The Simpsons or Futurama

[Reply #80 on:]

 

Originally posted by bender&fry:
Lisa: Dad, you shot the Zombie Flanders!

Homer: He was a zombie?

I don't mean to be nitpicky, but wasn't that Bart that said that (instead of Lisa)?
Anyway, although they're both great shows, I'd have to say I like Futurama better.

And another TOTPD. 

[Reply #81 on:]

 

Originally posted by bender&fry:
 consistency of the jokes). For Futurama standards, you can't really beat a joke like

Leela: At night, [Pluto] can get to 23 degrees below absolute zero!

Come on, admit it, you like watching Futurama cause it makes you feel that you're more intellegent than those other couch potatoes!

Yeah you must be smart to get that joke
 

[Reply #82 on:]

 

Originally posted by bender&fry:
 Come on, admit it, you like watching Futurama cause it makes you feel that you're more intellegent than those other couch potatoes!

There are jokes in the first few seasons of the Simpsons that are so sutble and intellegent, most people don't even realise that thery're jokes. Doesn't happen much anymore, but I noticed that one or two snuck into season 15.

[Reply #83 on:]

 

Originally posted by bender&fry:

Lisa: Dad, you shot the Zombie Flanders!

Homer: He was a zombie?

This is the kind of jokes that brought the whole world to one program.

The problem with that theory is that the world was ALREADY brought to The Simpsons in season one (heck, I think "Life on the Fast Lane" still represents one of their highest ratings ever).  If that THOH was so much better then season one (frankly I don't think it is), it was simply building off of what was already a beloved and highly successful show.  "Bartmania" didn't happen in season four ya know.

For my money season one really is still among the best.  Maybe too subtle for some people now but great stuff in my book.  I'd say sixth best season.

[Reply #84 on:]

Heck season four probably turned the public away from Bart what with the homosexual tendancies he displayed in that season.

[Reply #85 on:]

From best to worst:
Classic Simpsons
Futurama
Newer Simpsons

[Reply #86 on:]

Gee What an insightful comment.

Sorry I mean no offence I just wanted to make a snide sarcastic remark.

[Reply #87 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
 The problem with that theory is that the world was ALREADY brought to The Simpsons in season one (heck, I think "Life on the Fast Lane" still represents one of their highest ratings ever).  If that THOH was so much better then season one (frankly I don't think it is), it was simply building off of what was already a beloved and highly successful show.  "Bartmania" didn't happen in season four ya know.

For my money season one really is still among the best.  Maybe too subtle for some people now but great stuff in my book.  I'd say sixth best season.

I know that The Simpsons craze didn't start in season four, but I was just giving an example from that era that was an instant classic. I had finished watching that THOH right before posting that, so I used an example from that.

And User_Names_Suck, I wasn't saying that you have to be smart to get that joke, but when was the last time you heard something like that in Family Guy?

[Reply #88 on:]

Fair enough although to be fair it has its share of obscure refrences.

[Reply #89 on:]

Family Guy wasn't the smartest show in the world, but I think that "Zombie Flanders" bit would have been fairly accessable to it, albeit maybe not in the show's style.

Its smart satire like "Two Cars" and emotion like "Life on the Fast Lane" that completely alluded Family Guy.

[Reply #90 on:]

I have a question and I don't know if this is the right thread to ask it.  How come the Futurama actors never made appearances on the Simpsons?

Tress MacNeille of course was a regular on the Simpsons and became a regular on Futurama.  However, how come Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Lauren Tom and etc. never made appearances on the Simpsons? 


Maurice LaMarche was on the The Simpsons as the voice of George C. Scott in A Star is Burns.

Lauren Tom could've provided the voice of Cookie Kwan. Billy West could do Nixon in some scene where Homer or somebody imagines to be in Hell.

Simpson actors were on Futurama: Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, and Dan Castellaneta.

Can somebody please provide an answer on this?

[Reply #91 on:]

Well, recently they seem to be obsessed with having incredibly well-known celebrities as voice actors on the show, and most people will be confused seeing 'Billy West' pop up in the credits. They need to be part of the pop culture to be important enough to be on The Simpsons. Hell, most people who watch the show regularily don't even know who does the voice of Homer.
EDIT: And although Nancy Cartwright was on the show, it was just a clip from the archives. Nancy didn't actually come in to the Futurama studio to do it.
[This message has been edited by Ubermod M0le (edited 08-29-2004).]

[Reply #92 on:]

Katey Sagal is a well know celebrity.  Peg Bundy, ring a bell?  Why did she never make an appearance on the Simpsons?

Lauren Tom does voices for both Futurama and Kill of Hill, would it have hurt to be on the Simpsons?

[Reply #93 on:]

I'll admit I do wonder why Katey Sagal has never done a cameo on the Simpsons, as she is acceptably famous. As for Lauren Tom, who knows?

[Reply #94 on:]

Also Billy West, not apart of pop culture?  He did Ren and Stimpy and was on VH1's I Love the 90's.

[Reply #95 on:]

Just as a few notes:

1.  Maurice Lamarche actually did his Simpsons role because that episode (along with "Round Springfield" ) was produced by The Critic staff, and he was a regular on that show.

2.  Although West does a great Nixon, that role is already covered on The Simpsons (Harry Shearer does him I believe).

3.  Nancy Cartwright actually didn't do Futurama.  The Bart doll's line was just a stock clip (possibly from an actual toy) and Cartwright didn't get a credit for it.  EDIT: I see Mole has already covered this.

4.  Cookie Kwan was already played by someone else before Futurama started (though granted they'd probably casted them by that point).  Plus Cookie's voice doesn't really fit Tom's.  Her voice is too....let's say "sweet" for someone who's supposed to be a consistantly angry and accusational character.  Nothing against Tom of course.

Anyways, as to why they didn't do parts on The Simpsons...who knows?  I don't think there's any specific reason for it so much as as the producers/writers haven't thought of any specific uses for them yet (that, and the Simpsons cast is already so versatile that there often isn't much need for it, same as the Futurama cast itself).  Plus a lot of guests actually request to do the show as opposed to being specificaly asked, and perhaps the Futurama cast simply hasn't been vocal about wanting to do the show (its not like Sagal is ever particularly needy for work). But I could definetely see them doing some parts, and would personally love to see West do a voice.  Perhaps now that there's several Futurama writers on staff they'll try to push for a guest appearance or two.

[Reply #96 on:]

 

Originally posted by fryfanSpyOrama:
Also Billy West, not apart of pop culture? He did Ren and Stimpy and was on VH1's I Love the 90's.

Yes, they were part of mainstream pop culture, but how many people would see his name in the credits and say "Oh, wow, Billy West was in this."? It'd be more like "Who the hell is Billy West and what is he doing on The Simpsons?!"
The Simpsons today is mostly about appealing to the latest pop culture, who never seem to be able to play a character other than themselves. I've always wondered how hard could it possibly be to at least pretend to be somebody else.

[Reply #97 on:]

 

Originally posted by M0le:
 The Simpsons today is mostly about appealing to the latest pop culture, who never seem to be able to play a character other than themselves. I've always wondered how hard could it possibly be to at least pretend to be somebody else.

I agree. Come on, how many times have you heard: "*Gasp* [Famous Person]" in recent years? There's only so many things that somebody can do when playing himself or herself, but when they come on and play a character important in an episode, it is quite fun to watch them do so.

[Reply #98 on:]

Well the amount of celberities guest have gone down a bit actually. Usually I think some people on staff genuniley want to meet some of the celebrities. and they've had many Hollywood actors playing characters on the show in recent years as well.

[Reply #99 on:]

I'll allow the producer's of the show to do what ever the hell they want with guest appearances, as long as it's funny.

[Reply #100 on:]

Futurama vs Simpsons S1-10

Winner; Simpsons

Futurama vs Simpsons S10-present

Winner; Futurama

[Reply #101 on:]

Yeah, the first 10-11 seasons of Simpsons are the best, but Futurama was good from beginning to end.  I have to say simpsons, because futurama wouldn't have even existed if the simpsons wasn't as good as it was back in the day, I'd love to see newer futrama episodes and have the simpsons end with a good final episode, but I don't know if either one is posible

[Reply #102 on:]

I judge on quality rather than what came first. While I agree that with out The Simpsons sucsess then Futurama would never have existed but we need to remember one thing 'style' Futurama's style was fundimentally different that OFFs [early on in its run] Now Simpsons is very very dull with very few memorble episodes, not to say they arent any good but I  doubt people will remember Red Hat Mommas about five years from now.

[Reply #103 on:]

This didn't need to be bumped...

But I don't get why season ten (and eleven now! Holy christ!) is included in the "good years" of The Simpsons by so many people now.  The show isn't perfect now, but if a bad episode now is like a particularly bad cold, a bad episode of season ten is practically AIDS.

[Reply #104 on:]

I don't think Season 10 was THAT bad. Okay, it should not under any circumstances be included in the classic seasons, but it did have some good moments, and it wasn't quite to the low quality of Seasons 11 & 12. I'd put 10 in the "average season" pile with 13 and 14.

[Reply #105 on:]

Futurama, to me, is just an acceptable show. The Simpsons, thought tends to fall below that for me (even some of the classic seasons, I don't really like, a lot of episodes were just boring, and repetitious even back then).

[Reply #106 on:]

Are there any episodes of 'Rama that you dislike? There are a few like ROAE and FS that i think are teidus but none that I hate.

[Reply #107 on:]

I generally dislike any Leela centered one, as they always tend to try and be more emotional (and aren't always successful) than most, and Leela is my least favorite character in the show.

[Reply #108 on:]

 

Originally posted by Blackadder11:
Futurama, to me, is just an acceptable show. The Simpsons, thought tends to fall below that for me (even some of the classic seasons, I don't really like, a lot of episodes were just boring, and repetitious even back then).

Out of curiousity, why would you be on a forum for a show you only find to be "just an acceptable show"?

[Reply #109 on:]

My views have changed over time. I think I was about 16 or so when I first saw it, and I up to that point in my life it was one of the most sophisticated comedies I had ever seen.

[Reply #110 on:]

Futurama. But I accidently clicked Simpsons. I always have found Futurama more enjoyable. A new episode was like gold to me.

[Reply #111 on:]

 

Originally posted by Yardstick2006:
Futurama vs Simpsons S1-10

Winner; Simpsons

Futurama vs Simpsons S10-present

Winner; Futurama

I agree, but I'd be inclined to go for Simpsons seasons 2-10. The first season was kinda crude, and a bit lame.

I have a theory that the only Simpsons worth watching are those made in the '90s - that is, excluding '89 and 2000-present.

[Reply #112 on:]

If you're just going for the '90s, you'll still be including Seasons 10 and a bit of 11, though, both of which sucked. Not to mention you'll be missing some of the more recent great episodes (Behind the Laughter, Hungry Hungry Homer, Trilogy of Error, Half-Decent Proposal, Weekend at Burnsies, Papa's Got a Brand New Badge, Moe Baby Blues, and most of Seasons 15 and 16).

[Reply #113 on:]

Double edged sord

[Reply #114 on:]

Tough choice. I like the older episodes of the Simpsons to death but Futurama can't be beat.

[Reply #115 on:]

If I had to burn any record of the last five seasons of Simpsons ever existing for more Futurama I would.

[Reply #116 on:]

Yes, I'm sure that's a logical scenario that must come up a lot for people. 

And why the last five? You'd still be left with that god-awful Season 11 (and possibly 12, depending on whether or not you include Season 17 as a whole season since only half of it has aired).

[Reply #117 on:]

Still it's sure as hell better than any of the crap they produce nowadays.

[Reply #118 on:]

No it's not. That's my point. Seasons 11 & 12 were the lowest point of the show.

[Reply #119 on:]

I think you're wrong. It became virtually unwatchable then, and hasn't recovered. Every time I think it may have gotten better, I'm just presented with another episode that's painful to watch.

It's just so over-played and smug nowadays. The characters have become caricatures of themselves. The episode premises and character acting are too self-aware of The Simpsons as a cultural phenomena, as well as the criticism that's been leveled at them since around S11/12, and as a result they just try too hard. This is on top of the severe lack of originality that plagues the show's writing now.

Fox should just quit riding the show's lifeless carcass down the revenue mountain and be done with it. I doubt that'll happen any time soon, though.