Many of the most endearing characters on the show were flanderized into becoming annoying jerkasses. Homer, initially a bumbling, well-intentioned goofball and all-around loveable oaf, became an ignorant, arrogant jerkass. Lisa was initially a likeable outcast, who's preachy Soapbox Sadie tendencies were played for laughs (occasionally making her the Butt Monkey of the cast). Now, she's an obnoxious, self-righteous Creator'sPet, and every episode about her is about everyone else being and idiot and how she's always right. Flanders was initially a decent guy who just so happened to be a Christian,, and something akin to the Ace. Now he's every negative Christian stereotype ever. All of it feels like a vain attempt to out-jerkass characters on other shows like South Park and Family Guy, which goes against everything we liked about the Simpsons in the first place. The show worked because it WASN'T like those other shows where all of the characters are remorseless sociopaths. The series had a heart.

How preachy the show has become.