Was The Death of Maude Flanders Mean Spirited? Even For 'The Simpsons?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 01:49 PM

Who would’ve pre-ditilly-dicted that the chaste, saintly Maude Flanders would’ve met a gruesome death right on the air? In front of kids and everyone? Sadly, Maude had the misfortune of returning from the refreshment stand at the Springfield Speedway with her hands full of hot dogs just at the moment when Homer Simpson had painted a target on his tummy for the cheerleaders with a T-shirt cannon. Poor Maude plunged to her death after a volley of high-velocity tees knocked her off the grandstand. “No footlongs” was the last thing Ned ever said to his beloved wife.

The management of Lowe’s Speedway in North Carolina felt that this episode cut too close to the bone, as an incident of flying tires in 1999 actually caused the deaths of three spectators, so the local Fox affiliate refused to show any commercials promoting that particular episode.

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Retro4Life · 02-12-2012, 02:00 PM

Didn't see it as mean spirited, really, but I did feel sorry for Maude. Ultimately it was a good move because it opened up more stories for Ned, dealing with Maude's death and his loneliness, later dating, etc. While the WAY Maude died was played in a humorous way, they did deal rather sensitively with the aftermath and consequences. Plus, honestly, Maude was a very peripheral character that didn't hold a special place in most fan's hearts, so it didn't hit nearly as hard as if, say, Grandpa Simpson was killed off.

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 03:14 PM

I guess you are right about that retro, I mean was it a necessity to kill her off though? Why not have her run off somewhere leaving Ned and the kids? Also, having Homer responsible in a way for her death, was a little too much for me. IMO

Blackout · 02-12-2012, 03:34 PM

they were reaching for plots at that point

but hey, somebody had to die right?

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackout805

they were reaching for plots at that point

but hey, somebody had to die right?

Is that the reason they killed off Maude Flanders? For Ratings?

Blackout · 02-12-2012, 03:38 PM

season 11 is the year to me that the show went WAY downhill

they needed plot ideas, i mean just look at how boring the show has been the last 10 years

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackout805

season 11 is the year to me that the show went WAY downhill

they needed plot ideas, i mean just look at how boring the show has been the last 10 years

I really can't argue that point. lol

Retro4Life · 02-12-2012, 04:09 PM

I agree, Brian, that having Homer kind of responsible for her death was a drag, and a bit darker than I was used to for this series.

As for the "last ten years" thing, I don't know. Sometimes I think if you repeat something enough times everyone starts to think it's real. Honestly, I do feel the show got less funny after a bit, but it wasn't nearly as long as ten years ago...maybe five. But...I'd say the last couple of seasons have seen a real uptick in quality.

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 04:12 PM

I can't really comment on the recent surge of quality because it is no longer on my "must see" list anymore. Perhaps that is my own fault because I am so use to it just being there every Sunday.

Retro4Life · 02-12-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I can't really comment on the recent surge of quality because it is no longer on my "must see" list anymore. Perhaps that is my own fault because I am so use to it just being there every Sunday.

Check out a couple new episodes and see if you don't see improvement. I can't guarantee you'll agree of course, but I'm pretty picky and I've found myself laughing at it a lot the past couple seasons.

mets82 · 02-12-2012, 08:43 PM

I'll be honest, I think The Simpsons has lost a little steam. I mean I think episodes from 1994 or 1995 are funnier then the ones now. I'll watch tonight's episode and so on but its not as funny as it once was although they do still have there moments. Whether you think the show is funny or not, being on for 24 yrs. is a great accomplishment.

Brian Damage · 02-12-2012, 09:27 PM

I have dvr'd the latest episode of The Simpsons and will certainly see if its quality is still up there. I mean, I don't fault the writers really, because after 20 plus years, what can you expect?

Blackout · 02-12-2012, 11:50 PM

why cant they bring some old writers back

02-12-2012, 01:49 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Was The Death of Maude Flanders Mean Spirited? Even For 'The Simpsons?' Who would’ve pre-ditilly-dicted that the chaste, saintly Maude Flanders would’ve met a gruesome death right on the air? In front of kids and everyone? Sadly, Maude had the misfortune of returning from the refreshment stand at the Springfield Speedway with her hands full of hot dogs just at the moment when Homer Simpson had painted a target on his tummy for the cheerleaders with a T-shirt cannon. Poor Maude plunged to her death after a volley of high-velocity tees knocked her off the grandstand. “No footlongs” was the last thing Ned ever said to his beloved wife. The management of Lowe’s Speedway in North Carolina felt that this episode cut too close to the bone, as an incident of flying tires in 1999 actually caused the deaths of three spectators, so the local Fox affiliate refused to show any commercials promoting that particular episode. Read the full text here: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/arc...#ixzz1mBrElRV1 --brought to you by mental_floss!
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02-12-2012, 02:00 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Didn't see it as mean spirited, really, but I did feel sorry for Maude. Ultimately it was a good move because it opened up more stories for Ned, dealing with Maude's death and his loneliness, later dating, etc. While the WAY Maude died was played in a humorous way, they did deal rather sensitively with the aftermath and consequences. Plus, honestly, Maude was a very peripheral character that didn't hold a special place in most fan's hearts, so it didn't hit nearly as hard as if, say, Grandpa Simpson was killed off.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

02-12-2012, 03:34 PM	#4
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,239	they were reaching for plots at that point but hey, somebody had to die right?
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02-12-2012, 08:43 PM	#11
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,065	I'll be honest, I think The Simpsons has lost a little steam. I mean I think episodes from 1994 or 1995 are funnier then the ones now. I'll watch tonight's episode and so on but its not as funny as it once was although they do still have there moments. Whether you think the show is funny or not, being on for 24 yrs. is a great accomplishment.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

02-12-2012, 03:14 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I guess you are right about that retro, I mean was it a necessity to kill her off though? Why not have her run off somewhere leaving Ned and the kids? Also, having Homer responsible in a way for her death, was a little too much for me. IMO

02-12-2012, 03:38 PM	#6
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,239	season 11 is the year to me that the show went WAY downhill they needed plot ideas, i mean just look at how boring the show has been the last 10 years

02-12-2012, 04:09 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I agree, Brian, that having Homer kind of responsible for her death was a drag, and a bit darker than I was used to for this series. As for the "last ten years" thing, I don't know. Sometimes I think if you repeat something enough times everyone starts to think it's real. Honestly, I do feel the show got less funny after a bit, but it wasn't nearly as long as ten years ago...maybe five. But...I'd say the last couple of seasons have seen a real uptick in quality.

02-12-2012, 04:12 PM	#9
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I can't really comment on the recent surge of quality because it is no longer on my "must see" list anymore. Perhaps that is my own fault because I am so use to it just being there every Sunday.

02-12-2012, 09:27 PM	#12
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I have dvr'd the latest episode of The Simpsons and will certainly see if its quality is still up there. I mean, I don't fault the writers really, because after 20 plus years, what can you expect?

02-12-2012, 11:50 PM	#13
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,239	why cant they bring some old writers back