NationStates Jolt Archive


The Simpsons is the best show ever

Nationalian
15-12-2006, 22:15
It's smart and really funny at the same time unlike many other shows. Its been on for so many years and and its still going strong. I think that everybody can watch it, children and adults. I know me, when I was really young I liked it because of the funny jokes but when I grew older I started to understand the meaning of the jokes and that made the show even better.

So what do you think of the Simpsons?
Cabra West
15-12-2006, 22:16
Used to be funny, but it's getting boring lately.
The Metal Horde
15-12-2006, 22:17
Used to be funny, but it's getting boring lately.

I agree, although it doesn't mean I won't watch it.
Maineiacs
15-12-2006, 22:18
They've done some great stuff over the years, but they've kind of "jumped the shark" now.
Morganatron
15-12-2006, 22:18
Yes, it's getting a bit old now, sadly. I just watched the first season on DVD and those episodes were really something. Now it's just old hat.
Sanakanatia
15-12-2006, 22:23
I disagree with the "still going strong" bit. For me, the Simpsons just ceased being funny at least 3-4 years ago.
Seraosha
15-12-2006, 22:28
Aye, they should just put the Simpsons out of it's misery and cancel it.
Lacadaemon
15-12-2006, 22:29
It was mildly amusing fifteen years ago. It's well past its sell by date now.
Nationalian
15-12-2006, 22:30
I've never really understood which season I'm watching because it's on the whole time and I just watch random episodes of it. Ive watched most of the episodes moore times but I still find them funny.
UnHoly Smite
15-12-2006, 22:30
The writers ran out of Ideas so they are using it as their Far Left Mouth Piece. Just chop its head off and cancel it.
Sumamba Buwhan
15-12-2006, 22:43
yeah I still find it funny and am happy that they continue to make great social satire.

I had recently seen The Simpsons refer to The Family Guy as plagarism and I didnt get it for a while and then I understood after some thought.

The Family Guy makes endless references to pop culture by duplicating them in cartoon form. Half of each show seems to just be Family Guyish representations of some show or song from popular cultures past or present. This I think is what the Simpsons meant by that.

The Simpsons, I think, makes it a point to try to parody pop culture instead. And while I think that is thats what they were saying in the Simpsons and somewhat agree, I still love Family guy and feel that they are still quite original - plus they keep me laughing thru entire episodes. I am still more of a Simpson fan.
Soviestan
15-12-2006, 22:51
They are making a movie out of it. Its failing or has already failed.
The Judas Panda
15-12-2006, 22:56
people have been wanting a simpsons movie for years I'm guessing they're finally doing it for one of three reasons 1 they have a good enough idea, 2 groening's doing it as an if i do this i get to do this thing, 3 they're planning on wrapping it up and the movies part of the plans.
Nationalian
15-12-2006, 23:04
They are making a movie out of it. Its failing or has already failed.

I don't think anyone can say that The Simpsons has failed, It's still one of the greatest successes on TV ever. Even if they close it people will still continue to watch it years after it's gone.
Utracia
15-12-2006, 23:30
I agree that the show isn't as good as it used to be but to recommend cancelling it? I think not. Even after it has been around for so long it still manages to pull out some very clever stuff.
Arinola
15-12-2006, 23:33
It died a little while ago.It's far too tame-it tries desperately not to affend anyone as so not to get sued or anything.Just isn't daring enough-used to be funny,but it's gone on too long now,and should probably be cancelled.
Bring back Futurama!
The Judas Panda
15-12-2006, 23:39
Aren't we getting a short run of futurama next year? or is it 2008.
Potarius
15-12-2006, 23:46
yeah I still find it funny and am happy that they continue to make great social satire.

I had recently seen The Simpsons refer to The Family Guy as plagarism and I didnt get it for a while and then I understood after some thought.

The Family Guy makes endless references to pop culture by duplicating them in cartoon form. Half of each show seems to just be Family Guyish representations of some show or song from popular cultures past or present. This I think is what the Simpsons meant by that.

The Simpsons, I think, makes it a point to try to parody pop culture instead. And while I think that is thats what they were saying in the Simpsons and somewhat agree, I still love Family guy and feel that they are still quite original - plus they keep me laughing thru entire episodes. I am still more of a Simpson fan.

No, their current crop of jerkoff writers call it "plagiarism" simply because it's a husband, a wife, a son, and a daughter who live in a two-story house. And, that the husband has a brain that is literally as powerful as a hearing aid battery.

But then, if we're going to play the plagiarism card, we can just come right out and say that pretty much every prime time TV comedy has been a plagiarism of I Love Lucy. Because, as we all know, there's no such thing as influence when a group of people are pissed off about a show that took after them happens to be much more popular (and far better, since The Simpsons hasn't been worth shit since 2001).

And keep in mind that The Simpsons' crew also called American Dad "plagiarism of plagiarism" in one specific episode. There's really not much more I can say about this thing other than it's a case of proverbial penis envy and total jealousy.
New Domici
15-12-2006, 23:50
The writers ran out of Ideas so they are using it as their Far Left Mouth Piece. Just chop its head off and cancel it.

Really? I think I've missed every episode that praises Chairman Mao, talks about how Stalin was misunderstood, or proposes the abolition of private property. And that's wierd, because I watch it almost every week. I guess I have to look a little harder for the far left propaganda. Or by far do you mean as viewed from where the Plutocrats live?
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:00
No, their current crop of jerkoff writers call it "plagiarism" simply because it's a husband, a wife, a son, and a daughter who live in a two-story house. And, that the husband has a brain that is literally as powerful as a hearing aid battery.

But then, if we're going to play the plagiarism card, we can just come right out and say that pretty much every prime time TV comedy has been a plagiarism of I Love Lucy. Because, as we all know, there's no such thing as influence when a group of people are pissed off about a show that took after them happens to be much more popular (and far better, since The Simpsons hasn't been worth shit since 2001).

And keep in mind that The Simpsons' crew also called American Dad "plagiarism of plagiarism" in one specific episode. There's really not much more I can say about this thing other than it's a case of proverbial penis envy and total jealousy.

Yikes... a bit hostile are we?

Do you have a link to where the Simpsons writers explains their position on this? I think my explanation sounds a lot more plausible. But then again I never heard of the 'plagarism of plagarism' thing, which would make my idea of what they meant completely wrong obviously.

The pop culture references in Family Guy do get tiresome though. At least to me. I'd rather they stick with the funny and stop recreating exact copies of other shows but just with their characters. I know they have good imaginations, so they should try to use them a bit more and stop with the tired fluff that they continue to put in there.

At least The Simpsons can parody something and add a lot of their own flavor to that parody. Plus The Simpsons are still very good ad social satire and continue to make valid points in clever ways
Potarius
16-12-2006, 00:06
Yikes... a bit hostile are we?

Do you have a link to where the Simpsons writers explains their position on this? I think my explanation sounds a lot more plausible. But then again I never heard of the 'plagarism of plagarism' thing, which would make my idea of what they meant completely wrong obviously.

The pop culture references in Family Guy do get tiresome though. At least to me. I'd rather they stick with the funny and stop recreating exact copies of other shows but just with their characters. I know they have good imaginations, so they should try to use them a bit more and stop with the tired fluff that they continue to put in there.

At least The Simpsons can parody something and add a lot of their own flavor to that parody. Plus The Simpsons are still very good ad social satire and continue to make valid points in clever ways

1: It was the episode where they went to Italy, and found Sideshow Bob in a small hill town. If you come across the episode, you'll see it. Oh, you'll see it very clearly.

2: They've been gradually killing off a lot of the referencing. In the most recent episodes, there really aren't many flashbacks, and the stories are a lot better-written.

3: This is true, however, a minute or two of gold in the new episodes doesn't make up for the rest of the twenty-odd minutes being downright terrible.
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:17
1: It was the episode where they went to Italy, and found Sideshow Bob in a small hill town. If you come across the episode, you'll see it. Oh, you'll see it very clearly.

2: They've been gradually killing off a lot of the referencing. In the most recent episodes, there really aren't many flashbacks, and the stories are a lot better-written.

3: This is true, however, a minute or two of gold in the new episodes doesn't make up for the rest of the twenty-odd minutes being downright terrible.

1. Hmmm I must have missed that part of that episode. I'll pay closer attention next time.

2. I haven't noticed that either. I hope you are right but even if they dont I will continue to watch and laugh.

3. I wouldnt say that. I still enjoy The Simpsons quite a bit and dont find it as horrible as you seem too. They may take longer to set up the viewer for laughs but I think their jokes have more quality to them than the randomness that comes from Family Guy which may have more laughs per episode but are less relevant to the point of the episode (if there is even a point to the episode). Don't get me wrong though... I love The Family Guy and their random wierdness too.
Utracia
16-12-2006, 00:27
1. Hmmm I must have missed that part of that episode. I'll pay closer attention next time.

2. I haven't noticed that either. I hope you are right but even if they dont I will continue to watch and laugh.

3. I wouldnt say that. I still enjoy The Simpsons quite a bit and dont find it as horrible as you seem too. They may take longer to set up the viewer for laughs but I think their jokes have more quality to them than the randomness that comes from Family Guy which may have more laughs per episode but are less relevant to the point of the episode (if there is even a point to the episode). Don't get me wrong though... I love The Family Guy and their random wierdness too.

I just wish the DVDs weren't so expensive. :(
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:29
I just wish the DVDs weren't so expensive. :(

agreed!

I'd own them all if they weren't but as it is I don't own a single season, while I do own every available Family Guy season as well as the Stewie movie.
Potarius
16-12-2006, 00:31
I wouldnt say that. I still enjoy The Simpsons quite a bit and dont find it as horrible as you seem too. They may take longer to set up the viewer for laughs but I think their jokes have more quality to them than the randomness that comes from Family Guy which may have more laughs per episode but are less relevant to the point of the episode (if there is even a point to the episode). Don't get me wrong though... I love The Family Guy and their random wierdness too.

It's not that the new episodes aren't funny (they usually are). It's just that the writing is on such a low level compared to, say, the writing of five years ago. It's less inventive, less subtle, and less dramatic. It's also lacking in any real character growth (I'm a fan of the episodes that showed Homer's childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood).
Commonalitarianism
16-12-2006, 00:31
Life In Hell his comic strip is far better by Matt Groening, he doesn't have to pander to a television audience. Also his books Love Is Hell and Work Is Hell are also better. They are quite funny with lots of adult content. Because the Simpsons is for such a mass audience, it loses much of its audience. I like Futurama far more than I like the Simpsons. It is kind of a gross joke censored for a television audience.
Utracia
16-12-2006, 00:43
agreed!

I'd own them all if they weren't but as it is I don't own a single season, while I do own every available Family Guy season as well as the Stewie movie.

You can find Simpsons episodes online though. Found a good site for that. Next best thing to having them on DVD. :)
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:47
It's not that the new episodes aren't funny (they usually are). It's just that the writing is on such a low level compared to, say, the writing of five years ago. It's less inventive, less subtle, and less dramatic. It's also lacking in any real character growth (I'm a fan of the episodes that showed Homer's childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood).

oh I see - to me personally the writing doesnt seem worse so much as it seems different. They seem to change course every couple of years and try a new style. I like the constant change though because otherwise I think I would find it to be too stale.

My favorite episodes I think are the smart Homer and medical marijuana episodes.
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:48
Life In Hell his comic strip is far better by Matt Groening, he doesn't have to pander to a television audience. Also his books Love Is Hell and Work Is Hell are also better. They are quite funny with lots of adult content. Because the Simpsons is for such a mass audience, it loses much of its audience. I like Futurama far more than I like the Simpsons. It is kind of a gross joke censored for a television audience.

Yeah I like Futurama more as well. I keep meaning to pick up those coomics for a read.
Sumamba Buwhan
16-12-2006, 00:53
You can find Simpsons episodes online though. Found a good site for that. Next best thing to having them on DVD. :)


Yes, long live the internets!
Utracia
16-12-2006, 00:53
My favorite episodes I think are the smart Homer and medical marijuana episodes.

*shakes head*

nah, when homer becomes the mayor of Springfield and also the garbage episode were simply awesome!
New Stalinberg
16-12-2006, 00:57
Simpsons used to be amazing. I still watch the re-runs.

The new episodes now are complete shit and the movie is going to be the end of it.
Mandrivia
23-12-2006, 06:13
They are making a movie out of it. Its failing or has already failed.

Let me guess..... You think that way because it goes against your precious Islam right?
Andaluciae
23-12-2006, 06:51
Used to be funny, but it's getting boring lately.

It's old. I'd say that Groening should kill it now, before it jumps the shark.
MrMopar
23-12-2006, 09:16
Used to be funny, but it's getting boring lately.
Disagree.
The Potato Factory
23-12-2006, 09:37
The Simpsons definitely isn't the best show ever. I'm thinking Seinfeld, although lots will disagree with that.
Imperial isa
23-12-2006, 10:22
i have not seen one new show of the Simpsons
No paradise
23-12-2006, 11:12
I still watch it but it does seemed to have peeked.
Hobos That Read
23-12-2006, 13:03
They are making a movie out of it. Its failing or has already failed.

Family Guy had a movie, its still in its early days compared to the Simpsons.

Also, Family Guy does balantly rip off the Simpsons at points. But on the other side its highly original.
Neu Leonstein
23-12-2006, 13:04
I watched a trailer for the movie a few days ago. And while Homer was stuck to a demolition ball and being smashed against a house, I realised.

They used to do satire, now they do slapstick!

I enjoy the early Simpsons (and the middle ones, I suppose) episodes because they are witty, they make smart comments on stuff and so on. The modern ones are a mix of slapstick and thinly disguised sexual innuendo, or in short: crap.

Futurama is where the Simpsons' spark has gone.

All of which doesn't mean that you can't do a bit of double entendres and slapstick well. Family Guy does it, for example. But there I laugh about it, with the Simpsons I just sigh and change the channel.
Potarius
23-12-2006, 13:12
All of which doesn't mean that you can't do a bit of double entendres and slapstick well. Family Guy does it, for example. But there I laugh about it, with the Simpsons I just sigh and change the channel.

It's nice that you're able to change the channel. It's not so easy for me, because I really want to see if they somehow improve at least SOMEWHERE in each respective episode, so I keep watching.

And I die a little inside after every successive episode...
Ollieland
23-12-2006, 13:14
The Simpsons definitely isn't the best show ever. I'm thinking Seinfeld, although lots will disagree with that.

No soup for you!!!
Dryks Legacy
23-12-2006, 13:20
Family Guy had a movie, its still in its early days compared to the Simpsons.

Also, Family Guy does balantly rip off the Simpsons at points. But on the other side its highly original.

After 350 or so episodes, it's hard to not rip them off at times. I think the reason the writers seem to be running out of ideas is because they can't think of anything that wouldn't be ripping themselves off.
Potarius
23-12-2006, 13:21
After 350 or so episodes, it's hard to not rip them off at times. I think the reason the writers seem to be running out of ideas is because they can't think of anything that wouldn't be ripping themselves off.

Or maybe, just maybe, it's because their writing staff is completely different than it was when the show was good, and that's the reason it's a terrible show now.

I mean, come on. The voiceovers in the credits every fifty episodes or so was a nice gimmick, but now they're doing it every fucking episode!
Mogtaria
23-12-2006, 13:21
Ahh The Simpsons, entertaining still but yes, tired, very tired. I remember the "Last Ever" Simpsons a couple of years back when the show intended to replace it was Futurama. But diehard fans kicked up such a fuss that The Simpsons is struggling to dodge the reaper and Futurama, which was a perfectly good show, got cancelled.

Thankfully I hear that Futurama's, now cult, following has inspired (Fox?) to resurrect it. There are no new jokes in the world. They've all been told many many times. All that changes is the setting and the people involved. Futurama is the ideal platform to run all the simpson gags over again and have them funny once more. Shame that wasn't realised earlier :).
Proggresica
23-12-2006, 14:33
Seasons two-nine is some of the best television ever made. Seasons one, ten and eleven are right up there. Twelve to the current season is absolute shit. There are some episodes like the tennis one which are among the worst things I've seen on TV.
Funky Beat Mk2
23-12-2006, 14:40
The new episodes are a bit of a shame; hopefully the legacy of seasons 2-9 won't be tarnished because of it.
Novus-America
23-12-2006, 23:04
Futurama is coming back on Comedy Central, I believe.
Clintville 2
23-12-2006, 23:19
The show isnt as good as it used to be, but I'll still watch the new episodes 'till it ends.
Clintville 2
23-12-2006, 23:20
Futurama is coming back on Comedy Central, I believe.

Yeah, it is, I cant wait, I hope it is still as good. It will be a good replacement once the Simpsons ends.
Potarius
24-12-2006, 01:38
Seasons two-nine is some of the best television ever made. Seasons one, ten and eleven are right up there. Twelve to the current season is absolute shit. There are some episodes like the tennis one which are among the worst things I've seen on TV.

Ugh. You mean the one with Venus and Serena Williams, right?

That one was so bad that I couldn't even bring myself to laugh at the terrible voice acting that was done by the guest stars. Now that is some sad shit.