Harry Shearer says The Simpsons stinks
08-12-04, 11:20 AM
#26
DVD Talk Legend
I agree with Shearer too, but I also think that the show is making somewhat of a comeback now that Matt Groening is involved again. It's a shame that Futurama was cancelled, but at least the Simpsons is watchable again.
08-12-04, 11:27 AM
#27
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Work. Or commuting. Certainly not at home.
Posts: 17,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last season was the best in years. Which doesn't say much ,but it was a vast improvement.
There's really something to the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds you..."
There's really something to the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds you..."
08-12-04, 11:31 AM
#28
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
I'm sorry, but it's the way he's voicing his complaints. He could have gone directly to the source to air his grievances, but he appears whiny because he's complaining to the press - not the most productive way to influence a change.
He could have quit or threaten to quit but instead took the raise so although he has a right to his opinions (and they are right) that doesn't mean his motives are all that altruistic.
He could have quit or threaten to quit but instead took the raise so although he has a right to his opinions (and they are right) that doesn't mean his motives are all that altruistic.
08-12-04, 12:42 PM
#29
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Pataskala, OH
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by WildcatLH
Last season was the best in years. Which doesn't say much ,but it was a vast improvement.
There's really something to the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds you..."
Last season was the best in years. Which doesn't say much ,but it was a vast improvement.
There's really something to the phrase "don't bite the hand that feeds you..."
08-12-04, 01:07 PM
#30
DVD Talk Limited Edition
He has a point.
The show has declined and the parts he voices (and others voice) used to be actual characters in the show instead of interchangable walk on characters.
The show is past its prime and i'm glad someone on the show is saying what alot of (former) fans are saying about the show.
The show has declined and the parts he voices (and others voice) used to be actual characters in the show instead of interchangable walk on characters.
The show is past its prime and i'm glad someone on the show is saying what alot of (former) fans are saying about the show.
08-12-04, 04:54 PM
#32
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by mverleg1
I agree with Harry, but I disagree with most of you. I support him. We come here week after week and bitch about how the show sucks, and you see how much good that has done. 3 seasons of the suckiest suck to ever suck. I'm glad that somebody in a position of power (if you can call it that) has spoken out. I don't see the fact that he gets paid more than any of us as an issue. By saying "he gets paid a whole buncha money, so he should shut up", you're saying he can be bribed to not speak out. Glad to see the quality of the show is important to somebody.
I agree with Harry, but I disagree with most of you. I support him. We come here week after week and bitch about how the show sucks, and you see how much good that has done. 3 seasons of the suckiest suck to ever suck. I'm glad that somebody in a position of power (if you can call it that) has spoken out. I don't see the fact that he gets paid more than any of us as an issue. By saying "he gets paid a whole buncha money, so he should shut up", you're saying he can be bribed to not speak out. Glad to see the quality of the show is important to somebody.
08-12-04, 05:53 PM
#33
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by saoirse
Well said. The show started to suck once they started up that Futurama garbage.
Well said. The show started to suck once they started up that Futurama garbage.
Futurama was far better than the Simpsons have been for the past 10 years.
08-12-04, 06:47 PM
#34
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Leandro/San Francisco
Posts: 7,422
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I think they should end it too. FOX doesnt have too much on that is good anymore and what they do have that is good, they usually cancel after 3 or 4 episodes so of course they are going to try and milk this cow dry just like they did the X-files and Beverly Hills 90210. All these shows were kept on way after their prime.
08-13-04, 05:30 AM
#35
Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shearer has always been a pain in the arse. Read "Live From New York", the book about the history of Saturday Night Live sometime. His fellow castmates talk there about how he's a control freak and not a very nice person.
As for speaking out of class....I don't think he should have gone public, but he certainly has a right to. I think he owes some loyalty to the people who have made him a millionaire many times over. That's not to say he couldn't have gone to Brooks, Simon or Jean and said something to them behind closed doors, though.
And if it sucks, Harry, then why did you stay on?
TK
As for speaking out of class....I don't think he should have gone public, but he certainly has a right to. I think he owes some loyalty to the people who have made him a millionaire many times over. That's not to say he couldn't have gone to Brooks, Simon or Jean and said something to them behind closed doors, though.
And if it sucks, Harry, then why did you stay on?
TK
08-13-04, 03:40 PM
#36
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He says he'd "rather not be involved now." Nobody's twisting his arm. They just threw a lot of money at him and he took it.
If your principles are that high, Harry, maybe you should have turned down the money and walked away.
If your principles are that high, Harry, maybe you should have turned down the money and walked away.
08-13-04, 09:36 PM
#37
Why should he be fired or reprimanded at all? Unless he signed a contract to not discuss the problems with the show, I don't see where he did wrong. If he's got that much invested in the show, I feel he has every right to say something about it, good or bad. Instead of attacking him, the producers should be weighing his words carefully and seeing how the show really stacks up to the past. And it doesn't. Hell, Wait Until Your Father Gets Home was better than the current seasons of Simpsons.
08-13-04, 09:46 PM
#39
DVD Talk God
Originally posted by slop101
YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!!
Futurama was far better than the Simpsons have been for the past 10 years.
YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!!
Futurama was far better than the Simpsons have been for the past 10 years.
tried to watch futurama a few times.. found it to be total crap
08-14-04, 11:21 AM
#40
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by twikoff
ive always loved simpsons
tried to watch futurama a few times.. found it to be total crap
ive always loved simpsons
tried to watch futurama a few times.. found it to be total crap
08-14-04, 09:08 PM
#42
Guest
Futurama was what Simpsons was during the first 5 or 6 seasons in that it was hilarious, yet there were also well constructed stories and sentimental moments. The jokes were approiate too and fit in to what was going on.
Family Guy is what the simpsons has become, which is just abstract over the top jokes...Except Family Guy is funny and does it much better than the current Simpsons.
Certainly Simpsons in its prime was better than any, but it took a few seasons to hit its stride. I wish Futurama was given a better chance because I think it was just about to hit its best.
Family Guy is what the simpsons has become, which is just abstract over the top jokes...Except Family Guy is funny and does it much better than the current Simpsons.
Certainly Simpsons in its prime was better than any, but it took a few seasons to hit its stride. I wish Futurama was given a better chance because I think it was just about to hit its best.
08-16-04, 09:16 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Jeckyl Island
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The show should have ended in the late '90's the latest. He's right it does suck(the last 5 yrs at least). At least some shows know when to call it quits...cough..South Park...cough - i will miss it though. You can't do a show for 20yrs(please end before that comes!!) you just can't
.
.
08-17-04, 08:41 PM
#45
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shearer sickens me, for a man who gets paid so much for saying lines while some people work whole days back braking labor and earn shit.
And he is wrong after all about saying The Simpsons "lost it"
That is pure shit, first of all the weakest times for the simpsons was i think 2, 3, or 4 season ago, i can't exactly pinpoint it. But it has improved though. What if the Simpsons were dropped after their 2nd season before it got "haha" funny in Season 3? The man should keep his trap shut, disrespecting everyone who works harder than him on the show. So basically, the men who create the show, the writers who think up of it all, editors, were just offended by his statement that the Simpsons aren't that great anymore, The Simpsons ARE the writers, editors, etc.
And he is wrong after all about saying The Simpsons "lost it"
That is pure shit, first of all the weakest times for the simpsons was i think 2, 3, or 4 season ago, i can't exactly pinpoint it. But it has improved though. What if the Simpsons were dropped after their 2nd season before it got "haha" funny in Season 3? The man should keep his trap shut, disrespecting everyone who works harder than him on the show. So basically, the men who create the show, the writers who think up of it all, editors, were just offended by his statement that the Simpsons aren't that great anymore, The Simpsons ARE the writers, editors, etc.
08-19-04, 07:13 AM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Owatonna, MN
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Al Jean's response
From Simpsons Channel
I am responding to recent comments by Harry Shearer regarding the current quality of the Simpsons." writes Jean. "He complains that his parts have shrunk--the reason for that is, as showrunner, I am never sure if he will show up for the table reads for which he is so handsomely paid. More than once, in the past, I have had a show set for a Thursday read featuring Harry's characters and been told on the Wednesday before that he is not coming. Hence, I have learned not to give him too much to do in any episode. Mr. Shearer also describes how he was happier with season four of the show. Well, I ran seasons three and four and he didn't seem very happy to me then. I can particularly remember how he repeatedly complained to me and others about how much he disliked the episode "Homer at the Bat", which is now viewed as a classic.
I am personally offended by his comment that he feels "totally screwed" by the show financially. He is set this year to make over 5.5 million dollars for what can generously be described as a few hours work a week. When I consider how much firefighters and teachers in this country earn, Mr. Shearer's remarks make me want to throw up."
I am personally offended by his comment that he feels "totally screwed" by the show financially. He is set this year to make over 5.5 million dollars for what can generously be described as a few hours work a week. When I consider how much firefighters and teachers in this country earn, Mr. Shearer's remarks make me want to throw up."
08-19-04, 08:48 AM
#47
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sesame Street (the apt. next to Bob's)
Posts: 20,198
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Originally posted by calhoun07
Why should he be fired or reprimanded at all? Unless he signed a contract to not discuss the problems with the show, I don't see where he did wrong.
Why should he be fired or reprimanded at all? Unless he signed a contract to not discuss the problems with the show, I don't see where he did wrong.
