Fall 2006 Returning Shows Rank: 17 It pained me to give The Simpsons such a low editorial grade. But I had to. The Simpsons hasn't been good in years. Occasionally, we'll get an episode that comes close to the magical middle seasons (Years 4-10) of production, but there has been no consistency of late and it's been a little depressing. I still watch almost every episode of The Simpsons, going into each with an optimistic belief that things will go back to normal. The same characters are out there, they talk the same and act the same, the storylines remain bizarre and culturally apt; it's just the humor that's lacking. Though The Simpsons was once the most cutting-edge, biting and satirical show on TV, now it's not close. With Family Guy, Adult Swim, and South Park, the breadth of edgy animated comedy is exponentially larger. With The Simpsons Movie on tap for Summer 2007, this may very well be the show's last year on FOX. If so, I'll miss it, but I'll also be glad it's over. -Oscar Dahl << Return to Fall Preview 11-20