big j 33
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Here's the thing people aren't getting... yes, humor can be largely subjective. So no one is saying you HAVE to find The Simpsons to be funny and one of the best shows ever.
But when you look at what The Simpsons in its prime was able to accomplish, it's hard to compare another sitcom to it. Shows like South Park could do social commentary and satirize politics, religion, pop culture, and so on.. but how often do you find yourself caring about the characters? The show lacks the emotional payoffs and character moments The Simpsons have. Seinfeld changed the way we view sitcoms and a show "about nothing".. but they never could pull off the parody, satire, or musical numbers of The Simpsons. I can go on and on with other great sitcoms. The Simpsons used their freedom as a cartoon do do anything and everything they wanted
Break comedy down to it's core elements and what people find funny or look for and you see how great The Simpsons really were.
- Satirizing religion, politics, pop culture, media, etc.
- Parody and pop culture references which surpass or rival any show you can think of. Not just whole episode parodies like "Cape Feare", but being able to perfectly throw in allusions and references in any episode at any moment
- Musical numbers.
- Sight gags
- Catchphrases
- Great core cast of characters.
- The town of Springfield has provided dozens and dozens of memorable characters
- Then you can add it's impact and legacy. Without The Simpsons, we probably wouldn't see the same landscape of great cartoons the last two decades. It allowed for cartoons to be taken seriously in the primetime landscape. Ricky Gervais said The Simpsons were a large inspiration for The Office... and that show changed the way we view sitcoms with the large increase in mockumentary style and shows without a laugh track. Obviously it's legacy doesn't change if you find it funny or not, but if we're talking "greatest", then legacy and impact has a lot to do it with.
But when you look at what The Simpsons in its prime was able to accomplish, it's hard to compare another sitcom to it. Shows like South Park could do social commentary and satirize politics, religion, pop culture, and so on.. but how often do you find yourself caring about the characters? The show lacks the emotional payoffs and character moments The Simpsons have. Seinfeld changed the way we view sitcoms and a show "about nothing".. but they never could pull off the parody, satire, or musical numbers of The Simpsons. I can go on and on with other great sitcoms. The Simpsons used their freedom as a cartoon do do anything and everything they wanted
Break comedy down to it's core elements and what people find funny or look for and you see how great The Simpsons really were.
- Satirizing religion, politics, pop culture, media, etc.
- Parody and pop culture references which surpass or rival any show you can think of. Not just whole episode parodies like "Cape Feare", but being able to perfectly throw in allusions and references in any episode at any moment
- Musical numbers.
- Sight gags
- Catchphrases
- Great core cast of characters.
- The town of Springfield has provided dozens and dozens of memorable characters
- Then you can add it's impact and legacy. Without The Simpsons, we probably wouldn't see the same landscape of great cartoons the last two decades. It allowed for cartoons to be taken seriously in the primetime landscape. Ricky Gervais said The Simpsons were a large inspiration for The Office... and that show changed the way we view sitcoms with the large increase in mockumentary style and shows without a laugh track. Obviously it's legacy doesn't change if you find it funny or not, but if we're talking "greatest", then legacy and impact has a lot to do it with.
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. The Mexico episode is always great
