Let’s get this straight; I am a die hard Simpsons fan. I’ve been watching since Tracey Ullman and I will continue to watch until it is cancelled. I mean I own all of the Simpsons Forever books that detail each episode for crying out loud. But even I have to admit that the last several seasons have gone steadily downhill.
Around season six a bad episode or two slipped in. Then it became that a bad show would appear after about 3 or 4 good ones. Then it was about every other episode and finally by last season I found myself laughing heartily on only a handful of episodes all season long.
To me, a lot of the problem lies in what the critics call plot drift, and the all too depended upon deus ex machina. When the Simpsons first began they relied upon simple morality tales to tell each episode's story. Bart was picked on by a bully or there was a financial crisis that had to be overcome. The plots were simple but the satire was heavy and the humor hilarious.
Eventually, it seems the writers ran out of simple plot lines and began allowing plot drift to take over. This device allowed the first act plot to completely uproot and change within the second or final act of the show. A hurricane plot in act one would suddenly change to Ned being institutionalized in the next. The storylines became useless cardboard setups for the jokes and the heart of the show went down a peg.
Still, it was quite funny. For awhile at least.
The changing plots also led to deus ex machina or out-of-nowhere devices to resolve the plot in a timely and clean manner. When Principal Skinner is found out to be a fraud, the episode quickly ends with the real Principal Skinner being literally railed out of town, and a judge proclaiming the “fake” Skinner to be renamed Seymore Skinner.
It must be said that the writers often used such devices with a knowing wink to the audience. In that episode the judge also mandates that no one will ever mention the name change under penalty of law. Both using the device and satirizing its use on other shows.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"Can Season 18 Save The Simpsons?"
Considering none of the previous seasons have, the answer is "no". Setting the bar at "It didn’t suck" is too low for me.
It's not just the writers running out of ideas, it's the show running out of talented writers. Notice the show changing in the mid-'90s when people like Conan O'Brien and Greg Daniels left. Once Homer went from being a dopey dad to stupidest person in the world it fell apart for me.
But it's not just The Simpsons. Seinfeld started to flounder once Elaine changed and became just like the guys. This was due in part to writer/producer Carol Leifer leaving, who the character of Elaine was based on.
If you like a show, do yourself a favor and learn who is working behind the scenes and follow them.
2 - Mat Brewster
I can certainly understand your sentiment. Sometimes I feel a little like a religous zealot who sticks with his faith even though it has been proven false over and over again.
Or a sports fan who sticks with a loser. I just keep hoping the Simpsons will pull off another winning season.
The first two episodes of this season have been better than just not sucking, they've actually made me laugh heartily a couple of times. Which is more than I can say for the last few seasons combined. I'llprobably be disappointed, but once again I have hope.
3 - Brian
Well-written piece, Mat.
The "fake" Skinner episode was the first time I remember watching The Simpsons and thinking, "What the f*@k was that?"
I would say that the show's over-reliance on star voices has also diluted the quality of the episodes. When done right, like in Ricky Gervais' guest spot, the episode really shines. However, NSync playing themselves in an episode where Bart joins a boyband? Will anyone care in 10 years time about NSync? Does anyone care now?
4 - brad schader
The Simpsons problem is summed up in two words I have noticed as a producer: Dana Gould. the guy is a failed stand up I remember from watching A&E Improv in college. He is a writer and producer now and is not funny in the slightest.
El is correct. Conan was the Simpsons greatest asset and when he left so did the classics.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Good Job Mat-
Let's hope you're right!
6 - Mat Brewster
Thanks folks. Brian I would definitely agree that too many special guest voices have been done, and not done well. The best ones are when guest actors actually play a character, not themselves. NSynch reminds me of Kid Rock doing a guest spot. Next please.
No doubt Conan wrote some classics, but there have been great episodes since he left.
Before we get too harsh I will say that it must be an amazingly difficult thing to keep a series fresh for 18 seasons. I'm amazed that they have done as well for so long.
7 - Nancy
My comedic standards must be low; I usually laugh at something in all of them.
8 - tink
LOVE Fat Tony and the fact that he was the center of a plot that ran the whole way thru!!! GREAT stuff in my book...especially the takeoffs on the Godfather movies.
In fact, I think that's always been one of my fave parts...those insider jokes. The hub used to work at Disney, so there are many that we think are probably under everyone else's radar...totally crack us up!!
The Bart as a drummer is still awaiting us in the DVR...sounds interesting.
Wouldn't matter though, good or bad, we watch 'em all. Don't think the hub could make it thru a day without viewing at least one episode (obviously reruns apply), and he's been bugging me all summer about when the new season would start.
9 - Ty
I know that recent seasons have had their share of episodes you could skip, but so far this season hasn't been too bad. Not great, but good.
And I wonder how many of the people who continually say each new episode sucks would have said the same thing if the SAME EXACT episode aired in Season 4, and not Season 18.
I know other Simpsons fans who don't bad-mouth each new episode think the same thing, and I think that is a valid point: people just have a bad taste towards a show that has had 18 seasons that those types are not going to like the show. They turn on the TV to watch it and before it starts they are already thinking "The Simpsons sucks now, why I am watching this and not classic Simpsons on DVD?"
If you go in watching every new ep like that, you are always going to be disappointed. And frankly, if you watch eps with that kind of closed-mindedness, please let us know upfront so we can dismiss your opinion as ignorant rubbish.
10 - Mark Sahm
I bet even if Conan stayed at the writing helm, he'd have eventually had some bad episodes... just like he's had some awful bits on his talk show. You can't hit a home run every at bat. Especially changing hands with all of the writers and really crossing into a new generation of fans.
Sunday's episode had some great parts... the parody of Reservoir Dogs with Lisa and the animals was only topped by that part with Bart and the White Stripes. I laughed out loud at both, and that's all that matters for me.
Nice article, Mat. Enjoy the season.
11 - Mat Brewster
Thanks for the comments.
Nancy, I usually laugh at something in every episode too (well quite a few anyways) but the laughs have been quieter and not as heartfelt over the last few years. Which is fine if you're watching Charles in Charge, but with the Simpsons I want laugh out loud, tears streaming down my face funny.
Tink agreed that the insider jokes mixed with the solid satire is what makes a good episode. It's also what makes it such a great show to own on DVD and watch in reruns. There are lots of stuff you don't catch on the first round.
Ty I'd also agree that if you come into the episode thinking its going to suck it probably well. But you have to admit that the last few seasons have paled in comparison with earlier ones.
Good point Mark. And as I mentioned it would be difficult for any writer, no matter how talented, to keep up a show for this long.
I didn't even get the Resevoir Dogs bit until you just mentioned. Which is totally what I was just talking about, I'll have to watch the episode again and I'll laugh heartily this time during that scene.
12 - Michael J. West
What I'd like to see is them getting away from recent "traditions" -- The Simpsons starring in Biblical stories and literary classics, spoofing Broadway musicals, et cetera. Talk about storylines taking a backseat: these are designed so the writers don't have to come up with a story at all, they can just work with someone else's! It certainly lends credence to the commenters' theories that the writers are the problem.
13 - tink
Found the time tonight to check out the Bart-as-drummer epi...LOVED it!! The bit with the White Stripes is classic.
This does give me hope for the rest of the season!
14 - Mat Brewster
I've enjoyed some of the spoof episodes, but I can understand what you're talking about Michael. It is a bit lazy, and I'm certainly not standing up for the writers themselves. In some ways I'd even blame the guys who have been there forever like Groening and Al Jean. Those guys ought to know some of the material sucks and should have pushed the writers harder.
The cast was on Inside the Actors Studio and they all seemed very bored. It was very much like they were all phoning in their work now and could care less about each other and the series.
Tink, let's hope we're both not disappointed.
15 - Nancy
My favorite bits thus far were Burns singing "See My Vest..." and Bart as the Raven, saying "Eat my shorts!" When I remember those in the middle of the day while at my desk, I still laugh out loud.
16 - Homer Cubed
I completely agree with article. However, episode 3 isn't really as good as those two. Read my review at homertothe3.blogspot.com
17 - Mat Brewster
Episode 3 was definitely less funny than the first two. The plots were pretty lame, but some of the jokes were pretty good. The shrimp/peanut fight was classic.
18 - bart simpson
barts a gangster.I have a picture of him with 50cents
19 - Chinaren
Hey. Long time watcher, first time writer.
The problem as I see it is simply they have 'done' all the good ideas. The usual sitcom covers growing pains, problems at work, bullies yadda yadda yadda, so now they have to think of 'wackier' plots all the time.
Also, in the 'good' days, they kept the humor clean, but now they are making it more adult, more crude if you will, which spoils it a bit for me.
Ah, the classics. See my Vest, The Homer vs Big Brother fight, The Lemon Tree episode, halycon days...
I'll still keep watching, and hoping...
20 - Robert
I used to love the Simpsons so much I think I sat through at least 2 full seasons of crap before I realized it wasn't even good.
The episode that finally did it in for me was the season premier a few years back. The one whereHomer goes to Rolling Stones school or some stupid story. Watching Maggie dance to Britney Spears with a bottle gut hanging out, and Homer pander to over the hill rockstars finally helped me to realize that my favorite show ever just wasn't funny anymore.
Still, I watched because the shock could not keep me from the show. I think the episode that finally did it in was the 300th episode, the one with Tony Hawk. Watching Homer and Tony Hawk battle each other with skateboards in midair.. Hmm, how could the writers have thought that was funny. It seems the show relies more on "cartoony comedy" for kids than actually setting up well thought out jokes anymore. I think the last eipsode I saw was Marge entering a cooking contest of some sort. Pretty horrible indeed. Now I only watch the older episodes.
21 - Dale
Well I love season 18, and I know some of the previous episodes weren't so great, but i still like them anyway. I think season 18 will save them.