Family Guy vs The Simpsonzzzzzzzzzz...

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Xmychem_rejectX

New member
Let me start off by saying I used to absolutely love The Simpsons, particularly during the Conan O'Brien years, but having not watched it regularly for at least 3 or 4 years, I decided to have another look recently, when they went HD. Unfortunately, it was as dull, unfunny, uninspired and unimaginative as it's ever been, and I really found it difficult keeping my finger off the fast-forward button for the entire 22 minutes. I didn't laughed or even smile at a single episode.

Family Guy on the other hand cracks me up. It can be quite crass, but it's not afraid to push the boundaries, and it just seems fresher and infinitely more energetic than The Simpsons does these days. It did have a little bit of a slump, when it came back from being cancelled, but it seems like it's been back to some of its best form recently.

So what's the verdict from my fellow forum dwellers? On recent form, which one is better? Family Guy or The Simpsonszzzzzzz... ;)
 
It's quite strange to see a post of yours outside the Entertainment board. :p

As for the topic, they both are about the same for me. I find both either mediocre or absolutely terrible, but some Sundays one or the other manages to hit a spark of genius.
 
Strange indeed, and subject to congressional investigation, if I have my way. ;)

When was the last time you thought the Simpsons had such a spark, though? I haven't watched the whole season, just since the HD switch, and I've found it more or less unwatchable.

I invoke my right not to answer the question, on the grounds that it may harm my defense.
 
Several weeks ago. The episode where Moe dates a little person. Wasn't perfect, but it was better than most of the stuff in recent years.
 
I say the Simpsons. Sure recently they've been bland and repetitive, but they're much less mean-spirited than post-revival Family Guy.
 
I'll go with this, as well, since King of the Hill isn't on the poll.:p

I love both shows, but at this point, I only rwatch new Simpsons when I read that the episode is generally well-received by even the biggest nay-sayers, and even then, I don't seem to like the best of the most recent as well as everyone else.

Family Guy, on the other hand, has next to no story structure whatsoever and relies mainly on cheap jokes to go by, but since I never really watched Family Guy for it's character development and storyarcs, even when at one point the show was able to pull together a decent story, I have no problem with how it's made today. As long as there's enough decent skits to make me laugh a few times, I'll be happy.

Of course, there are times when I do want to see characters grow as people, laugh at competent humor, and use my brain for a good half hour. That's when I pop in a classic Simpsons episode, while I haven't had the need to watch classic Family Guy in ages, since Family Guy never really tried to be a show like this. I still like the originals quite a bit, but I don't think it was as good at it's peak as Simpsons was at it's.

But the question is whether I prefer new Simpsons or Family Guy, and while I think Simpsons is the better show at the end of the day, it's mainly because I have higher standards for it than I do Family Guy, but at least it entertains me as much as I'd expect it to, while I think The Simpsons latest episodes have fallen way off the radar as of late. I want a barrel of laughs from Family Guy, sometimes I get some, sometimes I don't, while I want to laugh with The Simpsons and also be able to sympthasize with them as characters, when I don't remember the last time I was able to on the show.
 
I enjoy Family Guy and it has most likely given me more laughs than The Simpsons has in recent years, but I still have to go with The Simpsons.

I'm looking at this from more of a "big picture" point of view. While there are many Family Guy episodes that I enjoy watching, I can't think of any where I would see them in syndication and say, "Oh I love this episode. This is a classic episode." In other words, I can't think of any Family Guy episodes that would render me completely incapable of hitting the channel button on the remote control. Now, if Simpsons episodes like the one where they go to New York City, or the one where Homer goes to work for "Mr. Scorpio" come on (just to name a couple off the top of my head) you can bet I'll be sitting down and watching them for the 50,000th time. That is the sign of a show that has earned some of my love....even if it has declined over the years.

I'm sure some would disagree with me and name countless Family Guy episodes that they consider to be classics. Well, God bless ya....but I just don't feel that way about any of them. Great fun to watch....but not impossible to resist. ;)

Yes, The Simpsons has been going downhill in recent years, but I don't feel it's right to judge the show as a whole as inferior based on a few seasons in its incredibly long run. If Family Guy manages to put out some episodes that are on the level with the early years of The Simpsons, then perhaps I'll change my opinion.
 
Well since the TC was asking for recent example, I'll have to go with Family Guy on this one. I actually get more laughs out of Family Guy now rather than Simpsons which I usually skip it. But however like DG said, the first 8 seasons of Simpsons will always be superior.
 
Simpsons season 10: on par - no, a bit higher than Family Guy seasons 1-2.

Simpsons season 12-present: Family Guy seasons 1-2 OWN.

Family Guy's last few seasons: Not bad, but better than Simpsons 12-present.
 
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