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The Simpsons desperately deserves cancellation

Abstract:
About four years ago, the first "cancel The Simpsons opinion articles were released onto online periodicals. Of course, at the time, I scoffed. That's not possible; this show is spectacular. I grew up with this show, quoting the lines from the previous night with such love and fervor, to a point where it became annoying....

  • Displaying 1 - 26 of 26

karen_a_lore

posted 11/12/04 @ 1:14 PM EST

I would like to comment on the article that claims the simpsons should be cancelled. One of the things that apparently bothers the author of that article is that the jokes made on current affairs aren't current...i guess he doesn't take in consideration the many people in other nations besides then US that watch the show...jokes on current affairs are never current to them. Besides, take the american election...it happened on the 2nd of november...if their new season comes out the 7th you can hardly expect them to immediately make an episode on that...they need a couple of episodes ready to start a season, so the american election is bound to have to wait. He also said that Harry Shearer himself isn't happy about the role he plays in it. Then why did he fight so hard for the pay raise? Besides, since i've been told dan castallanetta helps write, one would think harry shearer could do the same thing in order to make him feel more at ease with his part in the show. I'm not going to say don't like it then don't watch it. It's an argument that indeed doesn't defend the show, but on the other hand it's an argument to stop you complaining. However, I kind of like the way the simpsons have been going. The episode where Marge had her breast enlargement was very funny, to just name one. And there are loads of funny episodes in season 15, so i'm sure it will be funny in season 16 as well. I think the biggest problem is not the Simpsons becoming less funny, I think the problem is that 16 seasons have passed and that in that time the people watching the show have changed, and maybe their perception of what's funny hasn't evolved in the same way as that of the writers. I like the fact that the plots are no longer just about the simpsons family. I still laugh myself silly with each new episode, but I've only been watching the Simpsons for 6 years, because it's only been shown for about 6 years in Belgium, compared to people who've been watching it 16 years. I think people need to realise that 16 years is a long time, everyone involved in the show changes, and they can't change in the same way as their 17 million viewers(the amount of viewers that watched the season premiere in 2002). The author mentioned he still laughs with an older seasons...personally i grow tired of the older seasons already because they've been shown so often that seeing a new episode is a relief. It is your own right if you don't find the Simpsons as funny as you used to, but really...after 16 years could you blame them for changing? I'm sorry if they didn't manage to change in a way that would deserve your approval. But I, who have only know the Simpsons for 6 years, would love to see new material, to learn more about the other characters in the show, to see new plots, or even old plots rewritten to see in which way it has been rewritten. And that's all I have to say about that.(yes i know a forrest gump quote is out of place here...maybe a "and that's the end of that chapter" would be better, hihi.)

margesimpsonfan

posted 11/12/04 @ 8:22 PM EST

NO!!!!! It doesn't!!! That's what you think JERK!!!!
The Simpsons are the best!!!! That was not nice of you!!!!

tera!

margesimpsonfan

posted 11/12/04 @ 8:27 PM EST

NO IT DOESN'T!!!!! The Simpsons is the best show in the world!!!! I know that's what you think!! if the author of the simpsons thought that I would of been off air along time ago!! so there!!!!

markjones

posted 11/13/04 @ 2:06 AM EST

Sorry, you're wrong. Please die.

karen_a_lore

posted 11/13/04 @ 9:40 AM EST

I would like to comment on the article that claims the simpsons should be cancelled. One of the things that apparenlty bothers the author of that article is that the jokes made on current affairs aren't current...i guess he doesn't take in consideration the many people in other antions besides then US that watch the show...jokes on current affairs are never current to them. He also said that Harry Shearer himself isn't happy about the role he plays in it. Then Why did he fight so hard for the pay raise? Besides, since i've been told dan castallanetta helps write, one would think harry shearer could do the same thing in order to make him feel more at ease with his part in the show. I'm not going to say don't like it then don't watch it. It's an argument that indeed doesn't defend the show, but on the other hand it's an argument to stop you complaining. However, I kind of like the way the simpsons have been going. The episode where Marge had her breast enlargement was very funny. And there are loads of funny episodes in season 15, so i'm sure it will be funny in season 16 as well. I think the biggest problem is not the Simpsons becoming less funny, I think the problem is that 16 seasons have passed and that in that time the people watching the show have changed, and maybe their perception of what's funny hasn't evolved in teh same way as that of the writers. I like the fact that the plots are no longer just about the simpsons family. I still laugh myself silly with each new episode, but I've only been watching the Simpsons for 6 years, compared to people who've been watching it 16 years. I think people need to realise that 16 years is a long time, everyone involved in the show changes, and they can't change in the same way as their 17 million viewers. It is your own right if you don't find the Simpsons as funny as you used to, but really...after 16 years could you blame them for changing? I'm sorry if they didn't manage to change in a way that would deserve your approval.

personally i think most people think the show has been getting worse just because other shows have started coming out with the same kind of stuff. Other shows have appeared that have the same edge as the simpsons, making the simpsons less edgy...therefore it stands out less. True, family guys and futurama were very funny in their own way, but because each of tehm are so different i think it's unfair to compare the three...like lovemonkey said they cater to different tastes, and because they do, it makes it in my eyes hard to compare them. I think they're all funny, but somehow simpsons struck my fancy more than the other shows, but maybe because the other shows only ran for about a year or 2 each on Belgian TV. I think i never really got the chance to fully appreciate them.
I still think the Simspons are one of the funniest shows around, and therefore i don't mind that they keep going on

maemikemae

posted 11/18/04 @ 5:18 PM EST

I know the simpsons isn't nearly as good as it used to be but you shouldn't base that on the treehouse of horror eppisodes. Those have been terrible ever since they began, in the second season. Some of them were o. k. (at least parts of them) but none of them match the humor of what the show was or even of what the show has become.

maemikemae

posted 11/18/04 @ 5:22 PM EST

Also, most audiences who watch shows like that don't care as much about the quality and character development, which FOX has shown by bringing back Family Guy instead of Futurama because it got better re-run ratings and more dvd sales.

tlebret30

posted 11/28/04 @ 6:00 PM EST

Well i grew up with the simpsons,31 yrs of age been watching them from the start & still to this day i never get tired of the simpsons weather it is a older or current show. My kids also love the simpsons. My 2 yr old when i yell the simpsons he comes a running yelling simpsons, simpsons! I hope they keep them going for as long as they can so that every one can enjoy the simpsons. And when you think about it people that are tired of watching them you can always change the channel..Peace

peinh002

posted 7/01/05 @ 1:55 PM EST

While the author of this piece serves some valid food for thought, I would like to hear his musings on how well the Tracy Ullman Show "Simpsons shorts" stack up against any of the recent episodes. Any self respecting Simpsons purest would agree that it took a steady evolution to perfect the craft of generating a show so powerful that it is a ubiquitous mainstay in the socialization of American culture. The show is not morphing into a far-fetched low brow spectacle. It has, in fact, always utilized suspension of disbelief as an effective, satirical comedy device. The show exponentially gains popularity by serving as a release from the drudgery of the "working man's blues." It is still so ingrained in our way of life that more and universities are featuring it in the classroom. The brilliance of the Simpsons lies in its multilayered comedy. The contemplative view is always best from the top level. Join me, won't you?

billyjoejimbob

posted 12/28/05 @ 12:54 AM EST

Right on! There isn't much in this article I would disagree with. I don't hate the Simpsons, in fact I love most of the episodes through season 6, but I can't think of a single episode made since 1998 that I would ever have the desire to see again. If you've never watched the older episodes do yourself a favor and go watch episodes like "Bart of Darkness", "The Cartridge Family", "Lisa on Ice", and "King Size Homer" and then see if you have the same opinion of the newer episodes.

werty

posted 1/02/06 @ 11:04 AM EST

you are wrong. i love the simpsons and i know this is a bias account but children everywhere depend on it. im 13 ive seen every episode 10 times or over and have over 300 bits of simpson murchandise but everyone i know or dont know loves it to. just because its a bit silly it dosnt mean it has to be cancelled. i mean look at family guy. come on the baby is an evil genious and the dog can talk! or futurama the future with pepper being illegal and the robot devil or life on mars! tv shows need to be funny or silly especially if there a comedy! what category is the simpsons hmmm! horror. is it a soap oprah! no! its a comedy and it needs to stay that way! this account may be a bit biast but so is yours! just beacause you grew out of it it dosnt mean that everybody else does! we choose to like what we want. you cant just say to the writers stop it all now beacase you have a opinion! you can ask them to cancel the simpsons but you'll have to ask me and all the other fans out there as well! i know someone whos first word was homer. do you want to take that happiness from her. do you! so stop writing these complaints and just bother someone else! oh and werty isnt my name or anything i made up this account to argue with you! my real name is matthew.j so if you want to argue argue with my real name!

posted 5/12/06 @ 11:44 AM EST

YOU ARE ALL WRONG IF YOU WANT THE SIMPSONS OFF THE AIR ITS THE BEST SHOW EVER I AM A SIMPSONS FREAK IF YOU TAKE THE SHOW OFF THE AIR ALOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE MEGA PISSED AND YOU ALL WILL HAVE ALOT OF HATE MAIL I KNOW I WOULD BE ONE OF THEM!!! THE SIMPSONS RULE KEEP THEM ON AIR!!! DONT BE LOSERS LEAVE THE SHOW TO THE PRODUCERS AND ITS NETWORK!!

posted 5/24/06 @ 2:38 PM EST

Right. I still remeber, almost six years ago, with a brother watching the simpsons when I've told him "Homer has became more stupid year after year". From there, thats exacly what happen. Homer had became a real child. Bart is just a bad-boy. Lisa knows everything about anything and do all that can be correct in the world. The sideshow characters had gone. Where's Moe, Barney, Skinner, Burns, Smithers, Wiggum, Flanders, Comic Book Guy, Lovejoy, Quimby, Patty and Selma? This people used to make part of the episodes. They used do made part of the plots. Todays, they appareance is just casual, to say one or two lines senseless. But there are a LOT of guest stars. If we compare the last season with some old and good season we can't believe that's the same show. The simpsons has died, a long time. Besides, the serie has turn too political. Before, the characters was controversial and polemic. Today they are just good people. To the fans, the only joy is to buy the DVD-sets that are being released. Sorry by the bad english, everbody, it's not my firts language.

chicita

posted 11/22/06 @ 5:45 AM EST

You Sad indivual, hell your crazy dont doubt such things, the show rocks and Futurama may never take over it, it couldn't even compete in comparison this show I too have grown up with and still adore so stop critizing it and I couldn't give a damn about football its rubbish anyway.

J

posted 3/29/07 @ 1:23 AM EST

I agree with the writer. How can ANYONE say that the show is "as good as ever"? A friend of mine once said, "'The Simpsons' is life." What he meant was that it was a satire, a commentary on the life of an everyday family--an idea that the author echoes when he argues that the show began as an animated sitcom. Now, the show is anything BUT life: Homer producing the Superbowl half-time show? Please! The show has become, or is desperately trying to become, "Family Guy," throwing purely absurdist humor at us, all the while hoping we'll laugh. What's more, the show has made a huge mistake by focusing mostly on Homer. As much as he's liked, he certainly is NOT the funniest character and he doesn't have the ability to carry the show on his own. In the final analysis, I agree: cancel it before it becomes worse.

cmk

posted 5/08/07 @ 2:34 PM EST

Please for the love of god, put that show out of its misery

THE OLD GRAY MARE JUST AINT WHAT SHE USED TO BE

P. M.

posted 8/07/07 @ 6:58 PM EST

19 yrs man.....let it go....let it go.....

copo

posted 2/14/08 @ 11:33 AM EST

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Abdula

posted 2/14/08 @ 5:24 PM EST

fuck all of u fucks that want to cancel the simpsons...u will all burn in hell.


thanks for your time, Abdula

Mark Donnelly

posted 6/01/08 @ 8:15 PM EST

The writer of this article is completely right in what he is saying. No show had ever gripped me like the Simpsons, I was totally obsessed by it, yet now i cannot stand it. It is actually painful to watch new episodes of the simpsons as the storylines are beyond outrageous, and the characters that we all know and love have become annoying, characitures of themselves. It bugs me when people say to me "you are not a fan if you badmouth them", HOLD ON! if you are a true fan of the simpsons then it is infact your obligation to despise the current garbage that they are churning out. It was the most wonderful, intelligent and relevant show on television and the likes of series 4,5 and 6 in particular are in my opinion as high a standard of comedy that there has ever been on television, but now...
where are the quality political jokes?
where are the hilariously accurate religious jibes?
the whole things breaks my heart!
To anyone who has continued to watch new episodes of the simpsons like the one where they get the tennis court, or the one where bart is in a bubble or something daft like that, STOP!! think about the brilliance that came before it like when marge is in a streetcar named desire only its a musical!lol! or the one where homer decides to not attend church anymore!! just two personal favourites there.
when i see the simpsons is on t.v i pray that its a classic episode, yet more and more these days its just another rubbish new episode. and to think, i almost used to pass out with excitement before seeing a new episode.....CANCEL THE SHOW

Chris Wilson

posted 6/12/08 @ 6:53 AM EST

This article is four years old... It was right then and it's right now.

Please let the Simpsons die. and..if at all possible, please erase all the episodes after season 9 from the memory of the universe.

~Current Southpark and American Dad are both funnier than cureent Simpsons episodes. Futurama was far better than the Simpsons when they ran at the same time. Same for the first 3 Seasons of family guy.

Connor

posted 4/29/09 @ 6:55 AM EST

I'd like to comment on the Simpsons being cancelled and share that i whole heartedly agree with everything said in it.
Please let it be canceled, its been years since people realised it was destroyed.

Sean

posted 7/12/09 @ 1:55 PM EST

Oh dear god it's '09 now. When will it end!?!?!

Ricahrd wicks

posted 7/19/09 @ 3:08 AM EST

When I was in college, I remember an episode where the Simpsons made fun of the cutting of Federal educational funding with principle Valiant, and a bus seat collapsing into the road while on a field trip.

That was an obscure joke, that you could only truly get if you were following the current events at the time, and were keeping up with bills going through congress.

I nearly died laughing.

Or remember Homer Cubed were he comments that just standing there doing nothing was costing a fortune? Well, it was, CGI animation was extremely expensive at the time, and only an engineer like me that knew what sort of effort and cost was involved to do 3d at the time would get that joke.

The show died years ago to me. It doesn't cover current events, and only the most mundane obvious jokes are there. It used to be a very thought provoking show that had 2 levels to it - one that just a standard person could enjoy, and one a well educated nerd could *really* enjoy.

We're at Alien vs Predator now.

But - Who knows what sort of adventures they'll have between now and when the show becomes unprofitable?

mike

posted 7/30/09 @ 4:09 PM EST

the simpsons has turned into trash TV. the episodes made in the 90s were absolutely hilarious and as far as i can remember, it is still the only show that makes me laugh out loud for minutes without any one else in the room. the writers have gotten lazy. the show has gotten preachy and political (not subversively political but "bash you over the head with a liberal stick" political). its annoying when you can see exactly where a joke is going and seconds before, you say to yourself "they aren't really going to do that..." ...and then exactly what you thought. it seems like in order to reach a broader audience, they dumbed their humor down. i miss the wit. i miss the simplicity. i miss the ridiculous quotes. "Uh, no, you got the wrong number. This is 9-1... 2." and "My Homer is not a communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a communist, but he is not a porn star."

As long as the simpsons is making money, there's no way they'll take it off the air. sorry guys.

thesufferingpariah

posted 9/07/09 @ 11:22 AM EST

I agree with every single word. Don't let the mouth breathers that comprise the first handful of comments get you down. (Granted I read the article 2 years ago, agreed, and have been coming back to read it every few months for passing fancies. Finally decided to comment.)
  • Displaying 1 - 26 of 26

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