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| The Simpsons |
There's a common saying in regards to modern TV: The Simpsons did it. Regardless of when you think it "jumped ship," the series has explored crazy facets of culture through some twisted stories. It began to seem like there was nothing else that they could do that would be exciting. First they became the longest running animated series, now they're the longest running primetime scripted series overall with 626 episodes, beating the former record held by Gunsmoke - which the series loving poked fun at during their opening credits. But now that The Simpsons have done it, what else is there really to do? It seems sometimes like they exist to break the records. What's next, break 1,000 episodes? Feasibly it could be done, but at what cost? The Simpsons have done it, so now what do they do?
In some ways, it's become tough to get excited for any major landmark in The Simpsons history. With exception to the incredible run a few years back that featured FXX's popular Every.Simpsons.Ever marathon and The Simpsons Take the Bowl, they haven't really hit a zeitgeist point that's on par with their best work. Sure, there's the LEGO episode, the Futurama and Family Guy crossovers, even the "live" episode where Homer Simpsons answers fan questions. In some ways, The Simpsons gets by on being experimental nowadays - which is best exemplified by their opening couch gags that have included such illustrious artists like Don Hertzfeldt, Bill Plympton, Rick and Morty, and the Robot Chicken guys. Still, it's become more of a commodity best emphasized by breaking records and, in some ways, finding new ways to stay in the conversation.
The irony is that becoming the longest running scripted series should've been a moment to celebrate. For what it's worth, the episode was quaint and featured some solid emotional cues of latter day episodes. However, the headlines and press quickly became obsessed with the series almost becoming cranky and wanting to pick fights. In this case, it played a card a few weeks back suggesting that the Indian character of Apu wasn't offensive; a remark brought upon by the documentary The Problem with Apu, created by Hari Kondabolu. What could've been a simple "We're working on it" response turned into something more controversial, reflecting a struggle of comedians from a different era. Is Apu offensive? Instead of letting one side have their say, people including creator Matt Groening suggests that maybe, just maybe, everyone is too sensitive.
This isn't going to be about nitpicking the Apu conflict (who may secretly have been killed off anyways), but more that the show seems to not even be about the show anymore. It's about the reputation and legacy it already has. At 28 seasons it has already done its greatest hits a half dozen times each. Audiences take to their Facebook page to write the textual equivalent of eye rolls. Nobody cared about the record-breaking moment because The Simpsons creators found a different way to get attention. It wasn't through making a provocative episode, but instead debating the important modern issue of cultural diversity in the writers' room for a show whose character count rivals infinity. It's not a terrible idea to change once in awhile. However, does The Simpsons want to?
At most, the future of the show could be harbored on the tried and true. Guest stars will come in and do novelty plots for decent-at-best episodes. The history of characters will be rewritten to the frustration of purists who disliked the 90's episode (what's next, Homer and Marge become Millennials?). It's the issue with a show that can do anything. Once anything is done, there's nothing left to do. With exception to the Apu conflict, the show isn't any worse than it was last year or the year before. It merely exists in that way of a flagship series too beloved to go away. Considering that Disney just bought Fox, The Simpsons could literally go the way of Star Wars and The Avengers and go on until they become unprofitable. The issue becomes the fact that The Simpsons will always be profitable - just not for anything regarding Moe's recently introduced family of mattress salesmen.
I love The Simpsons and probably will remain a die hard. I may even be devastated when the show finally reaches that end point. Still, the show pretty much has no record left to beat, which at times felt like its main goal. Recurring gags often feel pointed towards fans who want to remember the good old episodes, even making sequels like last season's "Kamp Krusty" sequel or even killing off Ned's senile mother for a cheap plot device despite her not being on the show in 20+ years prior. The show is folding in on itself, creating its own irrelevance. Maybe the news that Indian writers are petitioning to be part of the show will add some fresh perspective. Maybe this poorly planned backlash will lead to something more than a cranky series that's now older than Gunsmoke (and wants you to know that, as it did for two consecutive episodes) saying that their way is right. The question is: Is it really?
I speculate that the series knows its fading relevancy, at least for new episodes. There's been predictions that season 30 will be the end. After all, it's a well-rounded number and by no means a terrible run for a series of any kind. But still the fact that the 626 episode, a historic one that the show hasn't really experienced in awhile, went almost ignored in favor of controversy regarding the show's relevancy in 2018 shows what the public thinks. Maybe the remarks regarding Apu are too damning to keep audiences coming back. Maybe this will just be another brush off the shoulder. Still, there's nothing left that the show can impress audiences with. It's done everything. It's done it. Now what?
At most, the future of the show could be harbored on the tried and true. Guest stars will come in and do novelty plots for decent-at-best episodes. The history of characters will be rewritten to the frustration of purists who disliked the 90's episode (what's next, Homer and Marge become Millennials?). It's the issue with a show that can do anything. Once anything is done, there's nothing left to do. With exception to the Apu conflict, the show isn't any worse than it was last year or the year before. It merely exists in that way of a flagship series too beloved to go away. Considering that Disney just bought Fox, The Simpsons could literally go the way of Star Wars and The Avengers and go on until they become unprofitable. The issue becomes the fact that The Simpsons will always be profitable - just not for anything regarding Moe's recently introduced family of mattress salesmen.
I love The Simpsons and probably will remain a die hard. I may even be devastated when the show finally reaches that end point. Still, the show pretty much has no record left to beat, which at times felt like its main goal. Recurring gags often feel pointed towards fans who want to remember the good old episodes, even making sequels like last season's "Kamp Krusty" sequel or even killing off Ned's senile mother for a cheap plot device despite her not being on the show in 20+ years prior. The show is folding in on itself, creating its own irrelevance. Maybe the news that Indian writers are petitioning to be part of the show will add some fresh perspective. Maybe this poorly planned backlash will lead to something more than a cranky series that's now older than Gunsmoke (and wants you to know that, as it did for two consecutive episodes) saying that their way is right. The question is: Is it really?
I speculate that the series knows its fading relevancy, at least for new episodes. There's been predictions that season 30 will be the end. After all, it's a well-rounded number and by no means a terrible run for a series of any kind. But still the fact that the 626 episode, a historic one that the show hasn't really experienced in awhile, went almost ignored in favor of controversy regarding the show's relevancy in 2018 shows what the public thinks. Maybe the remarks regarding Apu are too damning to keep audiences coming back. Maybe this will just be another brush off the shoulder. Still, there's nothing left that the show can impress audiences with. It's done everything. It's done it. Now what?
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