Finally, More Ambition!
"It's our most ambitious yet," answered Matt Groening when asked to comment about the upcoming 19th season. Doesn't that nicely characterize the foundation for the show's recent woes? With all of the complaints and critiques regarding the series that circulate the internet, just about anyone who can read can understand the core issues fans have with their beloved cartoon. No emotion, too wacky, ridiculous storylines, and a parade of guest stars are all quoted complaints from fans glued to their television sets every Sunday night at 8:00. And so how does Matt Groening choose to promote the forthcoming season? More ambitious? Is that honestly what he thinks fans are craving for in hopes that the Simpsons movie might kickstart the series?
The people who write for "The Simpsons" and the people who watch "The Simpsons" have changed so dramatically that not even the cartoon's visionary can identify what his core audience wants. Maybe he thought 'ambitious' was a good media word to hype the Fall season. Maybe he truly believes fans are demanding a more cutting edge, over-the-top product. Maybe Matt Groening has become too disconnected with the show's daily events that it's not even fair to ask his opinion. So what did current Executive Producer Al Jean have to say when he was asked to comment on the upcoming season?
"The premiere is September 23rd and Stephen Colbert plays a life coach that Homer gets because he wants to turn his life around and he's great, the next week we have a show that has Placido Domingo and Maya Rudolph as guest stars, where Homer becomes an opera star, and he has these groupies who are these middle-aged matrons that chase him around and Marge is really jealous. We also have Jon Stewart coming up later in a political show."
Really? "The Simpsons" was once branded and sold as a comedy with sharp writing, witty satire, and an accurate portrayal of the American family. As Al Jean attempts to advertise his program with 'trendy guest stars' in a desperate attempt to bump ratings and rationalize his Executive Producer position of eight seasons and counting, any aspirations for the series vanish. Al Jean simply does not know or care to know what fans are hoping to find in "The Simpsons" after nearly two decades. It's simply a ratings game now, and with "Family Guy" and "South Park" biting into their audience numbers, Jean continues to look towards Hollywood's 'elite' for reinforcement. Surly Jon Stewart will lift Nielson ratings a few points, right? Isn't that all that matters?
By Jason Levy
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