The 2010 Winter Olympics continued last night, which meant that overall viewership for the entire Sunday night animation lineup suffered once more. Still, “The Color Yellow”, which took in 6.08 million, was 15% up on last week’s 5.87. Here’s the half-hour breakdown for 8:00pm:
Fox – The Simpsons (6.08 million)
ABC – Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (7.69 million)
CBS – The Amazing Race (9.12 million)
NBC – Winter Olympics 2010 (24.66 million)
A repeat of Family Guy managed to surpass The Simpsons, with 6.30 million; an all-new American Dad took in 5.64 million, and a new The Cleveland Show finished in final place, with ratings of 5.60 million. Fox was fourth overall on the night, and second in the 18-34 demographic.
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Episodes like this are what’s driving the series into the ground, in addition to horrible non-witty/predictable humor. The writers are doing a terrible job. I’ve seen the poll results and the comments and it disgusts me that so many supposed Simpsons fans actually believe the show is funny. I’m not even going to entertain opposing views, the show doesn’t live up to the bar it set a long time ago. It hasn’t for a very long time. And if you don’t realize this, you’re either in denial or you’re one of the younger fans who doesn’t know better. Or perhaps you have a financial investment in the show, I would hope that’s the reason. The show has been reduced to simple randomness, predictable gags, rehashing of old characters just to destroy their reputations and slapstick humor that only a child would
find funny.
The Simpsons used to have so much adult humor, humor that was so subtle and intelligent that it made you laugh your ass off when you figured it out. That’s gone now, the show stopped being a show for adults and became a show for kids. All these storytelling episodes are horrible.
They are just cheap excuses to not have to come up with a real story revolving around the Simpson family, because it’s much easier to just have them portray something else.
The Simpsons used to have heart and soul. That’s missing entirely now. Remember when Mr. Burns was selling the plant and he walked away from Smithers? Do you remember the speech he gave him, the hope he had, the loss Smithers was going to face and the feeling inside that you too were losing a friend? The music behind that scene also played a role in making you feel something for the characters. THAT WAS SOUL. Do you remember when Bleeding Gums Murphy died and nobody could understand Lisa’s loss? Or when Abe’s girlfriends died and he was left with all that money but still felt empty inside and ended up donating it all to the retirement home? THAT WAS SOUL. To me, The Simpsons died a long time ago. Take it how you want it, I’m just telling it how it is.
Couldn’t have said that better myself.
+1000
Thank you.
I’m going to have to disagree with you. I’ve been a fan of the show since I was 6, and given that I am now 21, I can safely say that I am not a new viewer.
While I will admit that the Simpsons has changed over time, any show that hopes to last for over 2 decades has to change a little. You may think the changes are for better or for worse, given your particular sense of humor and taste, but that doesn’t necessarily make the changes good or bad from an objective standpoint.
Personally, yes, I tend to agree with the hordes of fans who insist that the show was much funnier way back when. My favorite seasons are still 6 and 7. However, some of my favorite episodes have come from seasons as late at 15 and 16. I love the episode where Bart and Homer convert to Catholicism (mainly because I am Catholic myself) and I love the episode where Homer is stuck in a cave and Lisa tells a story about Burns telling a story about Moe telling a story…I thought it was very well written and made me laugh quite a bit harder than most episodes, even from the early years. I even really enjoyed the most recent Sideshow Bob episode (within the last 2 years!) because it still had mystery, it still had a maniacal sideshow seeking revenge, and it still made me laugh.
While the Simpsons may be less funny in your eyes, I still enjoy it every time I see it, I still laugh at the jokes, and I still think the show has some adult humor that takes some slow reaction time. I by no means am telling you that you must like it, as I’m sure more and more fans are not these days, but I do encourage you to keep in mind that there are some die hard Simpsons fans who still love the show, have loved the show for over a decade, and will probably continue to love it until the show dies.
Can I just ask you if you say those were you favourite episodes because they were related to you in someway?
I don’t believe all of my favorites have been related to me in some way. The Catholic episode definitely was related to me, and I’m sure there may be some more that relate to me, but I certainly think there are are quite a number of them that I like just for comedic sake.
A few examples:
Season 18
G. I. D’oh
Springfield Up
24 Minutes
Season 19
Funeral For a Fiend
That 90’s Show
Apocalypse Cow
Mona Leaves-a
All About Lisa
Season 20
Mypods and Broomsticks
In the Name of the Grandfather
Waverly Hills 9021-D’oh
Coming to Homerica
Several of these have nothing to do with me (in my personal opinion) and got low ratings, but I still found all of these episodes hilarious.
**”You may think the changes are for better or for worse, given your particular sense of humor and taste, but that doesn’t necessarily make the changes good or bad from an objective standpoint.”
Trust me, the changes were for the worse. If they were for the better the ratings would be far better than they are. The Simpsons could have stuck with the same comedic formula and still keep up to date with the issues in today’s society. Instead, the humor is extremely preschool and in your face. Are we that stupid that we can’t even figure certain things out? Most jokes aren’t even implied anymore, they are straight-out layed on the table.
**”I even really enjoyed the most recent Sideshow Bob episode (within the last 2 years!) because it still had mystery, it still had a maniacal sideshow seeking revenge, and it still made me laugh.”
Which one are you talking about? I hope you’re not talking about the episode where they go to Italy.
**”While the Simpsons may be less funny in your eyes, I still enjoy it every time I see it, I still laugh at the jokes, and I still think the show has some adult humor that takes some slow reaction time.”
The adult humor is as scarce as Bart’s mischievous nature. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but I firmly stand by my opinions on the show. People love The Simpsons because they are still The Simpsons. We grew up with them and have become familiar with everything in their world. People have grown to love them. To watch them is a form of escapism. In a world full of chaos we can still get away from our problems by turning on the television and losing ourselves in that colorful world of Springfield. I think it has a lot, if not everything to do with the fact that so many people are so familiar with them.
**”I by no means am telling you that you must like it, as I’m sure more and more fans are not these days, but I do encourage you to keep in mind that there are some die hard Simpsons fans who still love the show, have loved the show for over a decade, and will probably continue to love it until the show dies.”
That’s for sure and it will always be the case as long as the show is running and regardless of the material it puts out there. Writers could put out the worst intentional episode in history and there would be people out there who will defend it till death. Fanboys are fanboys. If watching it still brings you joy and laughter, then by all means watch it. I for one feel like I’ve been betrayed. I look at The Simpsons the same way I’d look at a Starbucks, in comparison to a local, friendly, homestyle coffee shop where you get to know the people who run it. I don’t know The Simpsons anymore. The characters just aren’t the same people.
The Sideshow Bob episode I was referring to was Season 19’s “Funeral For a Fiend”.
I knew this story wasn’t gonna be good and i’m not surprised at the ratings.
I rated it 2/5 because they brought back one of the best and funniest couch gags.
I think a huge fall in ratings is beginning.(again!)
I was really surprised by this episode. I wasn’t expecting much because of what I knew of the plot but it turned out to be really good. Homer had a lot of lines that made me laugh, especially in the 1st act, and I loved the scene where Bart helps Lisa get to the attic. I also thought the couch gag was hilarious.
Brilliant couch gag… I actually laughed at one 😛
Wasn’t exspecting an exciting episode and I don’t think i got one… didn’t enjoy it, first episode of this season i didnt enjoy an episode.
I hope the ratings improve soon!
Or 2010 could see the last episode of the simpsons
https://www.domtv.moonfruit.com/watch
You can watch the episode here…
Must admit, I’m amazed it wasn’t less. Wasn’t this the same time of the Canada v USA Ice Hockey match?
Quite frankly, you can’t compare fairly until after the Winter Olympics is finished. It ain’t gonna be the end just because two of the biggest ice hockey nations are playing each other at the same time. If I was awake, I know what I’d be watching…
I really Enjoy this Episode, was really good. 4/5
one of the worst simpson episodes of all time
As a hater of story telling episodes, rating it against story telling episodes, it was one of the better ones, mostly in part because it was heavy on the non-storytelling scenes unlike past episodes.
Still sucked though.
Adam, How can you run a site about the simpsons and say the new episode sucked? If you thought it sucked then why bother doing this site?
Because I am realistic and I don’t have to praise every single thing that comes out adorning the Simpsons brand or logo. I can run it quite easily, because my ability to create a website on a show that has provided myself with hours upon hours of laughs should not affect my stance on this particular episode of the show.
Exactly. Anyone who thinks he is doing wrong by saying the episode was bad is just plain ignorant, educate yourselves. Just because he runs a website about a show it doesn’t mean he is going to be a blind follower and convince himself to like something that wasn’t good.
THE SIMPSON ARE THE BEST SERIES OF HISTORY,KINGS OF TV,THE BEST,I LOVE SIMPSON.MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS HOMER IS MY HERO SAVED SPRINGFIELD IN THE MOVIE,WAS PIE MAN HOMER IS READY BUT HAS PENCIL IN STUCK IN THE BRAIN TO REDUCE YOUR CAPACITY MENTAL.I LOVE HOMER,MY IDOLS ARE HOMER,BART,LISA,MARGE,MAGGIE Y MATT GROENING.THE SIMPSON HAVE GAINED 25 EMMY,26 ANNIE,6 GENESIS HAVE STAR IN THE WALK OF REPUTATON OF HOLLYWOOD.THE YELLO COLOR IS GREAT CHAPTER.HAPPY 20 YEARS SIMPSON
Olympics or not, it really annoys me that a *rerun* of a Family Guy episode from almost *half a year ago* still beats a new Simpsons episode (granted, not the strongest one, but still). Can’t wait to see what new rating lows awaits come May…… <_<
My theory is that the Ice Hockey between USA and Canada kicked off at 7:45. I have no idea when Family Guy was, but I’m guessing thats at 9pm? And by that time the game will be over. So people will casually turn over to see what is on. Just a theory mind you.
I switched off half way through. I think that in itself says a lot. Loved the couch gag though, but it’s a sad day when that’s the best part of the episode.
didn’t family guy already do the same story 5 years ago, i’ts a sad day when the simpsons have to copy family guy to come up with new material.
no, they didn’t
yes they did sherlock
I enjoyed this episode. There were actually many parts that made me laugh out loud. I liked how most people were telling tales of their great great great great grandparents and Mr. Burns ancestor was just his father. That gave me a big laugh, even if it is a continuity error.
P.S. I change the channel 1 min into almost every Family Guy episode. I think that says a lot. Ok, it doesnt really say anything….but thats just how little I laugh at Seth’s “Flagship show”. So someone saying they turned the episode off half way doesnt convince me The Simpsons is losing it’s spark anymore than it does me telling them Family Guy sucks.
If you notice in the attic, there are tons of stuff from past episodes.
Bart’s I Didn’t Do it Shirt
A Princess Penelope Doll
Homer’s Grammy
Homer’s Bear Protection Suit
Marge’s Ringo Starr Painting.
Try and find out the other memorabillia.
Unless they are in Homer’s closet of Junk (See the episode Lisa the Skeptic)
Yes, that was a nice touch.
Seemed like something they threw in to get the attention of the older/lost fans.
Quoting Reverend Lovejoy, “Bart’s Comet” (2F11):
“IT’S ALL OVER PEOPLE, WE DON’T HAVE A PRAYER!!”
At this rate, the show will probably end by 2012.
Why do people who hate the show still watch it?
While I certainly believe the show is nowhere NEAR as good as it used to be, I still find it entertaining. Do I wish it were as good as it used to be? Of course I do. But that’s asking a bit much.
“The Color Yellow”, I think, was one of the best well-written episodes in recent years. I love stories like this that show The Simpsons can be MORE than just a comedy. The jokes and gags may have been worn out and not very funny, but it was still an excellent episode.
I can’t believe these poll results. This was a terrible episode. I couldn’t even manage a pity laugh. The Simpsons used to be a great show. What has happened? I don’t know. All I know is that I haven’t found it funny for years, but occasionally tune in hoping that things have changed. Based on this episode, they haven’t.
I started watching The Simpsons back in 1989 and have to say that this was one of the worst episodes I have ever seen. Were the writers trying to make a political statement by making Homer 1/32nd black? It wasn’t funny at all.