# Simpson's Series Finale **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2004, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372 "2004-05-10T00:35:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/21 "2004-05-11T22:27:21Z")
Lisa goes on a date with Milhouse, creating a cosmic chain of events that adversely affects everyone in the town we’ve ever met. Moe discovers who has been making those calls all these years, bribes Chief Wiggum into letting Sideshow Bob loose, sabotaging a celebrity roast of Crusty, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/22 "2004-05-12T04:38:43Z")
> [@Saint Sparky](#): > > Actually, IIRC, Matt Groening has already written the very last ever episode back in 1989, locked it in a case and plans to use it when needed. I hate to bring this up…but that thing’s probably as outdated as a contingency plan for war with the Ottoman Empire. ---
**Author:** ![Ass\_For\_A\_Hat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Ass\_For\_A\_Hat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ass_For_A_Hat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/23 "2004-05-12T12:30:30Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’ll wager that I love the show as much as anybody, and I still like watching it. There’s no excuse for the constant threadcrapping. Threadcrapping? The OP clearly decries the current state of the show and you expect that this is a Simpsons appreciation thread? Maybe the intent wasn’t for long winded Simpsons bashing, but some amount of scorn is certainly in bounds. What I’d respectfully like to suggest, Marley is that while your theory about no one every really liking the show is quaint, you may be missing some context. I think you could probably understand that someone who was the age you are now (22 according to your bio) when the show started, has had a vastly different experience with the show than you have. It is unquestionably true that this is a much different show now, than it was in 1994. The Simpsons began as a cartoon show for adults, and by the time you were age 16 (1998 by my math), the show had already entered what most people will agree is, if not a decline, a different era. I don’t mean to imply that you currently aren’t able to view the newer and older episodes and judge them on their merits. If you want to argue that this current incarnation of the show is worthwhile, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion. I simply ask that you understand that those of us who had the rug pulled out from under us were left with a bad taste in our mouths. As for Cap’n Pastrami…your obtuse, obvious writing makes it abundantly clear why you still find the show entertaining. The part where you declare yourself a ‘true fan of the show’…that was just sooooo adorable. Don’t ever change. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/24 "2004-05-12T12:36:05Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > I’d be really happy if all of the folks who don’t seem to like The Simpsons anymore (yet somehow watch every episode-strange) would stop shitting all over every Simpson’s thread on these boards. Yeah, people have been claiming the Simpsons jumped the shark since year 3. What a buncha maroons! ---
**Author:** ![mallocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f4b2a3/32.png) [@mallocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mallocks)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/25 "2004-05-12T12:57:42Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Because we all know 1989 was the show’s best season. This actually serves to confirm my Simpsons Theorem, posted here in February: > > “Based on the opinions of fans, the show is terrible and has been getting progressively worse every episode. So the best episode ever was the first one, and it sucked too- in fact, it was the worst thing in the history of television except for all the subsequent episodes. So I conclude that nobody has ever enjoyed the Simpsons, and it’s possible that nobody has ever watched it.” And that first episode really was awful. Did anyone like it? ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/26 "2004-05-12T15:06:26Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > I hate to bring this up…but that thing’s probably as outdated as a contingency plan for war with the Ottoman Empire. Wait a minute, what are you saying? I guess it’s a good thing I still have my plans to use cavalry in the event of a war in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/27 "2004-05-12T16:25:46Z")
> [@](#): > > The OP clearly decries the current state of the show and you expect that this is a Simpsons appreciation thread? I don’t think the OP was clear at all. I’m not the only one who asked what it meant. (Still waiting on an answer, **Zebra** , if you’re reading.) > [@](#): > > It is unquestionably true that this is a much different show now, than it was in 1994. The Simpsons began as a cartoon show for adults, and by the time you were age 16 (1998 by my math), the show had already entered what most people will agree is, if not a decline, a different era. I’ve seen every episode, which I think pretty much takes my age out of the equation. I agree with you that it’s a very different show, you don’t need to watch very closely to notice that. I’m still put off by the endless complaining about how bad it’s gotten. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/28 "2004-05-12T18:43:05Z")
I can’t believe how sensitive some people are about _The Simpsons_. It approaches fanaticism. “True fans…” indeed. It’s a CARTOON! On TELEVISION! A good cartoon, but still just a cartoon! Some people don’t like it. Some people used to like it but don’t anymore. Some people like the old ones, some people like the new ones. When people don’t like your favorite cartoon, it’s not a personal insult, you know? ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/29 "2004-05-12T22:33:35Z")
As for your answer **Marley** , I just wanted to ask what people thought the series finale would be about, since there was all this hype over finales recently. The second part of my thread was just to say that although this show is still on the air and will be for atleast a little while longer, it is definetly declining fast which gives reason as to why I was asking in the first place. In other words, I was originally asking what people thought would happen in the finale, not who was the biggest fan. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Sparky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Saint\_Sparky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Sparky)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/30 "2004-05-13T06:31:59Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > I hate to bring this up…but that thing’s probably as outdated as a contingency plan for war with the Ottoman Empire. I do agree that there might be several things needing slight updates (ie Patty and Selma’s obsession for McGyver), but my theory is that the episode ends it someway (ala Newheart) that will allow it to be timeless and not in need for anything by the most minor trivial corrections. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/31 "2004-05-13T07:52:14Z")
Bart discovers Kang and Kodos tending to a machine. When Bart manages to destroy it… Everyone finally starts ageing! Also, at the very end they reveal the state the Simpsons live in and then over the closing credits you hear comic book guy giving reasons why they can’t live in that state. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/32 "2004-05-13T11:45:35Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > Also, at the very end they reveal the state the Simpsons live in and then over the closing credits you hear comic book guy giving reasons why they can’t live in that state. Genius. Pure genius 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/33 "2004-05-13T15:23:51Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Make your predictions. What do you think they will do? > > Judging by the recent episode, the end is near (figurativly), I just wanted to ask if anyone had anything they would like to see happen. > [@Marley23](#): > > They’ve got at least a year left, so even if that’s the last year it’s not like they’re setting us up for anything. I take it that neither of you have seen the latest Simpsons promo. The one that says something like “the last four first-run episodes _ever_.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/34 "2004-05-13T15:30:19Z")
> [@Saint Sparky](#): > > Patty and Selma’s obsession for McGyver [He’s still on](http://www.spiketv.com/shows/series/index.jhtml?seriesID=9877). ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/35 "2004-05-13T15:38:44Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Judging by the recent episode, the end is near (figurativly), I just wanted to ask if anyone had anything they would like to see happen. We learn Comic Book Guy’s name. Kind of like with Mr. Big at the end of “Sex and the City.” ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/36 "2004-05-13T15:53:22Z")
It doesn’t matter how you end _The Simpsons_, since everyone will just say, “Worst. Episode. Ever.” ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/37 "2004-05-13T15:54:40Z")
> [@av8rmike](#): > > We learn Comic Book Guy’s name. Kind of like with Mr. Big at the end of “Sex and the City.” Sure, and while we’re at it we can learn the real names of Bumblebee Man, Squeaky Voiced Teen, and the Sea Captain. I bet they’re all named John. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/38 "2004-05-13T15:57:20Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > I take it that neither of you have seen the latest Simpsons promo. The one that says something like “the last four first-run episodes _ever_.” You must have misheard. If ‘The Simpsons’ was ending, the hype over the last episodes would make the press about the last ‘Friends’ look like hubbub that was raised by ‘Saved By The Bell’ getting cancelled. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/39 "2004-05-13T18:08:40Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > You must have misheard. Wouldn’t be the first time. 🙂 Although, it would be funny if these are indeed the final episodes and the whole thing is being kept low-key. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372/40 "2004-05-13T18:13:54Z")
More likely is that Fox meant that the final first-run episode referred to the season, not the series, and they just weren’t clear enough. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-series-finale/244372.md?page=3)