6th May 2009, 6:59 PM
Into the Wild Green Yonder was fucking epic. That'd be a perfect note for the series to end on, with no ambiguity left to the long-lasting tension that was Fry and Leela's relationship (even the final television episode, The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings, left things open to interpretation, with Bender's Big Score confirming that they had not hooked up as a result of that episode). It seems likely, however, that the show will be renewed due to enormous DVD sales both of the box sets and of the movies.
My favorite Simpsons episodes are definitely emotional ones from the classic era such as 'Round Springfield, Marge Be Not Proud, Lisa on Ice, and others. I, too, am a Lisa fan. However, I always found myself having a soft spot for Sideshow Bob episodes for one reason or another. Cape Feare basically got me hooked on his character. His sophistication is contrasted by the slapstick rake gags (not to mention his psychotic ambition). I admit to still watching new episodes as they air, and yes, they range anywhere from above average to gut-wrenchingly bad. It still brings me occasional laughs, though, and it's still one of the most entertaining things on television each week.
Sadly, I've barely watched King of the Hill, though whenever I catch it on Fox or Adult Swim, I'll watch it. It's a very good, subtle show (bland, as you said, but that's part of its unique charm). And yes, it is the only one of these animated shows that would work just as well as a live action sitcom. I almost forget it's a cartoon sometimes with the realism of its animation style. It's definitely a shame that it's being given the shaft now after thirteen seasons. Not many shows have lasted thirteen seasons and remained consistently funny. The Simpsons was certainly worn out by Season 13 and South Park, which is halfway through its own thirteenth season, is beginning to show its age as well.
Being stretched out for all eternity seems to be the new trend with these shows. The Simpsons has been renewed until Season 22 (we're almost at the end of Season 20 right now). South Park's contract lasts until at least Season 15 and will likely be renewed soon. I think Family Guy is in Season 7 or so and it'll probably go on for years no matter how unfunny and irreverent the new episodes are.
I no longer watch new episodes of Family Guy except on rare occasions when I'm curious. I did watch it last Sunday though, and I also watched American Dad for the first time in a while. I was fairly indifferent to both. American Dad is a show that has entertained from time to time, but I've gotten bored with it. It just didn't have that charm or staying power that the other shows had. Old episodes of Family Guy may not have had a lot of heart, but the hilarity of the jokes was enough to give the show staying power and I still enjoy reruns of the show's original 1999-2002 run (as well as a few of the early back-from-cancellation episodes).
My favorite Simpsons episodes are definitely emotional ones from the classic era such as 'Round Springfield, Marge Be Not Proud, Lisa on Ice, and others. I, too, am a Lisa fan. However, I always found myself having a soft spot for Sideshow Bob episodes for one reason or another. Cape Feare basically got me hooked on his character. His sophistication is contrasted by the slapstick rake gags (not to mention his psychotic ambition). I admit to still watching new episodes as they air, and yes, they range anywhere from above average to gut-wrenchingly bad. It still brings me occasional laughs, though, and it's still one of the most entertaining things on television each week.
Sadly, I've barely watched King of the Hill, though whenever I catch it on Fox or Adult Swim, I'll watch it. It's a very good, subtle show (bland, as you said, but that's part of its unique charm). And yes, it is the only one of these animated shows that would work just as well as a live action sitcom. I almost forget it's a cartoon sometimes with the realism of its animation style. It's definitely a shame that it's being given the shaft now after thirteen seasons. Not many shows have lasted thirteen seasons and remained consistently funny. The Simpsons was certainly worn out by Season 13 and South Park, which is halfway through its own thirteenth season, is beginning to show its age as well.
Being stretched out for all eternity seems to be the new trend with these shows. The Simpsons has been renewed until Season 22 (we're almost at the end of Season 20 right now). South Park's contract lasts until at least Season 15 and will likely be renewed soon. I think Family Guy is in Season 7 or so and it'll probably go on for years no matter how unfunny and irreverent the new episodes are.
I no longer watch new episodes of Family Guy except on rare occasions when I'm curious. I did watch it last Sunday though, and I also watched American Dad for the first time in a while. I was fairly indifferent to both. American Dad is a show that has entertained from time to time, but I've gotten bored with it. It just didn't have that charm or staying power that the other shows had. Old episodes of Family Guy may not have had a lot of heart, but the hilarity of the jokes was enough to give the show staying power and I still enjoy reruns of the show's original 1999-2002 run (as well as a few of the early back-from-cancellation episodes).