I know this has been discussed but nothing recent so I'll ask again. Anybody heard anything about the Simpsons or any other FOX animated series going HD? And by that I mean 16:9 HD.

Nope.

I know this has been discussed but nothing recent so I'll ask again. Anybody heard anything about the Simpsons or any other FOX animated series going HD? And by that I mean 16:9 HD.

I don't think they could, just think of all the work the animators would have to do to draw those humongous cells.

They did stop doing animation live because it was a terrible strain on the animators, I think this is a similar problem.

I think someone in another thread said it comes down to Fox being cheap.

D'Oh !!!

just think of all the work the animators would have to do to draw those humongous cells

Excuse me for laughing, but... HAHAHAHA!!! Sorry I used to animate professionally and that one hit my funny bone pretty hard! ;)

Cell 'size' has positively nothing to do with it. I can almost 99.99% guarantee that you'll never see a 16:9 version of the early Simpsons episodes. TV animation was traditionally fielded for 4:3. More recently, studios have caught on to HD and are now producing 16:9 content, the only difference is that the backgrounds must be drawn wider to fill the extra space.

As with any media, an HD re-master would depend on the resolution of the master copy. If the master is on film, which is possible in the earlier Simpsons seasons (before the digital age), then it can be re-mastered to any digital resolution they want. If the master copy is fixed at 640x480 resolution then there is nothing that can be done to increase this resolution, unless they re-shot every single frame of animation again, plus post production and visual effects... NOT LIKELY! I would be surprised if Fox Studios even has any of the original drawings from the early seasons, let alone full scenes or episodes. (That paper takes up a lot of room!) You never know though... it's just that any studio I ever worked for destroyed most of their originals within a few years of airing to make space.

-ExAnim8r

just think of all the work the animators would have to do to draw those humongous cells..

Excuse me for laughing, but... HAHAHAHA!!! Sorry I used to animate professionally and that one hit my funny bone pretty hard! ;)

-ExAnim8r

that was sort of a joke for its own sake and to set a a chance to use one of the best jokes ever done on the show in the nest line.

I'm sure there is a bigger issue but I don't see why this can't be done. The backgrounds are still images so they should be easier to make larger. What is the real reason?

The Simpsons should have been done in HD since last season since they had to do widescreen for the movie.

We've been over this same exact thread a few times.
A couple reasons why it won't go HD:

Long-running shows like The Simpsons have a huge catalog of stock backgrounds, layouts, etc. that would all need to be redone for HD, requiring a pretty large expenditure for little gain
In an age where budgets are being cut and actor salaries are skyrocketing, spending a lot of money for marginal improvements for a show near the end of its run isn't going to happen
The show would need to be 4:3 safe for the large number of export markets that don't do 16:9, and for syndication within the US for that matter. This results in even less gain since nothing useful could occur outside the 4:3 safe area.
HD isn't going to attract a larger fanbase for the show. A show like Survivor benefits since half the appeal of the show is the exotic locales, which simply doesn't translate to animation.

The show would need to be 4:3 safe for the large number of export markets that don't do 16:9, and for syndication within the US for that matter. This results in even less gain since nothing useful could occur outside the 4:3 safe area.They could show it letterboxed.

The movie was in HD and looked great, it also shared many of the same backgrounds and layouts.

I'll buy the cost vs benefit excuse though.

I remember a pretty big discussion some time ago on here about an episode of King Of The Hill airing in 4:3 HD. The screen shots were very convincing. A few months later when the episode re-aired, it wasn't in HD and the screen shots were good proof of it.

I was watching tonight's episode, "The Burns and the Bees".

Something very interesting I noticed.

My TV has no overscan...that is, It displays everything that TV's usually cut out.

At the top of the 2 back bars on the sides, you can see a thin strip that isn't Black. After looking closely at it while the show was going, It honestly looks as though the non black strip is ANIMATION.

Now I read somewhere that the Simpsons was produced in 16:9 and that FOX just doesn't want to air them in Widescreen. In my opinion, what is see could possibly be proof of this.

No. The line is the very top of the 4:3 picture stretched to fill the 16:9 frame. It's present on all 4:3 upconverts from the Fox network.

Here are some screenshots to compare. The first is the original. Note the position and width of blue in the top lines, corresponding to Marge's hair. The second picture is the result when those lines are unstretched to just fill the 4:3 area.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/3679/simpsons1rr0.th.png (http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/3679/simpsons1rr0.png)

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7403/simpsons2ds1.th.png (http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/7403/simpsons2ds1.png)

This comes up every few months. I think one reason it does is because some people are being misled by the Wikipedia entry for the Fox Network. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) It has this incorrect information:

The Sunday primetime animated block is seen in 4:3; however those shows are animated in 16:9, although the network has decided to present the programs using only the 4:3 safe area for continuity purposes.

This would convince a lot of people that damn Fox is purposely covering up the sides of the screen.

this comes up every few months. I think one reason it does is because some people are being misled by the wikipedia entry for the fox network. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/fox_broadcasting_company) it has this incorrect information:

"the sunday primetime animated block is seen in 4:3; however those shows are animated in 16:9, although the network has decided to present the programs using only the 4:3 safe area for continuity purposes."

this would convince a lot of people that damn fox is purposely covering up the sides of the screen.

fixed

I remember hearing that the creators of the simpsons do not want to compose for 16:9, but offered to do 4:3 HD. Fox, however, will not accept 4:3 HD material. They require any HD material to be 16:9. So, until one of those sides give, nothing is going to change.

Really, you can't use the movie as an example that they could re-composite easily for 16:9. Most of the locations in the movie were not locations usually used in the show and the animation style was slightly different so any work that they did for the movie couldn't be reused without changing the look of the TV show.

Also, according to some of the DVD extras on the season sets... much of the animation is done overseas. Some of the commentaries have the people commenting about things they didn't catch or how they sent some things back for redo... so it seems the network is really all about keeping cost down, which is why they aren't animating every episode here in the US... so getting them to spring for HD isn't likely to happen.

Looks like the Simpsons will finally be HD.
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings.aspx?id=20090123fox14

Sweet!

Interesting timing, this will be the Sunday before the DTV transition, assuming the Senate doesn't delay it any further.

Interesting timing, this will be the Sunday before the DTV transition, assuming the Senate doesn't delay it any further.

Why oh why oh why, do people continue to talk about DTV conversion and HD programming in the same context.
DTV does not necessarily equal HDTV.

This is great news! The colors should really pop!

From FOX

--“THE SIMPSONS”—(8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) CC

HOMER GETS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT HIS LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE IF HE HAD BEEN ELECTED CLASS PRESIDENT IN HIGH SCHOOL ON AN ALL-NEW “THE SIMPSONS” SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, ON FOX

First Episode of Series to Air in High Definition

Episode to Feature First New Main Titles Since Series’ Premiere

When Mayor Quimby inducts Vance Connor into the Springfield Walk of Fame, Homer recounts how he ran against Vance for class president in high school and lost. After a little digging, Homer learns that the election had been rigged, and he wonders what course his life would have taken if only fate had smiled on him. Homer soon meets an old Italian cook at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant whose magical tomato sauce, when stirred in just the right way, reveals what Homer’s life would have been like had he won the election. However, when Homer gets a chance to see what his life could have been, he wonders if fate was actually been on his side all along in the all-new “Take My Life, Please” episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Feb. 15 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (SI-2001) (TV-PG D)

Voice Cast: Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson; Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson; Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson; Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson; Hank Azaria as Moe; Harry Shearer as Skinner; Pamela Haden as Milhouse; Tress MacNeille as Dolph

I'm going to be watching The Simpsons for the first time in years on Feb 15th :)

I'm going to be watching The Simpsons for the first time in years on Feb 15th :)

yea the only eps i watch now are the "treehouse of horror" shows.

We've been over this same exact thread a few times.
A couple reasons why it won't go HD:

Long-running shows like The Simpsons have a huge catalog of stock backgrounds, layouts, etc. that would all need to be redone for HD, requiring a pretty large expenditure for little gain
In an age where budgets are being cut and actor salaries are skyrocketing, spending a lot of money for marginal improvements for a show near the end of its run isn't going to happen
The show would need to be 4:3 safe for the large number of export markets that don't do 16:9, and for syndication within the US for that matter. This results in even less gain since nothing useful could occur outside the 4:3 safe area.
HD isn't going to attract a larger fanbase for the show. A show like Survivor benefits since half the appeal of the show is the exotic locales, which simply doesn't translate to animation.


note to self:
dont ask for coyoteazs picks for the winning lottery #'s. :D

I guess this means Fox plans to keep The Simpsons around for several more years.

Wonder if it will be 4:3 HD like King of the Hill did, or 16:9. Also, kind of funny that they claim the first new main titles since the premiere when the titles were actually completely redone after the first season.

I think it will be in 16:9. Fox prefers 16:9 for their HD. They did show that King of the Hill episode in 4:3 HD. Who knows for sure.

Sweet.

It better be 16:9 HD. It would really blow if they went through all the trouble to go HD, and keep it 4:3. :(

Besides, FOX has a 'thing' for 16:9 on their HD channel. Even SD programming is usually shown 16:9 SDTV.

Interesting timing, this will be the Sunday before the DTV transition, assuming the Senate doesn't delay it any further.

It is the first episode of the 'LABFxx' production season

Thats 100% the deciding factor - not any 'OTA analog shutdown' date - which of course has nothing to do with HD.

yea the only eps i watch now are the "treehouse of horror" shows.

Same here. Was "must see" for years, then I stopped laughing about 5 years ago. Still watch the ToH episodes, but even those are getting weak.

New titles?

Uh oh..........

It is the first episode of the 'LABFxx' production season

Thats 100% the deciding factor - not any 'OTA analog shutdown' date - which of course has nothing to do with HD.

So naturally this raises a few questions about Fox's other animated series. When does the new production season begin for Family Guy and American Dad? Will those go HD? And what about the Cleveland spinoff? HD from the go or not?

EDIT1: Actually, after some digging, it looks like the newest production season for American Dad begins airing on February 15. And as for Family Guy, the current production season has 10 un-aired half-hour episodes (the final two making up, as usual according to production order, a two-part finale), which may or may not finish out the spring television season. Fox has been erratic in matching Family Guy's production seasons to the "accepted" network television season.

EDIT2: It turns out that two part "finale" is the sequel to Blue Harvest. Not sure if that cuts in favor or against it being the true season finale or not. Nine episodes beginning February 15 aired continuously would only get to mid-April.

I guess this means Fox plans to keep The Simpsons around for several more years.
I think the current contract runs through at least 2012.

This comes up every few months. I think one reason it does is because some people are being misled by the Wikipedia entry for the Fox Network. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) It has this incorrect information:

The Sunday primetime animated block is seen in 4:3; however those shows are animated in 16:9, although the network has decided to present the programs using only the 4:3 safe area for continuity purposes.

This would convince a lot of people that damn Fox is purposely covering up the sides of the screen.

I was just about to bring that up. Interestingly, I was reading the FOX page on Wikipedia last night and I saw that quote. I recall it's said that for awhile.

I've always wondered if there was any truth to that, since KOTH was supposed to be shown in HD for a few episodes a few years back.

Same here. Was "must see" for years, then I stopped laughing about 5 years ago. Still watch the ToH episodes, but even those are getting weak.

Last night's episode had several LOL moments.

The show has improved from some previous seasons. It's not 100%, but worth 20 minutes of DVR time.

if this looks anywhere close to the movie, it'll definitely be a big upgrade.

Yes! finally!

I won't miss this one, I wonder if the other 2 animated series will follow...

on the commentary of the star wars family guy, macfarlane said the reason the didn't even do that one in widescreen is because he feels comedy doesn't work as well in 16x9 as it does in 4x3 or something to that effect.

so to me it sounded like they had the option to do widescreen for that hour, but chose not to.

on the commentary of the star wars family guy, macfarlane said the reason the didn't even do that one in widescreen is because he feels comedy doesn't work as well in 16x9 as it does in 4x3 or something to that effect.


yea "airplane" & "blazing saddles" were way less funnier seeing in 16x9 then they were in 4x3. :rolleyes:

yea "airplane" & "blazing saddles" were way less funnier seeing in 16x9 then they were in 4x3. :rolleyes:

Come on, we all know that 4:3 is the reason that all those classic sitcoms from the 70's, 80's and 90's were so funny.

We also know that Seinfeld in HD is not funny. That damn 16:9 aspect ratio just sucks the humor out of every line! Darn, they were so much funnier in 4:3!

Come on, we all know that 4:3 is the reason that all those classic sitcoms from the 70's, 80's and 90's were so funny.


I don't know, the pre-HD SNL episodes were funnier! :p ;)

But I think 16:9 could open the possibility to make the show funnier(at least for the HDTV viewers!). Creators could put "special" things on the extreme left/right side of the screen that only HDTV viewers could see(since it is outside the 4:3 SDTV area). Have special "HD only" guest stars, inside jokes or eve "Eater egg" type things on visible to the HD viewer. :D

Last night's episode had several LOL moments.

The show has improved from some previous seasons. It's not 100%, but worth 20 minutes of DVR time.

Last night's episode was one of the best in recent memory.

This is fantastic about going HD, although I have mixed feeling about them changing the opening credits. :confused:

Last night's episode had several LOL moments.

The show has improved from some previous seasons. It's not 100%, but worth 20 minutes of DVR time.I agree. The Simpsons is easily one of my most favorite shows of all time, especially in the Season 3 through Season 8 time span. There was a while there where I completely stopped watching altogether, but would catch epsidoes now and then.

The past couple seasons I've been watching a bit more often, and I've actually found that it's gotten better lately. Not as good as 3-8, but then again, they could never match that.

I'm still interested to see if they go 16:9. Something tells me they wouldn't bother going HD if they weren't going to do 16:9, nor would they be advertising that it's going to be HD.

This is fantastic about going HD, although I have mixed feeling about them changing the opening credits. :confused:I don't think they're going to "chage" the opening credits so much as re-do them. Most of the time now they just show the shortened version anyway.

Bring on Family Guy HD! It looks pretty good as is right now upconverted on Fox, but it would look amazing in wide screen HD. Heck, it even looks pretty good stretched on TBSHD (and I usually hate stretched programs).

I'm going to be watching The Simpsons for the first time in years on Feb 15th :)

Crap, the online D* guide only goes out to Beg 7th. I wanted to schedule this epic event now! :cool:

I agree. The Simpsons is easily one of my most favorite shows of all time, especially in the Season 3 through Season 8 time span. There was a while there where I completely stopped watching altogether, but would catch epsidoes now and then.
I did the same thing. I didn't watch it for maybe two or three years (probably after the "Who Shot Montgomery Burns?" season), then I saw a couple of episodes when I was home sick and remembered how funny and daring the show was. I went back to watching the new episodes and found the show was still as daring as it always was.

There are some poor episodes (they tend to have great openings but fail when the main story starts) but there are still great ones every season. It's amazing how they've kept these characters going after nearly two decades.

I do hear that King of the Hill will be HD 16 x 9 Feb 9. It seems like it should fit that format better with the guys at the fence.

Wow, thanks FOX. Thanks for making the final few episodes of KOTH HD, after all these years! :p :rolleyes:

Bring on Family Guy HD! It looks pretty good as is right now upconverted on Fox, but it would look amazing in wide screen HD. Heck, it even looks pretty good stretched on TBSHD (and I usually hate stretched programs).

BLASPHEMY!!! Stretching never looks good! :mad: :D ;)

I think the current contract runs through at least 2012.

While the actors signed a new contract last summer, I believe that the production cycle starting to air in February is the last one ordered.

Given how massively profitable the movie was, I'd bet they haven't made a new order for episodes yet because they're trying to work out the schedule for a sequel.

on the commentary of the star wars family guy, macfarlane said the reason the didn't even do that one in widescreen is because he feels comedy doesn't work as well in 16x9 as it does in 4x3 or something to that effect. .

Are we really taking this seriously? Sounds like a smart ass comment to me.

Are we really taking this seriously? Sounds like a smart ass comment to me.

I wondered about that myself. In interviews, commentaries, and the 100th episode celebration MacFarlane routinely said outrageous things that made no sense as if he were 100% serious.

Are we really taking this seriously? Sounds like a smart ass comment to me.

Maybe HD wasn't in the budget for that show? And he said something smart ass like that to cover it up? I remember the creator of Scrubs said the same thing about "not liking how the show looked in HD", but then it showed up in HD on ABC.

Maybe HD wasn't in the budget for that show? And he said something smart ass like that to cover it up? I remember the creator of Scrubs said the same thing about "not liking how the show looked in HD", but then it showed up in HD on ABC.

I'm a bit off-topic, but Scrubs looks like widescreen SD to me. The image is very soft, probably the worst HD (if that's what it is) that I've seen.

It's still shot in 16mm unfortunately.

Maybe HD wasn't in the budget for that show? And he said something smart ass like that to cover it up? I remember the creator of Scrubs said the same thing about "not liking how the show looked in HD", but then it showed up in HD on ABC.

I'm a bit off-topic, but Scrubs looks like widescreen SD to me. The image is very soft, probably the worst HD (if that's what it is) that I've seen.

I thought the "Scrubs" quote was that he didn't like the way the show looked in widescreen. Something to do with the tightness of the hallways they are always walking in.

So The Simpsons is only airing this one episode in HD and then returning to SD the following week? That's what TechRadar is saying (http://www.techradar.com/news/television/the-simpsons-set-to-make-hd-debut-513969). That's a little disappointing.

So The Simpsons is only airing this one episode in HD and then returning to SD the following week? That's what TechRadar is saying (http://www.techradar.com/news/television/the-simpsons-set-to-make-hd-debut-513969). That's a little disappointing.

But for all you HD nay-sayers out there, don't have a cow... it will be back in its usual 4:3 SD format by the next episode.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Why does this article make it sound like its a good thing that "The Simpsons" will be back in 4:3 SD? I know I'll be very pissed if this is a one day only kinda thing. :mad::mad::mad: Who the hell would want 4:3 SD over 16:9 HD on a HDTV channel? :confused:

So The Simpsons is only airing this one episode in HD and then returning to SD the following week? That's what TechRadar is saying (http://www.techradar.com/news/television/the-simpsons-set-to-make-hd-debut-513969). That's a little disappointing.
The info from FOX doesn't address future episodes, but I would speculate since they do say the show is getting new titles, future episodes would be in HD also.

We shall see.

One thing that almost no one considers... While Simpsons in HD would be cool... how would that really affect viewership/ratings?

Love it or hate it (I'm often lukewarm these days) what else compares with Simpsons on another network on Sunday night? Or any other night?

So... from a FOX perspective... they only make more money if ratings go up and they can charge more for commercials and sell more tie-in products... BUT HD would cost more to produce... so, the only surefire way to encourage Simpsons to be in HD would be if lots of NEW viewers tune in to the HD episode and they see a huge ratings spike. If not, then why would FOX bother?

For the record, HDMe2, Fox wants The Simpsons in 16:9 HD. Syndication value will be significantly decreased going forward because The Simpsons is in 4:3 SD. And unlike a production such as South Park, it will probably never be feasible to convert most 4:3 episodes of The Simpsons to HD. And let's be honest, we've all seen some of the syndication versions of The Simpsons, and the older episodes are almost unwatchable the quality is so incredibly poor.

The dispute between Fox and the producers of the show is over whether it'll be 16:9 or not. Fox wants it in 16:9; the producers don't want that extra expense (probably because they'd rather put their money towards keeping all of the voice cast with the show).

That's the thing... FOX probably does want it in 16x9 HD but not if it costs them more to do so. If they threw money at Matt Groening's team then I'm sure they'd do it... but I suspect FOX is asking for 16x9 HD at the same price they pay per episode now. More work for less pay... and I would bet that is the big stumbling block right now.

How is it "more work" to make it 16:9 instead of 4:3? It's not like a live action show where a studio had to be rebuilt with new equipment. Plus the sets have to be redesigned to accomodate the extra room on the sides and get a facelift if the sets are shabby. Heck, sometimes even "shabby" talent needs a facelift! :D

If someone's gonna whine about having to draw a little more to the left and right(which is empty of action anyway to protect for SDTV) then the damn show should be canceled. From the way these shows look, if you "zoom" the 4:3 picture to fit 16:9 screen, the only problem is heads are cut off a bit but the scenery looks OK. It shouldn't be too much to rearrange things.

That's the thing... FOX probably does want it in 16x9 HD but not if it costs them more to do so. If they threw money at Matt Groening's team then I'm sure they'd do it... but I suspect FOX is asking for 16x9 HD at the same price they pay per episode now. More work for less pay... and I would bet that is the big stumbling block right now.

Well, I'm pretty sure the money is there since they were in dispute over 16:9 versus 4:3 rather than HD or not. The question is where to spend the money: on keeping all of the cast together or preserving some episodes of the series for long term syndication? The Simpsons has had public disputes over cast compensation on more than one occasion.

But to address concerns over whether this is a one-off deal or not, if we're to believe Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_(season_20)), the episode scheduled for February 22 will be a repeat and thus 4:3. It's also possible that Fox is running episodes out of production order (which is perhaps even more likely in Sky One's case overseas), which means we may not have consistently HD episodes until the new fall season.

How is it "more work" to make it 16:9 instead of 4:3? It's not like a live action show where a studio had to be rebuilt with new equipment. Plus the sets have to be redesigned to accomodate the extra room on the sides and get a facelift if the sets are shabby. Heck, sometimes even "shabby" talent needs a facelift! :D

I don't think it's more work per episode in normal terms. But beginning 16:9 presentation sends to the trash heap the thousands (or tens of thousands) of still backgrounds that have been created over 20 seasons. It is cheaper than live action, but cartoons are done on the cheap. And how many live-action series began in SD and were later converted to HD when there was no consideration for HD going into the production?

The Simpsons began in 1989, after all. And I'd wager that when production went digital they had to scrap a ton of legacy content as it was.

How is it "more work" to make it 16:9 instead of 4:3? It's not like a live action show where a studio had to be rebuilt with new equipment. Plus the sets have to be redesigned to accomodate the extra room on the sides and get a facelift if the sets are shabby. Heck, sometimes even "shabby" talent needs a facelift! :D

If someone's gonna whine about having to draw a little more to the left and right(which is empty of action anyway to protect for SDTV) then the damn show should be canceled. From the way these shows look, if you "zoom" the 4:3 picture to fit 16:9 screen, the only problem is heads are cut off a bit but the scenery looks OK. It shouldn't be too much to rearrange things.

If it were just "zoom to fill" then they wouldn't have to do anything, or they could draw even less... but we don't want that do we? Zoom & crop is not something to be encouraged!

So, to get 16x9 from what they do in 4:3 right now, then they have to draw more stuff... and any common backgrounds that they have from previous seasons to re-use will have to be re-drawn again.

Sure, it isn't as expensive as what a live-action show would cost to convert... then again, one could argue that for live action they could just zoom in rather than building new sets too! But again, we don't want that.

The reason I keep saying/thinking it must be about money... is because I can't imagine why the Simpsons' Production crew wouldn't do it if they were paid to do it. It's only logical that if they got more money thrown at them they'd be willing to do more work... so I am only left to assume FOX doesn't want to pay the extra money.

I'm sure, as has been said already, that if FOX just gives them the normal rate OR the normal increase on renewal that they opt to spend the money on the voice talent first as that is the most recognizable part... but I can't imagine the artists not being willing to do 20% more work if they got another 20% more pay to do it.

The reason an SD 4:3 episode of the Simpsons may follow the Feb 15th HD episode may be due to the fact that FOX airs episodes of some shows (especially non-serial and animated shows) out of order. It's common practice.

So there may be 1 or more 4:3 epsidoes already produced that will air after the HD episode. I just find it highly unlikely that they would go through all the trouble to produce just one HD episode and not continue with HD after that.

Why would FOX air an HD episode out of order on Feb 15th before it airs 4:3 SH episodes that preceeded it? February sweeps.

The reason an SD 4:3 episode of the Simpsons may follow the Feb 15th HD episode may be due to the fact that FOX airs episodes of some shows (especially non-serial and animated shows) out of order. It's common practice.

So there may be 1 or more 4:3 epsidoes already produced that will air after the HD episode. I just find it highly unlikely that they would go through all the trouble to produce just one HD episode and not continue with HD after that.

Why would FOX air an HD episode out of order on Feb 15th before it airs 4:3 SH episodes that preceeded it? February sweeps.

The previous production season has completed airing.

The previous production season has completed airing.

Here, but is that true in Europe? TechRadar was referring to airings on SkyOne.

Why would FOX air an HD episode out of order on Feb 15th before it airs 4:3 SH episodes that preceeded it? February sweeps.

February sweeps were moved to March this year to avoid crashing into the Digital TV Transition on 2/17/09. So if it were a one time thing, it would be odd that they would show it out of sweeps month.

But stranger things happen in the world of TV. Like that one time only Scrubs in HD on NBC. :(

I don't think they could, just think of all the work the animators would have to do to draw those humongous cells.

They did stop doing animation live because it was a terrible strain on the animators, I think this is a similar problem.

What is "animation live" and why the February 15th date in the thread title? Thanks.

Not sure this is worth a separate thread, so I'll post it here. Tonight's King of the Hill is letterboxed on WAHU Fox 27 (Charlottesville). The SD feed is also letterboxed, but the SD feed for WTTG Fox 5 (in D.C.) is not letterboxed, which means it might be HD.

Any confirmation?

Not sure this is worth a separate thread, so I'll post it here. Tonight's King of the Hill is letterboxed.
Not letterboxed; it's 16:9. Someone posted earlier in the thread that this week's KotH would be HD....

EDIT: The recording I have when played back with Media Player Classic is 1280 x 720 and the image is not letterboxed.

I've seen Promos of the Feb 15 Show and doesn't look HD to me or even 16:9, perhaps because is only a promo and maybe local station is not showing the HD promo.

King of the Hill discussion in this thread, with some screen shots.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15776942#post15776942

Wow. Do you have to deal with that red and yellow logo all of the time? That would be terrible.

Not letterboxed; it's 16:9. Someone posted earlier in the thread that this week's KotH would be HD....

EDIT: The recording I have when played back with Media Player Classic is 1280 x 720 and the image is not letterboxed.

I've seen Promos of the Feb 15 Show and doesn't look HD to me or even 16:9, perhaps because is only a promo and maybe local station is not showing the HD promo.

Here's confirmation of the "1st HD Episode": http://www.fox.com/schedule.htm?src=menu_item_schedule#week:2009-02-15

Anyone wanna make a bet the couch gag has something to do with it being in HD?

My guess is, the couch will be as wide as the frame and everyone will have plenty of room to fit, which will probably cause them much confusion.

I've seen Promos of the Feb 15 Show and doesn't look HD to me or even 16:9, perhaps because is only a promo and maybe local station is not showing the HD promo.

You can't make an judgments from the promos, as FOX doesn't run promos in HD. With the rare exception of a sports promo, they are all SD, either 16:9 or 4:3. Promos sent to local stations (for airing during local programming) are all 4:3 SD.

Anyone wanna make a bet the couch gag has something to do with it being in HD?

My guess is, the couch will be as wide as the frame and everyone will have plenty of room to fit, which will probably cause them much confusion.

Maybe we'll see an HD joke on the chalkboard.

Maybe we'll see an HD joke on the chalkboard.

yes, Bart surely come up with something like "I will not behave badly in HD" or something..

While we wait for Family Guy and American Dad to upgrade, Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy comes out on blu-ray on 4/21. At least he's done something in HD.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

u realize the HD "treehouse" episode wont be until november 8.

yes, Bart surely come up with something like "I will not behave badly in HD" or something..

More or less confirmed...

http://www.thesimpsons.com/images/promo_tunein.jpg

Clever ad. I really like it. HDTV is worth every cent.

FOX is also running an on-air promo touting that it will be in HD. To the best of my recollection, outside of sports, I've never seen them mention HD in a promo.

From Fredfa's "Hot Off The Press" thread:

HDTV Notes
Sunday's 'Simpsons' Goes HD, Updates Title Sequence
By Josef Adalian, TV Week - February 12, 2009

"The Simpsons" is finally going HD—and, in what some fans might consider an even bigger development, getting a new opening title sequence as well.

http://www.tvweek.com/2009/02/12/SimpsonsHD.jpg

Both events will take place Sunday, Fox said during a promo for "The Simpsons" that aired as part of Wednesday night's "American Idol." The network actually made a low-key announcement of the news late last month, casually mentioning the developments as part of its episodic listings of various shows.

According to Fox, Sunday's "Simpsons"—entitled "Take My Life, Please"—will include the first full, permanent revamp of the show's opening titles since its premiere in 1989. The last few seconds of the title sequence have long featured a different weekly "couch gag." Fox also airs both a full-length and an abbreviated version of the credits.

While "The Simpsons" has never aired in high-def, Sunday's episode won't be the first time fans of the show have been able to see Homer and Co. in their full digital splendor on television. HBO aired "The Simpsons Movie" in HD last year.

While most live-action scripted network shows now air in HD, animation hasn't been as quick to make the leap, although that's starting to change. The producers of "South Park" recently announced their Comedy Central series would go HD starting with its 13th season, which bows March 11.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/sundays_simpsons_goes_hd_updat.php

I enjoy the Simpsons, but I am not "religious" about seeing every episode. However, I must see this episode. Great news!

What is "animation live"Reference to a joke from The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show (http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/The_Itchy_&_Scratchy_&_Poochie_Show):

Homer: "Uh, is this episode going to air live?"

June: "No, Homer. Very few animated shows broadcast live, it's a terrible strain on the animator's wrists."

yes, Bart surely come up with something like "I will not behave badly in HD" or something..
"Or, my pranks will only take place in 4:3 safe areas of the screen..." ;)

Actually, that might be a fun gag for the first episode: have an entirely new character that only appears in the pillar bar region. Call him something like "Hal Davis" ("H.D." for short). You get all kinds of comments like "that's a nice suit you're wearing" or other things related to how he looks.

He could be revealed to everyone at the very end when Marge takes a photo of a group of characters and has to switch her camera to "panorama mode" to get everyone in. She could say something like, "well, that's much better - you miss so much with square images"...

"Or, my pranks will only take place in 4:3 safe areas of the screen..." ;)

Actually, that might be a fun gag for the first episode: have an entirely new character that only appears in the pillar bar region. Call him something like "Hal Davis" ("H.D." for short). You get all kinds of comments like "that's a nice suit you're wearing" or other things related to how he looks.

He could be revealed to everyone at the very end when Marge takes a photo of a group of characters and has to switch her camera to "panorama mode" to get everyone in. She could say something like, "well, that's much better - you miss so much with square images"...

For some reason, I'm expecting a "Homer thinks its 3D" gag

For some reason, I'm expecting a "Homer thinks its 3D" gag
Or he thinks he's watching HD on that old TV with the rabbit ears and Lisa has to tell him that just because something says it's available in HD, doesn't mean you're seeing it that way...

"Or, my pranks will only take place in 4:3 safe areas of the screen..." ;)

Actually, that might be a fun gag for the first episode: have an entirely new character that only appears in the pillar bar region. Call him something like "Hal Davis" ("H.D." for short). You get all kinds of comments like "that's a nice suit you're wearing" or other things related to how he looks.

He could be revealed to everyone at the very end when Marge takes a photo of a group of characters and has to switch her camera to "panorama mode" to get everyone in. She could say something like, "well, that's much better - you miss so much with square images"...

Probably not, since FOX letterboxes the SD feed.

Probably not, since FOX letterboxes the SD feed.
It's funny that they're one of the few networks that does now. In contrast, back when Firefly was on, it was a huge battle between them and Joss because they didn't want to letterbox it, but he was always placing characters at the extreme edges of the screen to force the issue.

"Or, my pranks will only take place in 4:3 safe areas of the screen..." ;)

Actually, that might be a fun gag for the first episode: have an entirely new character that only appears in the pillar bar region. Call him something like "Hal Davis" ("H.D." for short).

it could be (cant think of the name....poochie ?) that "cool" dog (homer did the voice) that was in like 2 eps he wore a hat, had shades on, rode on a skateboard....was a goof on extra characters shows bring on when they are done.

it could be (cant think of the name) that "cool" dog (homer did the voice) that was in like 2 eps he wore a hat, had shades on, rode on a skateboard....was a goof on extra characters shows bring on when they are done.
The dog was "Poochie".

It was pretty much a reference to characters like Oilver on "The Brady Bunch", Sam on "Diff'rent Strokes", RC on "Knight Rider" and Nancy on "Little House".

Other signs of the end:

- Long time male and female characters with that "sexual tension" between them get married.
- An ensemble cast starts marrying and divorcing (or sleeping with) each other.
- A couple finally has a baby after years of not having one.
- One or more of the popular main characters either leaves the show or the actor playing the character dies.
- Characters that have left a show keep coming back - even more so if it's from the dead.
- The "business" that at least one of the main characters works at comes under new ownership, which inexplicably causes a complete remodel of the set that represents it.
- Time travel becomes a way to undo everything the fans have been complaining about.
- Characters suddenly find themselves meeting up randomly with celebrity guests.

Oh, and the number one way to know a spin-off series will fail?:

- The spin-off is based around a character whose only laughs come from a catch phrase like "Kiss my grits"...

I don't watch the show, but I will be tuning in on Sunday.

Any news on "Family Guy" going HD?

"Or, my pranks will only take place in 4:3 safe areas of the screen..." ;)


"This is not an SD upconvert. This is not an SD upconvert. This is not..."

The dog was "Poochie".

It was pretty much a reference to characters like Oilver on "The Brady Bunch", Sam on "Diff'rent Strokes", RC on "Knight Rider" and Nancy on "Little House".

I think they were referring directly to "The Great Gazoo" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gazoo) a floating Martian who would make strange appearances in the last couple of seasons of Flintstones starting in 1965. He was invisible to anyone who didn't believe in him.

By coincidence, LSD was still a legal substance in 1965.

I think they were referring directly to "The Great Gazoo" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gazoo) a floating Martian who would make strange appearances in the last couple of seasons of Flintstones starting in 1965. He was invisible to anyone who didn't believe in him.

By coincidence, LSD was still a legal substance in 1965.
LOL.

I forgot about that. Of course, the same could be said not just for Scrappy Doo, but Scooby Dumb, as well. I think the Cosby show added more than one kid to the show, too. I seem to remember "Married with Children" added a kid named Seven, as well (perhaps as a failed joke). I seem to remember the addition of Leonardo Di Caprio on "Growing Pains", too.

Of course, with The Simpsons, where there was the appearance of another random kid in the family for no apparent reason, too. It might have been in conjunction with the Poochie episode.

Probably not, since FOX letterboxes the SD feed.

But the vast majority of people probably aren't going to be watching the SD feed anymore. If your provider has taken steps already for the digital transition, chances are they are taking the HD feed and doing a center cut of it. I checked out the SD version of Fox on FIOS last sunday when KOTH was running in HD, and the SD channel was 4:3.

Of course, with The Simpsons, where there was the appearance of another random kid in the family for no apparent reason, too. It might have been in conjunction with the Poochie episode.

You're right! During the Poochie episode, "Roy" a hip teenager who was "down" with the kids these days suddenly appeared in the Simpson family like he'd been there since the first episode, even appearing in family portraits around the house.

At the end of the episode, "Roy" sadly left. Unlike Poochie and the Great Gazoo, it sounded like his character was such a success after one episode that he was already off to make a pilot for his own series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZGz1Ajg7QU&fmt=18

The Intro to the new episode. This is just one variation. I guess the Simpsons could finally afford an HDTV since there is a flatscreen TV not the old CRT. The flatscreen still has the rabbit ears and the VCR. You'd think Fox would put a DVD or BD player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZGz1Ajg7QU&fmt=18

The Intro to the new episode. This is just one variation. I guess the Simpsons could finally afford an HDTV since there is a flatscreen TV not the old CRT. The flatscreen still has the rabbit ears and the VCR. You'd think Fox would put a DVD or BD player

Couch gag is a bit over the top.... they left like 19 minutes for the actual episode....

Some very nice surprises thrown in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZGz1Ajg7QU&fmt=18

The Intro to the new episode. This is just one variation. I guess the Simpsons could finally afford an HDTV since there is a flatscreen TV not the old CRT. The flatscreen still has the rabbit ears and the VCR. You'd think Fox would put a DVD or BD player
Gotta love the rabbit ears, the Simpsons need that OTA!

who else is excited for this???!!!!!

I'm very excited to see the Simpsons in HD tonight.

I saw a commericial for the The Simpsons in HD last night, during one of the Cops airings. It looked so sweet!

I saw a commericial for the The Simpsons in HD last night, during one of the Cops airings. It looked so sweet!

Although that looked good, if you eyeballed it close, you would see that it was an SD upconvert (as are all FOX promos, with the exception of an occasional sports promo). If the upconvert looked that good, I expect the show to look fantastic!

Just a heads up...

with the Daytona 500 today (and rain in the forecast) - there's a good chance tonight's episode does not start on time...

I'll be checking in tonight.

Although that looked good, if you eyeballed it close, you would see that it was an SD upconvert (as are all FOX promos, with the exception of an occasional sports promo). If the upconvert looked that good, I expect the show to look fantastic!

Oh yeah video janitor. Cops is an SD upconvert. So I see what your saying about The Simpsons Promo I saw. I did not mention this before, but when I saw the promo, I said to myself it does not look quite as good as The Simpsons Movie (DLP > HD).

I still haven't watched last week's [HD] King of the Hill (for the story). I'm more into The Simpsons. [B]LAST WEEK'S HD KING OF THE HILL WILL BE REPEATED TONIGHT AS WELL AS A NEW ONE.

[Family Guy Returns Tonight. Family Guy Thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1030788&highlight=family+guy ]

Oh yeah video janitor. Cops is an SD upconvert. So I see what your saying about The Simpsons Promo I saw.All FOX promos are SD.

COPS is HD, starting last fall.

LAST WEEK'S HD KING OF THE HILL WILL BE REPEATED TONIGHT AS WELL AS A NEW ONE.

Last week's episode will replay at 7pm and will be preempted by NASCAR except on the West coast.

All FOX promos are SD.

COPS is HD, starting last fall.

Thank-you Ken for correcting me (I forgot about Cops going HD recently).

Last week's episode will replay at 7pm and will be preempted by NASCAR except on the West coast.

Thanks Matt for posting the time I was too lazy to check.

All FOX promos are SD.

Actually they do have the ability to produce sports promos in HD, though there haven't been very many. There was one for NASCAR that ran several times in the past week.

Wow

PQ looks fantastic.

yes, Bart surely come up with something like "I will not behave badly in HD" or something..

"HDTV IS WORTH EVERY CENT."

Finally a Bartism I can fully agree with.

Every cent was a good touch.
Looks great.

Good God I think the intro looked horrible. Just watching now, but lots of artifacts - I'm sure some of that could be my TWC, but the intro looked liked zoomed in 4:3

Good God I think the intro looked horrible. Just watching now, but lots of artifacts - I'm sure some of that could be my TWC, but the intro looked liked zoomed in 4:3

sounds like your local affiliate had some problems.

Looks great here. A few compression artifacts here and there but that's understandable given that it's animation with large areas of solid color.

(Watching on WSVN-DT in Miami)

It's funnier in HD.;)

The only thing I really didn't like about the new intro was Homer getting run over by the car rather than being chased by it. That shouldn't have been changed.

Dammit, I have to wait till after the 17th for HD.

That was a good episode! In beautiful HD!

The only thing I really didn't like about the new intro was Homer getting run over by the car rather than being chased by it. That shouldn't have been changed.

I have a feeling its a one time thing - just for the extra gag to throw people off. (I hope)

It's funnier in HD.;)So am I!

I wonder what this means for DVD season releases. I know they are WAY behind the new episodes... but whenever they get around to this season, I wonder if they will have 4:3 for the first episodes of this season and then anamorphic for widescreen episodes.

I can't think of any DVD TV season sets that had a mix of 4:3 and 16:9 episodes in the same season.

Dammit, I have to wait till after the 17th for HD.

Why is that if you don't mind me asking? Thanks Davin.

I wonder what this means for DVD season releases. I know they are WAY behind the new episodes... but whenever they get around to this season, I wonder if they will have 4:3 for the first episodes of this season and then anamorphic for widescreen episodes.

I can't think of any DVD TV season sets that had a mix of 4:3 and 16:9 episodes in the same season.

I'm wondering if Fox might start releasing volume sets of The Simpsons on Blu Ray that include the HD episodes only. This would give Fox a chance to start releasing the most recent episodes without screwing up the season-set releases they've been doing and a way to get some Blu Ray releases out of the property sooner rather than later.

This year being the 20th anniversary for The Simpsons, it would be a good time to cash in.

Gotta love the rabbit ears, the Simpsons need that OTA!

They had several connections on the new wall bracket-mounted flat panel TV. Besides the old antenna, when it fell down there was a red/white/yellow composite video cable, and 3 power cables (emitting sparks) coming from a hole in the wall. Kind of strange.

Is this reairing any time soon? I think I taped it, but not sure :(

Couldn't record this in HD via firewire using my Fios STB, got the same problem on CBS. Where do I contact to file a complaint? Local channels are not supposed to be flagged.

I actually burst out laughing when Homer was hit, mostly because it was unexpected.

They had several connections on the new wall bracket-mounted flat panel TV.... Kind of strange.

What was strange was the fact that they still had the old 4:3 TV in the background during the episode...

To the episode, it was actually not a bad one. I will be watching again to see if they can keep this standard up (even if they are SD).

I watched it on U-verse and thought it looked very good.

I have a feeling its a one time thing - just for the extra gag to throw people off. (I hope)

I think it will be HD from now on. King Of The Hill has been HD two weeks running.

Looked pretty good on KTTV Fox 11 via Verizon FiOS in Los Angeles, CA. There was another gag in the show when Moe's Tavern's exterior shot was shown, there was a banner declaring his pub was "now in high def".

I think it will be HD from now on. King Of The Hill has been HD two weeks running.

I was responding to the part where Homer was being hit by Marge

I can't imagine them keeping the opening sequence that long for future episodes. But it was a fun change for a special occasion.

I can't imagine them keeping the opening sequence that long for future episodes. But it was a fun change for a special occasion.

well the normal couch gag will cut the overall time in half....

And I'm sure they'll go back to the same method they've been using for years to save time.

Looks to me like it was mastered at 1080i and converted to 720p for broadcast by Fox. There was a lot of twitter on the lines that simply shouldn't be there on a progressive broadcast. Watched on KDFW Dallas via FiOS on a 1080p LCD (Moto box set to 720p output mode). Same twitter is present when watching the HD recording on my PC, so it's not just a box/TV issue. It's not nearly as bad as the SD animated shows looked last year before Fox fixed their upconversion, but it's still ugly.

Looked fantastic!
I caught a quick gag, with a sign on Moe's tavern that said "Now with HD"

This should (hopefully) finally silence all of those who have said "I don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD -- it's just "lines."

did any body notice when the HDTV in the simpsons home fell down their were 5 cables hanging out 3 were yelllow,white and red the other were broke and sparking. one I'm guessing was a power cable the other a cable TV cable. so I wonder if this was an inside joke that homer being clearly a Joe six pack doesn't have his new HDTV hooked up right. unless of course the cable was QAM and he was getting a few HD channels in the clear.
although maybe only an AVSer would notice this and it wasn't a joke

did any body notice when the HDTV in the simpsons home fell down their were 5 cables hanging out 3 were yelllow,white and red the other were broke and sparking. one I'm guessing was a power cable the other a cable TV cable. so I wonder if this was an inside joke that homer being clearly a Joe six pack doesn't have his new HDTV hooked up right. unless of course the cable was QAM and he was getting a few HD channels in the clear.
although maybe only an AVSer would notice this and it wasn't a joke
6 cables total, 3 had the red/yellow/white RCA connectors and 3 were sparking. Power cable was not pulled through the wall with the others; it was plugged in separately. The rabbit ears on top had no wires running out of them at all.

Just remember: "whenever you see something like that, a wizard did it." Quite a useful phrase for explaining much of the last 10 seasons of The Simpsons :).

6 cables total, 3 had the red/yellow/white RCA connectors and 3 were sparking. Power cable was not pulled through the wall with the others; it was plugged in separately. The rabbit ears on top had no wires running out of them at all.

Just remember: "whenever you see something like that, a wizard did it." Quite a useful phrase for explaining much of the last 10 seasons of The Simpsons :).

hmmm.. 3 sparking cables. those may have been componet or 1 was an HDMI cable. possibly comming from an unknow cable/sat box. depending on its distance their might have been a signal amplifier. which would make the sparking to an extent. the ant not being pluged in was just a result of them upgrading once again to cable/sat. as they seem to go back and forth between cable and OTA depending on the episode.

maybe I'm just thinking about it to much LOL...

anyway it was a decent episode which looked very good. not on par with the blu-ray movie. but this may be the result of fox and a lower resoltion...

I hope they put this season out on blu-ray. I wouldn't mind skiping a few seasons boxset wise to get this. you think they could as geting the music rights and commantarys going would be much more simple. which I've heard is the primary reason behind the slow dvds

This should (hopefully) finally silence all of those who have said "I don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD -- it's just "lines."
Don't get me wrong, the 16x9 is fantastic. But I still don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD, it's just lines! I hope they keep the 16x9 format.

Don't get me wrong, the 16x9 is fantastic. But I still don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD, it's just lines! I hope they keep the 16x9 format.

:confused: It's just lines in live-action too! The more lines the better it looks.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8945/simpsons1cc3.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1403/simpsons2ty2.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4166/simpsons3lb8.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6847/simpsons4sa4.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7775/simpsons5ap2.jpg

When Marge was checking out in the opening, I think she had a box of Mr. Sparkle with the image that looked just like Homer.

Don't get me wrong, the 16x9 is fantastic. But I still don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD, it's just lines! I hope they keep the 16x9 format.

More freeze-frame visual gags that you can see.

The Springfield Hall of Fame was a perfect example. Hank Scorpio -- Philanthropist? That must have been one expensive PR job. And I thought he lived in Cypress Creek.

When Marge was checking out in the opening, I think she had a box of Mr. Sparkle with the image that looked just like Homer.

Also was a jar of "Tomacco Juice". Patty and Selma had a cart full of Lady Laramie 100's as well.

I love the little inside jokes that only diehard fans remember from 20 seasons(wow that's a lot!)

Here are some more screenshots of inside jokes:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7333/simpsons6jp8.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8440/simpsons7mq3.jpg

El Barto, Bleedinggums Murphy, Sideshow Bob, Poochie are all on the Wall of Fame:

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4929/simpsons9gs8.jpg

Don't get me wrong, the 16x9 is fantastic. But I still don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD, it's just lines! I hope they keep the 16x9 format.

Because the colors almost pop off the screen now. Even South Park looked 10x better in HD.

The Simpsons looked ASTOUNDING in HD last night. Excellent production job by Fox.

looked great, but the episode sucked

At least the decided to ignore the "that 90's show" episode, and go back to the original simpsons chronology

I was actually hoping that at the end of the episode, when the family took Homer to the wall, they were going to show him that he already did have a plaque for all the things he's done in his life, or at least one of them: First Springfieldian in space, voice of Poochy, savior of the city from the glass dome, first Simpsons character in 3D (the z-dimension!)...

The jaggies killed my eyes. I didn't really enjoy it in HD :(

I can see why Simpsons wasn't in HD for so long. Homer was afraid it would make him look fat.

Looked great but i think my simpsons blu-ray looked a little better.

Interesting to see one of the plaques was for Harry Plopper AKA Spiderpig.

Looked great but i think my simpsons blu-ray looked a little better.

Of course the simpsons blu-ray movie looked better........

Blu-ray by definition is supposed to be better than anything on TV........

when will the next HD episode air?

Blu-ray by definition is supposed to be better than anything on TV........

But the Simpson's Movie Blu-ray had those darn black bars! ;)

Of course the simpsons blu-ray movie looked better........

Blu-ray by definition is supposed to be better than anything on TV........

The on demand version looked better too. The animation quality was just better in the movie. Last night's episode looked good, but there was some glaring aliasing in the lines, something I did not see on the movie. But that is just nit picking, I like the upgrade to HD. This last episode was ok, not great, and sort of a letdown after the fantastic episode before.

when will the next HD episode air?

March 1.

This should (hopefully) finally silence all of those who have said "I don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD -- it's just "lines."

Yep, it was beautiful. I also watch Phineas and Ferb with my son and it looks amazing too. It's also really funny.

What was strange was the fact that they still had the old 4:3 TV in the background during the episode...
Well, of course they did. The flat screen fell off the wall and presumably broke. If that happened to me, I'd be hauling out the old set, too - especially on Homer's salary.... ;)

The question is, will the open show the TV fall off the wall again or will they have the old one there with a converter box...of course, now they won't need one until June....:D

The on demand version looked better too. The animation quality was just better in the movie. Last night's episode looked good, but there was some glaring aliasing in the lines, something I did not see on the movie. But that is just nit picking, I like the upgrade to HD. This last episode was ok, not great, and sort of a letdown after the fantastic episode before.

It is probably worth mentioning that the movie has been airing on channels that broadcast in 1080i resolution, whereas FOX broadcasts in 720p.

It is entirely possible that the Simpsons is rendered in a higher resolution than FOX is airing... so that if they release episodes on Blu ray, the quality might be more comparable to the movie.

Well, of course they did. The flat screen fell off the wall and presumably broke. If that happened to me, I'd be hauling out the old set, too - especially on Homer's salary.... ;)

The question is, will the open show the TV fall off the wall again or will they have the old one there with a converter box...of course, now they won't need one until June....:D

that would make a funny episode, homer trying to hook up a converter box and failing. getting up on the roof and falling off.

prehapps he'd just "borrow" a new HDTV from flanders

Well, of course they did. The flat screen fell off the wall and presumably broke. If that happened to me, I'd be hauling out the old set, too - especially on Homer's salary.... ;)



Homer has a salary? When's the last time he went to work?:p

Homer has a salary? When's the last time he went to work?:p
A wizard did it.

Homer has a salary? When's the last time he went to work?:p

I figure homer just took flanders TV. as most of the stuff in the simpsons home is flanders. in most cases homer says he will give in back but he's had his TV tray for like 20yrs

Why does it feel like that intro wasn't new? I haven't watched the movie in awhile but it seems like some of that intro came from there. Regardless, I enjoyed the change to the Lisa in the music class. If you look at the twins, they're texting now. Funny and relevant.

Interesting to see one of the plaques was for Harry Plopper AKA Spiderpig.

The pig was in the opening sequence.

Didn't see Flanders or Nelson though.

This should (hopefully) finally silence all of those who have said "I don't understand why a cartoon needs to be in HD -- it's just "lines."

+1 Spot on comment. Thank you, VJ.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6847/simpsons4sa4.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7775/simpsons5ap2.jpg

The power outlet for the TV is not a grounded outlet. Is the Simpson home really that old? :)

Loved it in HD....it's strange, but my eyes actually felt strained about 1/2 way through....I'm not sure why, but I felt the same way during the movie on Blu-Ray. Maybe the colors in The Simpsons' color pallette is too bright for me and I need to turn down the brightness on my TV.

Other HD "cartoons" don't bother me, like South Park (which has a similar style, as far as big blotches of solid color, is concerned)

The power outlet for the TV is not a grounded outlet. Is the Simpson home really that old? :)

Probably...they also have wood behind their drywall....

And in the first pic, his toolbench is way too organized for Homer.

The power outlet for the TV is not a grounded outlet. Is the Simpson home really that old? :)
Well, the "real" house (the one built for the Pepsi contest) is in Nevada.

Maybe the Simpsons home was built by mob guys using materials that "fell off a truck"...


Probably...they also have wood behind their drywall....

And in the first pic, his toolbench is way too organized for Homer.
That construction is more in line with plaster, not drywall.

As far as the bench, I would assume Flanders keeps it organized - they're his tools, anyway... ;)

Besides, Homer only really uses the hammer, anyway...

Number 1 story on "Countdown" yesterday. I guess Keith is a Simpsons nerd too. He went through the opening credits and explained all the changes. Harry Shearer was the guest and mentioned Fox already ordered season 21.

Maybe the Simpsons home was built by mob guys using materials that "fell off a truck"...

Remember, the house is in the middle of "Pressboard Estates", indicating the house is not of high quality construction.

That construction is more in line with plaster, not drywall.
In one episode Marge told Bart to "stop chewing on the drywall".

I may have watched this show too closely.

The power outlet for the TV is not a grounded outlet. Is the Simpson home really that old? :)

the simpsons home should only be a year old as it got destroyed in the move. it was rebuilt at the end of the movie. but I figure the outlets were "found" by the mob. prehapps some old house is missing outlets now.

Remember, the house is in the middle of "Pressboard Estates", indicating the house is not of high quality construction.


In one episode Marge told Bart to "stop chewing on the drywall".

I may have watched this show too closely.

you must remember the kitchen was redone once to be very modern. which would have replaced some of the walls with new drywall. of course the kitchen was retured to the original look by episodes end. so that would expaine bart chewing on the drywall. either that or marge didn't know.

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed how stiff and boring the animation is compared to the old intro:

http://whiggles.landofwhimsy.com/archives/2009/02/the_simpszzzzzz.html#comments

They also went old school and still using component video plus L/R audio.., what not even composite?

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed how stiff and boring the animation is compared to the old intro:

http://whiggles.landofwhimsy.com/archives/2009/02/the_simpszzzzzz.html#comments

Yeah, but the old intro was stuck with the 1989 character models and look. The show and the characters (for the last decade or more) hasn't looked anything like the old intro.

They also went old school and still using component video plus L/R audio.., what not even composite?
You have that backwards. It was composite video and left right audio (one yellow, one white and one red), not component.

However, one of the damaged wires could have been HDMI or a connection to an antenna for OTA HD. The composite could have been for a camcorder (which they had for Maggie) or the VCR they have - which was used at one point to view the Mr. Sparkle and Happy Gnomes videos.

The VCR was plugged in separately at the top, so rule that one out. Composite was probably for one of the various video game systems shown whenever they're needed for a plot point.

I can't believe there is actually a discussion going on here about the connections to a cartoon TV.

Well, Simpsons' fans have kept the "Where is Springfield" discussion going for almost twenty years.

I can't believe there is actually a discussion going on here about the connections to a cartoon TV.
Join Date: Jan 2002

You really should know better. We'll discuss anything except partisan politics.

It's a frickin cartoon! The wiring doesn't have to meet spec, or code for that matter.

It's a frickin cartoon! The wiring doesn't have to meet spec, or code for that matter.

sure its a cartoon but this is AVS where we talk about AV issues. so even in a cartoon you have to nitpick the wire. its just fun to talk about

Yeah, but the old intro was stuck with the 1989 character models and look. The show and the characters (for the last decade or more) hasn't looked anything like the old intro.

That is true but they could've at least put more effort into the animation. Very choppy and lifeless poses.

Well, Simpsons' fans have kept the "Where is Springfield" discussion going for almost twenty years.

There is no correct answer. Various episodes have just about made any possible state not possible. Having said that, Groening was born in Springfield Oregon and the show has always been about his family dynamics.

Yeah, but the old intro was stuck with the 1989 character models and look. The show and the characters (for the last decade or more) hasn't looked anything like the old intro.

The old intro that most people remember started in Season 2 in late 1990. The original Season 1 intro is slightly different and even more crude. The HD intro is now the 3rd.

The animation change from S1 to S2 was dramatic, but over the years the animation continued to change making the 2nd intro seem "crude" by even the late 90s.

BTW, Smithers was black in Season 1. Talk about changes...

In his debut appearance, Smithers was unintentionally African-American, the result of a communications foul-up between American-based producers and series animators in Korea. Deciding it would be a bad idea to have a black sub-servient character, producers flipped Smithers back to Caucasian the next show.

http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/flash.html

The old intro that most people remember started in Season 2 in late 1990. The original Season 1 intro is slightly different and even more crude. The HD intro is now the 3rd.

The animation change from S1 to S2 was dramatic, but over the years the animation continued to change making the 2nd intro seem "crude" by even the late 90s.

BTW, Smithers was black in Season 1. Talk about changes...

1) parts of the 1st intro were still present in the 2nd - some 100% (like Homer running in the garage); some had the backgrounds cleaned up (like lisa playing her sax and all marge/maggie scenes - and even homer leaving the plant - they replaced the random guy eating a sandwich with smithers/burns, but homer himself was exactly the same) - the rest was completely redone (all bart scenes, and the family arriving at home outside)

2) Smithers was black for one episode, and it was an animation mistake that couldn't be fixed in time.

Smithers was black for one episode, and it was an animation mistake that couldn't be fixed in time.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Smithers.jpg

2) Smithers was black for one episode, and it was an animation mistake that couldn't be fixed in time.

Where has it been revealed that this was a mistake? They did the same thing with Lou in reverse.

Ah, I see Marcus' post. That's not a mistake, that is being politically correct.

Where has it been revealed that this was a mistake? They did the same thing with Lou in reverse.

Ah, I see Marcus' post. That's not a mistake, that is being politically correct.

DVD commentary from the episode indicated that he was supposed to be white.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waylon_Smithers#Creation

Basically, they had time to have the animators fix future episodes, but this one couldn't be sent back to fix

(Lou wasn't the only one who had the reverse problem once - they did the same thing with the Judge Snyder at least once - if not more)

There is no correct answer. Various episodes have just about made any possible state not possible.
But debate has continued. The fact that they won't say what state Springfield is in has even been incorporated into jokes on the show.

But debate has continued. The fact that they won't say what state Springfield is in has even been incorporated into jokes on the show.
The best one ever was the episode with the "Vincent Price Egg Decorating Kit" (he really wasn't dead, honest!) when Marge calls to get some missing part. Near the end of the call she gives her address:

"742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield (Maude Flanders walks in) Oh, hi ya, Maude!"

DVD commentary from the episode indicated that he was supposed to be white.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waylon_Smithers#Creation

Basically, they had time to have the animators fix future episodes, but this one couldn't be sent back to fix

(Lou wasn't the only one who had the reverse problem once - they did the same thing with the Judge Snyder at least once - if not more)

Gotcha, thx. ;)





But debate has continued. The fact that they won't say what state Springfield is in has even been incorporated into jokes on the show.

Absolutely. That's what makes it so funny. My viewpoint is that even if it were revealed, it would not fit with past episodes and I would just roll my eyes...like this: :rolleyes:

:)

Ironically as I read the forum, in syndication they are showing the episode where Lenny gets an HDTV, but of course it not in HD!:D

More annoyingly, the HD clips in the "Lenny gets an HDTV" episode were not letterboxed!

And more trivia... the first time HD was mentioned on the Simpsons was in "The Trouble With Trillions" back in 1998 when a one-off character named Charlie had a plan to beat up members of the government. "That'll teach them to drag their feet on high definition TV!" He was quickly arrested for conspiracy and I believe his posts on the AVS Forum were used as evidence against him.

More annoyingly, the HD clips in the "Lenny gets an HDTV" episode were not letterboxed!

And more trivia... the first time HD was mentioned on the Simpsons was in "The Trouble With Trillions" back in 1998 when a one-off character named Charlie had a plan to beat up members of the government. "That'll teach them to drag their feet on high definition TV!" He was quickly arrested for conspiracy and I believe his posts on the AVS Forum were used as evidence against him.


now that's funny 1998 complaning about HDTV and the Gov't. it's 2009 and we still have issues.

springfield border four states that are all in diffrent location thousands of miles apart. meaning springfield is in some kind of vortex. which would explaine how they can go anywhere withing hours

now that's funny 1998 complaning about HDTV and the Gov't. it's 2009 and we still have issues.

springfield border four states that are all in diffrent location thousands of miles apart. meaning springfield is in some kind of vortex. which would explaine how they can go anywhere withing hours

That also might explain why they're yellow and they don't age.

That also might explain why they're yellow and they don't age.

I'm doing this from memory and am too lazy to look it up at the moment, but I seem to recall Matt Groening or a show runner mentioning in a DVD commentary that at least one reason the characters are yellow is a practical joke. Groening came up with the idea of the home viewer trying to adjust the color settings on his TV to get the flesh tones "right," when in fact they can't, because the characters are yellow. It's a practical joke on the viewer.

That they don't age also became a deliberate joke at some point in the series. There are several episodes in which the characters make comments that deliberately reference the fact that they don't age, albeit indirectly, as an in-joke to viewers who are paying close attention.

The Simpsons is a show which is best enjoyed with close, rather than merely casual, viewing. Viewers who watch casually or irregularly miss a great many of the jokes, including the self-referential mocking, the tweaking of Fox and Rupert Murdoch (biting the hand that feeds you is also a running gag of Letterman, who started doing that over 25 years ago while at NBC), and the many terrific visual gags, especially those that are "VCR" or "DVR" jokes that require freeze framing to notice them.

I'm doing this from memory and am too lazy to look it up at the moment, but I seem to recall Matt Groening or a show runner mentioning in a DVD commentary that at least one reason the characters are yellow is a practical joke. Groening came up with the idea of the home viewer trying to adjust the color settings on his TV to get the flesh tones "right," when in fact they can't, because the characters are yellow. It's a practical joke on the viewer.
Way back in the first season, in "There's No Disgrace Like Home" the Simpsons got $500 from Dr. Marvin "Or Double Your Money Back" Monroe. Homer decided to get a 21 inch television with "realistic flesh tones".

That they don't age also became a deliberate joke at some point in the series. There are several episodes in which the characters make comments that deliberately reference the fact that they don't age, albeit indirectly, as an in-joke to viewers who are paying close attention.
The problem is that they let Homer age but no one else. He's now approaching 40 but since Marge had Bart right out out high school Bart should be in college now (well, out of high school anyway). Bart and Lisa are still 10 and 8 like they always have been. Naturally they turned that problem into an entire brilliant episode last season which "rewrote" the Marge and Homer story during the 90's

When sitcoms get old, they often become a parody of themselves with too many self-referential jokes. Since the Simpsons already had self-referential jokes from the beginning so it already solved that problem.

I like it for inserting current event issues and trivia.

Just a minute ago, a dvr'd millionaire episode -- the fellow remembered a Simpson episode about last minute Kentuckian, but didn't use it, walked away, but the reference was correct.

I'm doing this from memory and am too lazy to look it up at the moment, but I seem to recall Matt Groening or a show runner mentioning in a DVD commentary that at least one reason the characters are yellow is a practical joke. Groening came up with the idea of the home viewer trying to adjust the color settings on his TV to get the flesh tones "right," when in fact they can't, because the characters are yellow. It's a practical joke on the viewer.
I know it was mentioned by Yeardley Smith on the Inside the Actors Studio when the cast of The Simpsons was on.
Lipton: Can someone tell me how the Simpson characters become yellow?
Smith: I can.
Lipton: Please.
Smith: Matt apparently thought it would be really funny if when people watched The Simpsons they thought maybe the color on their TV was off, and that they were trying to get the fleshtone on the Simpsons but they were still yellow, what's going on.
A spectacular hour of TV, by the way. Well worth DVRing if you can find a rerun.

they should age the simpsons 5 years just to bring a fresh look to them. just try a few episodes to see how it goes over. as the simpsons has been stale for the last 10 years or so. it doesn't look like the show will ever end

The problem is that they let Homer age but no one else. He's now approaching 40 but since Marge had Bart right out out high school Bart should be in college now (well, out of high school anyway). Bart and Lisa are still 10 and 8 like they always have been. Naturally they turned that problem into an entire brilliant episode last season which "rewrote" the Marge and Homer story during the 90's

When sitcoms get old, they often become a parody of themselves with too many self-referential jokes. Since the Simpsons already had self-referential jokes from the beginning so it already solved that problem.

Common mistake....

Both Marge and Homer started the series in their mid 30s.... and of course Bart is 10.... so Marge had Bart right out of High School?

yep marge had bart right out of high school. as I recall it happened in the mini golf course windmill. homer found out and ran away for a bit. he got a job at the fast food place and sent marge money for awhile. they reunited when marge came thew the drive thew and homer used an onion ring.

yep marge had bart right out of high school. as I recall it happened in the mini golf course windmill. homer found out and ran away for a bit. he got a job at the fast food place and sent marge money for awhile. they reunited when marge came thew the drive thew and homer used an onion ring.

who ever said that was right out of high school?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Married_Marge

Never ever ever was it claimed that this was right after high school. As I said, it's a very common mistake that people think so.....

Homer and Marge finished High School in the 70s - and this is early 80s.... (this episode was season 3 - timeline hasn't shifted yet)

Common mistake....

Both Marge and Homer started the series in their mid 30s.... and of course Bart is 10.... so Marge had Bart right out of High School?

You're right. They did date for around five years after high school since they went to "Return of the Jedi" before they were married. And they had no "physical relations" before the golf course incident after they had been dating for years. And Homer didn't pop the question until he had knocked her up. Well, that does sound like Homer. He doesn't do anything until he has to.

The time line adds up. Homer was born in 1955 or 1956 (depending on the episode). He (almost) graduated in 1974 (them doing "The Hustle" while in high school was an anachronism). They had Bart in 1981. Some sites say 1977 (http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Homer_Simpson) but that doesn't add up since Lisa was definitely born in late 1983 when Bart was in his "terrible twos". So the series time line starts in 1990-91 making Homer 35..

So "That 90's Show" episode split from the time line since all that stuff that happened before they got married (like Marge going to college) should have happened in the 70's, not the 90's.

So "That 90's Show" episode split from the time line since all that stuff that happened before they got married (like Marge going to college) should have happened in the 70's, not the 90's.

They got a lot of criticism for doing that episode. Just about every long time fan was pissed.

Probably why we got this episode as the first of the new production season. Brought the characters back to where they belonged.

Fox Orders Yet More 'Simpsons'

Network orders two additional seasons of The Simpsons, extending the run of the longest-running primetime series to 22 years

By David Tanklefsky -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/26/2009 7:55:23 AM MT

Fox has ordered two more seasons of The Simpsons, extending the run of the longest-running series in primetime history to 22 years. The two-season pickup means 44 new Simpsons episodes, which will bring the series total to a remarkable 493 episodes.

In January Fox launched "Best. 20 Years. Ever," a year-long celebration of The Simpsons that ends next January 10, on the 20th anniversary of the series debut.

Since premiering in 1990, The Simpsons has become an iconic part of the television landscape, winning scores of accolades including 24 Emmy Awards, 23 Annie Awards, and Peabody Award. In recent years the brand has seen success with The Simpsons Movie which grossed $526 million in 2007 and with "The Simpsons Ride" which opened at Universal Studios last May.

The show is a Gracie Films Production along with 20th Century Fox. It is executive produces by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/179934-Fox_Orders_Yet_More_Simpsons_.php

Err, the show premiered in 1989, not 1990.

Err, the show premiered in 1989, not 1990.

Yeah Season 1, ep 1 first aired on Dec 17, 1989. The second episode aired January 14th, 1990. Not sure where they're coming up with Jan 10th, 2010 from.

EDIT: Actually, the have the dates right here, assuming they aren't counting the first episode as the "premiere" since it was actually a Christmas special...
http://www.snpp.com/news.html

Fox Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Fox Press Release - January 13, 2009
The 1990s introduced us to rollerblading, grunge music, slap bracelets and a yellow animated family from Springfield that took America by storm. Some fads come and go, but 20 years later The Simpsons remains timeless. Beginning January 14, 2009, Fox and The Simpsons will launch the "Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a global celebration of The Simpsons culminating one year later, January 14, 2010, on the 20th anniversary of the series' debut. The "Best. 20 Years. Ever." will incorporate domestic and global efforts honoring all things Simpsons.

that special jan 14, 2010 show is gonna have a monster rating as it will have an NFC Divisional Playoff game as its lead in.

No bug on WBFF tonight on any of the animated shows. (Probably a mistake.)

No bug on WBFF tonight on any of the animated shows. (Probably a mistake.)
And some of our fellow members are thinking "Mistake?" :D

Really, wasn't the fact that the race ending late had something to do with it?

Topic title edited.

And some of our fellow members are thinking "Mistake?" :D

Really, wasn't the fact that the race ending late had something to do with it?
Bingo. Fox doesn't enable the splicer bug when shows are running on a non-standard schedule. Presumably the bug on/off switch is scripted based on actual time and thus can't be done on live shows (the live episodes of Idol) or when sports or some other event runs over.


On another matter, Fox needs to set their encoders to dynamically start new GOPs on scene changes. I know that the 15-frame GOP they use now works great with the splicer, but since scene changes don't trigger a new GOP, the first few frames after a scene change suffer from severe blocking which is very noticeable with the solid colors of animation.

The animated bug after commercial breaks came on but that was it.

And of course the usual popups.

"24"s shooting all over the screen like fireworks...

Yeah Season 1, ep 1 first aired on Dec 17, 1989. The second episode aired January 14th, 1990. Not sure where they're coming up with Jan 10th, 2010 from.

EDIT: Actually, the have the dates right here, assuming they aren't counting the first episode as the "premiere" since it was actually a Christmas special...
http://www.snpp.com/news.html

The Christmas show was the premiere, but I can see the argument either way. A few of the 1st season episodes were shown out of order. "Some Enchanted Evening" was supposed to be the series opener and ended up being the 1st season finale. The Christmas episode was never meant to be a special, so I don't consider it one and I think most fans do not either.

There's certainly precedent for completely ignoring past shows whenever it's convenient. What was billed as episode #300 (Barting Over, the episode with Tony Hawk) was really 302, while 100 and 200 were the actual 100th and 200th episodes to air.

There's certainly precedent for completely ignoring past shows whenever it's convenient. What was billed as episode #300 (Barting Over, the episode with Tony Hawk) was really 302, while 100 and 200 were the actual 100th and 200th episodes to air.

"shhhhhhhh" :D

The scenes with the shipping container on the crane were drawn (or rendered, I guess) at 24 frames per second. They've done this in the past for certain scenes occasionally.

The HD bug came on during Family Guy and American Dad but they were in SD.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8316/cam0017.jpg

Local issue. Checked both the Dallas and NYC broadcasts and neither had the white FOX SD bug.

Local issue. Checked both the Dallas and NYC broadcasts and neither had the white FOX SD bug.

It was the animated HD bug that comes on after commercials.

Last season is airing on WNYW-DT FOX5 but in SD.
Are last seasons episodes being offered for syndication in HD?

TV/Business Notes
Money Dispute May End 'The Simpsons'
A money dispute between Fox and the actors who voice the characters on The Simpsons may force the long-running hit series to shut down next spring.
By Lloyd Grove, TheDailyBeast.com - October 4th, 2011

EXCLUSIVE: As Homer Simpson would put it, “D’oh!”

It looks like The Simpsons—20th Century Fox Television’s multibillion-dollar cash cow, the anchor of the Fox network’s Sunday prime-time schedule, and the longest-running sitcom in the history of broadcasting—might stop production after the current 23rd season ends next spring.

The reason is a negotiating impasse between the studio and the six principal actors who voice the beloved characters on the animated series that hilariously satirizes middle-class Midwestern angst.

Difficult bargaining is nothing new for the show, which was created by James L. Brooks and Matt Groening. Fox studio execs have occasionally threatened to replace uncooperative cast members with sound-alike actors. But for the first time in nearly a quarter century of haggling, the executives have insisted that if the cast doesn’t accept a draconian 45 percent pay cut, The Simpsons will die an abrupt death as a first-run series.

A Fox Television spokesman had no comment by late Monday night.

The ultimatum was delivered Monday evening as Fox spurned the actors’ proposal—delivered late last week—to take around a 30 percent pay cut in exchange for a tiny percentage of the show’s huge back-end profits—amounting to untold billions—from syndication of the show around the globe and merchandising of Simpsons clothing, lunchboxes, stamps, DVDs, a feature film and video games, among other paraphernalia. The series is produced by the 20th Century Fox studio and aired by the Fox network, both News Corp. companies, but the studio reaps the ancillary rewards.

“Fox is taking the position that unless they can cut the production costs really drastically, they’ll pull the plug on new shows,” said a Simpsons insider with knowledge of the negotiations. “The show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road. The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox.”

Not that the actors have been hurting.

Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and others), Julie Kavner (Marge and others), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and others), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon), and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, and others) each earn about $8 million annually for about 22 weeks’ work.

Even under Fox Studio’s proposed downgrade, they would still be making around $4 million apiece, which goes a long way in the fictitious town of Springfield, and even in the allegedly real city of Hollywood.

But the actors have long argued that they deserve a taste of the plentiful syndication and merchandising profits because they’ve contributed creatively to the success of The Simpsons almost as much as Brooks and Groening. The latter two benefit greatly from the show’s back-end revenue, and will continue to get even richer off the second round of syndication deals once new episodes are no longer being produced.

But Fox has consistently refused to compensate the main cast members beyond their generous salaries, and once production ends, the studio will continue to reap billions for years to come (with Fox drawing on a valuable archive of around 500 episodes), while the actors will receive little more than their union-mandated residuals.

“Now Fox is basically saying, ‘If you don’t take this deal, we’ll shut down the show,’ and they’ll continue to make a ton of money,” said the insider. “They’re free to sell it to cable and a second round of syndication, and they figure that the cast has very little leverage.”

The Simpsons—while no longer attracting the ratings it once did—remains the key to Fox’s Sunday-night schedule, serving as a strong 8 p.m. lead-in for Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy and American Dad sitcoms.

“They’ve had plenty of opportunity to pick another show for 8 o’clock, and they haven’t done it,” said the insider.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/04/the-simpsons-money-dispute-may-shut-down-fox-tv-s-long-running-hit.html

TV Notes
'Simpsons' actor breaks silence, says Fox should share profits
By James Hibberd, EW.com's 'Inside TV' Blog - October 7th, 2011

The cast and producers of The Simpsons have been silent since news of their latest contract war with studio 20th Century Fox TV broke out. Until now. Cast member Harry Shearer — who provides the voice for Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Kent Brockman, and other characters — issued a lengthy statement explaining his position on why the actors are holding out for a better deal to keep the show on the air (it’s a bit awkward when you’re publicly demanding a large salary in the middle of a recession, a fact Shearer seems very aware of here). See what you think, below. Does Shearer come across like humble Ned Flanders? Or Mr. Burns?

For many years now, the cast of “The Simpsons” has been trying to get Fox to agree that, like so many other people who’ve contributed significantly to the show’s success, we be allowed a tiny share of the billions of dollars in profits the show has earned. Fox has consistently refused to even consider the matter. Instead, it’s paid us salaries that, while ridiculous by any normal standard, pale in comparison to what the show’s profit participants have been taking home.

Now, as the show enters its twenty-third season, we are engaged in what will probably be our last contract negotiation with Fox. As you may have heard, the network has taken the position that “The Simpsons” no longer makes enough money and that unless we in the cast accept a 45% pay cut, they are not going to bring the show back for a twenty-fourth season.

Obviously, there are a lot more important things going on in the world right now, in the streets of New York and elsewhere. But given how many people seem to care about what happens to our show – and how much misinformation has been flying around – I thought it might make sense for at least one member of the cast to speak out directly. I should note that I am speaking only for myself, and not for any of the other actors on the show.

Fox wants to cut our salaries in half because it says it can’t afford to continue making the show under what it calls the existing business model. Fox hasn’t explained what kind of new business model it has formulated to keep the show on the air, but clearly the less money they have to pay us in salary, the more they’re able to afford to continue broadcasting the show. And to this I say, fine – if pay cuts are what it will take to keep the show on the air, then cut my pay. In fact, to make it as easy as possible for Fox to keep new episodes of “The Simpsons” coming, I’m willing to let them cut my salary not just 45% but more than 70% – down to half of what they said they would be willing to pay us. All I would ask in return is that I be allowed a small share of the eventual profits.

My representatives broached this idea to Fox yesterday, asking the network how low a salary number I would have to accept to make a profit participation feasible. My representatives were told there was no such number. There were, the Fox people said, simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show’s success.

As a member of the “Simpsons” cast for 23 years, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us. But given how much joy the show has given so many people over the years – and given how many billions of dollars in profits News Corp. has earned and will earn from it – I find it hard to believe that this is Fox’s final word on the subject. At least I certainly hope it isn’t, because the alternative is to cancel the show or fire me for having the gall to try to save the show by helping Fox with its new business model. Neither would be a fair result – either to those of us who have committed so many years to the show or to its loyal fans who make our effort worthwhile.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/07/simpsons-harry-shearer/

Booourns!!!!! Boooourns!!!!:D

I hate to say it, but it's way past time they put this show to bed anyways.

I hope Fox buries this show that hasn't been any good in over 10 years.

Except that Harry's got a good point. Fox's complaint about the current "business model" and demanding that the principal voice actors take a 45% pay cut suggests that the production is having a revenue problem. Harry's offer was to take a pay cut on the front end, which would solve the revenue problem (assuming there actually is one), in return for a small slice on the back end. That's a reasonable offer under any set of circumstances, assuming the slice is small enough and proportionate to the slices of others who do share in the profits.

Apparently, he called their bluff and Fox said not only "No," but "Hell no." They didn't counteroffer. Until they do, it sounds like that is the last word on this and Fox will end up killing the show for good.

From a business perspective, based on what little we know, that doesn't seem to make sense.