A new low

I don't normally complain about TV. It's free, and if I don't like it, I can always go do something else.

I've always defended "The Simpsons" too - even a couple of years ago when people started to complain about it dropping off in terms of quality, I'd point out that it was still better than 90% of other shows on TV. But this week's episode . . . man, that was bad.

It's not just that it wasn't funny, it was as if they didn't even bother to write jokes for it. It's been that way for most of this season, the last few weeks have had maybe one or two moments where I laughed aloud. But this week it reached a new low - just placing the characters into a fantasy setting is not smart, or humorous. And let's face it, if the show isn't going to be smart or ironic, I'm just a little too old to be watching cartoons.

I'm not waiting for the glory years of the show to return, I know that era has passed. But this is currently the only show on TV I watch - is it asking too much for a laugh or two a week? Is it?

If you're reading this Matt Groening, don't think I won't go and read a book. Or phone a friend. I'll do it, I'm serious. I have other entertainment options. You've got till the end of the season to turn things around . . .