No Right Answer: The Simpsons vs Futurama

[OrpheumZero]

Simpsons pretty much stopped being "good" to me about 4-5 years ago. Sure, there'll be an occasionally good joke or two, but it's worse than Family Guy when it comes to finding a "gem" each season. Futurama, despite having a bit of a rocky resurrection, since it wasn't until "The Late Philip J. Fry" that that really returned to full glory, has managed to stay in the zone that Simpsons was once in. Being a balance between great humor and drama, with neither being too overpowering (never too sad that it depresses you/never too silly you can't help but say "this is stupid").

 

[Harbinger_]

The Simpsons vs Futurama

Dan actually went to the same high school that Matt Groening went. In fact, he had the same teacher for economics that Matt based Mr. Burns on. Dan is afraid of that teacher. Matt, however, has gone on to bigger and better things, but which is bigger and better, the Simpsons or Futurama?

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I can easily forgive them for Firefly as I didn't enjoy the show at all.

 

[Icehearted]

Simpsons really contributed to the modern adult animated sitcom. So many shows, for better or worse, owe the brilliant and fortuitous events and people that led to such a great and inspiring long running series. That said, I'm a bigger fan of Futurama. Simpsons bigger, Futurama better.

I laughed quite a few times at recent Simpsons episodes, so they've still got the goods imo.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

There most certainly is a right answer to this question. Futurama is the greatest TV show of all time...of ALL TIME, therefore it is better than The Simpsons. And anyone who suggests otherwise can bite my shiny, metal ass.

 

[Ponch]

I will counter 'Jurassic Bark' with 'Stark Raving Dad.'
Both still have the ability to make me tear up.
In a manly way, of course.

 

[Superior Mind]

Futurama has its sweet moments - Luck of the Fryrish, The Sting and Devil's Hands come to mind. But The Simpsons have had these moments too. Four words: Do It For Her. That was a sweet moment. Or Bart and Lisa embracing on the ice - equal at least to Luck of the Fryrish. The first and last episode with Mona Simpson also pretty heavy - the first probably more effective as it ended on that sad note but the last had an impact due to Homer's inability to make up with his mother before her death.

Jurassic Bark probably still tops the podium for saddest cartoon moment.

It's a hard call, they are both great shows. I think Matt has more of himself in Futurama than The Simpsons - I believe The Simpsons was a quick concept he drew up in a waiting room because he didn't want to lose the rights to his 'Life In Hell' series while Futurama would have had more thought behind it. I think The Simpsons does win though just because of the incredible impact it has had on popular culture and culture in general. "Better"? We'll that's still subjective isn't it.

 

[theheroofaction]

I gotta say, it's a close one, though I'd personally go for Futurama for one reason.

Both shows have dramatic episodes.
Bender is a character that's never taken seriously, so that even when the author feels like being dramatic, he can still be funny without anyone breaking character.
However, the Simpsons doesn't have a character like that, and when an episode has dramatic content, you either have to forgo humor all-together or break character.

 

[AsurasFinest]

Futurama has its sweet moments - Luck of the Fryrish, The Sting and Devil's Hands come to mind. But The Simpsons have had these moments too. Four words: Do It For Her. That was a sweet moment. Or Bart and Lisa embracing on the ice - equal at least to Luck of the Fryrish. The first and last episode with Mona Simpson also pretty heavy - the first probably more effective as it ended on that sad note but the last had an impact due to Homer's inability to make up with his mother before her death.

Jurassic Bark probably still tops the podium for saddest cartoon moment.

It's a hard call, they are both great shows. I think Matt has more of himself in Futurama than The Simpsons - I believe The Simpsons was a quick concept he drew up in a waiting room because he didn't want to lose the rights to his 'Life In Hell' series while Futurama would have had more thought behind it. I think The Simpsons does win though just because of the incredible impact it has had on popular culture and culture in general. "Better"? We'll that's still subjective isn't it.

Oh I got one that can beat all these moments for you, and I love these moments.
The second season finale of Moral Orel and the entirety of its third season.
I have never seen anything as emotionally moving and depressing on TV ever.

If you've seen the first season and wrote it off as a smug atheist show, I wouldn't blame you, but if you ever have the chance watch season 2 and 3, which takes the show in a dramatically different direction

 

[Leemaster777]

I'm honestly split by this one. The Simpsons have some truly great moments, but it's a show that should have ended a long time ago. Yet even then, I just can't quite compare the best of the Simpsons to Futurama. Consider me neutral.

Good sir, you lose 1 internet for not posting this:


OT: I have to lean towards Futurama on this one, although I do agree that Simpsons is more influential to pop-culture.

 

[Something Amyss]

This really is a case where there's "No Right Answer."

Futurama has always been the tighter show, but owes that in no small part to the fact that groenig had a decade or so of experience with the Simpsons going into it.

 

[killercyclist]

nice to have some dude's from are-ee-gone making rad video's keep up the good work!

 

[killercyclist]

nice to have some dude's from are-ee-gone making rad video's keep up the good work!

 

[GeorgW]

Futurama is pure brilliance, but Simpsons was very well argued,so I'll accept its wrongful win.

 

[KingofallCosmos]

But... this is a legitimate comparison. You guys stopped drinking or what?

 

[PinkiePyro]

Futurama

I used to like the simpsons but then I took an arrow to the knee..

but serously,
no contest simpsons may of been king in the 90's but now its old and senile now and needs to retire

also they missed somthing why didnt they mention this clip and the meme it has spawned

 

[Coop83]

Another one of these that I wasn't too happy with the outcome of, but it's not as bad as Die Hard Vs Lethal Weapon

Right, without the Simpsons, there can be no Futurama - that much we are sure of. Groening made Futurama better because when they started, they knew what they were doing with the development process. The 3D is fantastic and the jokes are of a higher level than most of the stuff you catch on the Simpsons.

Simpsons ran well for the first 10-12 seasons. It has been a corpse kept alive by FOX pushing the fluids around the body artificially, in the hope that they can extract every last cent out of the franchise, before they finally commit it for burial and re-runs.

Yes, FOX have made some horrendous decisions, regarding the Simpsons franchise - this has allowed FOX to stay on the air and out of Rupert Murdoch's pockets. It will not last forever, yet Futurama is fantastic and no-one really seems to care what Groening does on the better show, while Simpsons continues to run, as property of FOX.

Futurama <3

 

[sporkaganza]

This is a tough one. I love Futurama, it's a fantastic show, but at the same time, The Simpsons is great too. (I've only watched the first ten seasons, and that doesn't include any of the first season either.) The Simpsons just has so many brilliant gags. Some of the best comedy writing I've ever seen. I love how often the jokes subvert audience expectations.

So in the end, even considering that I'm quite the sci-fi fan, I guess I probably would have to say The Simpsons.

 

[sporkaganza]

Futurama

I used to like the simpsons but then I took an arrow to the knee..

but serously,
no contest simpsons may of been king in the 90's but now its old and senile now and needs to retire

also they missed somthing why didnt they mention this clip and the meme it has spawned

Because why fucking would they mention it? It's no more notable than any of the other numerous memes that Futurama and The Simpsons spawned.

Wait shit I just made a double post.

 

[Yeager942]

I'm honestly split by this one. The Simpsons have some truly great moments, but it's a show that should have ended a long time ago. Yet even then, I just can't quite compare the best of the Simpsons to Futurama. Consider me neutral.

Good sir, you lose 1 internet for not posting this:


OT: I have to lean towards Futurama on this one, although I do agree that Simpsons is more influential to pop-culture.

I freaking lol'd.

 

[geekRAGE]

When I was younger the Simpsons for sure now that I'm older futurama.