Mercy Killing The Simpsons

Fox has ordered another two seasons of The Simpsons, extending the longest-running series in prime time history through its 22nd season. That will put The Simpsons at 493 episodes. The Simpsons has won 24 Emmy Awards, 23 Annie Awards, four Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards, seven Environmental Media Awards and a Peabody Award. It also won my heart nearly the moment it debuted almost twenty years ago.

I could take this opportunity to gush about my all-time favourite show and sing its praises. I could do that, as I've done it several times before, but that's not what I'm feeling these days.

It wasn't long ago that I simply refused to miss an episode, but I no longer feel that way. When I catch a new episode every now and then, I still find it somewhat amusing, but I find myself missing those first nine or so seasons of solid gold. I miss the glory days of The Simpsons, when it was televison I simply couldn't afford to miss.

Part of me is happy to see the show continue, as it's still decent and I like seeing Homer and the gang, but another part of me fears it's simply diluting the show's previous excellence. With 500 episodes in the can, will that overwhelming quantity detract from the quality of those initial 150 episodes?

Here are some posts from happier times. I never thought I'd say this, but I think it might be time for a mercy killing of my all-time favourite show.