The Simpsons

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

So, I actually thought last night's episode (which I only watched today on Fox Now) was pretty funny.

For the first time, they did a Halloween episode actually set in Simpsons continuity (Treehouse of Horror returns next week). I loved a bit where Homer, trying to calm Lisa's Halloween nerves, hums a happy tune which happens to turn into the Halloween movie theme.

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Last night's "Treehouse of Horror" (by the way I've come across people who don't watch the show any more but tune in for Halloween) included a Homer Godzilla and a spoof of Chronicle.

[Agent Purple The Illustrated Man Find all posts View Profile Close Agent Purple]

Homerzilla was the best part, I think. Having Sideshow Bob and Bart was also great, I did like the intro, and the Kodos/Kang self-mocking cameo and the Season 4 ref they made were all good.

Personally, though, I think last year's and the year before were a bit better (I think last year was Bart and Lisa in Hell School and the year before had that del Toro-made intro loaded with horror icons, but I might be mixed up).

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

... and the year before had that del Toro-made intro loaded with horror icons, but I might be mixed up).

That del Toro stuff was so good.

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Well, I just heard of Vaporwave for the first time, but apparently Simpsonwave is now a thing:

About:

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Commentary:

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The most hit video:

+ YouTube Video

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

I know there's only two or three of us here that still watch, but I found today's news sad and a little bit worrying.

Longtime Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen Fired

Alf Clausen, the longtime composer for The Simpsons, has been fired from the show after 27 years, Variety reports.

Clausen said he received a call from Simpsons producer Richard Sakai, who said the show was seeking "a different kind of music." An exact reason for Clausen's firing following a lengthy and successful tenure was not given.

On Twitter, Clausen addressed his firing, writing, "Thank you for all of the support... unfortunately, the news is true…"

Per Variety, some have speculated that Clausen's departure could be part of ongoing cost-cutting measures The Simpsons have enacted over the past few years (even though the show continue to rake in massive profits). Clausen's overhead was especially large as he scored every episode with a 35-piece orchestra. While this set-up was creator Matt Groening's idea from the start of the series, the costs – musicians, studios, orchestrations, other expenses – could run into the millions per year.

Clausen created some of the most memorable television music of the past three decades. He began working on The Simpsons during Season Two, handling background music and cues, and playing a part in countless classic Simpsons songs like "See My Vest," "Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off!" and "Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart?" At the start of Season Three, Clausen re-arranged Danny Elfman's memorable Simpson's theme song as well.
Clausen won two Emmys for his work on The Simpsons, in 1997 and 1998, and is believed to be the most Emmy-nominated composer of all time, with a total of 30.

Along with working extensively on The Simpsons, Clausen has composed music for numerous TV shows and movies including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Naked Gun, Dragnet and, coincidentally, ALF.

[Agent Purple The Illustrated Man Find all posts View Profile Close Agent Purple]

Yeah, I heard about that this morning, but the article I'd read hadn't mentioned it was cost-related, just varying between "fired" and other phrasings of no longer working with the franchise.

Hope they can get someone half as good as him to do half as well. Simpsons is more known for the satire/comedy than the music, but I'd hate for the latter to suffer.

[Big Daddy Dave Skywalker Moisture Farmer Find all posts View Profile Close Big Daddy Dave Skywalker]

Thats actually kind of sad. I think the show has run its course, but I would want to see them try to finish strong and just end it over nickle and diming the quality out of the last few seasons.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

... Simpsons is more known for the satire/comedy than the music, but I'd hate for the latter to suffer.

True. I was sold on his genius when he perfectly blended the Hills Street Blues theme with The Simpsons for "The Springfield Connection":

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All these years later and it still impresses me. But for BDD:

+ YouTube Video

[Big Daddy Dave Skywalker Moisture Farmer Find all posts View Profile Close Big Daddy Dave Skywalker]

All these years later and it still impresses me. But for BDD:

+ YouTube Video

Oh my lord that bit is brilliant! I never get tired of seeing that one.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Oh my lord that bit is brilliant! I never get tired of seeing that one.

I like that they actually got the basic plot in there. And the orangutans break dance!

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A statistician has analyzed when the show dipped based on viewer ratings tied to show writers.

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And, yep, I am still watching the show via internet.

[Trey Strain Guardian of the Universe Find all posts View Profile Close Trey Strain]

When someone who has worked on a show for a long time gets fired, it's often because the ratings are down and the show isn't as profitable as it once was. Then the people who are getting paid a lot are the ones they consider firing.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

The Simpsons show turns 30 today!

Although it had been on the Tracey Ullman Show from April of 1987, on December 17, 1989 it premeired as its own show on Fox with the Christmas special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire."



30 years later, it's still going and confirmed for at least another season. Before all the hate is repeated for the current stuff, just remember that it's still an impressive anniversary for an animated show.

[Agent Purple The Illustrated Man Find all posts View Profile Close Agent Purple]

Awesome work reaching this anniversary; I don't care for the whole "seasons 1-10 were gold, everything else is shit" and other arguments; there's good stuff everywhere even if some of the humors dips sometimes.

Hell, yesterday my one boss asked if I watched this past Sunday's episode and when I said no, he told me about how Sideshow Bob was a porch pirate. Now I want to check it out.