The answer sought was that characters in TV shows are static, unchanging, while characters in novels are dynamic, evolving. People in TV shows (and especially in sitcoms) are threatened by change but rarely succumb to it unless the show is on its way out. While characters in novels are supposed to be real people, a good TV character is an effective caricature. That's why TV shows can't last forever: the premise will wear out. That's the first reason why "The Simpsons" is suffering: it's been on the air too long. And I think the writers know it.

Back when the show was in its second season and at the very height of its quality, Homer explained to Bart that the Cosby Show was canceled because Mr. Cosby didn't want the quality of the show to suffer. Bart answered, perhaps prophetically: "Quality, schmality! If I had a TV show, I'd run that sucker into the ground!"

The second reason why the show is not all it used to be is that over the twelve years since "The Simpsons" debuted on the "Tracy Ullman Show", the culture of immediate gratification has gotten more immediate. Before computers TV audiences were largely passive, but they could also be patient. Now they want thrills by the second.

The old "Simpsons" was a show that rewarded careful viewing and reviewing. The scripts had so many layers of irony one couldn't catch them all the first time. But that has gone out the window. Not that I completely dislike the new episodes. I still watch occasionally. To quote Troy McClure at the end of "The Simpsons" 138th episode Spectacular: "Who knows what adventures they'll have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable?"

Alejandro Jenkins '01 is a physics and math concentrator in Currier House. His column appears on alternate Wednesdays.