The Simpsons is an old family classic that has brought laughter to millions for what is now two decades, and yet they continue to make more. It’s the true gauntlet of animated shows. Alongside that, it’s very well known. There are probably rather few people that own television sets and get the local channels that haven’t seen head nor tail of The Simpsons. But in hindsight, has it become moreover quantity over quality? That’s what I ask here, towards others, and myself.

Personally, I find that the show has started to derail (d’oh!), and has declined significantly since the ‘07 release of The Simpsons Movie. I wouldn’t call the movie itself bad. As a matter of fact, I thought it was quite hilarious. However, from there, the only thing that didn’t appear to decline in the show was the graphical quality. That actually improved. But that does not go far for the overall quality of the show. If you’re looking at a tidbit of the newest episodes compared to some of the older ones, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. With this, if you gave a completely uninformed person one choice between one of the newest episodes, and one of the, let’s say, ones from the tenth season or so, they would pick the newest one rather than the older one, correct? They would, no doubt about it.

It’s not surprising that The Simpsons is finally beginning to take its dive into something like today’s episodes, after having done over 450 of them. I’m sure many of the students around here have heard the “Rise and Fall Through History” theory. One can easily apply it to this. For those that are unfamiliar, say there’s a lucrative process that’s repeated often. There will be a point in which it will be harder to achieve the same output, and it will continue to get more and more difficult to achieve that desired output. For The Simpsons, it appears this has not only begun to happen, but the quality has been sliding significantly.

On a personal note, I’m not certain what they should do with it, just as long as it’s something that’s not this. I firmly believe that continuing like this will strangle the life and entertainment out of what many have loved and rejoiced for decades, similar to the way Homer has strangled Bart most of these years. Only, this is gradually killing the show. Generally unacceptable in my opinion.

Now, I ask the readers, what are your thoughts? Is the program on a path to its own demise? Is it on the right track to greatness? Think it’s gone on too long? What do you think should happen with it? Should it be taken out of its misery, or even continued on the track that it’s been on for a few years now? Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the show, what do you think of The Simpsons nowadays? Make your opinions noted here.