The Simpsons Movie: Re-sparking a Declining Sitcom
Unknown to many, The Simpsons Movie has been in production for a lot of time, whether officially or unofficially. SimpsonsMovie.com was registered in 1997 by Fox as preparation for the launch of the film, despite the fact it would release a decade later. The script, animation, and production have been tweaked numerous times since the film's official inception in 2001, the script itself being revised over one hundred times. Veteran writers including George Meyer, David Mirkin, and Mike Reiss were employed to write the movie. Even during animation, there were numerous story changes. With all this going on, and so much attention to detail being put into this project, the movie just has to be good.
Whether Matt Groening realizes it or not (he probably does), The Simpsons Movie is probably the last chance available to save the series. While The Simpsons will probably never be cancelled or end for a long time, it is losing much of its viewer base and, unless something is done, will continue to lose more and more. If the movie is great, many non-fans or irregular watchers will surely give the show another chance, and the series could get ratings unseen since its early years. Unfortunately, the movie's success will not be enough. The Simpsons storylines need to return to what they were in the mid-90s, specifically, the family being placed in impossible situations that seem completely believable (Homer going into space would never actually happen in real life, but it seems completely plausible on the show). The Simpsons is probably one of the most famous shows on TV known for keeping secrets. "Who shot Mr. Burns?" was played out just like Dallas's "Who shot J.R.?", complete with long-running mystery and speculation. Even just weeks before the launch of this epic film, little is known about the movie itself, except that Bart skateboards naked through town, Homer is charged with causing an environmental crisis, and a pig somehow enters the Simpson household. Is the plot such a big secret because the producers are afraid it will be torn about before it is even released, or they just want to milk the preceding days of the release for all they are worth? While we can speculate all we want about the movie, nobody knows for sure, and nobody will until July 27th.
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16 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article, I completely agree!
I have only seen a handful of episodes, but yesterday I saw the movie and walked out wanting to watch more of the television version. It's true, though, that the movie may be the beginning of the end.
Good article. I haven't seen that show in so long. Maybe I'll check out the movie and give the show another chance.
I read a similar piece that Chad mentioned a few years ago about the staff changing. While I am not sure if they quit, the writing staff for The Simpsons show has changed, and that may have resulted in the shift in The Simpsons show's quality storylines, etc.
Hopefully, audiences will not abandon The Simpsons. It is a great show, even if it may have some troubles. The Simpsons is one of the best (if not the best) Animated television shows to be aired.
I believe the show just was intended for a certain time. I remember watching "Miami Vice" when I was little with all or enough seriousness, but now the motif is hilarious (especially if right at the openning credits all you can think of are Flock of Seagulls and "Grand Theft Auto" on PS2). It's similar with the "simpsons" motif. I just don't find it funny anymore but I remember "Oh right in 92 this was hilarious- why not now" and I feel it's all because of the timing and the motifs way back when.
I think The Simspons movie might be the Simpsons Last Stand before they go to the list of great sitcoms that should've been canceled years ago!!
I used to like the Simpons because it was funny and culturally relevant. Howver, now it is just mean. It should be cancekked. Great article.
I heard a couple years ago that the writers and staff of The Simpsons wanted to quit because their ideas were drying up and they were getting tired of coming up with new things for Homer to do. That's why Matt Groening was trying to concentrate on projects like Futurama. I think they might be under contract or something and the popularity won't let them just quit. I don't think they're worried about resparking the popularity. I think the movie might serve as a way to make people tired of the show pretty soon.
I still find it amusing, but often forget to watch it when years ago I would not miss it. I loved it when it was part of the Tracy Ullman show.
I dont like the nasty so called cartoon anymore either!great article though,