Homer gets drunk / says something stupid ! Marge  disapproves !

It's so bad. I hate Family Guy but I'd rather watch that than current Simpsons.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Mladen on May 14, 2015, 05:52:53 AM
Like Lisa saying "this wall is insured against car crash" or something - then a car immediately crashes into it.

Yeah, I think this kind of humor became really prominent around season 18 or 19 and I didn't like it at all. I haven't been following them over the last couple of years, there are probably three seasons that I missed. Honestly, it always felt like they would end the show once one of the main voice actors either died or decided they've had enough. We can only wonder if the situation would be any different if it was Dan Castelaneta who decided to leave the show.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: sneakyblueberry on May 14, 2015, 09:08:37 AM
For some reason, my 2 year old LOVES The Simpsons, they're currently airing season 4 on TV at the moment, which must be like, the 100th time they've shown it.  She's only ever been into watching Frozen, so I'm a very happy man atm.  Classic Simpsons is pretty much unbeatable, and they've been played on TV for so long that I find myself quoting at least 3-4 classic lines in each episode. 
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on May 14, 2015, 09:18:41 AM
If I'm Hank Azaria or Dan Castelleneta I have no desire to do the show anymore. I always figured that if any of the main cast split that'd probably be the end of it. Christ, it's not like any of them need the money.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 09:20:40 AM
They probably never need to work again just on the re-runs.

It get shown repeatedly all over the world PLUS Harry Shearer must have 10 voices per episode so he's set for life.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 09:24:04 AM
If I'm Hank Azaria or Dan Castelleneta I have no desire to do the show anymore. I always figured that if any of the main cast split that'd probably be the end of it. Christ, it's not like any of them need the money.

That main cast is set for life. But it's easy reliable money that they're never going to get anywhere else, so why not keep taking the paycheck? Obviously they're not in it for artistic reasons at this point, it's just a cushy job. If I ever had a sweet gig like that, I'd be clinging on to it forever. :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 09:26:59 AM
Well Harry has been talking about leaving for years. I'd imagine it would get a bit boring after a while. Plus as an actor - you'd wanna do different things.

He's in his 60s and yes - pretty much set for life - so why not use your time to do what you really want to do ?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 09:29:54 AM
I hope the day comes where I can get bored of $300k an episode. :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 09:31:47 AM
A proper artist wouldn't care about the money. If he's got like $100m in the bank - it's just a number after a while if he doesn't live lavishly.

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on May 14, 2015, 09:34:18 AM
EDIT - He's 71 :o. Even more reason to leave and to do something new.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: sneakyblueberry on May 14, 2015, 09:35:58 AM
like the new spinal tap movie where they reunite and go on a final farewell tour with the rolling stones
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on May 14, 2015, 09:36:57 AM
They all seem to be worth around 50-60 million. I have no idea if they're taking in royalties from syndication or not, but at that point it hardly matters.

And I gather they do the work because it's fun. It's not about art or money anymore. Hell, Sam Simon spent the last years of his life trying to blow through his Simpsons money a la Brewster's Millions.

EDIT - He's 71 :o . Even more reason to leave and to do something new.
Yeah, something new like buy an island and go full on Caligula.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 14, 2015, 09:51:56 AM
A proper artist wouldn't care about the money. If he's got like $100m in the bank - it's just a number after a while if he doesn't live lavishly.



An "artist" would have left a decade ago. But it's a job, not about art. Art is for people who don't make money. Until either of us has that amount of money, we couldn't really say how important it is to keep making it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: emblempride on May 14, 2015, 03:24:40 PM
And I gather they do the work because it's fun. It's not about art or money anymore. Hell, Sam Simon spent the last years of his life trying to blow through his Simpsons money a la Brewster's Millions.
/
I dunno as others have said, for Shearer at least, he hasn't seemed to give a damn since like Principal and the Pauper. For him, I'd say money was the key factor, especially since this is over merchandising, and the artistry factor was something that was always nagging at him. It could also be that he's knowingly asking for an unrealistic amount so that they'd get rid of him. Though, with the billions Simpsons rakes in as a franchise, it's not totally crazy. He's said something about this really being about his vocational freedom, but he's still been able to do the Christoper Guest movies, the Spinal Tap stuff, and run a decent podcast. And nobody seemed to toss and turn when he didn't do that Simpsons ride thing. He's 71, what the fuck else does he want to do? It seems difficult for him to just say, "This is all shit, I'm out.", which is well within his rights imo after 17 years of piss. That's like, almost my whole life. From what he's said the last decade or so, it seems like he didn't enjoy being on a show he doesn't think much of. See SNL. Don't think he's as involved with the rest of the cast either. Read somewhere that as far as table readings go, Shearer only pops up via conference call, then they record separately, then they all fuck off with their millions until the next session, and considering how long each episode's production is, this is, what, a few hours a week?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: King Postwhore on May 14, 2015, 04:57:53 PM
I guess Harry is going back to synchronized swimming.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: JRundquist on May 14, 2015, 09:33:38 PM
So what was the first thing I thought of when I heard about this, just as the shock wore off?

A very memorable line:

(https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10983852_10155497587330459_6941075880876657933_n.jpg?oh=5b788b7c65261fe86eb6d951172c359a&oe=55CEF76D)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on May 15, 2015, 11:57:50 AM
LOL. I had forgotten about that.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 15, 2015, 04:55:47 PM
What episode is that one?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on May 15, 2015, 06:14:33 PM
What episode is that one?
Seems to be Homer to the Max. I think that was when he was Max Power.  Here's the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cHaXdl20Prg

I still watch the first 8 seasons here and there. I'm thinking I might download the next twentywhatever and let them run while I'm at work. It just seems strange that as big a fan as I was I've never actually seen 2/3 of the series now.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 15, 2015, 11:12:29 PM
Thanks. Man, I think I lost that disc.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Sycsa on May 24, 2015, 04:10:01 AM
A proper artist wouldn't care about the money. If he's got like $100m in the bank - it's just a number after a while if he doesn't live lavishly.



An "artist" would have left a decade ago. But it's a job, not about art. Art is for people who don't make money. Until either of us has that amount of money, we couldn't really say how important it is to keep making it.
(https://www.memecreator.org/static/images/memes/3615775.jpg)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: dparrott on November 15, 2015, 09:54:26 AM
Just thought of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSy5mEcmgwU
 :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on December 14, 2015, 12:04:04 PM
Actually watched the show last night and thought it was pretty good. First time I can say either of those things in ages. A take on something called Boyhood, covering 15-20 years of Bart growing up. Some pretty good gags, Homer as the aging pothead, Sherry and Terry being similarly (but apparently quite differently) slutty and Milhouse as the ripped ex-con. But rather than simply trying to be a string of gags it was slower paced, looking to maintain reverence to a deeper story about his rivalry with Lisa and Homer's abandonment. It's refreshing to see them get back to a deeper relationship between Bart and Lisa, like the earlier episodes, rather than just the nonstop hostility that's been present since season 10 or so.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Nel on December 15, 2015, 09:28:44 PM
There was a Halloween episode they did (this season I think) that wasn't a treehouse of horror and it was really damn good.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 15, 2015, 09:36:42 PM
There was a Halloween episode they did (this season I think) that wasn't a treehouse of horror and it was really damn good.

I saw some thing recently that involved the aliens that apparently wasn't a treehouse of horror, and from what little I saw it was awful. And then they ended with some tired overused Star Trek copy.
Every time I see part of any episode from the past 5-10 years, it just confuses and enrages me.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Nel on December 15, 2015, 09:44:07 PM
I only ever catch an episode a season if I happen to be home on Sundays. They're usually pretty awful and just a reaffirmation that I was right to stop keeping up with the show over a decade ago, but the Halloween one I saw was nice. I think the aliens showed up at the end but it turned out to just be two of the townspeople in costume or something.

I think I might have seen part of the one you mentioned and just kind of passed over it with the remote the second I realized how nonsensical the plot was. Only other episodes I've actually heard about in recent years are the Lego one and the Futurama crossover, which I'd like to see, but beyond that my interest in the show has fizzled.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 15, 2015, 09:54:27 PM
The Futurama crossover was watchable due to the Futurama crew, but it was wrong to see it in a Simpsons episode aside from fan service.
I saw the Lego one, and that was alright from what I remember, which for modern Simpsons would easily make it the best one I've seen in a decade.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 04, 2016, 11:25:36 PM
 I always knew they'll pass Gunsmoke (https://tvline.com/2016/11/04/the-simpsons-renewed-season-30-fox/) :D
This has taken me a couple of years to binge watch at the rate of 3 to 5 episodes a week, I started watching The Simpsons back around the time ADToE came out. I'm currently on season 25, watched episode 16 titled "You Don't Have to Live Like a Referee" last night, it was hilarious actually.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on November 04, 2016, 11:38:08 PM
Shouldn't they say this is the American scripted series with the most episodes? And even then, do things like soaps count? (Or do they not have scripts? Because I'd easily believe they don't).
Still a mighty impressive run by any measure. It's even more impressive when you think that only the first 1/3 of that run is any good. :P
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on November 05, 2016, 12:14:42 AM
To me it had it's ups and downs from the beginning, I still enjoyed it all though. Some of the teen seasons were weak but still averaged 2 or 3 decent episodes per season.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ReaperKK on November 06, 2016, 06:00:44 AM
I always knew they'll pass Gunsmoke (https://tvline.com/2016/11/04/the-simpsons-renewed-season-30-fox/) :D
This has taken me a couple of years to binge watch at the rate of 3 to 5 episodes a week, I started watching The Simpsons back around the time ADToE came out. I'm currently on season 25, watched episode 16 titled "You Don't Have to Live Like a Referee" last night, it was hilarious actually.

I want to do this, after I finish my Star Trek marathon.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Mladen on November 06, 2016, 07:42:14 AM
Seasons 1 - 8: classic
Seasons 9 - 12: good
Seasons 13 - 16: still solid
Season 17 - 21: some good episodes, I guess

I started following the series afterwards, although I really want to catch up. At some point I will.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on November 06, 2016, 09:15:46 AM
Seasons 1 - 8: classic
Seasons 9 - 12: good

I'd argue that the classic era is 1-10
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on November 06, 2016, 10:04:35 AM
Yeah The Simpsons pretty much went from one of the funniest shows of all time to one of the least funniest.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Mladen on November 06, 2016, 11:53:29 AM
Seasons 1 - 8: classic
Seasons 9 - 12: good

I'd argue that the classic era is 1-10
Season 9 has it's share of classic episodes as far as I'm concerned, but the season 10 episodes, although still very funny, show a slight drop in quality. Mike Scully and the gang probably thought the end is near, so they weren't trying so hard.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 06, 2016, 10:31:01 PM
One through seven constitute the golden era, in my book. And that includes One and two, which are excellent for very different reasons. Eight was the beginning of the end. It was a very good season and had a ton of great episodes, but was beginning to show a lot of the problems that would eventually drag it down. After that it was just a string of crappy episodes with a decreasing amount of really good/great ones thrown in each seasons. Even now they can do excellent episodes when they want to (sweeps week). But most of what they do is a string of occasionally funny (and even great) jokes in an episode with almost none of what made the Simpsons great when it was.

Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on November 07, 2016, 09:27:37 AM
The problem also is the time. They began switching writers and staff. The network cut their show time, and also certain things weren't allowed on TV anymore.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Kotowboy on November 07, 2016, 09:48:22 AM
When it started it was a good comedy show / sitcom with great jokes and stories.

Now it's almost exclusively the most predictable jokes / pop culture references and self awareness.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 07, 2016, 10:58:47 AM
The problem also is the time. They began switching writers and staff. The network cut their show time, and also certain things weren't allowed on TV anymore.
The last time I watched a Treehouse of Horror I was astonished at how short the vignettes were. Cutting one full minute from each ~7 minute segment is huge and it shows in the quality.

Coincidentally, I set out to download the first 10 seasons from DVD rips recently (I own the sets outright, but don't feel like ripping the damn things). Some of the syndication edits are pretty awful, cutting out some of the best jokes at times. It's a hoot watching an episode you've seen dozens of times and seeing a scene you're unfamiliar with. It's like listening to NotB and being surprised when Total Eclipse starts rather than HBTN.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on November 07, 2016, 11:04:49 AM
The problem also is the time. They began switching writers and staff. The network cut their show time, and also certain things weren't allowed on TV anymore.
The last time I watched a Treehouse of Horror I was astonished at how short the vignettes were. Cutting one full minute from each ~7 minute segment is huge and it shows in the quality.

Coincidentally, I set out to download the first 10 seasons from DVD rips recently (I own the sets outright, but don't feel like ripping the damn things). Some of the syndication edits are pretty awful, cutting out some of the best jokes at times. It's a hoot watching an episode you've seen dozens of times and seeing a scene you're unfamiliar with. It's like listening to NotB and being surprised when Total Eclipse starts rather than HBTN.

I remember yonks ago in the early days of file sharing downloading crap quality TV rips of some of my favourite episodes (this was before they were even released on DVD), and noticed so many missing sections. You just can't cut anything out of those old episodes without sacrificing classic jokes.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on November 07, 2016, 11:08:45 AM
The problem also is the time. They began switching writers and staff. The network cut their show time, and also certain things weren't allowed on TV anymore.
The last time I watched a Treehouse of Horror I was astonished at how short the vignettes were. Cutting one full minute from each ~7 minute segment is huge and it shows in the quality.

Coincidentally, I set out to download the first 10 seasons from DVD rips recently (I own the sets outright, but don't feel like ripping the damn things). Some of the syndication edits are pretty awful, cutting out some of the best jokes at times. It's a hoot watching an episode you've seen dozens of times and seeing a scene you're unfamiliar with. It's like listening to NotB and being surprised when Total Eclipse starts rather than HBTN.

I remember yonks ago in the early days of file sharing downloading crap quality TV rips of some of my favourite episodes (this was before they were even released on DVD), and noticed so many missing sections. You just can't cut anything out of those old episodes without sacrificing classic jokes.
One of my favorite jokes from the entire series fell victim to a syndication cut.

Legs: Hey boss, I thought you said Troy McClure was dead?
Fat Tony: No. I said he sleeps with the fishes. You see. . .
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: BlobVanDam on November 07, 2016, 09:35:18 PM
How can you cut that out?! That's just wrong. I don't think you could cut a second out of that episode though. One of the best. :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on July 11, 2017, 10:33:55 PM
I gotta share this, I laughed so hard at it. It's so funny and perfectly delivered by the voice actresses, especially Nelson's line, I was laughing so hard I actually woke up the guy who sleeps in the upper bunk bed heh
It's S28E14 Fatzcarraldo. In this scene Lisa was the school journalist.

Lisa: Here at Springfield Elementary, detention has many names.
Purgatraz, The Skinner Sheraton, Spitball Alley, The Bully Pen, 311 Worth, Little Devil's Island and Dead Man Chalking. And I am here with the legendary Nurple Purpler Nelson Muntz.
Nelson, let me get right to it. "Haw-haw!", Where did that come from?

Nelson: Um... wow. First of all, great question. I guess I just saw a jerk doing something lame, and I wanted to make the dope feel like a dingus.
Lisa: Well, Mr. Muntz, I just happen to have one of those "dingai" right here. Milhouse, how does it feel to get a full Nelson?

Milhouse: The first haw isn't that bad. But the second one is devastating.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on July 12, 2017, 08:36:44 AM
Funny you bring this up. I actually watched a season 27 episode last night after seeing a snippet on Youtube. A dream within a dream within a tattoo thing. Had a few good laughs but nothing to write home about, and given the whole meta-story angle it should have been a far better episode. That's normally where The Simpsons shines, but even that's not going so great anymore.

And I still maintain that the shortened episodes hurt their flow. Losing 1 minute per act doesn't sound like much, but it makes a big difference.

Also, I noticed that a few of the characters sound different now. I know the principals are all still there, but they didn't sound the same. I think Lenny (white) was the one that was most noticeable. Maybe age is just catching up to the voice acting now.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on July 16, 2017, 12:26:22 AM
Well Barto I'm back watching season 4. I finished season 27, effectively watching the entire series.
Watching season 4 again I recognize what you miss about the show from the early days, I've always claimed here that it remained enjoyable to me throughout and still feel that way, but I gotta admit it was more clever back then. Season post-10 still make me laugh but by different means than the earlier stuff.
Watching season 4 reminds me of how funny Barney was! And on the other hand, Nelson, who's on my top 5 Simpsons characters, was not at all funny back then.
Milhouse is comedy gold forever and always.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on July 16, 2017, 05:10:47 PM
When you watched it happen in realtime the change was gradual enough that you didn't really notice. It's like losing your eyesight. The good episodes become fewer and further between and before too long entire seasons started to suck. When you jump backward or forward it becomes quite stark. I predominantly watch 3-7, so episodes from the latter seasons really stick out. You're seeing the same thing from the other direction.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Progmetty on July 21, 2017, 10:34:22 AM
That's so true :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ronnibran on July 24, 2017, 08:09:44 PM
My personal favorite season is 8.  Many of my top ten episodes are on there:  the Springfield Files (X-files spoof), the chili cook-off episode, the Hank Scorpio/Globex Corp episode,  My Sister My Sitter (I still quote that one all the time, every night when I say I'm going to "bread").  And a few more top 25 episodes.  Seasons 7-9 is what I consider my personal golden era season-wise.  Seasons 1-6 are good too.  After nine they started to drop off in quality (just my opinion of course)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on July 25, 2017, 10:56:11 AM
The golden era for me is seasons 6-10. The real decline is after 12 or 13
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Phoenix87x on April 01, 2018, 03:11:00 PM
To this day, this might be my single favorite simpsons moment.

(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/6/63/2399083762_1fb2bb9596.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20081231053128)

I remember the first time I saw it, I was just on the floor laughing. It this serious moment and then just out of nowhere, but yet its so in character for Mulder.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on April 01, 2018, 03:27:37 PM
To this day, this might be my single favorite simpsons moment.

(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/6/63/2399083762_1fb2bb9596.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20081231053128)

I remember the first time I saw it, I was just on the floor laughing. It this serious moment and then just out of nowhere, but yet its so in character for Mulder.

They say something pretty funny about that scene in the episode commentary. I'll have to dig it up and listen to it. Been a bit since I listened to that commentary.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Phoenix87x on October 28, 2018, 07:50:24 AM
Apu is being removed

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/apu-leaving-simpsons-racial-controversy-adi-shankar-matt-groening-a8604156.html

"Apu 'to be axed' from The Simpsons following racial controversy"
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: ReaperKK on October 28, 2018, 10:02:09 AM
I saw that earlier, while there were a lot of jokes at his expense I don't think it's any more offensive than stuff they've done to other characters and far less offense than what other shows like Family Guy are.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on October 28, 2018, 10:17:07 AM
.....30 years on the air and NOW it’s a problem?? Come on
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 28, 2018, 01:44:00 PM
Thats just nonsense. Other shows are way worse with it.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: kaos2900 on October 29, 2018, 11:52:42 AM
Apu is being removed

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/apu-leaving-simpsons-racial-controversy-adi-shankar-matt-groening-a8604156.html

"Apu 'to be axed' from The Simpsons following racial controversy"

If I didn't quit watching the show 15 years ago this would have made me quit. Joke.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on October 29, 2018, 01:50:21 PM
The funny part is that the guy who made the stink to begin with thinks they're even worse for getting rid of him. Really not sure of what he wanted. Presumably it was for them to stop treating him like an Indian stereotype, but what's funny about that? Does he want the show to stop being a comedy (in which case he's 20 years too late).
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: KevShmev on October 30, 2018, 08:27:00 PM
Does everyone else imagine Apu saying it in your head every single time you put gas in your car and the reader says 'thank you come again' after you're done and putting the nozzle back?
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: jammindude on October 30, 2018, 11:24:51 PM
Ok....so now he's NOT getting the ax after all???

https://www.thedailybeast.com/no-apu-wont-be-axed-from-the-simpsons-says-senior-writer?fbclid=IwAR0I8WK47IremsodD-xj3SaxZgUvnPkZn7McFo8356_ndz3UQGmGMyHsUwo
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Chino on November 12, 2018, 10:28:49 AM
Saw this painting on Reddit. Thought it was pretty cool.

(https://preview.redd.it/ggjdtnfe9tx11.jpg?width=720&auto=webp&s=d96adbd7e6fc01801447c486c8c1e0d9d8f9c26f)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Ben_Jamin on November 12, 2018, 11:01:10 AM
Its like he painted the Rick and Morty crossover intro. Thats cool though.
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: El Barto on July 25, 2021, 11:36:58 AM
Marge: Come on, Homer. Japan will be fun! You liked Rashomon.
Homer: That's not how I remember it!

Only took me 22 years to get the joke.  :lol
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Stadler on July 25, 2021, 01:18:54 PM
Marge: Come on, Homer. Japan will be fun! You liked Rashomon.
Homer: That's not how I remember it!

Only took me 22 years to get the joke.  :lol

Just to double-check you, how are YOU interpreting that?   :) :)
Title: Re: The Simpsons
Post by: Cool Chris on July 25, 2021, 03:01:24 PM
Marge: Come on, Homer. Japan will be fun! You liked Rashomon.
Homer: That's not how I remember it!

Only took me 22 years to get the joke.  :lol

Not following this thread but saw it in the "Recent Posts" and got a chuckle.