The Simpsons is certainly not the same as it was when it first aired. It's sort of Post-Simpsons now, it's closer to Family Guy than the original first season, which was almost a little too innocent and dramatic. There's such large difference that it upsets a lot of people who expect the show to have remained consistant in its style of writing.
But... I stand by my belief that if the show had progressed backwards, stylistically, then people would still be complaining: "What happened? The show used to be edgy and irreverent, now it's a sappy family show with Bart spouting constant catchphrases like a moron. I want to shoot the writers!"
But... I stand by my belief that if the show had progressed backwards, stylistically, then people would still be complaining: "What happened? The show used to be edgy and irreverent, now it's a sappy family show with Bart spouting constant catchphrases like a moron. I want to shoot the writers!"