The Simpsons peaked for me around series 8 and after that I stopped tuning in to new episodes. However, every now and then I catch an episode which comes close to the hilarity of the early days. Anyway, I thought this thread could be used to recommend gems from the later years. Two that I've enjoyed recently have been:
I liked the one where they had to go to New York to get the family car back. This episode had a hilarious flashback scene where we get to know why Homer hates New York, complete with soundtrack from "The Sting", a Woody Allen appearance and 20s or 30s like picture quality.
Other great scenes include Homer eating strange east european fast food, having a full bladder and driving his clamped car.
This episode is from the 9th season.
The AV Club ran an article that addressed this issue a while back...
http://www.avclub.com/articles/in-a-way-theyre-all-winners-10-simpsons-episodes-f,25487/
Quote: David Bussell @ September 21 2012, 9:26 PM BSTThe AV Club ran an article that addressed this issue a while back...
http://www.avclub.com/articles/in-a-way-theyre-all-winners-10-simpsons-episodes-f,25487/
That looks good, David. I shall check them out.
Holidays of Future Passed is really good episode. The new episdes lets say from season twenty onwards have had an increase in quality and is so much better then most telovision comedy on TV. If I did my top 20 episode list I would probaly have an eiposde from every season except around 14-18
The Simpsons had it all but have long since ceased to amuse. The only way back if there is one would be to hire writers who are unknown, hungry and fresh from real life, because that's what made it.
It's the same with Shameless, the first two series were based on Paul Abbott's real life, the rest are simply an example of what middle class writers think happens on housing estates.
Paul Abbot should come back and write on episode were Frank dies of drugs, and the rest are shot in revenge!
The (or: one) problem with later Simpsons is that some characters became more and more...well...soulless. Prime example: Homer. He was dumb right from the start..but he had heart and emotions. But from season ten on or so he became a brainless clown zombie with more slapstick jokes than anything.
Also the stories became less subtle as time went on. Slapstick filled scripts with punchlines delivered by hammer (I don't know if it's the right expression. What I meant was that the punchlines are not subtle anymore but obvious, predictable and full of contemporary references: Apple, Facebook, Hannah Montana etc.)
Yeah and during the Mike Scully show-running years, the episodes focused less around the family and more over an incredibly stupid Homer. Although I do think the Seasons Mike Scully is a great writer.
I picked up that 20 season episode guide from a charity shop for £6 from a charity shop last week. It was a good investment although I can't imagine me watching any of the later episodes featured in it.
Ive got most of the seasons up to around 13 and although it's not a 'late' one I've just gotta say that the episode 'you only move twice' (season 9) is just incredible. Probably the funniest of all the simpsons episodes in my humble opinion.
Anyone know the one where Homer wins a trip for the family when he eats a box of crackerjacks?
I remember laughing til I had tears in my eyes.
I can't stand the later musical episodes or the ones where they recreate historical events. Eugh.
Quote: Mr Carnegie @ October 5 2012, 5:33 PM BSTAnyone know the one where Homer wins a trip for the family when he eats a box of crackerjacks?
I remember laughing til I had tears in my eyes.
Simpson Safari?
The last Simpsons episode I caught was the one with Ricky Gervais and it stank. I'd given up a couple of years before that as each episode was less about telling a story and more about cramming as many jokes in as possible.
It's almost as if they tried to ape Family Guy in the gag ratio and bizarrely, came off second best.
Quote: Scartledge @ October 6 2012, 7:44 PM BSTSimpson Safari?
Wow, just watched it again online. Nowhere near as funny as I remember. Quite racist in places in fact!