'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.”

Comments

[Sara]

What kind of a wackadoo are you anyway Barnhart. The Simpsons was never meant to be Shakespeare. Season 18 with 19 in the wings and movie this summer, seems Mr. Groening is doing pretty well for himself, and I personally look forward every week to a new Simpsons. I can't wait for Sunday night. I love a show I grew up with is still fresh and funny after 18 years. My god, man, Treehouse of Terror is enough to get me excited about a new season. And as for the so called eudator who posted (I teach 4th grade by the way and love everyone of my underachieveing underdogs I work with every year), what is not to like about underachieving underdogs. I figure the one resposible for the Simpsons is laughing all the way to the bank. Cha-ching.

[Aaron]

No one's disputing that everyone connected with the Simpsons — even those who actively loathe what it's become, like Harry Shearer — is fabulously rich. By the way, so is everyone connected to "The King of Queens."

[Jason]

Whoever said “Being an educator, I can’t really get into celebrating underachievers.” seems to be someone who last checked in with the Simpsons, or at least their bootleg apparel, in 1990. You know, the "Underachiever and proud of it!" moment.

"The Simpsons" is not a celebration of underachievement, nor has it ever been. It's a show that understands human weakness and satirizes our laziness (both physical and intellectual), but "celebrates"? I can't believe the person who used that word has even seen the show.

By the way, here's another piece of "Simpsons" trivia: Bart's sister, whose name is "Lisa," is actually an extremely smart kid. Horrors! Sounds like the show is celebrating intelligence too.

[Atul]

I've been watching the Simpsons since January of 1990 and the 399 and 400th episodes were very good. Of course the show has had its ups and downs, but it's still one of the funniest, most intelligent shows on TV.

[Aaron]

A reader writes...

I’m totally with you regarding The Simpsons. I consider just about every episode from the first four seasons as classic television. Since then...not so much!

I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’d say the Simpsons is as good now as it was then. The bigger question is this, “Name one show in the history of television that is as good in season five as it was in season two?”

The greatest shows of all time all ended their runs limping along on reputation and familiarity. Including Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld, The Sopranos and everything David Kelly every created. It’s television gospel! Characters and storylines are fully played-out by at least episode number 150.

So, why compare season five to season two? Why not season one? Because, very few great shows hit the ground running in season one. It takes time for the creators to fully develop the characters and hit their stride. That’s why the only “season” boxed set DVD’s I’ll ever own are from season two or season three. After that, Hawkeye gets preachy and the Cheers gang just keeps getting punk’d by Gary’s Old Town Tavern...who needs that!

Mike in Kansas City

[Mark Jeffries]

If Harry loathes what "The Simpsons" has become, why does he still do the voices? You can't tell me that "Le Show" eats up all of the residuals.

[Sue T.]

I would imagine that "The Simpsons" pays for Harry's place in New Orleans, Courgette Records, and all of that first-class air travel he complains about in "Tales of Airport Security." Personally, I thought both of last night's shows were great, especially the "24" parody.

[Aaron]

Very true. But that's what I love about Harry: He's got some teeth and he's not afraid to use them on any hands that feed him.

[T Dog]

Last night's Simpsons were terrific, especially the second episode where they took shots at the Fox News and the Fox network in general. It's too bad that type of brilliance now only shows up once in a while on that show.

[Mark Jeffries]

"The Simpsons" has always taken shots at Fox and News Corp. That's nothing new and obviously Murdoch doesn't care as long as the money keeps pouring in. And either Murdoch has told Ailes that "The Simpsons" is untouchable or Ailes just doesn't watch it.

[Duane P. Eklof]

I would say that "The Simpson's" (have more or less) sucked since 1997, when the Frank Grimes episode aired which (I thought) was the best episode that has run since! I mean, how many times can we see Homer acting more stupid, and for Chief Wiggum, Moe, and Krusty The Clown not to remember who the Simpsons are when they see them? Also, Groundskeeper Willie isn't as mean as he used to be, and Bart doesn't even do the crank phone calls or spout the one liners like he used to - this show DEFINATELY 'jumped the shark!'

[Mark Bunker]

Wow. When I wonder how The Simpsons could have staggered on this long, all I have to do is look at the comment of the above person who loved the 24 spoof last night. That was among the lamest episodes ever and shockingly bad for a special event given as much publicity as this episode received.

But then the following episode had enough actual invention and wit to remind me that it was still worth waiting for the one or two episodes a year that harkened back to the show's greatness.

I'll keep watching till I drop dead, I suppose, because even though I'm a "relatively" young man, I expect The Simpson's run to outlive me and I know there will be a few laughs to have along the way.

[Ed Dravecky III]

Bart does still do the occasional crank phone call. Heck, there's one in this week's "24" parody episode.

[Rob Snuckle]

"The Simpsons" P.R. problem is that they're constantly being compared to some carefully-tended mental amalgamation of the show's greatest jokes, scenes, and storylines.

If Fox took the next 25 episodes and just retitled it "The Mimpsons," people would be raving to their friends about this wonderful new show they'd just discovered.

[Steve]

I remember when this show started I was such a die hard fan that I made a wish that it would never end.

Little did I know that I would get that wish, but with what the show has become I should have wished for something else.

[KATHERINE KINCEL]

im a huge fan of the simpsons... i practically own everything there is to own from simpsons monopoly, to simpsons trivial persuit... i think its funny... ive been watching a really really long time since back when they had the butter finger comercials with the simpsons.... although the humor is becomeing a bit less funny i still enjoy a good sit down with a simpsons marathon....