I think 3-5 years ago was really the height of their popularity. But Groening said that he wouldnt ever release a simpsons movie until the end of the series. And it was pretty obvious they would milk the series for all its worth, therefore releasing a movie when the simpsons were in a downfall. No, it's not a bad cartoon, it just doesn't have anything to set it apart from other shows now. They have used basically every single idea they could do. Anyone seen the "simpsons did it!" south park episode?