Season 16 Simpsons Win No Emmy! + Other shows losing popularity

[PsychicHeart]

I could barely believe my ears when i heard that the Simpsons Season 16 won no emmys. No, wait, i could. Season 16 was kinda crappy. I know this has been discussed before (in a thread I created i believe), but what exactly do you think is the formula, and does this happen to all animations that do not cancel when appropriate, like futurama.
For example, while Family Guy remains a funny animation, compare a Season 4 ep with a Season 2 ep, and you'll notice some differeneces.
Then there's South Park, now in its 9th Season i believe, lacks the insanely funny quotes, acts etc. of Season 1 up to about Season 6.
The doom of animation is upon us!!!

[Nikolas]

It's not about animation. It's about everything.

Why, do you believe that 10 Seasons of friends was good?

You have to translate the seasons into hours: you get 24 episodes 25 minutes each (ok maybe 20 but, anyway). That's 24^2=576, around 12 hours of The Simpsons!

Now make that 16 Seasons and you get 12*16=192 hours!

That is around 200 hours of Simpsons!

Now try making that into how many movies you could make. Around 100? 140?

Well now I ask you this: Can you imagine how boring Spider Man 120 could possible be?

My point: When you have the same guy writting about the same family for 16 years, well he's bound to dry out. Even if it is not the same guy but another guy. How can he use the same material (The Simpsons family), and base 12 hours of quality show? It's just imposible.

And anyway, if I'm not mistaken futurama was again by Mat Broening (something like that), which means that himself was bored ofthe Simpsons, and tried to get away. He obviously failed (to get away, not the Futurama!) and the result is another 10 years of The Simpsons!

Now, I will have Farlander backing me up here!

Thank you for your time!

[MrColossal]

Just to point out, I highly doubt Matt Groening had much to do with the simpsons after a few years.

I was told a story at work how he went into a meeting where they were hashing out a script and he asked if he could come in... Then he raised his hand to speak and said "I think Lisa should say something now..." and no one knew how to tell him that the current scene was taking place in Bart's classroom and they are in different grades.

It also took Matt many years to get Futurama to be made because people didn't think he could do it again, plus science fiction and all that... But anyway, yea... Just to throw that out there.

[DGMacphee]

I think South Park is really hitting its peak lately. I find the show ninja-kicks the jokes way better than The Simpsons does.

Many people have a variety of answers as to why The Simpsons is losing its touch. And they're all probably right. But I just find their sense of humour isn't as goofy.

Also, somewhere along the way they turned Homer from a dumb guy who's delightful and innocent (Matt Groening rule of comedy: "The audience loves a slow thinker") into an annoying, hyperactive manchild.

[mozza]

I think that The Simpsons has gone way too long, but Futurama was cut way too short. I absolutely love Futurama, but I just don't share this feeling with the Simpsons anymore.

[SSH]

This gets discussed so often on the forums, it should be in the FAQ. Or popular threads. Or added to the forum signup questionairre:

You feel that the simpsons isnt as good/popular as it used to be. Do you:

a) Use the forum search feature to find that 196 threads about this already and decided that its been done to death already
b) Post how much you think that the Simpsons has declined in a new thread so that everyone can reiterate how they thought that Futurama was canned to early
c) Slightly injure yourself because you take a comic cartoon series way too seriously
d) Find another forum that gives a monkeys
e) Claim that Matt Groenig is a god and get flamed by the religious fundamentalists who say that the only true god is the FSM/Pope/whatever...

EDIT: Toned down, because I wasn't really trying to get at the OP, in fact I saw the replies to this thread before I saw the original...

[mozza]

e) Claim that Matt Groenig is a god and get flamed by the religious fundamentalists who say that the only true god is the FSM/Pope/whatever...

Oh, come on, we all know that the only true god is CJ.

[Kinoko]

Although Futurama being cut short was something I wouldn't even let myself believe for a time there ("It'l be back! SHUT UP!"), I can know at least see the beauty in it being preserved as the wonderful show it was, never having the chance to go downhill.

I still adore the Simpsons, and as much as it has gone downhill, everytime I lose faith in it, I watch a new episode and end up laughing myself silly. There's still a lot of gold there.

I really attribute the Simpson's to people like David Silverman and the regular writers. Matt had a lot to do with it at the start and obviously, I have huge respect for him and eveything, but I have a feeling he had a lot more to do with Futurama once that started up.

Anyway, I kind of think that the Simpson's has gone on longer than it "should" have, but now that it's done it, I really don't care if it keeps going. I still get some big laughs out of it now and again It's so subjective anyway, everyone has a different idea about exactly which period defines the Simpsons. For one, everytime I watch the first series, I'm saddened by the way they cut out the touching scenes. Homer was mostly just slightly uneducated, but deep down a really good father who tried to do the best for his family.

Of course, a few seasons in and it was 10 times as hilarious, and I think that's the Homer that defined "Homer" for me.

I also always think of how much I miss Lisa being a kid. She used to play with Bart a lot, laugh at Itchy and Scratchy (convincingly), and was simply more educated than the rest of the family rather than a vegetarian,  left-wing, alternative protestor... person. I really like how she used to have a lot of fun with Bart and join in on the pranks.

Marge changed a lot too after the first season. She used to be a real typical put-upon house wife. Let's face it, these days she kicks ass. I'd do Marge any day of the week @_@

So, the Simpsons has always changed... it's different these days, I don't care that much. As long as I can have it all on DVD and watch what I want, when I want.

[Timosity]

I still enjoy new Simpsons episodes (or just get excited at the fact its not a rerun), they may not be as good, but it sure beats watching the 6996th replay of an old one (only a few exceptions).

[on a funny note, ever notice characters like Smithers and Marvin Monroe turn from black to yellow, and Wiggam's hair turn from black to blue, I think it just must be changes from the first season]

Looking at some of the early seasons, its hard to see how it was enjoyed back then, there was a gold patch somewhere (when the opening credits were cut short) and the treehouse of horrors were always good.

but if Futurama had more seasons it would just end up the same, no one can be happy, it either goes on too long or cut short.

Only time can tell, I'm not a big fan of Futurama and I can't see how it could have gone much further.

Look at shows like Fawlty Towers, there were only 13 episodes (i think) and it was all pure gold, obviously more in the era of entertainment than money.

Seinfeld had I think 9 seasons and stopped before it went too far, it also took longer to get a following. But went out at a good time.

Except for the fact it made that Raymond show popular, I can't believe that show was popular, the guy was not funny at all, and no one loved him. (why the fuck didn't he just move away from his parents, simple as that and the show fucks off) it was just the last show in a dying breed of US sitcoms

Haven't seen anything (well not much) on TV that I've enjoyed since 199*

[esper]

I like the Simpsons, but have been out of the loop for many years. I actually just wated to post here just to congratulate Flukeblake on another attempt to be part of the community. He's got us talking intelligently about a subject (even if said subject doesn't really require much intelligence to talk about). He hasn't given us a retardhog that he whipped up in a self-admitted two minutes and asked if we like it. He hasn't said "I," or "me," but has asked us opinion and attempted to stir conversation about a topic he knows more people than just him are interested in.

Good on 'ya, mate.

[Phemar]

Don't patronise him, Esper.

Anyway, the Simpsons are kinda dead to me. I don't enjoy it HALF as much I used to, and you just don't get those classic Homer quotes anymore.
South Park, however, I feel has matured a lot over it's 9 seasons of running (next I believe is the 10th season, which will be the last.) Cartman's character has really been defined and the comedy has gone from 'say a bunch of swear words and shock to everybody' to actual genuine comedy which you can see in the latest episodes. I still love season 8 though!

[esper]

I'm sorry, do you mean:

1. To treat in a condescending manner.
2. To go to as a customer, especially on a regular basis.
3. To act as a patron to; support or sponsor.
Ã,  Ã,  Ã, -dictionary.com

Because I'm not trying to be condescending, I sure as hell don't want to buy anything off him (especially not repeatedly), and I'm not sure what's wrong with showing a member of the community who hasn't had the best run of luck around here that he's welcome.

You might call it "atoning for past sins."

[PsychicHeart]

You might call it "atoning for past sins."

[TheYak]

Ah, don't take it as an insult.  Esper's right in that people posting non-communicative threads or posts without little investment are often jumped on and nagged at for some time.  He's making sure that he makes recognition of the improvement.   All the same, I don't think the issue needs to be harped upon any more (positively or negatively).

As far as the Simpson's, I haven't seen many episodes (perhaps 2 seasons worth all together), but I can see why it'd start dying off after awhile.  Animated series can't rely upon attractive actors, or soap opera-esque plotlines to draw the audience into the show's world (seldom done in animation, particularly a comedy series).  Every show has to have something unique.  Even if that special something is a new pinnacle of vulgarity, violence, or just excellent humorous writing.  I still love The Family Guy, but can't watch a marathon of it or several episodes off a DVD season.  The formula stops producing laughter and starts producing monotony when it's repeated that frequently.  Thankfully, The Simpsons had enough variety (and sheer randomity) that it managed to avoid repeating too many "in" jokes or using the same comedic tempo time after time.

[ManicMatt]

"...and was simply more educated than the rest of the family rather than a vegetarian..."

Hey! I resent that!

[Mugs]

I used to(not anymore) watch the Simpsons everyday and watch the new episodes on FOX all the time.Ã,  Looking back on the older episodes, I can see a HUGE difference between new ones.Ã,  Ã, 

The storyline of the new episodes are way too crazy and stupid.Ã,  For example (NEW EPISODE): Homer get's this new RV and parks it in his backyard. Then marge can't live with homer no more,Ã,  Lisa and Bart tries to drive the RV back to the dealer so it would save their parents marriage.

(OLD EPISODE): Bart ruins thanksgiving and runs away from home.Ã,  Then he comes back to say sorry.Ã,  Ã, 

As you can see, the newer episodes are way to dumb. It started to get stupid ever since that Mr.X episode.Ã,  Anyways, the stories aren't the same as they used to, that's why I don't watch the Simpsons anymore, and that's why I thinks it's losing it's popularity.

[cjhrules]

The new episodes and the humour is not as clever as the old episodes. Dumbed down as all the other TV-shows.

[Eggie]

Okay. First thing I'd like to say: I really don't like the new Simpsons episodes. I can't watch them.

Second thing: Dan Castelaneta was FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS last night at The British Comedy Awards.

-EDIT-
Ooh, and third thing: amily Guy is the most overrated Tv show in the history of the world, ever.

[IM NOT TEH SPAM]

Ooh, and third thing: amily Guy is the most overrated Tv show in the history of the world, ever

Finally!

[esper]

I agree. There are some things on Family Guy that are funny, and very much so... Stewie is great, and Brian... Plus, I'm originally from Newport, RI, so I get some of the in-jokes (a quoahog is like a really big clam, which I think only exist in New England, and everyone in Newport being rich and snobby)... But most of the show is pointed at trying to break a barrier that doesn't really need to be broken. Let's make fun of things which no one has ever made fun of before seems to be their motto, but this results in crass and pointless humor which is only funny to people who wank more than three times a day.