The Simpsons finally making high-def debut

by Darren Murph posted Jan 25th 2009 at 1:28PM

The Simpsons began its twentieth season last September, and now -- at long, long last -- we're going to see Bart, Homer, Lisa and the whole gang in high-definition. Starting on Sunday, February 15th, the American sitcom that has entertained both young and old for decades will make its high-def debut on FOX. Just let this simmer on your mind for a minute, then feel free to explode in comments with extreme jubilation.

[Thanks, Michael]

Filed under: Fox, New content

Tags: animation, cartoon, simpsons, the simpsons, TheSimpsons

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Zydeffect @ Jan 25th 2009 1:35PM

Any word if it will be widescreen?

Neutral

Garst @ Jan 26th 2009 2:56AM

It would have to be wide-screen to qualify as HD. It would be pointless or horrible if they tried fitting 720p into a 4:3 format. Either the TV wouldn't render the extra lines, or it would spread the picture out stretching it.

Highest Ranked

superklye @ Jan 26th 2009 12:36PM

@Garst

No, it WOULDN'T have to be widescreen to be HD. Why don't you go take a look at some reviews of movies from the 1930s and 1940s re-released on HD DVD and/or Blu-ray and let me know if those were HD or not based on the aspect ratio in which they were shot.

kthxbai

Highest Ranked

rendezvous65 @ Jan 25th 2009 1:53PM

I would assume yes it will be in widescreen. Fox doesn't accept anything other than 16:9 for HD material. Originally they wanted to do it in 4:3 HD but Fox said no way. I guess they finally agreed to do it in 16:9 HD. All they had to do was redo the backgrounds for 16:9 in this episode.

Neutral

Ben @ Jan 25th 2009 10:30PM

I've read this about redoing the backgrounds before but never understood it. I mean didn't they do all the backgrounds in HD for the Simpons' Movie? I know that springfield looked great in HD in the Movie.

Neutral

rendezvous65 @ Jan 25th 2009 11:35PM

The movie used different backgrounds in areas that aren't in the series. The animation style was different. The Movie was probably a one off deal.

Neutral

BananaBoat @ Jan 26th 2009 12:10AM

The movie also cost a gillion dollars. Don't expect that level of fidelity come February 15th. They will probably extend scenes by adding grass to the borders, or extra buildings. I also wouldn't be surprised if they simply super-zoomed in on characters faces so that there wasn't too much open space on the side that needs filling in.

Lowest Ranked

Matt @ Jan 25th 2009 2:01PM

Who cares about this show anymore? In terms of being the quality show that it once was, the Simpsons has been off the air for quite some time.

Lowest Ranked

Nick @ Jan 25th 2009 2:21PM

I'll explode in "extreme jubilation" when they remaster the episodes that don't suck. New episodes? I don't need to see that. They're beating a dead horse with the simpsons. They should've quit at season 14.

Lowest Ranked

Sound Designer Dan @ Jan 25th 2009 2:56PM

I'd say that they should've quit after season 11. And aren't the old episodes only mastered on video?

Highly Ranked

Kyle @ Jan 25th 2009 3:23PM

I do agree that "The Simpsons" hasn't been that good in teh past few years, but it's a classic! Maybe one that needs to be retired, but hopefully the switch to HD will spur on better content. I'm not holding my breathe, that's for sure.

Highly Ranked

Mike @ Jan 25th 2009 6:01PM

while i agree that the simpsons isn't what it once was, it is still a good show. it's refreshing when compared to family guy, another show that has seen better days. family guy has become less complex as far as the plot is concerned, and the jokes just keep getting dumber.

Neutral

Brad Clarke @ Jan 25th 2009 4:08PM

Its about time! cant wait to see it in HD

Neutral

PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 25th 2009 4:17PM

nice.......too bad this is suppose to be the "Last Season"

now if only Family Guy will follow suit,,,

Neutral

Britboyj27 @ Jan 25th 2009 5:26PM

What? Go off the air?

Another show that's grossly overstayed it's welcome.

And to think... they canceled Futurama...

Neutral

rendezvous65 @ Jan 25th 2009 6:51PM

Family Guy I doubt it. Same with anything made by Seth McFarlane. He believes that 4:3 is an ideal aspect ratio for TV so I doubt it. I think he'll do it in 4:3 HD if Fox allows him to do it. Maybe he'll change his mind eventually.

Highly Ranked

PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 26th 2009 9:55AM

hell they been saying the last season for the last 3 years or so.....

And Seth thinks what now!?!?!? well isnt that just narrow minded....

Neutral

PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 26th 2009 9:55AM

@Britboy.....Futurama is back on ya know.....

Highest Ranked

Alex @ Jan 25th 2009 4:35PM

At least we finally get some Simpsons episodes in HD before the show ends. I wish they could/would re-master the older ones in HD.

Neutral

kcmurphy88 @ Jan 25th 2009 6:26PM

Who are these "Simpsons"?

Neutral

rendezvous65 @ Jan 25th 2009 6:54PM

I think if the Simpsons goes HD then it might have a few more years of life in it. Maybe they're pushing for Season 25. The Simpons is still a popular show. The Simpons is also exported to a bunch of different countries. Many of these countries haven't made their HD transition yet so they could offer a 4:3 version of the HD master. I still think it would be better to letter box it. Then again they could offer a downconverted feed for European providers. Europe uses a lot of 16:9 SD.

Neutral

crawdad62 @ Jan 25th 2009 6:57PM

While the show may not be up to its higher former standards it's certainly not bad. Well certainly as good as most of the drivel that's being broadcasted elsewhere. I for one am stoked to see it in HD.

Neutral

lucyfan62 @ Jan 25th 2009 7:00PM

First South Park and now FINALLY The Simpsons! Talk about HD goodness!

Highly Ranked

webterractive @ Jan 25th 2009 8:44PM

I hope it's that episode when Krusty tells his viewers that starting next week they'll be broadcasting in HD and then it shows how ugly Krusty is and while the kids are groaning in horror he tells them to see the real star that they love and respect.

Neutral

shawnmos @ Jan 25th 2009 8:51PM

Will Family Guy and American Dad follow?

Highly Ranked

rendezvous65 @ Jan 25th 2009 9:07PM

No Family Guy, American Dad, or anything produced by Seth McFarlane will go HD anytime soon. It might but only 4:3 HD. Seth McFarlane doesn't want to produce his shows in 16:9. I already have posted a comment about it. Even the Cleveland show will be in 4:3 SD due to Seth McFarlane. I think he just doesn't want to animate in 16:9 HD since it's a lot of work.

Highly Ranked

squiggleslash @ Jan 26th 2009 9:49AM

Do you have a citation for the Seth McFarlane comment? The only search results I could find were of people posting to forums claiming he said this, but I cannot actually find an interview or article anywhere where he says any such thing.

You'd have thought someone making the claim would at least link to evidence for it, but I can't find any, and it would surprise me if McFarlane seriously expects to be making 4:3 cartoons in a 16:9 world.

Neutral

Jason Blosser @ Jan 25th 2009 9:06PM

'The Simpsons' is still on?

Highly Ranked

Brent Schmidt @ Jan 26th 2009 12:37AM

How can you do HD in animation? Did crayola make a new set of HD crayons or something? lol...

Highly Ranked

rendezvous65 @ Jan 26th 2009 12:44AM

HD in Animation requires redoing the backgrounds in 16:9 and rendering the scenes in HD. Simpsons is mastered via video. Simpsons is rendered on a computer using cel shading and digital animation techniques.

Neutral

Blue @ Jan 26th 2009 9:03AM

They should embrace the extra screen available in 16x9. It looks much more appealing and these days I am mostly only choosing shows that are in that format in HD. I really do hope that's how the simpsons is gonna be. I also think it will make more people watch.

Neutral

The Fuzz 53 @ Jan 26th 2009 10:56AM

Will it be 4x3 HD or 16x9 HD?

Low Ranked

William C Bonner @ Jan 26th 2009 1:12PM

So was Sunday 1/25/2009 supposed to be in HD?

I watched it on my TiVo HD last night. I wouldn't really have been able to tell if it was HD, but I could tell that it was not filling my 16x9 screen, while my local fox affiliate had their logo in the bottom corner, actually in the letterbox bars.

I an in Seattle, and watch all my tv over the air using ATSC, so if it's HD, I'm getting it in HD.

Neutral

rendezvous65 @ Jan 26th 2009 2:31PM

It will go HD starting on February 15th.

Neutral

Jason @ Jan 26th 2009 4:48PM

Did you even read the post?
"Starting on Sunday, February 15th"

ya dope

Neutral

Glavasich @ Jan 26th 2009 2:12PM

"WOO-HOOO!"

* I can't believe I'm the first one to say that

Neutral

Tyrok @ Jan 27th 2009 3:57AM

Seth MacFarlane made that comment during the commentary on the Blue Harvest (Star Wars) episode. He said that Fox wanted him to do the episode in widescreen but he said that in his opinion 4x3 is better for comedy because its more intimate or something of that nature.

Neutral

ian9outof10 @ Jan 28th 2009 8:05AM

Animation doesn't really benefit as much as video with HD. Not saying I don't love the idea of 16:9 Simpsons, but the vast areas of solid colour look great even at SD.

That's why so many HDTV demos in electrical stores use animation to make the TVs look good.

Neutral

mondo270 @ Feb 18th 2009 11:17AM

the new episode of "king of the hill" was in hd tonight. it filled the entire screen with no stretching. it's the first time i've ever seen a prime time cartoon in hd and it looked really great.

Neutral

rendezvous65 @ Feb 12th 2009 4:39AM

I too think King of the Hill looked great in HD. There is a promo of the Simpsons where bart writes HDTV is worth every cent on the chalk board. It was an ad and it does look cool.

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