Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Deleted line(s) 24 (click to see context) :
* Entering its fourth decade, the show has been criticized for giving unsympathetic characters happy endings, which clashes with the original portrayal of Springfield as a dysfunctional town full of unhappy people. Of course, Homer and Marge are a textbook example of UglyGuyHotWife, even if earlier seasons did imply Marge looked somewhat dowdy and plain, producers made clear Homer was "lucky to have her". But later seasons put several characters in a similar position - Comic Book Guy's wife is a GenkiGirl who looks to be about half his age and seems to be a wish fulfilment fantasy, a Japanese manga artist who loves cosplay and is strangely devoted to him. Moe's fianceè, despite her short stature, was considered beautiful by Homer and the other barflies, took him back despite his insulting behavior and accepted a crappy marriage proposal, abandoning her nice house to live in his basement apartment. The annoying failure and SadistTeacher Mr. Largo suddenly married a polite-looking gentleman, [[ObnoxiousInLaws Obnoxious In-Law]] Patty is shown having a recurring girlfriend, ViolentGlaswegian Groundskeeper Willie got an episode where he married his attractive former flame who's willing to move into his shack with him, and even Krusty and Mr. Burns got happy endings in relationships with a former fan turned TV host and retired actress, respectively (although those last two were ignored due to NegativeContinuity.)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* The tendency for the show to depict Bart as a FutureLoser stretches back to "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E19LisasWedding Lisa's Wedding]]", which depicts him in his mid-20s as a wrecking-ball operator and double-divorcee who frequents strip-clubs. While dark, his portrayal there still feels relatively positive given that Bart isn't the focus of the episode (which is instead predominately about the relationship between Homer and Lisa), and he seems fairly happy with his own life and is shown to have a good relationship with his family[[labelnote:*]]The episode also included a brief ContinuityNod to the end of [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E6ItchyAndScratchyTheMovie Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie]] where Bart mentions his intention to enter law school, suggesting that his becoming Chief Justice would still happen.[[/labelnote]] Later FlashForward episodes would focus on Bart instead being utterly miserable and estranged from his own family, a trope which would come off as more cruel and depressing given that [[KarmicOverkill it amounts to punishment to him being a bad kid in 4th grade]].
to:
* The tendency for the show to depict Bart as a FutureLoser stretches back to "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E19LisasWedding Lisa's Wedding]]", which depicts him in his mid-20s as a wrecking-ball operator and double-divorcee who frequents strip-clubs. While dark, his portrayal there still feels relatively positive given that Bart isn't the focus of the episode (which is instead predominately about the relationship between Homer and Lisa), and he seems fairly happy with his own life and is shown to have a good relationship with his family[[labelnote:*]]The family[[note]]The episode also included a brief ContinuityNod to the end of [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E6ItchyAndScratchyTheMovie Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie]] where Bart mentions his intention to enter law school, suggesting that his becoming Chief Justice would still happen.[[/labelnote]] [[/note]] Later FlashForward episodes would focus on Bart instead being utterly miserable and estranged from his own family, a trope which would come off as more cruel and depressing given that [[KarmicOverkill it amounts to punishment to him being a bad kid in 4th grade]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
* Back when it started, the series was revolutionary when compared to [[OlderThanTheyThink other]] cynical shows centered on a DysfunctionalFamily because it was an animated show set in ComicBookTime ''and'' with NegativeContinuity. The family could go anywhere, interact with anyone, and do anything without having to care about budget constraints, actors that wanted to leave or children that grew up. However, after 20 years that original strength has turned into its biggest constraint. Bart and Lisa [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehaviour behave like]] [[MostWritersAreAdults teenagers]], but they are [[NotAllowedToGrowUp still 10 and 8 and go to the same elementary school]], so the writers can't make them face the actual teenage (or [[LongRunners young adult, or middle-age]]) problems they would be dealing with by now if the show was live-action or used WebcomicTime; Marge and Homer have gone through countless marriage crises and been thrown into jail countless times, but they have to go back home together at the end; Maggie feels more [[LivingProp like a prop than a character]] in most episodes because the writers can't think of new plot-lines starring a baby, etc. As a result, the show has become stalled and boring.
to:
* Back when it started, the series was revolutionary when compared to [[OlderThanTheyThink other]] cynical shows centered on a DysfunctionalFamily because it was an animated show set in ComicBookTime ''and'' with NegativeContinuity. The family could go anywhere, interact with anyone, and do anything without having to care about budget constraints, actors that wanted to leave or children that grew up. However, after 20 30 years that original strength has turned into its biggest constraint. Bart and Lisa [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehaviour behave like]] [[MostWritersAreAdults teenagers]], but they are [[NotAllowedToGrowUp still 10 and 8 and go to the same elementary school]], so the writers can't make them face the actual teenage (or [[LongRunners young adult, or middle-age]]) problems they would be dealing with by now if the show was live-action or used WebcomicTime; Marge and Homer have gone through countless marriage crises and been thrown into jail countless times, but they have to go back home together at the end; Maggie feels more [[LivingProp like a prop than a character]] in most episodes because the writers can't think of new plot-lines starring a baby, etc. As a result, the show has become stalled and boring.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
** Relatedly, people have criticized later flashback episodes for introducing details that contradict what was established in the backstory given in classic flashback episodes. However, even those older episodes features retcons and contradictions. For example, the beloved episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E13AndMaggieMakesThree And Maggie Makes Three]]" features a brief scene of Homer ripping his hair out after hearing of Marge's pregnancies with Bart and Lisa, which completely contradicts how those events were previously depicted in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]", respectively. However, these were mostly minor issues that weren't the main focus of the episodes and could be glossed over. Less easy to gloss over is something like the main plot of "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS33E9MothersAndOtherStrangers Mothers and Other Strangers]]", which is a flashback episode that focuses on Homer discovering in his teen years that his mother was still alive and going to look for her, when her first appearance in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E8MotherSimpson Mother Simpson]]" hinged on him having believed she was dead until he actually visited what was supposedly her grave during the present day events of the series.
to:
** Relatedly, people have criticized later flashback episodes for introducing details that contradict what was established in the backstory given in classic flashback episodes. However, even those older episodes features retcons and contradictions. For example, the beloved episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E13AndMaggieMakesThree And Maggie Makes Three]]" features a brief scene of Homer ripping his hair out after hearing of Marge's pregnancies with Bart and Lisa, which completely contradicts how those events were previously depicted in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]", respectively. However, these were mostly minor issues gags that weren't the main focus of the episodes and could be glossed over. Less easy to gloss over is something like the main plot of "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS33E9MothersAndOtherStrangers Mothers and Other Strangers]]", which is a flashback episode that focuses on Homer discovering in his teen years that his mother was still alive and going to look for her, when her first appearance in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E8MotherSimpson Mother Simpson]]" hinged on him having believed she was dead until he actually visited what was supposedly her grave during the present day events of the series.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Added example(s)
Changed line(s) 15 (click to see context) from:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS19E11That90sShow That '90s Show]]" is despised for its attempt to invoke a SlidingTimescale... which was around even in the celebrated original set of flashback episodes. Most obviously, "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" is dated to 1980 and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]" to 1984, even though they take place two years apart. [[note]] One is about the birth of Bart (who's 10 years old), and the other is about the birth of Lisa (who's ''8'' years old).[[/note]] But overall, bar a few jokes about ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' and the '84 Olympics, the episodes fit into BroadStrokes well enough for viewers to accept that they were born in the early '80s, especially given that it was a difference of only two years. However, "That '90s Show" dates itself to ending at 1998, and with events that are supposed to take place ''before'' the other two, a difference of ''eighteen'' years -- that's a bit much. What's more, the earlier episodes are clearly based around questions like "how did Homer and Marge get married?" or "what was Lisa's birth like?", with the '80s references being set dressing. Meanwhile, "That '90s Show" is built from the ground up around the question of "what were Homer and Marge like in the 90s?" and consists of nothing but references to 1990s pop culture--particularly baffling when the answer to that question is "the first eleven seasons of the show." On top of that, a previous flashback episode, "Lisa's Sax", more successfully applies the SlidingTimescale by being set '''in 1990''' while having her still be a toddler.
to:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS19E11That90sShow That '90s Show]]" is despised for its attempt to invoke a SlidingTimescale... which was around even in the celebrated original set of flashback episodes. Most obviously, "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" is dated to 1980 and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]" to 1984, even though they take place two years apart. [[note]] One is about the birth of Bart (who's 10 years old), and the other is about the birth of Lisa (who's ''8'' years old).[[/note]] But overall, bar a few jokes about ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' and the '84 Olympics, the episodes fit into BroadStrokes well enough for viewers to accept that they were born in the early '80s, especially given that it was a difference of only two years. However, "That '90s Show" dates itself to ending at 1998, and with events that are supposed to take place ''before'' the other two, a difference of ''eighteen'' years -- that's a bit much. What's more, the earlier episodes are clearly based around questions like "how did Homer and Marge get married?" or "what was Lisa's birth like?", with the '80s references being set dressing. Meanwhile, "That '90s Show" is built from the ground up around the question of "what were Homer and Marge like in the 90s?" and consists of nothing but references to 1990s pop culture--particularly baffling when the answer to that question is "the first eleven seasons of the show." On top of that, a previous flashback episode, "Lisa's Sax", more successfully applies the SlidingTimescale by being set '''in 1990''' 1990''', when the first season was airing, while having her still be a toddler.toddler.
** Relatedly, people have criticized later flashback episodes for introducing details that contradict what was established in the backstory given in classic flashback episodes. However, even those older episodes features retcons and contradictions. For example, the beloved episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E13AndMaggieMakesThree And Maggie Makes Three]]" features a brief scene of Homer ripping his hair out after hearing of Marge's pregnancies with Bart and Lisa, which completely contradicts how those events were previously depicted in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]", respectively. However, these were mostly minor issues that weren't the main focus of the episodes and could be glossed over. Less easy to gloss over is something like the main plot of "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS33E9MothersAndOtherStrangers Mothers and Other Strangers]]", which is a flashback episode that focuses on Homer discovering in his teen years that his mother was still alive and going to look for her, when her first appearance in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E8MotherSimpson Mother Simpson]]" hinged on him having believed she was dead until he actually visited what was supposedly her grave during the present day events of the series.
** Relatedly, people have criticized later flashback episodes for introducing details that contradict what was established in the backstory given in classic flashback episodes. However, even those older episodes features retcons and contradictions. For example, the beloved episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E13AndMaggieMakesThree And Maggie Makes Three]]" features a brief scene of Homer ripping his hair out after hearing of Marge's pregnancies with Bart and Lisa, which completely contradicts how those events were previously depicted in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E12IMarriedMarge I Married Marge]]" and "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS4E10LisasFirstWord Lisa's First Word]]", respectively. However, these were mostly minor issues that weren't the main focus of the episodes and could be glossed over. Less easy to gloss over is something like the main plot of "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS33E9MothersAndOtherStrangers Mothers and Other Strangers]]", which is a flashback episode that focuses on Homer discovering in his teen years that his mother was still alive and going to look for her, when her first appearance in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E8MotherSimpson Mother Simpson]]" hinged on him having believed she was dead until he actually visited what was supposedly her grave during the present day events of the series.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5 (click to see context) from:
* A specific instance of this was "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E23HomersEnemy Homer's Enemy]]" - it's well-remembered as one of the show's best episodes, but it also spelled trouble in that it's essentially the show finally admitting how far it's strayed from its original premise. The initial concept of the series, after all, was that the Simpsons were a more realistic family than others on TV and had to face actual problems (dysfunctionality, money troubles, an uncaring community), and "Homer's Enemy" is based on the premise that the family seems undeservedly BornLucky, and has experienced constant luxuries as a result of being cartoon characters, which would make their experiences alien to a normal, hardworking individual. Part of the reason it was well-received (and that the writers did it to begin with) was that it was believed the show was in its twilight years, and therefore a little LampshadeHanging of how silly the show had gotten wasn't a bad thing. (Indeed, "Homer's Enemy" remains one of the most popular choices for FanonDiscontinuity-steeped "this is the last episode" declarations.) But then, the acknowledged premise of this episode became the show's status quo, and the series continued for another twenty-five seasons, leaving many viewers in a similar position to Frank Grimes.
to:
* A specific instance of this was "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E23HomersEnemy Homer's Enemy]]" - it's well-remembered as one of the show's best episodes, but it also spelled trouble in that it's essentially the show finally admitting how far it's strayed from its original premise. The initial concept of the series, after all, was that the Simpsons were a more realistic family than others on TV and had to face actual problems (dysfunctionality, money troubles, an uncaring community), and "Homer's Enemy" is based on the premise that the family seems undeservedly BornLucky, and has experienced constant luxuries as a result of being cartoon characters, which would make their experiences alien to a normal, hardworking individual. Part of the reason it was well-received (and that the writers did it to begin with) was that it was believed the show was in its twilight years, and therefore a little LampshadeHanging of how silly the show had gotten wasn't a bad thing. (Indeed, "Homer's Enemy" remains one of the most popular choices for FanonDiscontinuity-steeped "this is the last episode" declarations.) But then, the acknowledged premise of this episode became the show's status quo, and the series continued for another twenty-five several more seasons, probably to eternity, leaving many viewers in a similar position to Frank Grimes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey and a sell-out, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes roundly ignore.
to:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the [[GushingAboutGuestStars series treats treats]] their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey and a sell-out, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes roundly ignore.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes roundly ignore.
to:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey, ButtMonkey and a sell-out, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes roundly ignore.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes [[http://animationanomaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Simpsons-Then-and-Now-Comparison.jpg roundly ignore.]] [[note]] This poster, while making legitimate criticisms, actually gets one wrong- the Marge kissing Lindsay Naegle thing actually happened in an ImagineSpot that Homer had while worrying about not having medical insurance, and was simply a case of GirlOnGirlIsHot. There's no canonical evidence that Marge is anything but straight. [[/note]]
to:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes [[http://animationanomaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Simpsons-Then-and-Now-Comparison.jpg roundly ignore.]] [[note]] This poster, while making legitimate criticisms, actually gets one wrong- the Marge kissing Lindsay Naegle thing actually happened in an ImagineSpot that Homer had while worrying about not having medical insurance, and was simply a case of GirlOnGirlIsHot. There's no canonical evidence that Marge is anything but straight. [[/note]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Added example(s), General clarification on works content; Marge has rarely, if ever, shown to be homophobic or biphobic- she left the group of mothers in Moms I'd Like to Forget because they thought Bart was a bad influence, not because the other mothers were bisexual (they only started kissing each other AFTER she left the group)- she was only opposed to SSCCATAGAPP (which had queer members) because they were extremist Child haters, not because some of them were queer per se.
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in early seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes [[http://animationanomaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Simpsons-Then-and-Now-Comparison.jpg roundly ignore.]] [[note]] This poster, while making legitimate criticisms, actually gets one wrong- the Marge kissing Lindsay Naegle thing actually happened in an ImagineSpot that Homer had while worrying about not having medical insurance, and was simply a case of GirlOnGirlIsHot. There's no canonical evidence that Marge is anything but straight (indeed in "Moms I'd Like to Forget" she abandoned the mom group because she was disgusted that they weren't). [[/note]]
to:
* "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS23E22LisaGoesGaga Lisa Goes Gaga]]" is widely seen as the nadir of the show in terms of celebrity guests, with many people being disgusted by how the series treats their CelebrityVoiceActor as a glorious, messianic figure who saves the family. But the root of this issue lies in Season 1's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E6MoaningLisa Moaning Lisa]]" and Season 2's "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E19LisasSubstitute Lisa's Substitute]]", often considered some of the show's most soulful episodes -- they even focus on Lisa, just like "Lisa Goes Gaga." The difference is that in those episodes, neither Ron Taylor nor Creator/DustinHoffman [[note]]Who was even credited under a pseudonym for the latter episode[[/note]] play themselves -- they're likeable, competent, friendly characters who happen to be played by celebrities, which makes it feel like the celebrity lent their talent to bringing the character to life. When celebrities do go [[AsHimself As Themselves]] in early earlier seasons, it's in incidental roles, with no small amount of AdamWesting (for example, Creator/LeonardNimoy is portrayed as an insufferable weirdo, Creator/MarkHamill is a whiny ButtMonkey ButtMonkey, Creator/GaryColeman is a Cloudcuckoolander security guard and Creator/StanLee is a senile fool who can't tell reality apart from fiction). These celebrities are either used to further characters or add jokes to an episode, not being added for their own sake, and never in such a manner that makes the episode feel like it's fellating their ego -- something that later episodes [[http://animationanomaly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Simpsons-Then-and-Now-Comparison.jpg roundly ignore.]] [[note]] This poster, while making legitimate criticisms, actually gets one wrong- the Marge kissing Lindsay Naegle thing actually happened in an ImagineSpot that Homer had while worrying about not having medical insurance, and was simply a case of GirlOnGirlIsHot. There's no canonical evidence that Marge is anything but straight (indeed in "Moms I'd Like to Forget" she abandoned the mom group because she was disgusted that they weren't).straight. [[/note]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* Entering its fourth decade, the show has been criticized for giving unsympathetic characters happy endings, which clashes with the original portrayal of Springfield as a dysfunctional town full of unhappy people. Of course, Homer and Marge are a textbook example of UglyGuyHotWife, even if earlier seasons did imply Marge looked somewhat dowdy and plain, producers made clear Homer was "lucky to have her". But later seasons put several characters in a similar position - Comic Book Guy's wife is a GenkiGirl who looks to be about half his age and seems to be a wish fulfilment fantasy, a Japanese manga artist who loves cosplay and is strangely devoted to him. Moe's fianceè, despite her short stature, was considered beautiful by Homer and the other barflies, took him back despite his insulting behavior and accepted a crappy marriage proposal, abandoning her nice house to live in his basement apartment. The annoying failure and SadistTeacher Mr. Largo suddenly married a polite-looking gentleman, [[ObnoxiousInLaws Obnoxious In-Law]] Patty is shown having a consistent girlfriend, ViolentGlaswegian Groundskeeper Willie got an episode where he married his attractive former flame who's willing to move into his shack with him, and even Krusty and Mr. Burns got happy endings in relationships with a former fan turned TV host and retired actress, respectively (although those last two were ignored due to NegativeContinuity.)
to:
* Entering its fourth decade, the show has been criticized for giving unsympathetic characters happy endings, which clashes with the original portrayal of Springfield as a dysfunctional town full of unhappy people. Of course, Homer and Marge are a textbook example of UglyGuyHotWife, even if earlier seasons did imply Marge looked somewhat dowdy and plain, producers made clear Homer was "lucky to have her". But later seasons put several characters in a similar position - Comic Book Guy's wife is a GenkiGirl who looks to be about half his age and seems to be a wish fulfilment fantasy, a Japanese manga artist who loves cosplay and is strangely devoted to him. Moe's fianceè, despite her short stature, was considered beautiful by Homer and the other barflies, took him back despite his insulting behavior and accepted a crappy marriage proposal, abandoning her nice house to live in his basement apartment. The annoying failure and SadistTeacher Mr. Largo suddenly married a polite-looking gentleman, [[ObnoxiousInLaws Obnoxious In-Law]] Patty is shown having a consistent recurring girlfriend, ViolentGlaswegian Groundskeeper Willie got an episode where he married his attractive former flame who's willing to move into his shack with him, and even Krusty and Mr. Burns got happy endings in relationships with a former fan turned TV host and retired actress, respectively (although those last two were ignored due to NegativeContinuity.)
