'The Simpsons' at 400: Until something better comes along...

The 399th and landmark 400th episodes of “The Simpsons” will air beginning at 7 CT tonight on Fox 4. I can’t remember when my ardor cooled for TV’s most successful animated series, but there is a fine line between funny and insipid, and for me “The Simpsons” crossed it a while back.

Still, 400 episodes means somebody must be watching, so I polled readers at TV Barn to see who was and wasn’t. A few of the many interesting responses are on the jump page, where you can add yours as well. "Moe" responses are here at tvbarn2.

“I’m still watching, and still amazed at how fresh and clever the show continues to be. Anybody who thinks it has lost its humor should look in the mirror.”

“There are some laugh-out-loud funny bits now and again, but not like there were in its heyday. Maybe all the writers are too busy working on the movie?”

“A few years back I stopped looking forward to the next episode. It does occasionally have its moments, but it would be nice if it came to an end.”

“I think ‘South Park’ has picked up some of the satirical edginess from ‘Simpsons.’ ”

“It’s become completely unmoored. You never see Homer at work except for brief moments. You don’t get the sense of family anymore, either. The characters, relationships, and plots have all become weaker.”

“I remember the episodes where Marge gets an SUV and Maude Flanders died as ones that indicated to me that it was going downhill. I have tried many times to give it another try. But whenever I do I just get angry and change the channel.”

“I feel that the quality has dropped off significantly, but once it finally is taken off the air, I will mourn its passing. Anything involving Maggie is usually solid gold.”

“Being an educator, I can’t really get into celebrating underachievers.”

“As time passed, others tried to occupy ground adjacent to ‘The Simpsons’ (think ‘Family Guy’). I still watch ‘The Simpsons,’ but not because it’s the only place I can find such fare.”

“It’s not as good as it was in the first few years, but watching it is one of those unbreakable habits, like tuning in to ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Sometimes there’s an episode that rewards my persistence (how can you not love a show that features guest appearances by Michael Chabon and Jonathan Franzen?). I’m also looking forward to the feature film coming out this summer.”

“There’s much more of a reliance on quick jokes and less story and character development, but a fair percentage of the jokes still land.”

“Nothing has changed, which I believe is the problem.”