Fox just sent word that they've picked up The Simpsons for two more seasons. So, if you've stopped counting, that means the FOX staple will have completed 22 seasons and an astonishing 493 episodes by the time this pickup runs out. I'd imagine they'd want to push for 500, so don't be surprised to see a 23rd season, as well.
Look, say what you will about what the show has become; it's not as funny as it used to be, it doesn't make news anymore, blah blah blah. It's still quite shocking that in this day and age of quick-trigger-fingered network executives that any show can last as long as The Simpsons has.
Anyone who saw The Simpsons debut in 1989 would have never guessed it would still be on today. Why? Because it was hilarious and just a little bit subversive (at least according to the first President Bush). You would think that creatively the show would have tanked long ago or the novelty of it would have worn off to the point that people would stop watching it. But it keeps chugging along.
I watched the first-ever HD episode a couple of weeks ago, and while I wasn't overly satisfied with how frantic it was (I mean, the story of why Homer didn't win the class president election would have been enough without the silly sauce stirrer/soothsayer), I still thought it was funnier than most of what I see on TV today. Since there's such a lack of comedy on network TV, having The Simpsons stay on the schedule to help influence tomorrow's sitcom writers can't hurt, right?
So, how much longer do you think the show will go? Let me know in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-26-2009 @ 11:36AM
mike.chauvet said...
It stays around because of consistency. They don't get boffo ratings anymore, but they have extremely consistent costs, so Fox can pencil it in as a solid profit every season. Unlike a lot of their other big performers (Idol excepted).
Oh, and the show will continue until one of the principals - the 6 stars, Groening, Al Jean or Jim Brooks - dies. Bank on it.
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2-26-2009 @ 11:32AM
Fuzzyfreaker said...
I'm fine with The Simpsons staying on the air.
I was one of the people that was upset about how terrible it's gotten recently, and was shocked when they renewed the show 3 years ago.
But now? I don't see why not. I've recently gone back to watch some of the earlier episodes, and have been frequently catching reruns of the show, and it's really kind of put the new Simpsons episodes at the top of my list of what to watch on Sundays.
The show may not be as good as it used to be, but it still has it's funny parts, and occasionally they do a really great episode. And I was born in 1989, so I quite literally grew up with The Simpsons. So as I stand right now? It's not ruining the legacy of the show. It's not really adding to it, but they've not to the point where they're just destroying everything they've done in the past.
So I say let the Simpsons stick around. I think their new episodes are better than the crap that Family Guy and American Dad have been churning out recently.
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2-26-2009 @ 11:33AM
Jefferson Burns said...
Suck on that news Dick Wolf and Law & Order...
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2-26-2009 @ 3:17PM
jake said...
Best. Show. Ever.
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2-26-2009 @ 11:40AM
Courtney said...
I think the quality has gone down in recent years, but I don't care that it's been renewed. I'd prefer having this on than another FOX reality show.
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2-26-2009 @ 11:56AM
Miles said...
I think saying the show has gotten "worse" is pretty hack. Just because you don't watch things with the same consistency doesn't mean its become terrible.
I hope it stays as long as the guys making it have fun. When you can tell people are just collecting a check, that's when shows start to stink.
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2-26-2009 @ 5:44PM
Dan said...
Being someone who watched the show religiously, I noticed a decline in the 9th season, and I stopped watching it in the 12th when it became excrutiating. Now, when I watch an episode, it's just painful. I really want to like it, because I have very few comedy shows that actually make me laugh these days, but it makes me feel stupider every moment I watch it.
I bought the last season released on DVD (11th I think) and I found it to be so much worse than the 8th and miles from the 3rd, 4th or 5th. It may be a 6/10 now, but it used to be a 10/10. When I was in elementary school, you had to watch The Simpsons or you'd be an outcast. Now, it's clearly not at that level. Get seasons 3, 4 and 5 on DVD and then watch a current episode, you'll see how much worse it's gotten.
2-26-2009 @ 12:12PM
Rocketboy said...
If I can help it, it won't end until I do.
Alas, that plan hasn't worked for King Of The Hill or Futurama, nor would I expect it to work for South Park, but a boy can always dream.
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2-26-2009 @ 12:17PM
JPN said...
For some reason, I don't really find the new episodes funny when they air the first time, but when I catch them in syndication on my DVR, they're funny. Maybe it's the prime time vs. 6pm thing. It's always kind of been "junk food TV" to me anyway, fun to watch but watch too much and it's not fun.
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2-26-2009 @ 12:55PM
Josh.A. said...
“Who knows what adventures they'll have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable?” -Troy McClure
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2-26-2009 @ 1:15PM
Matthew said...
I miss Troy McClure. :(
3-01-2009 @ 8:37AM
mdk said...
I think Futurama will prove to be accurate and The Simpson's will still be airing in the 30th Century. (Of course by then, Matt Groening will be just a living head in a jar of nutrient liquid.)
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2-26-2009 @ 3:06PM
Blu-Sam said...
Come on, make it end up to 500 mark and it's over. Pretty please. :)
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2-26-2009 @ 4:52PM
1iPete said...
I actually disliked the Simpsons when they debuted in 87 on Tracey Ullman and didn't watch the spinoff series until it hit syndication but then grew to love them.
I don't think the show is anywhere near it's creative peak but still has it's moments but as writers come and go on the show, there could be a renaissance/revitalization awaiting around the corner. I hope so.
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2-26-2009 @ 7:01PM
Jenny said...
Is it just me, or have there been very few new episodes this season? My DVR only seems to record a new episode once a month or so. They used to have full seasons. Or is my DVR just screwy?
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2-26-2009 @ 10:53PM
screaminghello said...
the show is just as funny as it ever was. the earlier eps just stick out more b/c it was new and they stick in your brains more. sort of like how new songs by bands you like may be good but they'll never top the original favorites. i think there is also something inside all people to not allow themselves into think that something remains good consistently. everyone wants things to be like the clash. burst onto the scene and then quickly exit before you "sell out." i am a total comedy snob and i think the simpsons are still great.
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2-27-2009 @ 7:31PM
wayne who said...
I'm amazed at every one, the Simpsons is just as funny, I feel the reason why every one think that the show is not as funny is because we have other cartoon shows that is more shocking and more offensive. One of my favorite shows is the Family Guy,South Park. But I still watch the Simpsons to this day and I will be there until the last show which I hope that day never arrives.
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2-27-2009 @ 2:20PM
McKinley said...
I am tired of all that ... the show used to be so good ... talk
" ... It may be a 6/10 now, but it used to be a 10/10 ..."
@Dan & the others: Did you ever consider that It may not be the show that is changing so much, but it may be you growing up?
I think the show is still al good as it used to be, the audience thanged a lot (no wonder considering how long the show is on the air)
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2-27-2009 @ 4:46PM
merfdiezel said...
"Did you ever consider that It may not be the show that is changing so much, but it may be you growing up?"
--McKinley
Give me a break.
The Simpsons was one of the S-M-R-T'est shows on television for nearly a decade. I would agree with previous posters to say that the 9th season marks the end of a strong run and the beginning of the "quality" downfall that
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2-27-2009 @ 4:55PM
merfdiezel said...
--cont.--
...plagued the writing of the following seasons. It seems as if the Simpsons lost its way after all these years, and now tries to recreate the vein of humor found within shows like Family Guy and South Park, which owe a lot to the Simpsons. It's like trying to be cool by emulating your nephew. Why bother? You listened to the Clash when they were still touring anyway, right?
The point is, anyone who owns at least one box set from season 1-8 can immediately identify the difference in quality concerning the writing.
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