>And to those who
>call the writing "shoddy and
>derivative", can you name me
>a better show on broadcast
>TV?
>

Since this is directed towards me, I'll respond. I don't watch a lot of television period, especially primetime. Why? It's pretty terrible. But is this an excuse for the Simpsons to be slightly less terrible? I don't compare the show to what else is on, I compare it to its own standards, which have been completely abandoned. When Matt Groening designed the show, one of the rules was to have nothing excessively cartoony - this was supposed to be a realistic show about family dynamics that happened to be animated. No cartoony acting animals, for example. Now, some stupid diamond eyed koalas and tobacco addicted farm animals - who actual SPEAK ("tomaaaacco . . .") - that is some cartoony ish. Aside from being unfunny, it ruins the Simpsons universe. Homer is a total jerk now, he used to be a somewhat-negligent, lazy, but ultimately caring provider and father. I can go on and on, but basically my point is: I feel the show has run out of steam, and it has become unwatchable. I don't care if it's better than most of what's on TV. I don't have some compelling need to spend my evenings watching television, so it's not like if the Simpsons are cancelled I'll have to watch something in its place.

A bad analogy that will get me in trouble: athletes who stick around too long. Jordan came back and was still successful, but many argue he damaged his legacy. I'm not saying he shouldn't have come back, I'm just saying that even if he was better than most, it doesn't necessarily mean he should have stuck around. Same thing with the Simpsons (basically).

As for shows on TV better than the Simpsons: South Park, Futurama, Family Guy (when it's on), Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, Bernie Mac, Drew Carey, My Wife and Kids, etc. etc. etc. Aside from South Park I haven't seen any of these more than 10 times, but I'd take them all over the Simpsons right now. Even that Greg the Bunny show, and Andy Richter controls the Universe, look better than the Simpsons right now.

"...let my children hear music - for God's sake - they have had enough noise."
Charles Mingus