Is it time to end The Simpsons?

[HighFivingMF]

Why is it waiting to get cancelled though? Can Matt Groening get some balls and give it a proper finale or something? Are they waiting til literally no one cares about it anymore?

If this show had its run done at the end of the 90's it probably would had one of the highest rated series finales and if it was well written maybe one of the most memorable ones too. Now will anyone even notice?

Maybe because Matt doesn't want to put dozens of people out of a job just so he can give a proper ending to a show that doesn't need one. They're the Simpsons, they'll always love each other despite Homer's dimness, Marge's nagging, Bart's rebelliousness, Lisa's extremely high morals, and Maggie's fondness for shooting people. What more is there to wrap up? The show is doing what it's always done, telling stories of their collection of colorful characters put into humorous situations.

I don't see how spanning multiple generations and attracting a new batch of fans every few years would make the show less memorable than ending after only the first few years.

 

[Max J Power]

Maybe because Matt doesn't want to put dozens of people out of a job just so he can give a proper ending to a show that doesn't need one. They're the Simpsons, they'll always love each other despite Homer's dimness, Marge's nagging, Bart's rebelliousness, Lisa's extremely high morals, and Maggie's fondness for shooting people. What more is there to wrap up? The show is doing what it's always done, telling stories of their collection of colorful characters put into humorous situations.

I don't see how spanning multiple generations and attracting a new batch of fans every few years would make the show less memorable than ending after only the first few years.

Commodity value. So many shows that got canceled after 1-4 seasons are highly revered because they went out before their quality declined. These shows are big commodities for fans because their episodes are few in number and that makes each one more special.

The Simpsons is in a rare position, though, where even though it's past its prime, its legacy as a historically important show will one day totally overshadow its decline. Like how Pink Floyd made poorly received albums in the 90s, but their classic albums nullified those in the eyes of music fans.

I still like the show, but it's at a point of being consistently solid with a couple really good episodes here and there. So I wouldn't feel remiss if it got canceled. I'd put South Park in the same category, along with most shows that go longer than 7 or 8 seasons without getting bad.

 

[Bruce Malone]

South Park has done a great job though of making itself relevant in its later years though. The first few seasons of the show are really different than what the show is now. Where they often take the what's in the news approach and lampoon it. Whenever there's a big news event people wait to see sp's take on it.

The simpsons however doesn't have that luxury since their episodes take 10x the time to produce than sp's i believe.

 

[Max J Power]

South Park does stay timely, but the episodes with hilarious and hard-hitting social/cultural commentary are rarer than they used to be. It also seems like the show is usually more about the cultural jokes than the characters, which is doesn't mean it's bad (because the jokes are still funny), but that maybe the creativity well is running a little dry.

 

[The Cocreator]

I still find it funny, but i would like the kids to grow, maybe add an year to them every 2 seasons and if by season 29 it didn't become even better then they could try to end it with a high note in 30th season and with a The Simpsons 2

 

[PyroChamber]

I think the only way the show would end is if one, or a number, of the main voice actors leave.

 

[Catman]

If this show had its run done at the end of the 90's it probably would had one of the highest rated series finales and if it was well written maybe one of the most memorable ones too. Now will anyone even notice?

Everyone flocked to The Simpsons Movie. So yes, they'll check out the finale.

I think the only way the show would end is if one, or a number, of the main voice actors leave.

More than once, FOX has threatened to replace the actors. So no, it won't take that for the show to leave. The actors don't really contribute anything. They show up for a week, record their voices, and then leave. Just think of how many classic cartoon characters have had multiple actors. That's the advantage of animation. The characters never change regardless of who's doing the voice.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I think the Simpsons are a little different. Its like with Family Guy. Replace the actors and people are going to notice and will be mad.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I think the Simpsons are a little different. Its like with Family Guy. Replace the actors and people are going to notice and will be mad.

Family Guy replaced voice actors once. If you notice at the start of the show, Mila Kunis did not voice Meg Griffin. Plus on the Cleveland Show, two actresses voice the oldest daughter, the most insignificant character.

 

[Phatman]

A Simpsons Finale would Do Mash and SuperBowl Numbers. Better than anything the show is doing right now. The entire season would be a ratings bonanza. Plus Fox could have Greoning launch a brand new better show like Futurama right after the finale if he's smart and pick up right where he left off. But Hollywood is afraid of risk and won't put a bolt between the eyes of a dying cash cow.

 

[John Locke]

Family Guy replaced voice actors once. If you notice at the start of the show, Mila Kunis did not voice Meg Griffin. Plus on the Cleveland Show, two actresses voice the oldest daughter, the most insignificant character.

Well yeah Meg and Roberta were both replaced after one season so no one really cared but Simpsons is going on 23 seasons. People have grown up with these voices. The Simpsons grown out of normal cartoon characters. It would be like replacing one of the Potter kids.

 

[obin_gam]

I bought the first ten seasons of the show. Then it became crap.

Just let the rotting corpse die already!

 

[howl]

^ this

 

[WolfCypher]

I'm pretty sure anything I would have said has already been said about the tired show known as The Simpsons, so I'll just say "American Dad is Fox's only good animated show" and leave.

 

[The Question]

Honestly, I'd much rather see the creators get more experimentative with the writing as opposed to simply ending it. The episodic animated sitcom formula has gotten old, and a lot of episodes are simply variations on a previously used theme. It'd be nice to see them use the world and the characters in different contexts and formats. More anthology episodes, more episodes focusing on minor characters, maybe even experimenting with story arcs. The Simpsons is so well established at this point that they would have thatcreative freedom.

 

[Wheels]

Now that the show has achieved Matt's goal of outlasting Law and Order, the show probably won't go past the last contract extension.

 

[chaseter]

McFarlane is being allowed to re-do Flintstones so I think that will take Simpsons place on Fox and the Simpsons last year will be 2012. Then McFarlane will take over Fox and run it into the ground.

 

[Wheels]

Yep, Flintstones will replace The Simpsons for sure. I knew after the cancelation of Law and Order, and then announcement of the Flintstones reboot, that the show would be wrapping up soon.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

The Simpsons is actually one of those shows that makes me go 'Is that still on?' It's been so long since I followed it properly that I have no idea what is a new episode and what might be 10 years old.

In terms of the quality, while Groening may say they have plenty of great stories to tell still, what he means is that they can continue on with the formula, churning out episodes that hit all the right 'funny spots' of each character. But it's not quality, it's just easy. Easy to watch and easy to make.

 

[HighFivingMF]

Yep, Flintstones will replace The Simpsons for sure. I knew after the cancelation of Law and Order, and then announcement of the Flintstones reboot, that the show would be wrapping up soon.

That's.... Quite a leap.

 

[Wheels]

The Simpsons is actually one of those shows that makes me go 'Is that still on?' It's been so long since I followed it properly that I have no idea what is a new episode and what might be 10 years old.

In terms of the quality, while Groening may say they have plenty of great stories to tell still, what he means is that they can continue on with the formula, churning out episodes that hit all the right 'funny spots' of each character. But it's not quality, it's just easy. Easy to watch and easy to make.

I would agree, but I will say that the crew put alot of effort into The Simpsons Movie, and it showed imo.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

The show will be around as long as people watch it and that has never been a problem for that show. Some people just seem to dislike it because its been on for so long.

 

[Wheels]

That's.... Quite a leap.

C'mon man, the show has become more about the legacy than anything. Matt wanted to outlast Law and Order, and he's done that. What else is there to do?

 

[Wheels]

The show will be around as long as people watch it and that has never been a problem for that show. Some people just seem to dislike it because its been on for so long.

I love The Simpsons, it's my favorite show of all time, but it's not on the level it once was. Just because some are critical of the show doesn't mean they hate it. I love The Simpsons and always will.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

I love The Simpsons, it's my favorite show of all time, but it's not on the level it once was. Just because some are critical of the doesn't mean they hate it. I love The Simpsons and always will.

LOL I dont watch the show myself, but I do know with tv and movies its all about the money and Simpsons brings money in for Fox so tat is why it will continue on until people stop watching. The usual criticism comes from people that dont even watch the show but seem to be annoyed the simpsons is still on. Far removed from actual constructive criticism. That is imo of course.