Can you believe that The Simpsons has just completed its 17th season? I can't. There is no way I can believe this show has lasted this long. Personally, I think it should have ended some years ago after it peaked around season six or so. The series has been in a decline for some years, with only sporadic bouts of humor, at least to this viewer. There were a number of times this season when I thought about dropping it from my weekly viewing rotation. For that matter, it may be dropped come next season.
The finale opens with animated furniture taking over the town rather than the usual opening. Humorous, but probably not necessary. The episode opens with the family watching a television show, a lame cop drama. The reason for watching the show is revealed as it is announced that the local minor league baseball team is winning, bringing out the fair-weather fans. Who does that label apply to? Our title characters, of course.
The Simpson family heads out to the park to catch a glimpse of the latest homerun-hitting sensation, Buck Mitchell. This trip allows Grampa to relay another story of how he disguised himself as a woman and played baseball. The game opens with pop star Tabitha Vixx (voiced by Mandy Moore) as Buck's wife, who sings the National Anthem along with a sexy number from her own album. Buck feels terribly embarrassed and feels that his marriage is in trouble. Buck plays terribly, committing error after error and not delivering at the plate.
In between innings they have a kiss cam, which captures Marge and Homer. They share a comedically passionate kiss, witnessed by Buck. The troubled ballplayer seeks marriage counseling from the Simpsons, which we all know is probably not well advised.
Marge reads up on marriage counseling while Homer shows up trying to look smart. Their advice, as expected, is comedically ineffective. Homer turns the session into an autograph session, dumping a large bag of balls in front of the ballplayer. Marge and Homer then pay a visit to the high profile couple's home for another session.
Article comments
1 - anonymous
I agree that the quality of the Simpsons has declined over the past 5-6 seasons, but it still consistently entertains me. I'm confused by some of the comments in this piece. If the show should have ceased after the sixth season, why has it been in the author's viewing rotation for the last 11 seasons? Obviously, it is not as weak as he purports. Also, who can possibly think that seasons 1-3 were stronger than seasons 7-10? Sure, the plot lines made more sense, but who watches the Simpsons for a strong plot line? I watch the Simpsons for one reason: to laugh, and it makes me laugh because of its irreverent, referential humor, which I believe didn't fully develop until season four, with episodes featuring the musical Streetcar! and, of course, Lyle Lanley. Jesus Christ, I can't believe I'm ranting about the Simpsons. I'm truly a pathetic dork.
2 - Chris Beaumont
It hasn't always been in my rotation. There have been a few seasons that I only watched a handful, at most, of episodes from. Also I said it peaked around 6, shows rarely get cancelled at their peak, but somewhere during the decline. I cannot commen on 7-10 at the moment, as I have not seen them in some time, but the first 5 seasons, which is what I watched, are infinitely better than anything over, at least, the past 2 or 3 seasons.
3 - Matt B.
Chris,
I respect your opinion, but I whole-heartedly disagree with it. I do agree that the new episodes are no where near the quality of the early ones, but that's only because the earlier ones are perfect. You can't top perfection and we all need to know that. We can't watch these new episodes and expect the old ones, nothing will ever be as good as they were, but oh well. The new episodes still make me laugh. I was like you for a while and stopped watching the new episodes about 4-5 years ago. However, I'd still watch an episode here or there, but wasn't impressed. That is, until last year. To me, last year was a turning point for the show. I started watching the episodes regulalrly, once again, and was consistantly entertained. I laughed out loud again and my love for the show was rebuilt. This season, like last, has given me little reason to complain. I get on the internet every monday to get the common consensus of the last night's episode and I've found that every week, a host of people feel like the episode they'd just watched the night before was the best in years. The show is clearly on its way back up. It's much funnier than it was 4-5 seasons ago and, believe it or not, the plotlines are a bit better as well. Sure, they're not as good as the early episodes, but it's still a step in the right direction.