Simpsons Creator Bashes Fox Network by Succatash

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Simpsons Creator Bashes Fox Network

POSTED BY: SUCCATASH
UPDATED: Tuesday, April 1, 2003 09:08
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Tuesday, March 25, 2003 7:39 PM

Matt Groening has worked with Fox for a long time, and he doesn't have nice things to say.

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Groening and his writers relish the chance to mock the once-fledgling fourth network.

"I love the strength of The Simpsons -- that we can get away with so much. They don't like it. We took jabs at Fox News and we were told not to, so we decided to do it more."

"They don't like The Simpsons either. The idea of a TV show that they haven't gotten their greasy fingers all over creatively drives them nuts. That's why almost everything else is so lousy....That's a dark company...."

Full Article:
http://www.canoe.ca/Television/mar19_simpsons-sun.html

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Tuesday, March 25, 2003 7:55 PM

FEENIX

wow...fox has carried many good shows...ther was firefly, dark angel, titus, Andy Richter....wait anyone see a pattern...they are killing good shows...and Mr fillion is right the show was mistreated. DAMN YOU FOX

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Tuesday, March 25, 2003 8:05 PM

SUCCATASH

Yeah, I like the part referring to Fox as a "once-fledgling fourth network."

Fox has become a crappy network and everyone knows it.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2003 10:07 PM

BRTICK

Quote:
"They just fired the guy who created The Bernie Mac Show. I'm sure that show is getting much, much better now. The fans loved (Futurama), but they couldn't find it. It never got promoted. The fans delivered a petition with 130,000 signatures and there was no reaction from Fox.

"We won the Emmy for best animated show a few months ago and I didn't even get a begrudging phone call from anyone at Fox. That's a dark company that they can't even make a fake phone call."

wow, big surprise, they don't care about creators or fans....

Keep Flying!

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Wednesday, March 26, 2003 4:42 AM

FEENIX

Anyone seen the crap new shows they are rolling out. I cant watch...they look that stupid. Sure they could be funny for an episode, maybe 2, but they are gonna run out of material.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2003 8:09 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

I can appreciate the fact that Fox is a network, a business, and like any business, they are out to make money, but when did morals, ethics, and common courtesy go out the window in the pursuit of the almighty dollar? Seems to me that the least they could do is treat their investments well and w/ some courtesy.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

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Wednesday, March 26, 2003 9:09 AM

OLDGUARD

Well, consider that the man running Fox News is the cousin og George W. Bush, it doesn't surprise me that anything even remotely unflattering is going to be quashed. Such as an anti-Alliance group in space?

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Friday, March 28, 2003 7:05 AM

SABI

Please tell me you have proof that the head of FOX News is G.W.'s cousin. I would LOVE to see that in print.

And the Simpsons did something funny a few episodes ago... something about these creatures behind a closed door and they melted or de-materialized or something and then on the door you see "FOX Network Execs". Sorry I don't have more detail - it was gone in a flash, but it was a major slam that I truly relished.

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Friday, March 28, 2003 8:03 AM

ZEKE023

Would it even be worth it to boycott FOX? Could we make a dent in their ratings?

If their shows are really that horrible, why can't we ralley people to publicly state that they will no longer watch the network? One would think that the fans of their newly cancelled shows would at least think about joining such an effort.

What would really get them is if we found a list of products that advertise on FOX, and boycott them. Who wouldn't go out of their way to buy a different brand of toothpaste in order to get back at FOX?

This may be pointless... but it makes me feel better to write it.

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Friday, March 28, 2003 8:14 AM

SUCCATASH

The link to the article no longer works. Here's what it said:

Simpsons creator bashes Fox network, plots feature film debut

Last year, after an interviewer asked The Simpsons creator how long his animated juggernaut could go on, it was reported around the world that Homer was about to scarf down his last doughnut.

"All I said was we're closer to the end than the beginning and since we started in 1987, I didn't think we'd be on the air in 2030 or whatever. That's all I meant," Groening tells the Sun.

"But it looks like we're going to be on forever. That's my new line."

The same isn't true for his other cartoon comedy, the space-age Futurama, which never took off like its earthbound big brother.

Discussing the DVD of Futurama's first season, Groening confirms that, while Fox still has a number of episodes in the bank, production has halted and the cast and crew have moved on.

'OUT OF THEIR MINDS'

For that, Groening squarely blames Fox.

"The people at Fox didn't ever support the show and it wasn't to their taste and, in my opinion, they're out of their minds.

"But they don't like The Simpsons either. The idea of a TV show that they haven't gotten their greasy fingers all over creatively drives them nuts. That's why almost everything else is so lousy. The groundbreaking shows, the ones that cause the most intense reaction, are not the result of too many cooks. It's a strong, creator-driven vision.

"They just fired the guy who created The Bernie Mac Show. I'm sure that show is getting much, much better now. The fans loved (Futurama), but they couldn't find it. It never got promoted. The fans delivered a petition with 130,000 signatures and there was no reaction from Fox.

"We won the Emmy for best animated show a few months ago and I didn't even get a begrudging phone call from anyone at Fox. That's a dark company that they can't even make a fake phone call."

And as any Simpsons fan knows, Groening and his writers relish the chance to mock the once-fledgling fourth network.

"I love the strength of The Simpsons -- that we can get away with so much. They don't like it. We took jabs at Fox News and we were told not to, so we decided to do it more."

Certainly, Fox is in no position to threaten the series, which remains one of its most popular hits and has spawned a merchandising empire. Not bad for a series that was conceived in the late '80s when James L. Brooks, who was producing The Tracey Ullman Show, hired Groening to create animated shorts for Ullman's show.

After 48 shorts, The Simpsons went solo and became an instant sensation.

Many of the early episodes were penned by Groening and co-producer Sam Simon and, unlike many creators who abandon ship after the first few years, Groening remains very much involved with The Simpsons on a daily basis -- whether it's tinkering on toys, games and DVDS, or reading over scripts and giving input.

The show's staff writers include several Canadians, including Joel Cohen, who hails from Calgary.

"Canadians are funny," Groening says. "It's surprising. Listen, my ancestors are from Norway, Russia and Holland -- not areas of the world you associate with knee-slapping comedy."

With The Simpsons recently renewed for at least two more seasons, it's set to become the longest running comedy in television history.

Beyond the small screen, there's also the much-rumoured Simpsons feature film, which Groening confirms he's working on. "We're talking about doing it. We just want to make sure, if we do, it doesn't follow in the dismal footsteps of other currently-running TV shows turned into movies. I can only think of one that worked and that was South Park," he says.

"You want to honour the fans of the show, but you want to give them a little more. With the TV show, every week it's like a little movie. There are certainly enough incidents to fill a regular movie comedy. Whether people could stand it for an hour and a half, I don't know."

Has YOUR mom seen Firefly, lately?

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Friday, March 28, 2003 8:39 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by zeke023:
Would it even be worth it to boycott FOX? Could we make a dent in their ratings?

If their shows are really that horrible, why can't we ralley people to publicly state that they will no longer watch the network? One would think that the fans of their newly cancelled shows would at least think about joining such an effort.

What would really get them is if we found a list of products that advertise on FOX, and boycott them. Who wouldn't go out of their way to buy a different brand of toothpaste in order to get back at FOX?

This may be pointless... but it makes me feel better to write it.

I can see your point, and your frustration Zeke, but a boycott of Fox at this point would not solve anything, and I doubt enough support could be rallied to really even get their attention. Fox, like other networks care what the Neilsen box families are watching, not the average person.

Your suggestion of boycotting products of Fox sponsors would get the sponsors attention, and maybe even get a few of them to pull out. If they did pull out, it would hit Fox in the wallet which would definitely get their attention, but at this point in time, is it really worth it? Fox has let Firefly go and I doubt they will take the show back, regardless of what we do.

At this point we wait to see what Joss has in the works.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

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Friday, March 28, 2003 8:50 AM

OLDGUARD

Quote:
Originally posted by Sabi:
Please tell me you have proof that the head of FOX News is G.W.'s cousin. I would LOVE to see that in print.]
His name is John Ellis. First cousin!

You can find it here:

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/nov2002/fox-n25.shtml

And also in Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men"

Hope this isn't too soapbox. Just expect to see John Ashcroft with hands of blue!

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Friday, March 28, 2003 9:35 AM

SABI

OldGuard - thanks for the link. I'm still reeling... how could I be so naive? How can THIS COUNTRY be so naive??

And I'm also in shock of comments made by Matt Greonig. I hope the Simpsons spends it's last two years ROASTING Fox. What a shame for all of us.

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Friday, March 28, 2003 3:32 PM

GAMBIT3

Quote:

OldGuard - thanks for the link. I'm still reeling... how could I be so naive? How can THIS COUNTRY be so naive??

Maybe because it's naive to take at face value what you read in a socialist web site???

Maybe because it's FALSE????

Ellis is a FREELANCE CONSULTANT, hired by Fox News on Election Night. If you know about consultants, you know that they're NOT COMPANY EMPLOYEES, much less HEADS OF THE COMPANY.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/11/14/politics/main249357.shtml

yes, Ladies and Gentelmen, Ellis only worked freelance for Fox News as a consultant: http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/daily/documents/0201
4760.htm

Doesn't even work there anymore.

Amazing how naive we can be, isn't it?

__________________________
Kaylee, will you marry me?

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Friday, March 28, 2003 4:59 PM

JONSP

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
... but when did morals, ethics, and common courtesy go out the window in the pursuit of the almighty dollar? ...

7532 BC, in a little 32 acre town called Catal Huyuk in Anatolia, 10:28AM. A tool maker (we'll call him "Bob") figured out that it was easier to just hit his customers in the head with a rock and take their clay tokens than try to sell them stuff.

This has always been the way of business, even before there was business. From sweatshops to serfdom, money and goods have always been more important than minor concerns like morals, ethics, or people's lives. Slaughter a country, what the hell, so long as we get a little coin for the treasury or gas for our SUV's.

The FOX network is just carrying on the grand human tradition of commerce at any price. If they could legally cut off our eyelids and glue our faces to TV's that only broadcast FOX programs, don't think they'd hesitate for a second.

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Friday, March 28, 2003 5:12 PM

KAYTHRYN

Quote:
Originally posted by JonSP:
7532 BC, in a little 32 acre town called Catal Huyuk in Anatolia, 10:28AM. A tool maker (we'll call him "Bob") figured out that it was easier to just hit his customers in the head with a rock and take their clay tokens than try to sell them stuff.

Damn that Bob! He ruined it for the rest of us!

-------------------------------------
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 3:16 PM

OLDGUARD

You are correct, Gambit. I misspoke. Ellis did, in fact, only work for Fox News as a consultant for 30 days....just long enough to render 52% of the popular vote less important than 5 votes on the Supreme Court. Roger Ailes is the head of Fox News and equally, if not more, despicable in his biases. If you have the inclination, you can read more at:

http://www.fair.org/extra/0108/fox-main.html

http://slate.msn.com/id/2074115/

http://www.crankymediaguy.com/backissues/2000/w102400.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec02/line_11-21.html

or any number of "Non-Socialist" sources. Naive perhaps if it only comes from one source, but if it walks like a duck.....

What I am saying is that perhaps there is another perspective to the cancellation of Firefly. Feel free to form your own opinions.

We are all here because we love Firefly. As this topic can easily become inappropriate for this board, contact me off list to discuss it further, if you wish. I am more than happy engage in intelligent, cogent conversation.

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 4:37 PM

MISTERFALCON

"Would it even be worth it to boycott FOX? Could we make a dent in their ratings?

If their shows are really that horrible, why can't we ralley people to publicly state that they will no longer watch the network? One would think that the fans of their newly cancelled shows would at least think about joining such an effort."

You think I'm no already doing that? I haven't done any public protesting or anything, but I haven't watched anything on FOX since the cancelation of Firefly. That's saying something cause I love 24. Oh well.

"What would really get them is if we found a list of products that advertise on FOX, and boycott them. Who wouldn't go out of their way to buy a different brand of toothpaste in order to get back at FOX?"

As for boycotting advertisers, if you get enough people and tell me what to not buy, I'm there for ya.

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 4:38 PM

SUCCATASH

Hey Gambit, you come across like a real ass.

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 5:08 PM

KAYTHRYN

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
Hey Gambit, you come across like a real ass.

Yup, it's hearing things like that that make me realize we are like on big (remove "blissfully happy") family.

-------------------------------------
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 6:22 PM

GAMBIT3

Thank you,

I guess if I don't agree with you, I'm an ass.

I love you too, Succatash.

I think I'll go read the Trash II Trailer now...

you kids enjoy yourselves.

__________________________
Kaylee, will you marry me?

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Saturday, March 29, 2003 11:15 PM

JONSP

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaythryn:
Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
Hey Gambit, you come across like a real ass.

Yup, it's hearing things like that that make me realize we are like on big (remove "blissfully happy") family.

Hm. Rudeness, nastiness, sniping, bickering.