The Simpsons or Futurama

[Reply #120 on:]

I disagree Beamer. Season 14,15 and 16 are a lot worse. In fact I thourght season 12 wasn't half bad it was definetly better than 10 and 11. You don't really have a point it's an opinoin.

[Reply #121 on:]

No, it's an opinion, and Seasons 11 and 12 were horrible because they sacraficed all character development for stupid jokes, there was no logic to the storylines (eg. Homer gets attacked by jockeys who are goblin-creatures), Homer was just an uncaring asshole and the jokes simply weren't funny... 13 and 14 improved a bit from this, but many of these problems still remained.

Seasons 15 and 16 might not be up to the same standards of the classic era for the most part, but at least they improved upon these flaws. Look at the episodes now - they focus more on character than on aimless jokes, the storylines aren't as crazy as they were in 10-14, and Homer went back to being an idiot with a heart who actually cared about his family rather than just being a loud, insensitive cunt.

The only aspect I feel the new episodes lack in is humour (this mainly applies to Season 17, since Seasons 15 & 16 had many funny moments). They're not as funny as they used to be - old episodes would have a lot more laughs in an episode. However, other than that, Seasons 15 and up are far superior Seasons 10-14 in my opinion.

[Reply #122 on:]

Arnt The Simpsons going to be cancelled once they reach 20?

[Reply #123 on:]

So far, there's no notice of any end to the Simpsons. The show will go on as long as it remains profitable.

There's something I've noticed as I read through this thread. The cut-off points of the "good" period of the Simpsons is gradually extending. When they first came out (and up until a few years ago), many people thought seasons 9 and 10 were really bad. Now, people are claiming that season 11 is the last "good" season. Perhaps it's nostalgia, or perhaps some of the episodes have aged better than we thought.

But I was looking through the season 7 DVD set last night and I realized that season 8 will probably be the last set I buy. There were good episodes in season 9 and 10, but not nearly enough to justify the price. The real drop-off in quality came around season 11 and went to about season 14. Most of the worst episodes of the show's run take place there: "Kill the Alligator and Run," the horse-racing one, "Simpsons Safari," etc. In seasons 15 and 16, the show was no longer as great as it once was, but at least the major problems were stopped. It's going to take some time to rebuild the show (heck, what else can they write about), but I think it's entirely watchable now.

[Reply #124 on:]

 

Originally posted by evan:
There's something I've noticed as I read through this thread. The cut-off points of the "good" period of the Simpsons is gradually extending. When they first came out (and up until a few years ago), many people thought seasons 9 and 10 were really bad. Now, people are claiming that season 11 is the last "good" season. Perhaps it's nostalgia, or perhaps some of the episodes have aged better than we thought.

I actually just think it's a case of people remembering wrong. Most people can't actually remember which episode is in which season, they just remember the quality dropping around 5-6 years ago (when it was in fact 7-8), and knowing that we're on Season 17, they just do the maths without actually looking at what the seasons consist of.

[Reply #125 on:]

Are you saying that people who say it dropped in seasons 10-11 are stupid?

[Reply #126 on:]

Did I fucking say that? Of course I don't think people who say it dropped in 10 are stupid, since I think it dropped in Season 10 (granted, 9 wasn't as good as 3-8, but was still very watchable). As for people who claim Seasons 11 and 12 are in with the classic era, read the first line of my last post again:

 

Originally posted by Beamer:
 I actually just think it's a case of people remembering wrong.

[Reply #127 on:]

So your impling that people who think in dropped in 10 have bad memories? Charming.

[Reply #128 on:]

THATS MY NAME! Simpsons (S) or (OR) Futuramam (F) SORF YEY!
i said simpsons DONT KILL ME!!!!

[Reply #129 on:]

I would have to say Futurama. The Simpsons is a good show and all, but Futurama just has more meaning to it. It has a much more interesting plot. Simpsons is more of a just funny show. Futurama is both funny and meaningful, a quality the Simpsons doesn't have.

I don't get why you put hate both as an option. Why would someone that hated  Futurama join this forum anyway?

[Reply #130 on:]

I like Futurama better, I really like the simpsons, but after all the episodes they've done, I think they're getting to be mostly the same, plus, on the simpsons you can't get the best characters just as Zoidberg :P

[Reply #131 on:]

Theres only so much humour and so many ridiculous situations you can squeeze out of characters in a tv show like the simpsons. I think it jumped the shark before the seasons even got into double figures but thats just my opinion. Ill have to aggree with beamer though, seasons 11 + 12 where painful to watch, and although in some of the lastest seasons they've gotten better, it will never ever regain its former glory

[Reply #132 on:]

Futurama.

[Reply #133 on:]

If it's Futurama and the old Simpsons I'd choose both, if it's Futurama and the new Simpsons I'd choose Futurama.

The Simpsons should have been put out to pasture a long time ago.

[Reply #134 on:]

most of the people who haven't watched futurama before (and seen simpsons) they would say simpsons is their favourite show maybe

[Reply #135 on:]

Well, of course people who haven't seen Futurama would say The Simpsons. If you give people a choice between two shows and they've only seen one, they have no choice but to pick the one they've seen. But remember, this is a Futurama forum. I doubt there are many people here who haven't watched Futurama before. 

[Reply #136 on:]

Futurama is great but I think the Simpsons has a larger reputation.

[Reply #137 on:]

Simpsons or Futurama? The answer is, whats wrong with both? Why should anybody have to choose? Its not like you can only like one and not the other.

Both.

[Reply #138 on:]

That's what I said, both.

[Reply #139 on:]

Simpsons only became popular because back then because there wern't any other shows like it. No family guy, futurama, south park & american dad.

[Reply #140 on:]

There WERE other shows like it ("Dinosaurs," various quickly cancelled animated shows like "Family Dog" ).  They were just really, really bad.  Which is also the case with most of the recent followers, though Futurama, South Park, The Boondocks and a few other animated shows are quite good.  "American Dad!" won't last past the fifth season.

[Reply #141 on:]

 

Originally posted by BenderNeedBooze:
Simpsons only became popular because back then because there wern't any other shows like it. No family guy, futurama, south park & american dad.

That may have been the reason why The Simpsons was so talked-about back then, but it's the quality that kept it on the air. I honestly can't see shows like Amercian Dad lasting that long either (and this is coming from someone who likes that show). But remember, you wouldn't HAVE any of those shows if it weren't for The Simpsons in the first place. Maybe South Park, but even then, I can guarantee it would've been a very different show without The Simpsons to ground animated shows.

[Reply #142 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
There WERE other shows like it ("Dinosaurs," various quickly cancelled animated shows like "Family Dog" ).  They were just really, really bad.  Which is also the case with most of the recent followers, though Futurama, South Park, The Boondocks and a few other animated shows are quite good.  "American Dad!" won't last past the fifth season.

That's not saying much, especially since Family Guy almost didn't make it past the 3rd season.

[Reply #143 on:]

 

Originally posted by Blane:
Theres only so much humour and so many ridiculous situations you can squeeze out of characters in a tv show like the simpsons.

Exactly!  I think the whole foundation of Futurama is far superior to the simpsons.  I mean, simpsons have done a lot but there's also been a lot of similar situations like homer getting a new job.  Futurama however?  They can do anything the simpsons can (via flashbacks to fry's youth) and then so much more given that they're based in the future and it's so scifi oriented.  Futurama just has more range, the simpsons do not have the capabilities to support episodes like Luck of the Fryrish or The Sting for example.

Don't get me wrong though.  I love the simpsons.  I've bought all the boxsets and will continue to do so until there's no more.  As far as people saying the later seasons aren't very good.  I don't think they compare to the golden middle seasons but they're still good. 

Either way Futurama still comes out on top for me.  It's such a billiant setup for a show, it really seems like anything is possible and gives an unlimited freedom to the writers.  Sure in theory the simpsons have limitless storys but they seem to have hit a point where things feel more forced.  I'm still hoping one day they higher on some writers to the simpsons with really fresh ideas (like conen back in, i believe, the 4th season).

 

Originally posted by Spawn_3005:That's not saying much, especially since Family Guy almost didn't make it past the 3rd season.

Is it just me or has Family Guy been canceled twice.  I could have swarn it was canceled twice.  The first time it was on nobody knew about it, then it came back people started watching and talking about it and were outraged when it was canceled and then the 2nd time it came back everybody was all over it's nuts- at which time I can predict most of the jokes and don't enjoy it as much as I did earlier on.

[Reply #144 on:]

 

Originally posted by Show:
Sure in theory the simpsons have limitless storys but they seem to have hit a point where things feel more forced.

Seconded. While futurama lack's the potential to be a 20 season series because of it's depth, character development and linear progression (and because it got cancelled) the episodes are a lots better and the show has several turning points from which it can't go back on. (TMLH for example). And while the Simpsons has the greater potential for a long series, it has gotten to the point where the show is like a broken record; either revamping previous episode ideas or coming up with idea's that are out of character for the show.

People are still going to watch it, but episode for episode i would still favour Futurama because the series as a whole, while a lot smaller, is of a much higher quality and the number of below par episodes is vastly outnumbered by the hole in one episodes like the luck of the fryish, the sting etc.

[Reply #145 on:]

Even though we got 4 seasons the series of Futurama will remain a classic and we can say that it had 72 fantastic episodes. I think now I would say that Futurama and Simpsons are equal in my eyes. Only because the classic eras of Simpsons were brilliant.

[Reply #146 on:]

the simpsons is boring futurama is much more exciting you never know what happens next the simpsons have dragged on for ages

[Reply #147 on:]

Soon the writer for the Simpson’s will run out of ideas since they have had so many episodes.

[Reply #148 on:]

 

Originally posted by Beamer:
That may have been the reason why The Simpsons was so talked-about back then, but it's the quality that kept it on the air. I honestly can't see shows like Amercian Dad lasting that long either (and this is coming from someone who likes that show). But remember, you wouldn't HAVE any of those shows if it weren't for The Simpsons in the first place. Maybe South Park, but even then, I can guarantee it would've been a very different show without The Simpsons to ground animated shows.

That's the whole point, The Simpsons started much more animated/comedy shows. But it's gone downhill because of the new shows making simpsons all alone. Like, we have proof right now. Have a look at this whole thread (Although love simpsons much more). Over 80% of you's voted futurama!

[Reply #149 on:]

No shit, it's a Futurama messageboard. What did you expect? And it's "guidance," not "guideness."

Jonocheese - It's been going for 17 seasons already, the writers don't seem to be showing any sign of slowing down. Fuck, even I can think of several storylines off the top of my head that haven't been done yet, and The Simpsons has a writing staff with well over a dozen writers. It's their JOB to come up with ideas. Plus, The Simpsons is the type of show that can really have any storyline applied to it - and running themes like character relationships can be recycled in countless ways. If you think it's possible to run out of ideas, you must have no creativity whatsoever.

[Reply #150 on:]

Well I still enjoy watching The Simpsons

[Reply #151 on:]

if it wasn't for the simpsons, there would be no Futurama.
but this is a Futurama forum so i pick Futurama

[Reply #152 on:]

 

Originally posted by Beamer:
No shit, it's a Futurama messageboard. What did you expect? And it's "guidance," not "guideness."

Jonocheese - It's been going for 17 seasons already, the writers don't seem to be showing any sign of slowing down. Fuck, even I can think of several storylines off the top of my head that haven't been done yet, and The Simpsons has a writing staff with well over a dozen writers. It's their JOB to come up with ideas. Plus, The Simpsons is the type of show that can really have any storyline applied to it - and running themes like character relationships can be recycled in countless ways. If you think it's possible to run out of ideas, you must have no creativity whatsoever.

There are only so many things you can do with a suburban nuclear family and still keep it fresh and original. So far we have had about three episodes this season about Homer and Marge aruguing and it allways goes like this:

Homer does some wacky thing

Marge gets mad and leaves/throws Homer out.

Homer does some equally wacky thing to get her back.

Marge 'finally' realises how much Homer loves her and forgives him.

Bor-ing.

And then theres the increasingly asinine Bart/Lisa fight episodes, *character* moves in with OFF episodes and three-part story episodes.Lets face it, there comes a point in every sitcoms run when it is time to say 'enough' and much as it pains me to say it, that time has finally come for The Simpsons.

 

[Reply #153 on:]

Evan had said the "Simpsons Safari" was a bad episode, is that the one were they go to Africa? If so I disagree, it's my second favorite episode.

 I still think they are making good episodes, not as often as the early years but I will never stop watching the Simpsons.  People complain about story lines being re-used but it's the same in real life.

[Reply #154 on:]

 

Originally posted by Yardstick2006:
 There are only so many things you can do with a suburban nuclear family and still keep it fresh and original. So far we have had about three episodes this season about Homer and Marge aruguing and it allways goes like this:

Homer does some wacky thing

Marge gets mad and leaves/throws Homer out.

Homer does some equally wacky thing to get her back.

Marge 'finally' realises how much Homer loves her and forgives him.

Bor-ing.

And then theres the increasingly asinine Bart/Lisa fight episodes, *character* moves in with OFF episodes and three-part story episodes.Lets face it, there comes a point in every sitcoms run when it is time to say 'enough' and much as it pains me to say it, that time has finally come for The Simpsons.

   

Thats not true! Anything could happen as a storyline in the Simpsons. There are so many characters and places in the show, there are an infinate number of ideas. The Simpsons make a good use of Classic Spoofs, they always have done, always will I think. That will boost The Simpsons giving tonnes more ideas. The also copy used dilemma's from characters and give the same dilemma to somebody else, but as it is with a different person and the out come is different, most people don't even notice a similar storyline has been inlcuded before.

And its a cartoon! Anything can happen. And when anything can happen, nothing can not happen, meaning the possibilities for a storyline are endless. Homer will always do 'wacky things', and they will always, or mostly, be amusing. The writers will never run out of ideas, and the show will not stop for a long time. Its too popular, they make too much money out of it. More money means hire new people will more new ideas.

[Reply #155 on:]

Yardstick2006 - These are common themes with The Simpsons, because they are common themes in real families too. They've been staples of the show since the very early beginning, and while it can become a little repetitive, these themes are very easy to work in different ways when you have a good writer involved. J Stewart Burns needs to write more episodes...

Though I'll agree with you on the three-story episodes (besides the Halloween ones, since they've been a tradition since Season 2). They need to retire those immediately.

 

Originally posted by DarrinPA:
Evan had said the "Simpsons Safari" was a bad episode, is that the one were they go to Africa? If so I disagree, it's my second favorite episode.

It is, and most Simpsons fans hate that one. It has no storyline, direction, most of the jokes are misses, and it delves into nonsensical wackiness like the majority of Seasons 10-12 did. Personally, I can forgive this one, since it's a holiday ("vacation" to Americans) episode, and so isn't like a normal Simpsons ep. However, I wouldn't even rank it in my Top 100, let alone my Top 2.

[Reply #156 on:]

The Simpsons Safari was funny because it was based on the bag boy strike in Califonia in which people were shopping at gas stations and food really was hard to get, and the thing about the jokes not being good? It has some great one and two liners in there.  My favorite episode is Summer at 4ft.2 which the back story for them getting a vacation spot is just as wacky. I'm not saying people have to like the episode but I just don't see how it's as bad as people say.

[Reply #157 on:]

Uhh...guys, this is turning into a Simpsons thread.

[Reply #158 on:]

 

Originally posted by Spawn_3005:
  That's not saying much, especially since Family Guy almost didn't make it past the 3rd season.

True enough, but lest we forget that Family Guy is (for whatever reason) insanely popular now, and "American Dad!" is sort of riding on its success.  I think Family Guy's days are probably relatively numbered too though; it isn't immediately doomed or anything, but I can't really see it lasting more than two or three more years unless Fox drags it out way past its prime of popularity.

[Reply #159 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
 True enough, but lest we forget that Family Guy is (for whatever reason) insanely popular now, and "American Dad!" is sort of riding on its success.  I think Family Guy's days are probably relatively numbered too though; it isn't immediately doomed or anything, but I can't really see it lasting more than two or three more years unless Fox drags it out way past its prime of popularity.

You mean like they're doing with The Simpsons?

 

Originally posted by DarrinPA:
Evan had said the "Simpsons Safari" was a bad episode, is that the one were they go to Africa? If so I disagree, it's my second favorite episode.

Excuse me for a second.   

But seriously, the beginning of the episode isn't too bad, I like the part when the bagboy threatens to knock Lenny's hat off. And Homer wanting to do all the things on the Animal Crackers box, Box Muhamad Ali, Shoot a Lion in the face, etc. That was a little funny. It's when they go to Africa that the episode falls apart.

I can't even think of an episode that's worse than this. So, however many episodes there are now, that what place this episode is in.