I never watched the Tracey Ullman Show, but in the fall of 1989, as a junior in college, I went to see some animation festival movie that had all of the Simpsons shorts in it. I was already a fan of Groening’s Life in Hell strip, so I thought they were great.
A few weeks after that, the first episode aired. I told everyone I knew that they should watch it. It’s hard to believe there was a time when I was telling everyone that they should watch this show called The Simpsons, and actually had to explain it! It’s harder to believe that this was almost half a lifetime ago for me, and the show is still on!
[QUOTE=Loach]
Or maybe some people just like the show and there is no need for eyerolling? I personally still enjoy the show but I don’t go out of my way to see new ones when they come on. I still find it funny but not as good as it once was.
[/QUOTE]
From posts here, it seems those who like the current show think one or two good lines makes a good episode, not knowing or forgetting that during the classic early period, you got a couple of funny lines per minute.
Some of the writers think it’s amazing (in a sad way, of course) that they’re now older than Homer is and some of the writers are now younger than Bart would be if he was a real person.
[QUOTE=cmkeller]
if they ever do leave the air.
[/QUOTE]
They’ll never stop the Simpsons
Have no fears, we’ll have stories for years like
Marge becomes a robot
Or maybe Moe gets a cell phone or has Bart ever owned a bear?
Some sort of crazy wedding
Where something happens and doo doo doo doo doo…
[sub]Clausen/Lacusta/Castellaneta, TCF Music Publishing (ASCAP)[/sub]
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]
From posts here, it seems those who like the current show think one or two good lines makes a good episode, not knowing or forgetting that during the classic early period, you got a couple of funny lines per minute.
[/QUOTE]
What do you base that on? I like the show right now, we’ve probably talked about that - I think this season is probably the best since season nine or so.
[QUOTE=Johnny Hildo]
Wait, what? You’re using Season 9 as a compliment of some kind?
I weep for humanity.
[/QUOTE]
Can you go post your stupid elitist crap elsewhere?
I too was young when the Simpsons first came out. The two episodes around 5ish on Fox has been a staple pretty much for my entire life. Over the years I’ve probably seen most episodes at least a half dozen times. I remember we watched one episode in German class, and I knew exactly what every conversation was about just because I had seen the episode so many times.
My favorite episode has to be “C. E. D’oh” aka Megatronics.
[QUOTE=mobo85]
Although their series wouldn’t premiere until December of 1989, it was on this date in 1987 that America’s favorite non-prehistoric cartoon family made their debut on the Tracey Ullman Show. To tell more of the story, here’s actor Troy McClure (or at least quotes from him taken from one of the more memorable clip shows):
“Hi! I’m Troy McClure. You may remember me from such Fox Network specials as Alien Nose Job and Five Fabulous Weeks of the Chevy Chase Show. The Simpsons began as the brainchild of cartoonist Matt Groening, the already-famous creator of such comics as Damnation, Johnny Reb, and True Murder Stories. In 1987, Groening teamed up with award-winning producers James L. Brooks and Sam Simon. And what better place to premiere their creation than The Tracey Ullman Show, the nation’s showcase for psychiatrist jokes and musical comedy numbers? On April 19, 1987, America first met the Simpsons. Maybe the drawings were a little crude, but all the characters were there. As wacky as those kids were, they were no match for Captain Wacky- later renamed Homer. The Simpsons have come a long way since an old drunk made humans out of his rabbit characters to pay off his gambling debts. Who knows what adventures they’ll have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable?”
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Mobo, beautiful tribute to my absolute favorite show. Too bad that Matt or James won’t likely see it! You should email them.
Oh, and King, Grimey was fatally electrocuted during a very funny psychotic ranting about how Homer always got good things and he didn’t. Frank Grimes passed several years ago. Sorry you hadn’t heard. I’m so sorrry for your loss. May your grief pass, and the knowledge that he’s now in a better place warm your heart and ease your mind.
[QUOTE=Johnny Hildo]
Wait, what? You’re using Season 9 as a compliment of some kind?
[/quote]
No, I think it’s pretty clear I’m using it as a measuring stick. I’d say seasons 3 through 8 are the show’s best years. There are some good episodes in 9, but there’s a noticeable dropoff. I’d say this year and last year are the best since then, and I can’t do a side-by-side comparison, but this year might be better than 9. Not one of the few best seasons ever, but the best in a long time, and I think the improvement could continue.
I was in 6th grade when the Simpsons started airing, and my first impression (without having ever seen the show) was negative, because several of the boys in my class acquired these little round cardboard signs with Bart on them and the words “Underachiever: and proud of it”, which I thought was completely stupid.
But then I decided to watch it at least once, because I was being unfair. The episode was the one where Bart organizes an army of the bullied to get back at Nelson Muntz, first season. And I realized that I was wrong and that this show was awesome.
I haven’t seen it much in the last few years, what with the whole living in a cave in the middle of nowhere without electrity and all, but its best episodes make the Simpsons my favorite TV show, ever, easily.
Oooh, a good occasion to use my sig, for like the third time ever!
[QUOTE=Johnny Hildo]
Wait, what? You’re using Season 9 as a compliment of some kind?
I weep for humanity.
[/QUOTE]
So, stating your hate for famous works of art, no matter how many people might like them, is a good and unpretentious thing, but someone saying that they like current seasons of The Simpsons, no matter how many internet posters dump on them, is an occasion for weeping.
I’m not following the common thread here, Johnny.
Personally I’d take watching recent eps in repeats over any of the supposed classic ones anytime. I can’t stand to watch most of the classic ones anymore, they’re so played out.
