The Simpsons

[Gizmo]

because every tv forum should include this, if only for prosperity sake.

[MadMan]

It has to be the only show I love that is still on the air yet I refuse to watch new episodes of it. I saw the 400th episode and while it was funny in some parts it showed that the show is a pale shadow of its former greatness. I do want to see the movie though.

[Kurosawa Fan]

And yet the movie was consistently funny. It makes you wonder if they just don't care as much anymore.

[Rowland]

And yet the movie was consistently funny.

Too bad the movie still isn't as funny or genuinely charming as the top 100 episodes (by my scientific estimation).

[Kurosawa Fan]

Too bad the movie still isn't as funny or genuinely charming as the top 100 episodes (by my scientific estimation).

That's probably true, but it was still very entertaining, something the last 8 years of Simpsons episodes couldn't even pull off.

[Eleven]

I haven't watched a whole episode in maybe a year or so, and last week I randomly decide to flip on one of the reruns. It was "Last Exit to Springfield." Damn if I didn't fall in love all over again.

[Gizmo]

I haven't even watched a new episode in a couple years... well one here and there, but nothing consistant. The movie was very good, though, so they've still got it, maybe they just need more than 20 minutes to work with. we need a shrugging smiley.

[Mysterious Dude]

I used to watch reruns of this show constantly. When it became terrible, I had to force myself to stop watching it, it was such a habit.

[number8]

And yet the movie was consistently funny. It makes you wonder if they just don't care as much anymore.

Well they brought back the show's best writers for the movie (save for Conan and that bitter dude who left). I suppose it's just a simple case of the current writers being unfunny.

[Rowland]

Well they brought back the show's best writers for the movie (save for Conan and that bitter dude who left). I suppose it's just a simple case of the current writers being unfunny.

Some of the show's best writers have written terrible episodes over the last decade. I'd say it's simply a matter of diminishing inspiration.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Some of the show's best writers have written terrible episodes over the last decade. I'd say it's simply a matter of diminishing inspiration.

I'm in total agreement. It seems they were inspired by the chance to finally make a movie, and in turn it was far above any of their recent output in terms of quality. With the show, it's like they know that kids will tune in no matter what they do, so all they do is brainstorm jokes for Homer and then build an episode around it.

[MadMan]

I'm in total agreement. It seems they were inspired by the chance to finally make a movie, and in turn it was far above any of their recent output in terms of quality. With the show, it's like they know that kids will tune in no matter what they do, so all they do is brainstorm jokes for Homer and then build an episode around it.

Another reason why comedy shows should not last longer thean 10 seasons. Hell I think most shows should last that long at the very most. I would have been actually happy if they had ended 24 after Season 4, I'm glad that they're ending Lost after Season 5 (I think), and I approve of The Sopranos ending after Season 6. There are some expections though of course.

[kamran]

The latest "Treehouse of Horror" episode wasn't half-bad; it wasn't really horror-themed at all (a Mr. and Mrs. Smith parody?... now?) but had some decent moments.

[number8]

I always find it amusing how shows like Family Guy and Simpsons try to do current events and the latest pop culture jabs, but because of the animation process they're about a year behind. South Park really ruined it for everybody.

But man, it wasn't funny at all except for the Marge opening. The ET parody was uber lame, and they totally fucked up the last segment. A Hell House parody with Flanders could be some truly inspiring stuff, but it had no bite whatsoever. It's like they don't even know what satire is anymore.

[Henry Gale]

Last night's was a great example of what's wrong with the new episodes and how so many of them end up structurally. They usually start off fairly enjoyable with a pretty good story set up, they then have a few inspired but random gags and find a way of bringing in a few celebrity voices too. But then something seemingly insignificant happens and that ends up spinning the episode into a whole new (and worse) direction with only a couple more inspired moments after that. Then it later on ends abruptly with a call back joke or two to the first 5 minutes of the episode and then the credits roll.

I've seen this happen too many times in recent seasons. They should have just seen if Jack Black or Alan Moore wanted to write the episode themselves rather than just have them come in for an hour to do voice work. They probably know the better than the current writers what used to make the show great.

[ledfloyd]

Another reason why comedy shows should not last longer thean 10 seasons. Hell I think most shows should last that long at the very most. I would have been actually happy if they had ended 24 after Season 4, I'm glad that they're ending Lost after Season 5 (I think), and I approve of The Sopranos ending after Season 6. There are some expections though of course.

good call, if simpsons had ended after season 10 it would've been the best show in the history of existence.

[number8]

You know, what the fuck? They had a great set up with the comic book store guy losing his store to Jack Black's cooler store, and then they did absolutely nothing and abruptly switched storyline with a retarded Homer gets plastic surgery plot.

This show is so fucking stupid it doesn't even know when it has a good idea anymore.

[Henry Gale]

You know, what the fuck? They had a great set up with the comic book store guy losing his store to Jack Black's cooler store, and then they did absolutely nothing and abruptly switched storyline with a retarded Homer gets plastic surgery plot.

This show is so fucking stupid it doesn't even know when it has a good idea anymore.

It's like they entirely wung it or something and at the end they went "Oh jeez, we had like a comic store thing at the beginning right? Well... let's put the graphic novel guys in there again. Awesome!"

Started off solid, then became a second rate rehash of an 8-year-old Family Guy episode. It's like the two shows' roles have reversed!

[lovejuice]

i want a recommendation. which season is the definitive best ever?

[Watashi]

i want a recommendation. which season is the definitive best ever?

4

[lovejuice]

4

that is wonderful!
so, what's the second best?

[transmogrifier]

i want a recommendation. which season is the definitive best ever?

Take two dice.
Roll them

If you get snake eyes, roll again.
If you get 9 or more, roll again.

Otherwise, you're golden.

[Watashi]

Take two dice.
Roll them

If you get snake eyes, roll again.
If you get 9 or more, roll again.

Otherwise, you're golden.

Season 2 is one of the best seasons, you dolt.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Season 2 is one of the best seasons, you dolt.

Nope. His method is sound.

[Watashi]

Nope. His method is sound.

Any season that has the following:

Simpson and Delilah
Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
The Way We Was
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
Brush with Greatness
Lisa's Substitute (which is Top 3 material)
Three Men and a Comic Book

Is not a season to be skipped on. The rest of the episodes are good to great also, but the ones above are 4 star episodes.