Comments on: Dw. Dunphy On… “The Simpsons” http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/ your daily dose of pop culture Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:26:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: DavidMedsker http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-41573 DavidMedsker Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:31:37 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-41573 I love this show as much as anyone, but that episode that opened with Homer dreaming of killing his father was shockingly out of character and mean-spirited. They're also swinging their Message Stick way, way too much these days. Preaching: it's not just for Lisa anymore. <br><br>I actually loved the '90s episode though, despite it taking place completely out of the actual timeline of their lives. Still, this show needs to go to pasture, before they do any more damage to their brilliant legacy. I love this show as much as anyone, but that episode that opened with Homer dreaming of killing his father was shockingly out of character and mean-spirited. They're also swinging their Message Stick way, way too much these days. Preaching: it's not just for Lisa anymore.

I actually loved the '90s episode though, despite it taking place completely out of the actual timeline of their lives. Still, this show needs to go to pasture, before they do any more damage to their brilliant legacy.

]]> By: DavidMedsker http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12312 DavidMedsker Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:31:37 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12312 I love this show as much as anyone, but that episode that opened with Homer dreaming of killing his father was shockingly out of character and mean-spirited. They're also swinging their Message Stick way, way too much these days. Preaching: it's not just for Lisa anymore. <br><br>I actually loved the '90s episode though, despite it taking place completely out of the actual timeline of their lives. Still, this show needs to go to pasture, before they do any more damage to their brilliant legacy. I love this show as much as anyone, but that episode that opened with Homer dreaming of killing his father was shockingly out of character and mean-spirited. They're also swinging their Message Stick way, way too much these days. Preaching: it's not just for Lisa anymore.

I actually loved the '90s episode though, despite it taking place completely out of the actual timeline of their lives. Still, this show needs to go to pasture, before they do any more damage to their brilliant legacy.

]]> By: Beau http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12311 Beau Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:50:01 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12311 With most series, I'd agree, but this one is so malleable that they're less prone to repeating themselves.<br><br>I'd argue it took them four seasons to hit their stride in the first place. With most series, I'd agree, but this one is so malleable that they're less prone to repeating themselves.

I'd argue it took them four seasons to hit their stride in the first place.

]]> By: Breadalbane http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12310 Breadalbane Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:43:32 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12310 My theory on TV comedies/dramas is that you can have the absolute best concept, the most memorable characters, the freshest setting, the best writers and actors, etc. -- and if everything clicks, you'll have seven seasons of great material, maximum. <br><br>I haven't yet encountered a series that didn't start slipping after the 7-year mark. (Or often well before it.) But by the end of 7 years, or about 150 eps, no matter what you do -- introduce new characters, change the formula, get a new team of writers, change the theme song -- you're either repeating yourself, or (of necessity) moving away from established character traits and attitudes in order to *avoid* repeating yourself, and damaging the integrity of your characters as a result You still might crank out some good eps along the way, but the returns start to diminish with each additional season you hang on...<br><br>Which means that, at least in my estimation, The Simpsons can't un-nuke the fridge. But then, nor could any other series in its 18th year. My theory on TV comedies/dramas is that you can have the absolute best concept, the most memorable characters, the freshest setting, the best writers and actors, etc. — and if everything clicks, you'll have seven seasons of great material, maximum.

I haven't yet encountered a series that didn't start slipping after the 7-year mark. (Or often well before it.) But by the end of 7 years, or about 150 eps, no matter what you do — introduce new characters, change the formula, get a new team of writers, change the theme song — you're either repeating yourself, or (of necessity) moving away from established character traits and attitudes in order to *avoid* repeating yourself, and damaging the integrity of your characters as a result You still might crank out some good eps along the way, but the returns start to diminish with each additional season you hang on…

Which means that, at least in my estimation, The Simpsons can't un-nuke the fridge. But then, nor could any other series in its 18th year.

]]> By: DwDunphy http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12309 DwDunphy Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:38:29 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12309 I accept that. What shall we use now, though? "Offensive?" I accept that. What shall we use now, though? “Offensive?”

]]> By: MatthewF http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12308 MatthewF Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:39:49 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12308 Can I declare a one-man moratorium on the word 'edgy' please? Thank you. Can I declare a one-man moratorium on the word 'edgy' please? Thank you.

]]> By: Will http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12307 Will Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:57:49 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12307 I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the show began its descent into mediocrity the day Phil Hartman died. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the show began its descent into mediocrity the day Phil Hartman died.

]]> By: DwDunphy http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12306 DwDunphy Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:37:25 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12306 The Abrahms/Zucker/Abrahms-styled jokes in the margins are gone too... I miss the family walking idly down the street as sight-gag after sight-gag snuck in behind them. That sort of three dimensional approach is gone, replaced with a very large hammer. The Abrahms/Zucker/Abrahms-styled jokes in the margins are gone too… I miss the family walking idly down the street as sight-gag after sight-gag snuck in behind them. That sort of three dimensional approach is gone, replaced with a very large hammer.

]]> By: hagen http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12305 hagen Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:25:10 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12305 There is a significant difference between the last few years and the few years preceding it, and those before it. One of the reasons might be the length of the episodes... since the network made them run more commercials, they've lost a few minutes per show and fewer of the little touches that flesh out the characters are possible in the shorter timeframe. Homer was always a bit of an ogre, but you were able to see bits that made it more endearing and less cringey. I still see a lot of the greatness of The Simpsons, and the movie just proved they could still do it... given enough episode length. And, uh, twenty years to write it. And John Swartzwelder's input. There is a significant difference between the last few years and the few years preceding it, and those before it. One of the reasons might be the length of the episodes… since the network made them run more commercials, they've lost a few minutes per show and fewer of the little touches that flesh out the characters are possible in the shorter timeframe. Homer was always a bit of an ogre, but you were able to see bits that made it more endearing and less cringey. I still see a lot of the greatness of The Simpsons, and the movie just proved they could still do it… given enough episode length. And, uh, twenty years to write it. And John Swartzwelder's input.

]]> By: Beau http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/comment-page-1/#comment-12304 Beau Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:22:33 +0000 http://popdose.com/dw-dunphy-on-the-simpsons/#comment-12304 Very good episodes of the last three seasons:<br>- The Girl Who Slept Too Little<br>- Treehouse of Horror XVI<br>- Marge's Son Poisoning (just for the arm-wrestling subplot)<br>- My Fair Laddy<br>- The Wettest Stories Ever Told<br>- Girls Just Want to Have Sums<br>- The Monkey Suit<br>- Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play (a rare exception to the fact that marital-problem episodes stink)<br>- The Mook, The Chef, The Wife and The Homer<br>- Jazzy and the Pussycats<br>- G.I. D'oh!<br>- Springfield Up<br>- Rome-old and Juli-eh (cardboard forts)<br>- Marge Gamer<br>- 24 Minutes<br>- Midnight Towboy<br>- Treehouse of Horror, most recent<br>- Husbands and Knives<br>- Funeral for a Fiend<br><br>Great episodes of the last three seasons:<br>- The Italian Bob<br>- The Seemingly Never-Ending Story<br>- Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife (Ricky Gervais)<br>- Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore<br>- Crook and Ladder<br>- You Kent Always Say What You Want<br>- He Loves to Fly And It D'ohs<br>- Homer of Seville<br>- Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind<br>- That 90s Show (Sadgasm!)<br><br>This is actually a simplification. The typical Simpsons episode these days takes an interesting premise, from which they get a few good jokes, and is erratic after that. Sometimes, it goes in a funny direction. Sometimes it doesn't.<br><br>I'd agree that, say, Season 18 wasn't as good as some of the seasons in the '90s (after the first three, most of which seem crude in retrospect). But just like Saturday Night Live, you can never quite give up on the show. It's too fluid. It's not like a sitcom that isn't worth seeing after, say, Christa Miller leaves. (Or Ron Howard, to go back to the series that spawned the "jump the shark" phrase in the first place.) It can be in a slump and then surprise you with something terrific.<br><br>And their "trilogy" episodes (the Treehouses, the story-telling episodes) usually have at least one good segment. Margical History Tour, from Season 15, is one of my all-time favorites. Very good episodes of the last three seasons:
- The Girl Who Slept Too Little
- Treehouse of Horror XVI
- Marge's Son Poisoning (just for the arm-wrestling subplot)
- My Fair Laddy
- The Wettest Stories Ever Told
- Girls Just Want to Have Sums
- The Monkey Suit
- Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play (a rare exception to the fact that marital-problem episodes stink)
- The Mook, The Chef, The Wife and The Homer
- Jazzy and the Pussycats
- G.I. D'oh!
- Springfield Up
- Rome-old and Juli-eh (cardboard forts)
- Marge Gamer
- 24 Minutes
- Midnight Towboy
- Treehouse of Horror, most recent
- Husbands and Knives
- Funeral for a Fiend

Great episodes of the last three seasons:
- The Italian Bob
- The Seemingly Never-Ending Story
- Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife (Ricky Gervais)
- Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore
- Crook and Ladder
- You Kent Always Say What You Want
- He Loves to Fly And It D'ohs
- Homer of Seville
- Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind
- That 90s Show (Sadgasm!)

This is actually a simplification. The typical Simpsons episode these days takes an interesting premise, from which they get a few good jokes, and is erratic after that. Sometimes, it goes in a funny direction. Sometimes it doesn't.

I'd agree that, say, Season 18 wasn't as good as some of the seasons in the '90s (after the first three, most of which seem crude in retrospect). But just like Saturday Night Live, you can never quite give up on the show. It's too fluid. It's not like a sitcom that isn't worth seeing after, say, Christa Miller leaves. (Or Ron Howard, to go back to the series that spawned the “jump the shark” phrase in the first place.) It can be in a slump and then surprise you with something terrific.

And their “trilogy” episodes (the Treehouses, the story-telling episodes) usually have at least one good segment. Margical History Tour, from Season 15, is one of my all-time favorites.

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