When did The Simpsons jump the shark?

[Wussycat]

I can't decide when The Simpsons jumped the shark. The earliest ratings ploy I can think of is when Marge got breast implants, but that was in the 14th season.

Surely the show jumped the shark at least 5 seasons before that?

[RonDrakenfan17]

I gotta say around the 10th season it did.

[Starsky]

Executive Producer: Mike Scully.

[The Myst]

It started slipping around season 10, it was dead at season 14.

[The Huntsman]

It started slipping around season 10, it was dead at season 14.
Does a decline in quality really have anything to do with shark jumping? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the term was used to describe when a series tries to do something drastic to improve the ratings when the series is desperate to retain its popularity.

I could be mistaken though.

[Charlie]

Around that time I heard Bart Simpson say "Thats so gay".

[SirLemming]

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=165952

That's only about 2 months old. Though it's easy to see how this question could be asked multiple times.

[DarthGonzo]

Does a decline in quality really have anything to do with shark jumping? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the term was used to describe when a series tries to do something drastic to improve the ratings when the series is desperate to retain its popularity.

I could be mistaken though.

No your absolutely right. THAT is what jumping the shark actually means. This thread should really be titled "When did the Simpsons go Downhill"?

[Sr.Infierno]

I only started watching seasons 1-10 recently when my Fox station started re-airing them. Before that, I had only seen the newer seasons.

I don't really see what the big deal is, I actually liked the new seasons better. That first season in particular is dreadfully boring. The humor reminds me of something you'd see on Nickelodeon, like Doug or something.

[veemonjosh]

I don't really see what the big deal is, I actually liked the new seasons better. That first season in particular is dreadfully boring. The humor reminds me of something you'd see on Nickelodeon, like Doug or something.

Well, they were still trying to find their spot.

True, the new episodes have their moments (the episode where the Apocolypse happens, that scene in another episode where Homer smashes his dinner plate into a wall in anger after he finds out the Flintstones never happened), but they're sorta dull at times.

[platterpuss]

The Simpsons are not as good as they used to be, but I still watch them and enjoy them sometimes. Maybe theyve been on too long, everything gets old after awhile. I'm looking forward to the movie though.

[Pepperidge]

When Phil Hartman died. Not that it was the reason, but that's usually what I consider to be the benchmark.

[RedNinja84]

The episode where Skinner was an imposter and then eventually was accepted back as skinner. Made no sense and the writing declined from there.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

When Maude was killed. Not that she was a good character or anything, but that's when the writing style of the show changed from character-oriented humour to snide humour.

[Ragebot]

Executive Producer: Mike Scully.
For his work on Season Ten, I agree with you. But his work on Season Nine was perfectly fine.

To answer the question, it was when Homer Simpson in "Kidney Trouble"
aired. I mean, at least Gene Coon used a pen name when he wrote "Spock's Brain" for Star Trek.

[Moto Pete]

When Matt Groening leaves

[MacGyver]

The show has not jumped the shark yet. Jumping the shark (as others have said) is when a show pulls a stunt to help it's declining popularity. (You'd think this would've happened given the show in recent years.) The show has however, gone down the crapper. Season nine was the last really good season. Ten was OK, and from there, it's all gone downhill. It still puzzles me how people can look at this show and think it's just as good as it used to be. I can only hope the movie is at least halfway decent, as they claim to have been working on it for so long. Perhaps it retains some of the old feel of the show.

[Ben]

I don't have anything to say other than that my dad's working with Gary Marshall, who created Happy Days. I got to meet him a few weeks ago, and apparantly he's very proud of his show originating (if unintentionally) the phrase "jump the shark."

[mammy2shoesfan]

This last season was blah. But I can that I still love the Simpsons and really really didn't say any decline until maybe last season. Actully my favorite seasons were 7 thru 14.

[HellCat]

One thing that annoys me on this issue are the fans who still cling to the show and say "If you don't like it anymore, you never were a real fan!". If you still find the show funny, fine. But don't think you get to declare who's a real fan or not. To my mind, being a fan isn't just blind devotion. It's having the heart and brain to know when your interest has lost it's spark and to my mind that happened to The Simpsons years ago. It's now being kept going to beat records and because of what a merchandise/ratings juggernaut it is for FOX.

Why don't I like it anymore? I'm firmly with the group who say the show lost it's heart and is now about mean, stupid humour. Most of these days an episode feels like the writers throw out random jokes and try to write a script around them. I REALLY wanna know where they got the idea this is what the fans liked. In the classic episodes The Simpsons work because they have just the right amount of realism. They're not the most well off family but they have morals and values. Now they're basically a trailer trash family. Head of this is Homer. Homer used to be likeable because he was a well meaning bumbler. He had his lesser moments but we've all had those. He was an average guy trying to make his way through life. Current Homer is a loudmouth jerk who has somehow become a figurehead of Springfield. Apparently nothing can happen in Springfield now unless The Simpsons themselves think it up. Same goes for celebrity cameos. Because, ya know, I'm sure multi-million celebs would want to hang out with a random family. Whatever happened to using the guest stars to voice actual characters relevant to a plot rather then as cheap gimmick cameos as a way to rub the guest voice's egos?

[PowerZord]

It's not as good as it once was, but it's better than FG. hell more of the ramdom jokes complains I read here, I can apply them to FG through his whole run.

The simpsons are like Pokemon Battle frontier, not good as it once was, but it's still watchable enough to enjoy it.

FG, has the same or worst plots. I mean, Sex in the ear? Making out with brian? Brian was the intelectual cocky one, and they turned him into a Ramdomless drunk joke.

The simpsons is still on, so I guess it's doing something right. Here in Puertorico, the simpsons are hugely popular, even the spanish dub voice actors came to visit the country and decided to use Puertorrican references in the dub. which they alredy used.

On ratings, It's the first Animated show to reach spot #22 since cartoons are never that high, in the top 50. they are usually at #45.

I never seen the simpsons get so much promotion a day here, it's like madness, Almost everyone I know loves the simpsons. even my Mom likes them and she will watch the movie.

FG, KoH, Futurama, never really took off here, only a few like it.


On conclusion, they aren't as funny as before, but enjoyable

[MagemanSP]

The weird thing is that people who were real Family Guy fans, like I was, don't like the new episodes, especially their extreme overeliance on cut aways. The cut aways used to make sense in regards to the plot, and in many episodes were used less than 6 times an episode. Now every episode has at least 9 cut aways, usually more.

The average FG fan (and former fan) says "Sex in the ears? What the hell are these guys thinking? Man this show has gone downhill!"

But the average viewer who likes Family Guy says "Sex in the ears? Hilarious! That's so random!"

[Jazman]

One thing that annoys me on this issue are the fans who still cling to the show and say "If you don't like it anymore, you never were a real fan!". If you still find the show funny, fine. But don't think you get to declare who's a real fan or not. To my mind, being a fan isn't just blind devotion. It's having the heart and brain to know when your interest has lost it's spark and to my mind that happened to The Simpsons years ago. It's now being kept going to beat records and because of what a merchandise/ratings juggernaut it is for FOX.

Why don't I like it anymore? I'm firmly with the group who say the show lost it's heart and is now about mean, stupid humour. Most of these days an episode feels like the writers throw out random jokes and try to write a script around them. I REALLY wanna know where they got the idea this is what the fans liked. In the classic episodes The Simpsons work because they have just the right amount of realism. They're not the most well off family but they have morals and values. Now they're basically a trailer trash family. Head of this is Homer. Homer used to be likeable because he was a well meaning bumbler. He had his lesser moments but we've all had those. He was an average guy trying to make his way through life. Current Homer is a loudmouth jerk who has somehow become a figurehead of Springfield. Apparently nothing can happen in Springfield now unless The Simpsons themselves think it up. Same goes for celebrity cameos. Because, ya know, I'm sure multi-million celebs would want to hang out with a random family. Whatever happened to using the guest stars to voice actual characters relevant to a plot rather then as cheap gimmick cameos as a way to rub the guest voice's egos?

Like you took the words right out of my head. BOTH parts.

[Moto Pete]

I hate when people look to find when a show goes downhill like it matters i watch Simpsons ever sunday i have all 7 soon to 8 dvds. if you don't like it stiop watching it's easy. It Funny that people wear " I Stopped Watching" as a badge of how they are better then others

IF YOU DON"T WATCH A SHOW why post in a THREAD ABOUT THAT SHOW


I don't watch Anime or some shows on [adultswim] Some i watched but don;t anymore (ex:Minorateam) But i don't say When did soo and so get bad i don't like it i walk away


The Simpsons do what they do it still pulls in 8-10 million people a show

which is better then alot of shows pull in a season

[The Myst]

The difference between the random, mean-spirited jokes on Family Guy and The Simpsons is that The Simpsons used to be something else. Family Guy has always been about that. Plus, it's usually... well... funny when Family Guy does it. The Simpsons has never been able to do it right because they were a more grounded down to Earth show at one point.

[HellCat]

I hate when people look to find when a show goes downhill like it matters i watch Simpsons ever sunday i have all 7 soon to 8 dvds. if you don't like it stiop watching it's easy. It Funny that people wear " I Stopped Watching" as a badge of how they are better then others

IF YOU DON"T WATCH A SHOW why post in a THREAD ABOUT THAT SHOW


I don't watch Anime or some shows on [adultswim] Some i watched but don;t anymore (ex:Minorateam) But i don't say When did soo and so get bad i don't like it i walk away


The Simpsons do what they do it still pulls in 8-10 million people a show

which is better then alot of shows pull in a season

Exactly the attitude I talked about. Why shouldn't we voice our dislike? No one here is going "Yeah, I've been hating the show for the last 5 seasons now. Pretty impressive, eh?". We're presenting constructive criticism on a show that was a major event for animation. I don't really see why we should care if you watch it every week or how many season sets you have. Merchandise owned doesn't make your opinion more important.

[Peter Paltridge]

Simple. It jumped when the characters lost their souls and humanity, and became hollow joke machines. Bart, I'm looking at you--some of your most heartfelt episodes were in the earlier seasons, you really captured what it was like to be a 10-year-old boy, and now you're a stereotype.

The reliance on puns and "EHH??? EHH???" elbow-in-the-rib jokes is also when it jumped.

[PowerZord]

The difference between the random, mean-spirited jokes on Family Guy and The Simpsons is that The Simpsons used to be something else. Family Guy has always been about that. Plus, it's usually... well... funny when Family Guy does it. The Simpsons has never been able to do it right because they were a more grounded down to Earth show at one point.

always about that? they were part of the plot, now they are just ramdom and predictible. And their characthers have become "Crap"

Still this is the usual response:

Simpsons: "More crap our way, cause of bart turnin good"

FG: "OMG! How cool!! Brian and Meg! Bestialism at last!"

But still people may complain all they want, the Simpsons still pulls out the enough money and ratings to keep on, and it's way more popular Worldwide. FG tries way to hard to be the next South Park/Simpsons

[HellCat]

Your argument loses all clout when it resorts to childish name calling of the other side.

[PowerZord]

Your argument loses all clout when it resorts to childish name calling of the other side.


Name calling? where? I din't insult or anything. I just did a Netspeak reanacment of the usual reaction on fandoms.

I'm just saying that People complain about any kind of new plot that the Simpsons may present, but when it comes to FG, they pass everything as good.

[Eddie G.]

The show jumped the shark when Homer started becoming a sadistic and mildly retarded character instead of a misguided and ignorant person. This was around Season 9. It didn't get really bad till season 11 though. I mean, the show is never really horrible. The timing sucks, the direction is boring, and the voice acting is weak, but it's not horrible. It's just that the show never reached the heights of episode like Lisa's Substitute or Mother Simpson.

[Yash]

FG tries way to hard to be the next South Park/Simpsons
I disagree. Family Guy never tried to emulate Simpsons humor. If anything, after Family Guy premiered, The Simpsons started to emulate Family Guy humor.

Family Guy was always about random humor, though I will admit that it has gotten bad lately (like in the episode where Peter was telling the family about various stories of the Griffin ancestry - there were about two jokes in the entire episode that got some sort of reaction from me, and the Meg bashing was horribly cruel, out-of-character, and overdone). Random humor in The Simpsons doesn't work as well because not only is it just not as funny, but it's also done in a setting that was once much more grounded in realism.

I also don't like how shallow the characters have become, or how changed they are from the older episodes. Like in the episode where Lisa places a restraining order on Bart, where she would push Bart into Gay Interest sections in the book store or push his milk over... Somehow, that just didn't sit well with me.

[The Myst]

Name calling? where? I din't insult or anything. I just did a Netspeak reanacment of the usual reaction on fandoms.

I'm just saying that People complain about any kind of new plot that the Simpsons may present, but when it comes to FG, they pass everything as good.

Since when? Have you seen the topics on this board about Family Guy? Lots of people hate it.

[HellCat]

Few further reasons I dislike recent seasons- animation, music and voice acting have all become pretty blah. The animation is awkward, the music has become too jingely and the voice actors barely try anymore (I suppose when you know your show is almost certain to be renewed each season you just stop caring...)

On the Family Guy vs Simpsons issue- I'd agree FG works because that was it's style of humour from the get go. I can care about the Griffins and co but the writers never meant you to feel for them on the level of the Simpsons cast. The FG characters are more about delivering gags and you come to accept that from the show. The Simpsons in contrast was a show that blended humour and emotion very well and now all they're doing is trying to make the show more like it's competitors. Homer screaming in pain isn't funny, it's pathetic. The Simpsons has a hit a mix of "We're a success, we don't have to try. If you think we're not doing ok anymore then YOU'RE the problem!" and "Hey, everyone, look at me! Look at me, look at me!!"

[PowerZord]

the only thing saving FG is "Stewie griffin" his "Brain" Rip off personality. The Simpsons may not be as funny as before, but it's more enjoyable than FG.

FG later episodes have gone annoying, and besides the crossover the rest of the future plots don't look bright. Tries hard to be South Park.

What keeps the Simpsons in the air?

-It's enjoyable
- It's unique
- It's popular and the money it makes it's beautiful to Fox.

Altough I prefer futurama over the both, but I guess Fox still has hopes with FG

[The Myst]

the only thing saving FG is "Stewie griffin" his "Brain" Rip off personality. The Simpsons may not be as funny as before, but it's more enjoyable than FG.

FG later episodes have gone annoying, and besides the crossover the rest of the future plots don't look bright. Tries hard to be South Park.

What keeps the Simpsons in the air?

-It's enjoyable
- It's unique
- It's popular and the money it makes it's beautiful to Fox.

Altough I prefer futurama over the both, but I guess Fox still has hopes with FG

"Brain" rip-off? Don't go all Pc-Famicom64 on us. I bet Seth MacFarlane's never even seen Pinky And The Brain.

Family Guy doesn't "try to be South Park". Why is it that any edgy show that pushes the envelope is somehow "trying to be South Park"? Just because South Park did it first-- OH WAIT! South Park didn't even do it first! That was All In The Family!

And since when is The Simpsons unique? Even they admit they took a lot from The Honeymooners and The Flintstones.

[Classic Speedy]

the music has become too jingely Y'know, I think one of the problems with recent episodes is that the orchestra isn't used enough. Back in the day, if there was a montage, you can bet the orchestra was in full swing. Nowadays, they play some random oldies song instead. It feels lazy, and takes away from the music that was so prominent in many earlier episodes. And when they DO have orchestral music, it seems to be mostly the same short diddies we've heard multiple times before.

[DarthGonzo]

Y'know, I think one of the problems with recent episodes is that the orchestra isn't used enough. Back in the day, if there was a montage, you can bet the orchestra was in full swing. Nowadays, they play some random oldies song instead. It feels lazy, and takes away from the music that was so prominent in many earlier episodes. And when they DO have orchestral music, it seems to be mostly the same short diddies we've heard multiple times before.

You mean how any time something even remotely dramatic happens they go right to the church bell ringing.

And the montages never last long enough to really play more than a line or two of whatever song they're using with it.

[simpspin]

I REALLY wanna know where they got the idea this is what the fans liked.

The writers not only feel like they're infallible--they feel people will watch even the worst the show has to offer, call it "gold" and beg for more. Unfortunetly, as you said about blind fandom, there's enough blind fandom to keep the show popular not for just two or three more seasons, but several generations to come. :shrug:

IMO, what the show needs are angry, jaded writers who mock society, rather than coddling it, like today's do.

[Starsky]

"Brain" rip-off? Don't go all Pc-Famicom64 on us. I bet Seth MacFarlane's never even seen Pinky And The Brain.
Well, it's not THAT improbable. Sure, there are a hell of a lot of megalomaniac evil geniuses who want to take over the world and such, and they're all pretty different, but Stewie's manners, gestures, and way of expressing do remind of Brain's, at least in my opinion. Obviously, he's not a complete rip-off and there are a bunch of differences and personality shades, but basically they're two beings (a baby and a laboratory rat) who contrast with the usual take-over-the-world villain, they're short and big-headed, with bad-tempered expression, and talk in a cultivate, calm way (instead of neurotic). Sure, Stewie's way more of a psycho and Brain's not exactly an action man, but when you see each one on action, it does remind you of the other. At least to me.

But still, obviously Stewie hasn't been totally ripped off from Brain...
http://www.mcachicagostore.org/ArtToys/190450corrigan.jpg

[PowerZord]

"Brain" rip-off? Don't go all Pc-Famicom64 on us. I bet Seth MacFarlane's never even seen Pinky And The Brain.

Family Guy doesn't "try to be South Park". Why is it that any edgy show that pushes the envelope is somehow "trying to be South Park"? Just because South Park did it first-- OH WAIT! South Park didn't even do it first! That was All In The Family!

And since when is The Simpsons unique? Even they admit they took a lot from The Honeymooners and The Flintstones.


Eh? What makes FG so much better anyway? Sex in the ear? Meg havin sex on the set of Saturday night live? All in the family from what I remenber wasn't even near South Park Edginess or whatever is spelled.

Since when you seen an all yellow family on tv on a town thats without a state? From what I understand The flinstones were the ones that took off from the Honeymooners. and the Simpsons were inspired by the success of "Married with children" the first Fox sitcom about an Disfunctional family.

People say Simpsons fans are Blind, but what about FG fans? The one that drool about any ridiculous stuff they do and still think it's gold.

FG is just a Smashed mix of some of the famous Animated comedy shows along with some pop culture gags.


The simpsons might have started to jump at Season 14, but at least they are still watchable. and the rest of the population outside Toonzone seems to think so as well. After all it hasn't been cancelled once, unlike FG

[Classic Speedy]

After all it hasn't been cancelled once, unlike FG Simpsons didn't constantly switch time slots like FG did, though. That may have had something to do with it.

[The Myst]

Well, it's not THAT improbable. Sure, there are a hell of a lot of megalomaniac evil geniuses who want to take over the world and such, and they're all pretty different, but Stewie's manners, gestures, and way of expressing do remind of Brain's, at least in my opinion. Obviously, he's not a complete rip-off and there are a bunch of differences and personality shades, but basically they're two beings (a baby and a laboratory rat) who contrast with the usual take-over-the-world villain, they're short and big-headed, with bad-tempered expression, and talk in a cultivate, calm way (instead of neurotic). Sure, Stewie's way more of a psycho and Brain's not exactly an action man, but when you see each one on action, it does remind you of the other. At least to me.

But still, obviously Stewie hasn't been totally ripped off from Brain...
http://www.mcachicagostore.org/ArtToys/190450corrigan.jpg

The Corrigan thing is probably legit but anything with The Brain is totally coincidental because it's just far too obscure and the target audience of FG would never have heard of it.

[The Myst]

Eh? What makes FG so much better anyway? Sex in the ear? Meg havin sex on the set of Saturday night live? All in the family from what I remenber wasn't even near South Park Edginess or whatever is spelled.

All In The Family paved the way. It had drugs, it had violence, it had homosexuality, it had racism. It had it all. Maybe you should watch it more. It was a damn fine show.


Since when you seen an all yellow family on tv on a town thats without a state? From what I understand The flinstones were the ones that took off from the Honeymooners. and the Simpsons were inspired by the success of "Married with children" the first Fox sitcom about an Disfunctional family.

Yes. The Flintstones took from The Honeymooners and The Simpsons took from The Flintstones. It's not rocket science. FG also took from The Honeymooners and The Flintstones.


People say Simpsons fans are Blind, but what about FG fans? The one that drool about any ridiculous stuff they do and still think it's gold.

Who does that? Do you even read the FG topics? It has tons of haters.


FG is just a Smashed mix of some of the famous Animated comedy shows along with some pop culture gags.

Also some very clever satire of said things and some good jokes outside of that. FG haters love to say what you just said while ignoring all the other stuff that makes people like the show.


The simpsons might have started to jump at Season 14, but at least they are still watchable. and the rest of the population outside Toonzone seems to think so as well. After all it hasn't been cancelled once, unlike FG

The Simpsons wasn't cancelled because it wasn't treated like **** by Fox. Fox switched FG's timeslot constantly, never promoted it, randomly aired it's third season with no build-up, hype, or ads. It screwed Family Guy horribly. That's why it was cancelled. Not a lack of fan support. If it lacked fan support, it never would've come back.

[HellCat]

And this is the problem with diehard Simpsons fans- they stick their fingers in their ears and attack all of the 'clone' shows. Have we reached the part yet where the Griffins are accused of ripping off each Simpson family member? That's always good for a laugh.

[Moto Pete]

Family Guy by According to Jim executive producer Warren Bell
Act One: Peter gets in a fight with the garbageman, who now refuses to pick up their trash. His loving wife, Lois, announces that she is undergoing extensive plastic surgery because all the overweight TV dads need wives that are too hot for them. We cut to backstage at the Emmy Awards, where Mark Addy, Mike O'Malley, and Kevin James nod sadly in agreement. Meanwhile, Stewie the Talking Baby and Brian the Talking Dog are about to join in Peter's garbage revenge scheme when the goon squad from the Committee for Television Fairness busts down the door. It seems a show can have a talking baby or a talking dog, but not both. Brian sees where this is going and calmly leads himself away.
Act Two: Back in the Griffin house, Peter launches his plan to get back at the garbageman, but finds himself paralyzed by the lack of a goofy sidekick. The guy from American Dad flies in to help, leading to confusion when no one can tell them apart. Lois, who is now a dead ringer for Pam Anderson, returns from the sex toy and outfit store, planning to indulge her husband's every deviant whim in order to distract him from his trash-delivery-inefficiency-induced rage. Peter responds with a tremendous fart. Stewie poops. Brian returns from TV jail, no longer able to speak. He sniffs these vapors and is inspired to finish his novel. Stewie teases Brian about his novel for the next 16 minutes, providing YouTube with its most popular download of the year.
Act Three: Peter and Now Silent Brian have disguised themselves as garbagemen to infiltrate the garbageman place. Their adventure builds to a hilarious physical comedy scene in which both man and dog must escape from a giant steel vat full of Vaseline. They are discovered and arrested, but Peter manages to persuade the garbagemen that the manly thing to do is forget the whole thing. Lois and Peter have a long scene in front of their couch, forgiving their excesses and reaffirming their deep love and commitment to each another, because we don't know how to end a show any other way. Meanwhile, at the Emmys, According to Jim has swept all the major categories. Cut to Stewie, cackling that his secret plan is finally under way...


this is funny its a producer from a live show ripping off a simpsons episode

[JeffTMBG]

I think all The Simpsons needs is a little new blood to help turn it around. Someone like the guy who did this fan-made episode: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6952344246860098919

[PowerZord]

All In The Family paved the way. It had drugs, it had violence, it had homosexuality, it had racism. It had it all. Maybe you should watch it more. It was a damn fine show.



Yes. The Flintstones took from The Honeymooners and The Simpsons took from The Flintstones. It's not rocket science. FG also took from The Honeymooners and The Flintstones.



Who does that? Do you even read the FG topics? It has tons of haters.



Also some very clever satire of said things and some good jokes outside of that. FG haters love to say what you just said while ignoring all the other stuff that makes people like the show.



The Simpsons wasn't cancelled because it wasn't treated like **** by Fox. Fox switched FG's timeslot constantly, never promoted it, randomly aired it's third season with no build-up, hype, or ads. It screwed Family Guy horribly. That's why it was cancelled. Not a lack of fan support. If it lacked fan support, it never would've come back.



And the Attack of myths of FG fanboys continue! What Makes FG like the show? It has nothing brillant. Tons of haters? Most of toonzone is biased towards FG and everything Simpsons related: "OMG it's sux!!"

Since we are talking about the Chracthers losing their Personalities, let's talk about Brian then? The Sarcastic cocky dog, who they turned into an Drunken idiot at the level.

Wow all FG fans are blame it to Fox and the scheduling. Fox has been doing the same thing since the Simpsons premiered. If you do some research the Simpsons was moved to Thursdays as well to compete with the Cosby show. FG was moved to compete with "FRIENDS" and it failed Miserably. if Fox din't like FG it wouldve rejected the original pitch. You don't purposely back down a show, cause' the Network loses Money. Learn that first.

The only fan Support FG regain was because it was move to Cartoon Network which more people see.

On the Comedic Rip-off here's the Scale:

Flintstones Took from the Honeymooners.
Simpsons Took Some elements from the flinstones.

The only reason FOX exists today it's because of the Simpsons and Married with Children. On times were all sitcoms were about FUnctional families.

From Married with Children came the Simpsons, and from the Simpsons formula arose shows like the Critic, South Park, FG, Futurama, etc.


The Simpsons may have lost the charm at Season 15. (Currently airing here in PR, after the countless reruns of Seasons 1-14) but they are still enjoyable. FG has the problem of dragging Good jokes to the floor or doing things that Make no sense at all.


On the end the Simpsons will last, not forever, but the whining won't get any haters their wishes, They are more Popular and More recognized everywhere. and they have the best advantage of appealing to Older and Younger audiences, and everyone knows about them. Come on, Say to anyone Peter griffin, only a few know. Say Bart Simpson, everyone knows. at least here in PR almost everyone I know watches the Simpsons, FG and Futurama air here, but people hardly pay attention to them. It's all about the Money and the Simpsons will stay on the air as long as they earn big bucks.

And to the user who said Mcfarlene hasn't seen Pinky and The brain, maybe should tell him to get out of his cave.

[Mr Cat Dog]

The only fan Support FG regain was because it was move to Cartoon Network which more people see.I'm sorry... WHAT?

Fox is terrestrial television, available to 95% of US citizens.
Cartoon Network is cable television, available to approximately 50% of US citizens.

How does moving a show to a channel with lower availability make "more people see it"? And besides... it was a combination of AS reruns and phenomenal DVD sales across the world, which brought Family Guy back.

You have your opinion to dislike FG, as does everyone who chooses said opinion, but this is not a critique of FG but a full-blown flame-fest. I know I don't speak for everyone, but I think people here would appreciate you shutting up about your hatred for Family Guy when this thread is about THE SIMPSONS. Vent your hatred in an FG-hating thread.

---

And talking about the Simpsons, I believe that The Simpsons did jump the shark with the episode "The Principal and the Pauper". It was a very outlandish storyline - one of the worst - and the show never recovered from it. Bad writing soon swept in to become the norm... Tis a shame.

[The Myst]

And the Attack of myths of FG fanboys continue! What Makes FG like the show? It has nothing brillant. Tons of haters? Most of toonzone is biased towards FG and everything Simpsons related: "OMG it's sux!!"

Since we are talking about the Chracthers losing their Personalities, let's talk about Brian then? The Sarcastic cocky dog, who they turned into an Drunken idiot at the level.

Wow all FG fans are blame it to Fox and the scheduling. Fox has been doing the same thing since the Simpsons premiered. If you do some research the Simpsons was moved to Thursdays as well to compete with the Cosby show. FG was moved to compete with "FRIENDS" and it failed Miserably. if Fox din't like FG it wouldve rejected the original pitch. You don't purposely back down a show, cause' the Network loses Money. Learn that first.

The only fan Support FG regain was because it was move to Cartoon Network which more people see.

On the Comedic Rip-off here's the Scale:

Flintstones Took from the Honeymooners.
Simpsons Took Some elements from the flinstones.

The only reason FOX exists today it's because of the Simpsons and Married with Children. On times were all sitcoms were about FUnctional families.

From Married with Children came the Simpsons, and from the Simpsons formula arose shows like the Critic, South Park, FG, Futurama, etc.


The Simpsons may have lost the charm at Season 15. (Currently airing here in PR, after the countless reruns of Seasons 1-14) but they are still enjoyable. FG has the problem of dragging Good jokes to the floor or doing things that Make no sense at all.


On the end the Simpsons will last, not forever, but the whining won't get any haters their wishes, They are more Popular and More recognized everywhere. and they have the best advantage of appealing to Older and Younger audiences, and everyone knows about them. Come on, Say to anyone Peter griffin, only a few know. Say Bart Simpson, everyone knows. at least here in PR almost everyone I know watches the Simpsons, FG and Futurama air here, but people hardly pay attention to them. It's all about the Money and the Simpsons will stay on the air as long as they earn big bucks.

And to the user who said Mcfarlene hasn't seen Pinky and The brain, maybe should tell him to get out of his cave.
That was me and maybe you should quit flaming other users. While you're at it, quit flaming Family Guy because you've crossed the line of facts and you're now just bending the truth to get your way -- a clear tactic of haters, trolls, and flamers.

[The Myst]

And talking about the Simpsons, I believe that The Simpsons did jump the shark with the episode "The Principal and the Pauper". It was a very outlandish storyline - one of the worst - and the show never recovered from it. Bad writing soon swept in to become the norm... Tis a shame.

But can we really peg it down to that episode? I mean, a lot of people point to it but they had some great episodes afterwards. I think that episode was something of an anomaly of it's time. An indicator of things to come. It would've been better suited from season 14-17, not 9 because 9 just had so many gems. For some reason, they just really screwed up for that episode.

[Starsky]

But can we really peg it down to that episode? I mean, a lot of people point to it but they had some great episodes afterwards. I think that episode was something of an anomaly of it's time. An indicator of things to come. It would've been better suited from season 14-17, not 9 because 9 just had so many gems. For some reason, they just really screwed up for that episode.
Yeah, season 9 is indeed quite good, but I'll never understand why people suit the shark-jumping moment for seasons 14-17. Sure, they're bad, but seasons 11 and 12 were some of the worst things I've ever seen on television (and I've seen The Pitts - thanks again, Mike Scully). As weak as the new seasons are, they're definetely an improvement over jockey elves, anal-raping pandas, nerd sweat, the island, super-Maggie-rescuing-Homer-from-drowning, and such.

[Mr Cat Dog]

But can we really peg it down to that episode? I mean, a lot of people point to it but they had some great episodes afterwards. I think that episode was something of an anomaly of it's time. An indicator of things to come. It would've been better suited from season 14-17, not 9 because 9 just had so many gems. For some reason, they just really screwed up for that episode.IMO, Season 9 wasn't a great season. I'm looking at the episode list, and the only ones that stand out are that one, "All Singing, All Dancing" (to which I think "that musical episode") and "Trash of the Titans", which I only remember because I have it on DVD. The rest mean nothing to me.

S9 wasn't a truly awful season, but it wasn't as good as any of the seasons before it. As well as the fact that episode quality started to decline (although Children of a Lesser Clod and Ol' Yeller-Belly are some of my favourite episodes), for the most part, I stick to my reasoning.

[The Myst]

Yeah, season 9 is indeed quite good, but I'll never understand why people suit the shark-jumping moment for seasons 14-17. Sure, they're bad, but seasons 11 and 12 were some of the worst things I've ever seen on television (and I've seen The Pitts - thanks again, Mike Scully). As weak as the new seasons are, they're definetely an improvement over jockey elves, anal-raping pandas, nerd sweat, the island, super-Maggie-rescuing-Homer-from-drowning, and such.

I liked the "jockey elves" episode, as well as the Mr. X episode. The rest of those are best left forgotten.

[HellCat]

To my mind the Mr X episode is a perfect example of how the show can no longer hold a plot anymore. The idea of Homer wanting hits to his website and trying to get them by filling it with scandal stories has at least some merit. But then it gets stupid with the whole idea that one of his lies has unintentionally hit on some vast conspiracy all to do a stupid spoof of The Prisoner. A similar episode is Missionary:Impossible. The PBS chase scene might have worked on a show like Family Guy but on The Simpsons...ugh.

[The Myst]

I also liked "Missionary: Impossible", though I admit the plot was bad.

[Moto Pete]

I also liked "Missionary: Impossible", though I admit the plot was bad.

JEBUS SAVE ME

one of my Top 15

[Yash]

And the Attack of myths of FG fanboys continue! What Makes FG like the show? It has nothing brillant. Tons of haters? Most of toonzone is biased towards FG and everything Simpsons related: "OMG it's sux!!"
If you would read the talkbacks, you'd discover that yes, there are Family Guy haters, and former Family Guy fans that hate what the show's become. Huh, just like the people who think "OMG it's sux!!" about Simpsons here?

There are a couple gems every now and then, but for the most part, the newer episodes are just terrible. I hardly ever get a laugh.


Since we are talking about the Chracthers losing their Personalities, let's talk about Brian then? The Sarcastic cocky dog, who they turned into an Drunken idiot at the level.
True. I think it can be agreed that older Family Guy episodes are better than the newer ones, though it has a better batting average than The Simpsons.


Wow all FG fans are blame it to Fox and the scheduling. Fox has been doing the same thing since the Simpsons premiered. If you do some research the Simpsons was moved to Thursdays as well to compete with the Cosby show. FG was moved to compete with "FRIENDS" and it failed Miserably. if Fox din't like FG it wouldve rejected the original pitch. You don't purposely back down a show, cause' the Network loses Money. Learn that first.
Hence why there's no logic in it. My memory is more vague than others' here, but from what I can tell, FG was treated horribly, never being advertised, constantly changing time slots. When The Simpsons was moved against The Cosby Show, it had already built a following because, get this, people actually saw it. I've heard complaints from people saying that they thought it was funny but would never be able to see it. Putting a show like that, a show that the network NEVER gave a chance, against another show like Friends is, to put it bluntly, really stupid.

And yes, networks play favorites all the time. While Fox doesn't like The Simpsons mainly due to its constant attacks at them, they can't cut it off because it's one of their highest rated series. When they did Futurama, they never advertised it. Wait, that's not true. They would advertise it, but when they did, it was in a generic "Here's what's on Sunday!" and go into detailed descriptions about the latest Simpsons or whatever, and then tack on "Oh yeah, Futurama, woo".


The only fan Support FG regain was because it was move to Cartoon Network which more people see.
As a previous poster pointed out, more people get Fox in America than Cartoon Network, and I'm sure even less of those people watch Family Guy to begin with. It's not as if the [adult swim] airings were the only contributor to Family Guy's return, DVD sales were a big part of it too.


On the Comedic Rip-off here's the Scale:

Flintstones Took from the Honeymooners.
Simpsons Took Some elements from the flinstones.

The only reason FOX exists today it's because of the Simpsons and Married with Children. On times were all sitcoms were about FUnctional families.

From Married with Children came the Simpsons, and from the Simpsons formula arose shows like the Critic, South Park, FG, Futurama, etc.
I have no idea where you get the impression that Family Guy, Futurama, and South Park have the same "formula" as The Simpsons.

Family Guy is about a family, yes, but it doesn't focus as much on the family as much as it does the stupid dad. Family Guy has always been about Peter, whereas The Simpsons used to be more about the family.

South Park and Futurama? Not even close.


The Simpsons may have lost the charm at Season 15. (Currently airing here in PR, after the countless reruns of Seasons 1-14) but they are still enjoyable. FG has the problem of dragging Good jokes to the floor or doing things that Make no sense at all.
I disagree with that, but you have your own opinion. I still say the show started to lose its luster around season 10 or so. It started becoming less funny and more tasteless.


On the end the Simpsons will last, not forever, but the whining won't get any haters their wishes, They are more Popular and More recognized everywhere. and they have the best advantage of appealing to Older and Younger audiences, and everyone knows about them. Come on, Say to anyone Peter griffin, only a few know. Say Bart Simpson, everyone knows. at least here in PR almost everyone I know watches the Simpsons, FG and Futurama air here, but people hardly pay attention to them. It's all about the Money and the Simpsons will stay on the air as long as they earn big bucks.
And here in America, where Family Guy came from, Family Guy is immensely popular among numerous demographics, Peter Griffin is fairly well known, though Stewie is more of a "mascot" for the series.

[The Myst]

JEBUS SAVE ME

one of my Top 15

Family Guy actually did the Jebus gag before The Simpsons too. >_>

[Moto Pete]

When Did Family Guy Ever Use The Word " Jebus" Simpsons Used It 2-20-2000

Yhs is not a Simpsons vs Family Guy Pissing contest One Show has been on for 18 years the Other for 4yrs. Both great

[DarthGonzo]

When Did Family Guy Ever Use The Word " Jebus" Simpsons Used It 2-20-2000


FG used "Jebus" in the episode "Holy Crap" which aired 9/30/99.:p

[Moto Pete]

FG used "Jebus" in the episode "Holy Crap" which aired 9/30/99.:p

The Simpsons http://www.planet-familyguy.com/pfg/images/navigation/button_wikitiny.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Simpsons)http://www.planet-familyguy.com/pfg/images/navigation/button_googletiny.gif (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=The+Simpsons)http://www.planet-familyguy.com/pfg/images/navigation/button_amazontiny.gif (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search/102-7042783-2006517?mode=blended&tag=planetfamilygu0f&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0&Submit=Go&keyword=The Simpsons)
One of the Pope's assistants notices the word "Jebus" in the bible, which Homer shouts on an episode of The Simpsons.

Trole Ling: JEBUS = It's a gay reference ... John, Ed, Bob, Under Steve ...
from the "Police Academy" series.

[Starsky]

I'm not even a Family Guy fan, but sheesh, give it a rest.

"Hey, page 75, this bible says Jebus"
"...it's supposed to say Jesus, right?"

[Wussycat]

I think it's a joke on how it's politically incorrect to say Jesus on TV. Like when they called him Gee-Whiz in ATHF.

[The Myst]

Look, just compare the dates. Family Guy did it first. They also did the "Characters builds his own bar for his friends" first in "Mind Over Murder" before "Homer The Moe". Simpsons, however, did the blackjack gag before Family Guy.

[Yash]

When Did Family Guy Ever Use The Word " Jebus" Simpsons Used It 2-20-2000 Holy Crap.

By which I mean the Family Guy episode, "Holy Crap". Several Catholic priests were shown studying the bible, and this exchange followed (somewhat paraphrased):

Priest: "Hey, look. On this page it says 'Jebus'."
Priest 2: "Really?" (Priest shows it to other priests, who flip to the page in their bibles to confirm)

According to Wikipedia, the episode aired on 30 September, 1999.

Edit: Beaten to it. I missed the presence of a fourth page.

[Moto Pete]

Holy Crap.

By which I mean the Family Guy episode, "Holy Crap". Several Catholic priests were shown studying the bible, and this exchange followed (somewhat paraphrased):

Priest: "Hey, look. On this page it says 'Jebus'."
Priest 2: "Really?" (Priest shows it to other priests, who flip to the page in their bibles to confirm)

According to Wikipedia, the episode aired on 30 September, 1999.

Edit: Beaten to it. I missed the presence of a fourth page.
Like i said it was about the sametime

The Simpsons episode was being produced in april/may of 1999

But Jebus comes from the 1800's anyway so we can credit the librel Settlers who used that term aganist th pureists


THERE IS THE SIMPSONS and then there is everything else.

Where were the FG Diehards when the show got canceled. Not Bragging the Genius of FG. But AS saves it and the DVD's sell well then FOX who puts Crap on TV for the Most Part Broaght it back

(I Love FG, AD, SP and The Simpsons) But Come on Primetime Cartoons were dead b4 the Simpsons and FG, AD, SP, Critic are great things to come from this. But it also brought us the PJ's Cap. Critters, Futurama and Others

[The Myst]

Like i said it was about the sametime

The Simpsons episode was being produced in april/may of 1999

But Jebus comes from the 1800's anyway so we can credit the librel Settlers who used that term aganist th pureists


THERE IS THE SIMPSONS and then there is everything else.

Where were the FG Diehards when the show got canceled. Not Bragging the Genius of FG. But AS saves it and the DVD's sell well then FOX who puts Crap on TV for the Most Part Broaght it back

(I Love FG, AD, SP and The Simpsons) But Come on Primetime Cartoons were dead b4 the Simpsons and FG, AD, SP, Critic are great things to come from this. But it also brought us the PJ's Cap. Critters, Futurama and Others

Nobody's denying the importance and influence of The Simpsons. Only that it's still good anymore.

And those diehards were starting petitions, e-mailing Fox relentlessly, sending snail mail to Fox, doing everything in their power to save the show. The sales and Adult Swim ratings are part of it but it would've never happened without the devoted fans who not only bought the DVDs, watched it on Adult Swim, but also tirelessly campaigned for it's return.

So I don't know what you're talking about there.