At the time, Seymour Skinners secret back story was considered a big blip in an incredible run of quality Simpsons episodes. It was attacked by the fan community for changing a character beloved by viewers for no apparent reason (not to mention by critics who saw it as being a very poor episode). While "The Principle and the Pauper" may have been a (sizeable) bump in the road for a show at its peak, it did mark the first time questions over the direction of the show came to the forefront. With new writers and rotating show runners, the Simpsons would start showing an inconsistency that would follow the programme into its current day incarnation, of course.
As a pretty nerdy guy, I've loved film and television since I was a wee lad. Growing up in Ireland, The Den was the show to watch with it playing Batman The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation and everything in between. I have an MA in Radio and Television Production and have written for various sites, hope you enjoy my articles/lists for What Culture!
