10 Once Great TV Shows That Became Laughing Stocks

2. The Simpsons

The Simpsons has become an institution for households and families all over the world, and it has been that way ever since the Matt Groening sitcom first hit screens all the way back in 1989. However, there's no easy way of saying this: It has been on those TV screens for far too long.

The longest-running American scripted drama in history, it was, without question, a unique masterpiece that, even its own hit-and-miss way, could make you laugh and really think at the same time. Its character-driven plots were among the best on television, and the larger-than-life characters were thoroughly deserving of such material.

But after the show's first decade or so, the quality began to slip and, in spite of some great episodes here and there, it's never been fully able to come back from that.

It may have spent over three decades entertaining fans, but the fact of the matter is that it has spent over half of that time living on its former glory - glory that it has been desperately trying to reclaim (and failing). D'oh!