Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
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- EvilCupcake
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Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
This was posted on the NHC by Jake.
What do you think?
What do you think?
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- c_nordlander
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
I'm not Kenneth, but...
Short review: not convincing. And the expression "uber fan" really grates after a while.
Long review: OK, a few good points, but incoherently and rather annoyingly presented. To meet them all in turn: 1) just because a lot of viewers "lazy-watch" (I can make up annoying words, too!) a show doesn't mean that its producers shouldn't put effort into it, because the "lazy-watchers" aren't going to be put off by meticulous continuity either. 2) Yes, I would do my utmost to come up with any number of witty episode titles a year, if it paid my food bills. (It's not as if the folks behind OFF are half-starving volunteer workers.) 3) If The Simpsons is really "more popular than ever", all that shows is that appealing to the lowest common denominator works. 4) If the show is really running out of steam (not surprising, after this long), perhaps what is needed is some new blood among the writers. I know several fanfic writers who wouldn't mind helping. Or perhaps they should just let the show go gracefully while we still have tender memories of it.
Oh, and the expression "uber fan" really, *really* grates.
(Also, if Jake wants this article on our board, why doesn't he post it himself?)
Short review: not convincing. And the expression "uber fan" really grates after a while.
Long review: OK, a few good points, but incoherently and rather annoyingly presented. To meet them all in turn: 1) just because a lot of viewers "lazy-watch" (I can make up annoying words, too!) a show doesn't mean that its producers shouldn't put effort into it, because the "lazy-watchers" aren't going to be put off by meticulous continuity either. 2) Yes, I would do my utmost to come up with any number of witty episode titles a year, if it paid my food bills. (It's not as if the folks behind OFF are half-starving volunteer workers.) 3) If The Simpsons is really "more popular than ever", all that shows is that appealing to the lowest common denominator works. 4) If the show is really running out of steam (not surprising, after this long), perhaps what is needed is some new blood among the writers. I know several fanfic writers who wouldn't mind helping. Or perhaps they should just let the show go gracefully while we still have tender memories of it.
Oh, and the expression "uber fan" really, *really* grates.
(Also, if Jake wants this article on our board, why doesn't he post it himself?)
Pretty little baby
Pretty little monster
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Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon
-- Mother Mother, "Business Man"
Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
- gkscotty
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
Who is the original author of this message? Because you imply its Jake, which seems... doubtful.
Oh, and...
My position - as fic writers, we're in the position of being able to do what we want with OFF and make it into what we want. I also have the first 6 seasons DVD's and plan to buy the next two. Consequently I'm no longer as concerned about the quality of the new episodes of the show itself. So long as it stays out of the gutter (and it is at the moment) I'm happy to read and let the masses have the OFF they want. If I get enjoyment out of their OFF (and I have lately) then that only makes things better for me.
Oh, and...
Nope, bad idea IMO.4) If the show is really running out of steam (not surprising, after this long), perhaps what is needed is some new blood among the writers. I know several fanfic writers who wouldn't mind helping.
My position - as fic writers, we're in the position of being able to do what we want with OFF and make it into what we want. I also have the first 6 seasons DVD's and plan to buy the next two. Consequently I'm no longer as concerned about the quality of the new episodes of the show itself. So long as it stays out of the gutter (and it is at the moment) I'm happy to read and let the masses have the OFF they want. If I get enjoyment out of their OFF (and I have lately) then that only makes things better for me.
It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone’s fault. If it was Us, what did that make Me? After all, I’m one of Us. I must be. I’ve certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We’re always one of Us. It’s Them that do bad things. - Jingo, Terry Pratchett
Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
Jake, from a nohomers post answering much the same question:Who is the original author of this message? Because you imply its Jake, which seems... doubtful.
To post something more substantial:I think it was originally posted on the Toon Zone Message board and I copied it onto Word Pad a while back.
Yes, they're right not to listen to internet nerds - they've been complaining since season 3. However the warning sign for me is that I know intelligent but non "uber-fan" viewers who have come to the conclusion that new seasons aren't that good. Okay, my own circle of friends is a complete microcosm and not therefore a brilliant thing to extrapolate from, but the fact all of those who used to be fans seem to have come to the same conclusion of their own accord encourages me personally that I'm not just following the internet herd on this, that there's been a genuine downturn in quality.
Using ratings is indeed not a good indication of episode quality. I'm surprised he actually tried to use it.
The "lots of plots have been done before" excuse I can see the validity of (bringing in new people doesn't change the fact that there's a whole library of stuff you have to avoid rehasing) but only to a point. The problem I have a lot of the time is the actual execution of stories/jokes, not the underpinning concept. Though I guess that's part and parcel to a degree.
enough ramblings...
Last edited by D.B. on Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
Ok, I'm seriously tempted to close this. If you have problems with Mr Skipperdoo, you deal with it off the forum. Got that?
This thread is, I believe, quite pointless and more than a little inflamatory. In fact I'd go as far as to call it flamebait. Consider this a warning. If you keep this behaviour up, you're banned.
This thread is, I believe, quite pointless and more than a little inflamatory. In fact I'd go as far as to call it flamebait. Consider this a warning. If you keep this behaviour up, you're banned.
Our choicest plans have fallen through, our airiest castles tumbled over, because of lines we neatly drew and later neatly stumbled over.
— Piet Hein - Grooks
— Piet Hein - Grooks
Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
The original author was Simpsons writer Bill Freiberger. Jake says he got it from the Toon Zone forums, but I can't find it by searching there, so I dunno where it's from (considering it's so recent; he mentions season 17 in it).
All in all, I agree with most of what Bill Freiberger had to say. It think it really puts some of the conflicting attitudes of the show's writers and fans into perspective. The Simpsons is watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world, and they can't rely on suggestions from fans on the Internet, because we are after all, a very insignificant minority in their sponsors' target demographic.
Oh, and btw DeadRichmond, it would've been much easier to link to the post at NHC thusly, and would've avoided all this confusion.
All in all, I agree with most of what Bill Freiberger had to say. It think it really puts some of the conflicting attitudes of the show's writers and fans into perspective. The Simpsons is watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world, and they can't rely on suggestions from fans on the Internet, because we are after all, a very insignificant minority in their sponsors' target demographic.
Oh, and btw DeadRichmond, it would've been much easier to link to the post at NHC thusly, and would've avoided all this confusion.
Last edited by Binky on Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
- EvilCupcake
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
I have no problem with Kenneth at all. In fact, I agree with him on most of his points.Commisar Geranovich wrote: Ok, I'm seriously tempted to close this. If you have problems with Mr Skipperdoo, you deal with it off the forum. Got that?
This thread is, I believe, quite pointless and more than a little inflamatory. In fact I'd go as far as to call it flamebait. Consider this a warning. If you keep this behaviour up, you're banned.
And this wasnt an attenpt at 'flamebait' I was simply curious as to your take on this article, as it seemed to be bashing internet fans. And the title was to get Ken's attention as I wanted to hear his opinion on this article, no flamebait intended.
- SirMustapha
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
If Internet fans can only whine, then those writers are the same. They've been acting as victims for all this time, throwing the blame on the fans' shoulders. It's the same speech as always, sometimes done with self-pity, sometimes with mockery, but never with intelligence. He could just have been honest and direct and said: "we only care about ratings", but he needs to look smart. Is that really necessary? He admitted they're not that good anymore, and he admitted they're only in it for the money. Why imply that the old fans cannot complain about that?
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- c_nordlander
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
I fully agree with Fernando.
Pretty little baby
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon
-- Mother Mother, "Business Man"
Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon
-- Mother Mother, "Business Man"
Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
One thing that really bugs me is how the writers feel that because a message/opinion is on the internet, it must have been thought of by some pencil-necked geek/nerd with too much time on his hands. Hell, even the term "internet fan" is stupid. The only aspect of posting an opinion online compared to telling someone face to face is I'm sending a message to a larger group of people.
- c_nordlander
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
You're right there. Maybe what he's implying is that current OFF is directed towards people who aren't bright enough to use a computer.J2 wrote:One thing that really bugs me is how the writers feel that because a message/opinion is on the internet, it must have been thought of by some pencil-necked geek/nerd with too much time on his hands. Hell, even the term "internet fan" is stupid. The only aspect of posting an opinion online compared to telling someone face to face is I'm sending a message to a larger group of people.
Pretty little baby
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon
-- Mother Mother, "Business Man"
Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
Pretty little monster
Went to the good school
Left with honours
Brand new tycoon
Sitting with a harpoon
-- Mother Mother, "Business Man"
Now offering writing commissions! Fanfiction or original, PM me for more information.
- Casper
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
I dunno who wrote it, why they wrote it, when, how... just about all I know its what they wrote. An its pretty much doing me in.
If you dont like it, dont watch it. Problem... problem solved.
If you dont like it, dont watch it. Problem... problem solved.
Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
you are, in fact, registering it throughout the world.J2 wrote: The only aspect of posting an opinion online compared to telling someone face to face is I'm sending a message to a larger group of people.
I remember the days when CBG was actually a fun parody and not a "comment" on internet users... *sigh*
Our choicest plans have fallen through, our airiest castles tumbled over, because of lines we neatly drew and later neatly stumbled over.
— Piet Hein - Grooks
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- EvilCupcake
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Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
It is people like that that make me want to vomit in rage. I'll post an MST syle rebuttle to this shortly.
Here we go,
Here we go,
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Last edited by Anonymous on Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Excuse For Mediocrity [Or Calling Mr Skippadoo]
Let me ask you something DeadRichmond. Why are you and "Frank" (i.e. you) writing a reply that the original author - a person who has written one single episode of The Simpsons - will never see?
I don't see how I can take any of this seriously when it's riddled with so many grammatical, spelling, and factual errors; not to mention the blatant stupidity of every single response. Hell, I'm not going to even try replying to anything specifically. I think it's bad enough that you've publicly made yourself (once again) look like a complete idiot on the Internet. But then again, maybe that's really a troll's intention...
I don't see how I can take any of this seriously when it's riddled with so many grammatical, spelling, and factual errors; not to mention the blatant stupidity of every single response. Hell, I'm not going to even try replying to anything specifically. I think it's bad enough that you've publicly made yourself (once again) look like a complete idiot on the Internet. But then again, maybe that's really a troll's intention...
Last edited by Binky on Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.