For this week, I decided not to watch an episode but rather find something to read upon about The Simpsons. I came across an article in the NY Times by David Carr, called “Will The Simpsons Ever Age?” That title alone caught my attention because I was wondering that question myself. I learned in class that it has been 20 plus years of episodes, now that is A LOT of seasons for one show. I had no idea that it was this successful. Like he states it would take more than a week with back-to-back episodes to watch all of them, and this was written in 2005- it’s 2010 now!
I wonder how do these writers still come up with these jokes? There are repeated jokes, of course, but how do they come up with different underlying episode themes? Just a thought- maybe from other shows like Family Guy and South Park. Like I talked about in my previous blogs. From the beginning Mr. Groening (writer) said he knew it would be a hit, and that he still is feeling great about the show. "I get to work with writers who write funnier than I do, animators who draw better than I do and network executives who dress better than I do," Mr. Groening said. "I'm in a great mood." It doesn’t’ look like he is going to end this show anytime soon, he is having too much of a great time doing it! Which is great for him, and really great for the big time fans. Earlier in his interview he said “the show has almost reached its halfway point, which means another 17 years.” I think The Simpsons are going to be around for a while. Especially because they can take and find jokes just from current and everyday history. Things don’t stop happening, controversial topics don’t just stop, so The Simpsons along with other hit TV sitcoms, will have a never ending pool of jokes to choose from.
If you wanna check out what I read, here’s the link…..
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/arts/television/24carr.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Linday I found it interesting that you read that article on the Simpson's rather than watching the traditional episode. I read the article also thanks to the link you had posted. After reading it made me think that as the show becomes exposed to younger and younger generations will the writers have to change the attitude/actions/behaviors of the characters. Newer generations may require changes to the program in order for the show to remain on the air. I feel as though a lot of time is spent reflecting back on the Simpson's as a show but it would be interesting to look at what the show may or ma ynot become in the future.
ReplyDeleteHi, I read the article too. Thanks for posing the link!! Ben I think you brought up an interesting point about the possible changes to the writing. However, the show has been around for 20 something years and I don't think they have changed it too much so I wonder if its the original writing that keeps people coming back and brings in new followers.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this same thing today while watching Family Guy. I was thinking about how the neighbor never has her baby. But by keeping all their characters in the same point in time, they are constantly appealing to audiences of all ages. They have the grandfather, the parents, and the children of several ages. Although the Simpson's doesn't have any high school aged representatives. But, I guess it works for South Park too. I think this also helps them in that they don't have to hit that "jump the shark" moment (some reference to happy days, look it up). They don't have to worry about there children looking older, or actors dieing, or wanting to quit. So they never have to write in ridiculous plot twists to cover their changing cast. Guess that's why they haven't failed yet.
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