Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and television today

In the world of television only few shows have shone. From jumping the shark in Happy Days, to the long running strings of Fox shows like the Tick. As well as the brutal runs of Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton shows after Everybody Loves Raymond went down. Rest in Peace Peter Boyle.

Seinfeld, arguably the greatest comedic television show in history. Through its rocky start, to the contest episode. Nothing is quite like it, and no other show will be. The chemistry of the relatively unknown Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander with Jerry is something that hasn't been seen since. I would argue the reason for Seinfeld's 9 year power run (once the Cosby show stopped) is found in Larry David. As he balanced the show about nothing, the comedy and plot. When David stepped down from his creative duties in season 8 the show kind of began losing its mojo

Through season 9, it became apparent to Jerry that the show was going to lose rating and risk the shark jumping. So, he went out on top, regardless of how much money NBC was willing to throw at him. Which made the show that much greater, and who knows what would've came of doing one more season.

Now lets look to the Simpsons. 1989 the Simpsons burst onto the scene after experiencing success in the sketch comedy circuit. Witty, dumb, yellow-skinned, flat out comedy. Enjoyed to right around the season 8 mark. With remarkably similar responses as Seinfeld and positive reviews. Then the writing took a turn and something happened after season 8, and the show has never been the same.  Now over 20 seasons in and roughly 2 million invested in voice actors it is just waiting to be put down.

Watch the first 8 seasons and see how hilarious it is, and watch a new episode and it will be 21 minutes of laugh-free television. Assuming there isn't 9 minutes of hilarious commercials.

It appears that the Simpsons is in a world on its own, and always will be as well. Family Guy goes for Pop Culture references up the wazoo, and borrows from many of the early episodes of Simpsons. In which Seth Macfarlane has poked fun at himself over. Now the simpsons is battling through the brown stains of television around it. With the exception of cable television (HBO, AMC) only a few other gems are well-written and well presented (30 rock, community).

Now, TV producers take actors from other successful shows and tries to force them into sitcoms and awkward television appearances. The rest of it is reality television of seemingly ordinary people, games shows with heavy taxation and washed up athletes and television stars on some stupid "have a look into my dumpster reality show. "

Toddlers and Tiaras, Kim and Kourtney look at each others fat asses, Celebrity Rehab, My Strange Addiction, Say Yes to Dress, Teen Mom, Jersey Shore (ETC) I CAPITALIZE THAT BECAUSE IT IS A GIGANTIC LIST OF SHOWS that are absolute trash. It is also going to get worse over the years with the integration of 3D television. Then you can really see the people on Heavy demolish burgers like I demolish......

I weep for humanity, and the industry that pumps these out because someone is so intrigued by the stupidity of it all to watch it.  For instance why you would dress your 4 year old daughter up as a prostitute to win a trophy.


Regards,
Devon