The Simpsons - discussion

[backontrack]

The Simpsons is one of the greatest comedy shows of all time. Seriously. Those first eight seasons were that good.

Personally, I love 'Classic' Simpsons. After season 8 the show began its long decline (mainly due to characterisation issues, bad comedy writing and cringe-inducing celebrity cameos), but there are still a few great episodes a year.

I would say that Season 4 is The Simpsons' single-greatest season. It is almost perfectly balanced with all the elements that made the show great. There's the down to earth plotlines and jokes, mixed in with more surreal episodes and political commentary/satire. There's the bittersweet mingling of humour and heart that works so effectively. I particularly enjoy the emotional stories - one of, if not 'the' core reason(s) that people don't like new Simpsons is that in 1989 they created characters that we quickly grew to love, and the writing has changed them horribly (I could elaborate, but not right now).

Anyway, I'm interested to know people's opinion/view of The Simpsons, and your favourite/least favourite episodes, seasons, characters, and which ones you feel are particularly overrated/underrated.

 

[90sWereBetter]

Personally, my favourite episodes of The Simpsons are between Series 4 and Series 8. That five-series stretch is probably one of the greatest TV hot streaks in history. Cape Feare, Rosebud, Bart's Comet, Lemon of Troy, the Who Shot Mr Burns saga, King Sized Homer, You Only Move Twice, Hurricane Neddy, Homer Vs The Eighteenth Amendment and Homer's Enemy are episodes I could watch time and again, and never tire of them. Series 8 is probably my favourite series, given how many great episodes are in it.

The last brand new episode of The Simpsons I watched in full was "That 90's Show", which is probably the single worst episode of the entire show, given that it tears apart the accepted canon of The Simpsons and descends into self-parody so deep it makes Hampstead tube station seem shallow. I've seen assorted clips of the HD episodes, and they look awful.

 

[backontrack]

I agree with you there. I'd also say it's worth checking out Seasons 2 and 3 as well - some truly great ones there. Season 1 has a couple of good ones too.

I own the first eight seasons on DVD boxset. I don't really want to get the others; I do, however, have The Simpsons Movie, which is the show's real last hurrah.

 

[DaleCooper]

It's funny, everyone knows that comedy shows go downhill eventually and they can easily spot when it happens, everyone except TV executives that is.

 

[ainsworth74]

It's funny, everyone knows that comedy shows go downhill eventually and they can easily spot when it happens, everyone except TV executives that is.

However they're primarily motived by making money for their business and their shareholders so if people keep watching a show which has gone downhill then there isn't much reason for them to take it off the air.

 

[Strathclyder]

My personal high-point of the series is Seasons 3-8 (1991 - 1997). That was when the show was at it's absolute zenith, perfectly mixing gut-busting humor, terrific voice acting, realistic and superbly written scripts, pitch-perfect animation (fluid and organic, unlike the robotic and stiff offerings of today), celebs were sparingly used; often to good effect and oodles of heart.

It's nearly impossible to pick a single favorite season from this era. After much thought and consideration, Season 4 (very, very closely followed by Season 6) comes out on top. Nearly every single episode is a timeless classic. Particular faves from this season include:

• Homer the Heretic
• Treehouse of Horror III
• Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
• Marge Gets a Job
• Mr. Plow
• Homer's Triple Bypass
• Marge vs. the Monorail
• Brother from the Same Planet
• Duffless
• Last Exit to Springfield (one of my all-time favorite episodes of the series. Infinitely quotable.)
• So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show
• The Front
• Whacking Day
• Marge in Chains
• Krusty Gets Kancelled

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

I agree with the first poster entirely.
My favourite episode is the one with Flaming Moes.
Moe and Dr Nick are the best characters.
In current seasons, Lisa is very annoying and the stories are dumbed down with silly things happening too often to take it seriously.

 

[Trainfan344]

One of my favourite bits of Simpsons has to be Everybody Hates Ned Flanders...

 

[valenta]

As has been stated earlier, the show has been running for far too long now. The mark of a truly great comedy series is one which knows when to stop - Fawlty Towers being the ultimate example of this.

 

[backontrack]

My personal high-point of the series is Seasons 3-8 (1991 - 1997). That was when the show was at it's absolute zenith, perfectly mixing gut-busting humor, terrific voice acting, realistic and superbly written scripts, pitch-perfect animation (fluid and organic, unlike the robotic and stiff offerings of today), celebs were sparingly used; often to good effect and oodles of heart.

It's nearly impossible to pick a single favorite season from this era. After much thought and consideration, Season 4 (very, very closely followed by Season 6) comes out on top. Nearly every single episode is a timeless classic. Particular faves from this season include:

• Homer the Heretic
• Treehouse of Horror III
• Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
• Marge Gets a Job
• Mr. Plow
• Homer's Triple Bypass
• Marge vs. the Monorail
• Brother from the Same Planet
• Duffless
• Last Exit to Springfield (one of my all-time favorite episodes of the series. Infinitely quotable.)
• So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show
• The Front
• Whacking Day
• Marge in Chains
• Krusty Gets Kancelled

I agree with everything you've said here; however, Season 2, whilst not being as good as the 'Golden Age' you've posted above, also contains some absolutely brilliant shows (Lisa's Substitute is one of the best ever). I will touch on this when I write my upcoming post, 'My top ten underrated episodes'.

Here are my favourite episodes of the best season of all (4!):

• Homer the Heretic
• Treehouse of Horror III (which, I think, is the second-best Hallowe'en episode of all)
• New Kid on the Block
• Mr. Plow
• Homer's Triple Bypass
• Marge vs. the Monorail (Monorail!!!)
• I Love Lisa
• Last Exit to Springfield

The other episodes are great, but I would call these the very best of Season 4. Duffless and Mr Plow not far off.
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One of my favourite bits of Simpsons has to be Everybody Hates Ned Flanders...

[YOUTUBE]UsmL1mLQLfw[/YOUTUBE]

He's worse than Frankenstein and Doctor No...

 

[Alistair G.]

Whilst I do think older serious are generally better, I do still think the Simpsons has a lot of good modern episodes and I must admit that I really enjoyed the movie, can watch that avian and again!.

One of my favourite clips is in an older episode (not sure which season I'm afraid) but it's when homer becomes a boxer, he eventually reaches a level where he will fight Dredick Tatum (I believe he based on Mike Tyson!). Dredick walks out to some usual hip hop/rap music, then homers walk out music is "why can't we be friends"

Always makes me laugh!.

 

[backontrack]

Whilst I do think older serious are generally better, I do still think the Simpsons has a lot of good modern episodes and I must admit that I really enjoyed the movie, can watch that avian and again!.

One of my favourite clips is in an older episode (not sure which season I'm afraid) but it's when homer becomes a boxer, he eventually reaches a level where he will fight Dredick Tatum (I believe he based on Mike Tyson!). Dredick walks out to some usual hip hop/rap music, then homers walk out music is "why can't we be friends"

Always makes me laugh!.

Avian? Do you watch it with parrots?

The episode you're referring to, The Homer They Fall, is from Season 8.

 

[TheEdge]

"Simpson, Homer Simpson, he's the greatest guy in history, from the town of Springfield, he's about to hit a chestnut tree." (to the tune of the Flintstones)

Oh yea, and...

[YOUTUBE]_ZI_aEalijE[/YOUTUBE]

*EDIT* Infact, any of the songs from the early seasons...

See My Vest
Canyonaro
We Put the Spring in Springfield
Dr Zaius
Baby on Board

 

[yorksrob]

My favourite Simpsons line:

"Do'h, stupid poetic justice !"

 

[Strathclyder]

My favourite Simpsons line:

"Do'h, stupid poetic justice !"

Ah, that one is from Season 5's Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood.

[youtube]?v=fudZgKwo1rE[/youtube]

 

[jon0844]

It's funny, everyone knows that comedy shows go downhill eventually and they can easily spot when it happens, everyone except TV executives that is.

The Simpsons definitely got to the point where I went from watching it all the time, including countless repeats, buying box sets etc to not watching it AT ALL.

It really did jump the shark years ago, but I do sometimes wonder if it managed to get any of its spark back in recent years?

South Park also had some bad times, then came back, and now seems to have lost it again.

Family Guy, which I originally disliked mostly, now seems to be better. I guess part of that is because from the outset the rules have allowed ridiculous plots, whereas in the Simpsons at the start Homer was a bit of an idiot, but not in the way that he is now portrayed - and it seems that many things once kept for the Halloween specials has moved more into normal episodes (again, I say this for the last seasons I watched which is now some time ago).

Does the Simpsons still have the guest star that is introduced every episode and where the storyline seems to have been written purely around that apperance? Is there anyone left who hasn't starred, besides myself?

 

[DaleCooper]

My favourite Homer quote:

"Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand"

 

[TheEdge]

"I am so smart, I am so smart, S-M-R-T, I mean S-M-A-R-T"
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Family Guy, which I originally disliked mostly, now seems to be better. I guess part of that is because from the outset the rules have allowed ridiculous plots, whereas in the Simpsons at the start Homer was a bit of an idiot, but not in the way that he is now portrayed - and it seems that many things once kept for the Halloween specials has moved more into normal episodes (again, I say this for the last seasons I watched which is now some time ago).

This, most definitely, most episodes did used to be grounded in reality, and even the more silly older ones (e.g Deep Space Homer) had a believable premise. Family Guy has always been about the ridiculous. Sometimes it seems like the Simpson has moved slightly towards Family Guy to compete with it.

Does the Simpsons still have the guest star that is introduced every episode and where the storyline seems to have been written purely around that apperance? Is there anyone left who hasn't starred, besides myself?

Guest stars playing themselves seems to have tailed off a bit but celebs playing characters happens. Anne Hathaway has been on three times as two characters but never as herself. Then there was Tony...

 

[jon0844]

I don't mind celebs providing voices. It's totally different than when the Simpsons ends up being like Family Guy by creating ridiculous situations for said celeb to turn up.

It was one of the key things that ruined things for me.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I'm still a pretty hardcore Simpsons fan - to the best of my knowledge I have seen every episode from seasons 1 - 26 at least once. The new ones have their charm, but certainly lack the interest and memorability of the classics (pre-season 10).

One of the biggest things that has annoyed me over time is the change in their "offend everyone equally" stance, to a typical American liberal stance that you seen in most TV shows. In the early series for example, the NRA is portrayed quite evenly (see The Cartridge Family) but in more recent seasons gun owners are seen as nutcases. Ned Flanders has gone from the enviable man next door, to being the mockable Christian who never lets his children have any fun.

I do think they missed the boat with having ongoing storylines. In the most recent season they tried this a little in The Musk Who Fell to Earth (when Elon Musk takes over the SNPP for a while) and they reference the mess he makes several times later in the season, but they don't follow anything else through. Bart has several girlfriends in the later episodes and new characters are introduced in the school, but they are usually forgotten at the end of each episode.

Family Guy has had ongoing storylines - Brian's "death" ran for a few episodes, his girlfriend Gillian was ongoing for over a season, Peter's changing jobs etc. which although often only minor parts of the story, do reward ongoing watching. Ditto American Dad (which has always been my favourite) and Bob's Burgers.

I think a complete rethink for the Simpsons would be welcome, something to get people watching and interested again. I think a long time ago they should have moved the series on two years - made the kids a bit older so they could have different experiences and storylines. I thought that is what they would do with the movie when it was first announced. They could have done this a couple of times by now, keeping things fresh.

I think the most radical thing they should do is change the concept of the show completely and do an entire series as a single ongoing plot, like an HBO series, so that people could watch the show in a marathon sitting. Or at least have a few multi-part episodes. One of the best episodes they have done in the last five years was Holidays of Future Passed which essentially culminated the 'looking into the future' storylines together, but it felt so squashed into twenty minutes. Maybe fifteen years ago people just wanted stand-alone TV episodes, but these days ongoing character arcs and plots are the big thing and bringing that back in would certainly get people interested in the show again.

 

[backontrack]

Do not mention Family Guy in this thread. Just don't. Please. :P

[YOUTUBE]IbLVEHMswD4[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]8uUlTs2WcQo[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]hUVwR0rw5fk[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]ZOziWm_MJ9k[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]NwVNuyfhF0Q[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]H9W5GjEYKj8[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]RQXzOE12xuM[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]OqjF7HKSaaI[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]IRsPheErBj8[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]KDEDk-HRT2A[/YOUTUBE]

That last one's the funniest, the music is absolutely perfect.
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My favourite Homer quote:

"Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand"

"As town crier, I'd like to ask you a few questions. One: where's the fife?, and two: gimme the fife."

Homer Simpson, Lisa the Iconoclast
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Another scene I like is in a mediocre semi-modern episode where the Simpsons visit England and meet Tony Blair, JK Rowling and Sir Ian McKellen. Homer accidentally knocks over the Queen's carriage, and we see some newspaper covers concerning this.

The Times: American buffoon injures Queen
The Daily Mail: Simpson to PM: You're next
The Sun: Topless Homer on page 3

 

[DaleCooper]

Do not mention Family Guy in this thread. Just don't. Please. :P


That last one's the funniest, the music is absolutely perfect.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


"As town crier, I'd like to ask you a few questions. One: where's the fife?, and two: gimme the fife."

Homer Simpson, Lisa the Iconoclast
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Another scene I like is in a mediocre semi-modern episode where the Simpsons visit England and meet Tony Blair, JK Rowling and Sir Ian McKellen. Homer accidentally knocks over the Queen's carriage, and we see some newspaper covers concerning this.

The Times: American buffoon injures Queen
The Daily Mail: Simpson to PM: You're next
The Sun: Topless Homer on page 3

Don't sit on the fence. Do you like the Simpsons or not?

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
The first 10 seasons were great. Then it went downhill.

My fave bits? Two leap out. Both Homer quotes...
'Marge it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen'
And one where Kang and Kudoes abduct him...
'Please dont eat me. I have a wife and kids. Eat them!'

Fave episodes?
Lisa the iconoclast, because it tells a good story.
$pringfield, because the gags come really fast.

 

[me123]

One of my favourites on Channel 4 tonight (being replayed at 7pm on C4+1) - Trash of the Titans.

 

[ComUtoR]

Fav episode : Treehouse of Horror.

Each one is fantastic. Listening to James Earl Jones read "The Raven" with the Simpsons unique twist was just genius.

How to Eat Humans still makes me smile today. The whole Treehouse of Horror episdoes were something I looked forward to each season.

The Duff beer (shown below) was surprisingly good

 

[backontrack]

Don't sit on the fence. Do you like the Simpsons or not?

Oh, for heaven's sake...

1. I like The Simpsons. Why else would I start this thread?
2. I think that the show started out brilliant, then started to go downhill. So, pretty much what you said. Why aren't I allowed to have this opinion?*

*In fact, I can even use a classic episode to make this point. Go watch the final third of Itchy and Scratchy and Marge from Season 2. It touches on the idea that you're not allowed to have a complicated opinion on something.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Fav episode : Treehouse of Horror.

Each one is fantastic. Listening to James Earl Jones read "The Raven" with the Simpsons unique twist was just genius.

Indeed.

"Quoth the raven:

Eat my shorts.

BART!"

 

[DaleCooper]

Oh, for heaven's sake...

1. I like The Simpsons. Why else would I start this thread?
2. I think that the show started out brilliant, then started to go downhill. So, pretty much what you said. Why aren't I allowed to have this opinion?*

*In fact, I can even use a classic episode to make this point. Go watch the final third of Itchy and Scratchy and Marge from Season 2. It touches on the idea that you're not allowed to have a complicated opinion on something.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Indeed.

"Quoth the raven:

Eat my shorts.

BART!"

I apologise if my sarcasm was misplaced, it was prompted by your obvious enthusiasm. Having said that if you could send your shorts by private message I will do as you bid and then add them to the "Last thing you ate..." thread.

 

[backontrack]

I apologise if my sarcasm was misplaced, it was prompted by your obvious enthusiasm. Having said that if you could send your shorts by private message I will do as you bid and then add them to the "Last thing you ate..." thread.

I'm so sorry for jumping down your throat. Instead of shorts, as Jeremy Corbyn read out questions emailed to him by members of the public at PM's Questions today, maybe I could go one better and get him to chase up the matter of Paddy Ashdown's hat...

 

[Trainfan344]

To make you all feel old, Simpsons Hit and Run was released 12 years ago today!

 

[GatwickDepress]

To make you all feel old, Simpsons Hit and Run was released 12 years ago today!

Ye Gods, I remember playing that! It was a great game, even if all the missions could be boiled down to go here in X amount of time and collect Y amount of Z.

The last missions in the Treehouse of Horror-themed level were next to impossible!