The Captain
06-03-2012, 09:58 PM
I was having this discussion with some friends and one of them coined the term, "The Simpsons Generation" to refer to anyone who is born there about 1980 or so and grew up with The Simpsons and other shows of it's ilk, "Married With Children" et al, that were at once straight comedies but also perfectly captured a mood and a place in society. People now come to expect their entertainment to be at once whip smart, full of pop culture references, zany, absurdist AND yet, still attempting a story and I think that can be attributed to The Simpsons.
The show spawned countless other shows from Family Guy, Futurama and South Park to Arrested Development and Community, as rapid-fire comedies that can also have a deeper pathos and message sometimes seamlessly layered in.
Plus, I could argue, that from about season 3 until season 9, it was the funniest show EVER. That's a run that no other show will ever rival. The fact that it's still putting out new episodes, at granted, diminished returns, only speaks to the longevity that was started way back in the, wow, 1980's!
It left me wondering, specifically, about "The Simpsons", could this well be the greatest achievement in American TV comedy? I have yet to meet someone who hasn't at least HEARD of Homer or Bart, or tries to do a Mr. Burns impression.
So, I wanted your take on this, and also, I'm very curious what our non-American members think of "The Simpsons". How do you view the show? Is it a very American-ized show and thus a bit gets lost in translation? Or is funny just funny? (Which is what I believe)
Take care all.
The show spawned countless other shows from Family Guy, Futurama and South Park to Arrested Development and Community, as rapid-fire comedies that can also have a deeper pathos and message sometimes seamlessly layered in.
Plus, I could argue, that from about season 3 until season 9, it was the funniest show EVER. That's a run that no other show will ever rival. The fact that it's still putting out new episodes, at granted, diminished returns, only speaks to the longevity that was started way back in the, wow, 1980's!
It left me wondering, specifically, about "The Simpsons", could this well be the greatest achievement in American TV comedy? I have yet to meet someone who hasn't at least HEARD of Homer or Bart, or tries to do a Mr. Burns impression.
So, I wanted your take on this, and also, I'm very curious what our non-American members think of "The Simpsons". How do you view the show? Is it a very American-ized show and thus a bit gets lost in translation? Or is funny just funny? (Which is what I believe)
Take care all.