The Rise and Fall of Principal Seymour Skinner

Рет қаралды 50,929

Жыл бұрын

In this episode of The Simpsons Theory, we look at how The Simpsons have changed Principal Seymour Skinner of Springfield Elementary over the years. From the Golden Age of being a complex foe and friend of Bart to the Simpsons' punchbag. We look at full episodes of The Simpsons to piece together clues to accompany our analysis. However, there will also be discussions on whether or not the newer episodes of Season 34 have been able to save Principal Skinner.
Subscribe to watch more videos on The Simpsons (created by Matt Groening). We specialize in videos, essays and topics that'll appeal from the casual viewer to diehard fans alike. We also look at the funniest Simpsons moments from Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. As well as other Simpsons characters from Springfield.
Written by: Murray Furguson
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Пікірлер: 179

@danielshaffer-green5684 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see a deep dive into Moe's character, specifically regarding how he has become a lot more unethical and miserable as the series has gone on.

@shannonreeder1237 Жыл бұрын

I hope he's on deck or coming soon surely

@hullinstruments Жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear the history of Moe's noose. How many times it appeared, how many times he nearly used it, and finally... When will the writers put him out of his misery.

@joecurran2811 Жыл бұрын

@@hullinstruments You can't a cartoon character killing themselves. Young kids watch this.

@cedricfowler3465 Жыл бұрын

I forgot Principal Skinner's voice was a lot deeper and authoritative in the early seasons. The voice acting had gravitas and a quiet dignity to it the later seasons Skinner doesn''t have.

@astro-aaron Жыл бұрын

Skinner wanted to make sure his students didn’t mess around. And made sure no one messed with his students.

@JoshRazauskas Жыл бұрын

The moment that he went downhill was when they split him form Edna before she passed away. I used to love his character? It’s so sad. As you pointed out though Lydia he does seem to be on the road to recovery. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

@TheTraubenstein 11 күн бұрын

It would've been more meaningful if she died while with skinner. There were so many episodes in many seasons showing their relationship. Ned had Maude. he was raising his kids alone the best he could while grieving. I never liked that switch.

@JoshRazauskas 11 күн бұрын

@@TheTraubenstein Yeah same

@grapeshot Жыл бұрын

He's like some not living never giving up guy.

@SomeGuyParadise Жыл бұрын

Something weird about the modern Simpsons is that Superintendent Chalmers frequently says words that sound like "Skinner" is his yelling-at-Skinner voice, such as "sinner" or "skin him." Maybe Chalmers obtained this quirk because of how Skinner became more of an embarrassment and yell-worthy as a result.

@jonathansalazar4630 Жыл бұрын

Say what you want about Skinner but the man knows how to steam a good ham.

@simpsonsfanatic777 Жыл бұрын

What were they thinking when they ruined his relationship with Edna?

@Crow_Smith Жыл бұрын

I think they wanted a reason to give her to Ned - without considering the rest. Or realized he was too Flanderized while trying to un-Flanderize Ned, so decided to switch them. But yeah it was a really stupid idea - though we'd still have had to see one of our boy lose her eventually. ):

@itsallyv238 Жыл бұрын

I personally think that it was a really good idea since Ned and Edna’s relationship was so good and I didn’t really like Edna and Skinner’s relationship so I thought it was a good call

@javiersantanaaviles5885 Жыл бұрын

Skinner was once a character that I could admire because he was a soldier to the bone that wasn´t scare to do what he had to do to keep the Springfield elementary in order, but now, he is simply just a walking joke

@MrJamaigar 6 ай бұрын

Yeah... He's almost as pathetic as others like Kirk Vanhouten, Gil Gunderson, etc. A pathetic mommy's boy, whose own mother treats like a joke, ironically.

@christophergraham5531 Жыл бұрын

Poor Skinner, he became a joke.

@ryanwernecki-jones7868 Жыл бұрын

I agree but 34 seasons you can’t get everything right it. Especially if it’s not Entirely linear, it’s hard to think of stories I know this is controversial but Disney had saved it

@christophergraham5531 Жыл бұрын

@@ryanwernecki-jones7868 I suppose that’s true but the writers could have a least done something to not make him a complete joke before that point.

@daniapfel9673 Жыл бұрын

Yeah

@ryanwernecki-jones7868 Жыл бұрын

@@christophergraham5531 maybe but I think they found it difficult Cus of the real life death of Edna and the actor quit I just think it was difficult but I see your point

@DanielLopez-cy2tq Жыл бұрын

Skinner has always been one of my favorites. I always feel bad for him like moe.

@Sly88Frye Жыл бұрын

I always thought was how intimidating Skinner was by Chalmers and how unlucky was how he would end up going to the most embarrassing things right in front of him was just so funny. Something that it appears they have forgotten about for some time, but you know what it is interesting that they decide to finally give him some backbone and for him to for once actually stand up against the superintendent pretty cool that Gary has respect for Seymour after that

@anodyneghost Жыл бұрын

He really seems like one of those side characters they don't know what to do with anymore. There are several of those at this point. I wonder if a spinoff following some other Springfield residents would help that?

@LowellLucasJr. Жыл бұрын

Who was glad to see Skinner take on Chalmers?! That was such a relief much like Patty and Selma finally captured MacGuyver!

@monkeymoses Жыл бұрын

He is byfar one of the best characters in the entire show

@Cooler442 Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@bilbo3108 Жыл бұрын

Was

@Britt4770 Жыл бұрын

This made me realize how much I appreciate his character. Can you do an episode talking about Bart and Maggie's relationship? I always see Bart and Lisa, Lisa and Maggie, but never the youngest and oldest 🧐.

@qwertyrobbo101 Жыл бұрын

I think one of the meta issues with Skinner is the way the series uses a floating timeline, and have moved the Simpsons through the decades, so now Skinner being a Vietnam vet doesn't line up as he'd be too old, so the producers have had to down play this side of his character and in turn its cut his knees out from under him

@Interfaune Жыл бұрын

Yeah, they should just change it to Afghanistan and make Abe a Vietnam vet, then they can go on for a while with that.

@blackroseinbloom Жыл бұрын

I wish the writers would’ve killed off Agnes seasons ago. Had she died then Skinner been forced to deal with the reality that he was alone years ago, it would’ve opened up more storylines and growth as a character. I get why she’s still around but it’s tough knowing Skinner is just a joke for being the biggest pushover since he was born.

@cammy85 Жыл бұрын

It was nice to see Skinner finally stand up to Chalmers. I have to remember to make notes of the key episodes you mention. I watched that particular episode right after this. One thing to note is that was very little of the faamily in that episode. Bart was in there more than anyone and the family wasn't there until the tail end.

@MouthJaw Жыл бұрын

Skinner had a great rise and had a sad fall after a bit, but it seems that he is starting to get his groove back.

@SilverSaiyanAce Жыл бұрын

I'd say "The Principal and the Pauper" is cannon since Lisa references it in a normal episode later (normal as in not a parody, or Side story like "Tree House of Horror" or "A Serious Flanders"

@pureorangeness Жыл бұрын

But she references it in an episode which does the same non-canon thing to keep continuity (where Lisa’s cat Snowball II dies and is replaced by an identical cat she calls Snowball II to keep things simple), so I think it’s just another meta-joke about how they screw with continuity for the sake of the plot

@SilverSaiyanAce Жыл бұрын

@@pureorangeness yes but It's still technically cannon within the shows universe as it did happen and is just ignored by the characters unlike the other stuff I mentioned which is blatantly non-cannon

@SilverSaiyanAce Жыл бұрын

@@pureorangeness it's like who shot Mr burns It did happen but didn't change the status quo and is mentioned to often

@Idran Жыл бұрын

@@SilverSaiyanAce honestly, all canon really is in any show or book or game or whatever is "the stuff that the writers will keep in mind when writing for it" so if the writers won't ever seriously reference something that happened, is it really canon in any sense that matters?

@SilverSaiyanAce Жыл бұрын

@@Idran yeah I know that but still I see it as cannon until retconed

@TheLastOfTheRealOnes94 Жыл бұрын

I think the next deep dive should be Gil Gunderson he's someone who definitely doesn't know when to quit 😂

@AJPierson Жыл бұрын

I think The principal and the pauper is a decent episode. The major problem is the ending disregards the reveal and status quo, and the characters pretend this episode never happened.

@lanternsown3525 Жыл бұрын

Seymour Skinner is a one of a kind character and leader.

@Caolan114 Жыл бұрын

Marge: I don't want my son to turn Into that! *Pointing at Skinner and his mother* Skinner: What? a wall?

@LowellLucasJr. Жыл бұрын

The principal and the Pauper episode of really slapped fans in the face. It hurts even harder when even Skinner's voice actor commented that it's gonna upset a lot of fans. Sure the writer thought this would be a fun spoof and to goof on fans who took the seriously, but in the end it ended up making them look like a jerk.

@michaelfragoso6572 Жыл бұрын

Wish they made an episode where Skinner finally stands up moves out of Agnes house

@billynahar9861 Жыл бұрын

Honestly I wish they would kill off Agnes and let Skinner grow from there. She’s such an annoying / boring one dimensional character, and the “Skinner mama’s boy” has dragged on for way too long.

@disneyboy3030 6 ай бұрын

I actually have an idea to hint that there is a tragic reason for this that she hides under that façade.

@grapeshot Жыл бұрын

Mom that sailor suit is too small now.

@adamcolson5819 Жыл бұрын

When I was a kid skinner walking in and out of the water was the scariest shit I ever seen gave me nightmares

@hyperstarlightgaming5605 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Skinner is such a complex and great character, thank you for highlighting this :D

@Saiko__TM Жыл бұрын

Hey you've hit 200k since I've last watched! Congrats!

@TheSimpsonsTheory Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@theworldsgreatestlover Жыл бұрын

Skinner is one of my absolute favourite characters on the show. Makes me really sad thinking about what they did with his character later on

@KUUSproductions Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I always enjoy your videos!

@MTTT19 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I hope one day he'll finally stand up to his mother. Speaking of which, I'd love to see a video on Agnes Skinner.

@dylanbahret6511 Жыл бұрын

Great video, late upload I thought I missed it. Keep up the great work and have a wonderful rest of the week

@Animated-History Жыл бұрын

Flanderization has become a common occurrence

@TheHonoredMadman 11 ай бұрын

Another great one. A moe video like thos would be great but would probably be pretty long and require alot of rewatching but he's another great iconic character who would be great for one of these

@jojowalker6560 Жыл бұрын

That was pretty good you sumed up everything about Skinner didn't realize he lost it that bad after watching this 😂 my favorite episode was when him and chief wiggum had a side episode together.

@rickkaine2580 Жыл бұрын

I just re-subscribed And BTW Congrats for 203K Subscribers!

@PartnershipsForYou Жыл бұрын

Ahh, Lydia serving us some more steamed hams!

@ryanwernecki-jones7868 Жыл бұрын

Hello Lydia thanks for the content

@ryanwernecki-jones7868 Жыл бұрын

It sounds like we both from south east England if only we could meet up and knew your last name so I could find eachother and talk Simpsons

@LowellLucasJr. Жыл бұрын

Skinner is still a respectable man and overgrown momma's boy we love. Sure he's a Weenie...but he's our Weenie! I still give him credit whenever he gets into his Green Bureau mode! At that point, he's more determined than a Terminator, Tougher than Flying Hellfish and willing fight anyone who messed with his hairline!

@LowellLucasJr. Жыл бұрын

Can we get a video on the history of Itchy and Scratchy? Also including its creator, his no-good son, and its relationship with the Krusty the Clown show?

@Polycomical Жыл бұрын

Disco Stu needs a video from you! And the element to focus on is how if these trends continue...Ayyyyy!

@tenebrousoul9368 Жыл бұрын

Ahoy hoy, neighborinos! Deep dive the Bee Man

@conastycorleone5261 Жыл бұрын

💯💯💯 needs dat

@potato1341 Жыл бұрын

Hearing skinner say "son of a bitch" gave me whiplash, I was half paying attention to the vid cause I was on a game but that took me right back in

@mikerotch7606 Жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t bad mouth Skinner, I’ve heard he’s a ex green-beret…

@SellavinAtoms Жыл бұрын

I want to see if you do 1 on Disco stu and the Sea captain because part of me believes that they're father and son and i'm not the only one.

@Caolan114 Жыл бұрын

When he's drinking with Homer and Chalmers Is there and he says "There's something I've wanted to say to you for years! ... am I a good principal?"

@xaviong257459 Жыл бұрын

He might be a weenie, but he’s a weenie you can be proud of.

@TobyOliverHenryFan Жыл бұрын

It's not embarrassing that Reverent Lovejoy plays with train, but it's weird that he is playing in the basement. Like really couldn't have he found a better place?

@TobyOliverHenryFan Жыл бұрын

But I must say his layout is abysmal! Like common only a tunnel and Buns' Power Plant. How plain!

@TobyOliverHenryFan Жыл бұрын

Also is the reverend's name Tim? I heard his wife call him that once.

@MonkeiKing Жыл бұрын

You've just made me realise why its not the same its 2d now the characters outside of the Simpson are interchangeable watered down versions of themselves. I haven't even started the episode in still on the intro but the time he chased down bart was terrifying as a kid

@patrickstreetet3085 Жыл бұрын

I think maybe if you did like a Maggie exclusive episode it could be really interesting. I'm sure you can come up with something more clever than that, but I think Maggie could be a center of a really popular video

@manoftheusajones5147 Жыл бұрын

Every 1, Whatever you do, do NOT change a Character's Backstory!

@QueenOfFandoms Жыл бұрын

Skinner and Edna were so cute together and I'll never forgive the writers for ruining that storyline.

@chad9186 Жыл бұрын

This may sound crazy but maybe someday you can go over Springfields bowling teams

@brandonscott5544 Жыл бұрын

GREAT THE SIMPSON THEORY SKINNER INTERESTING VIDEO LYDIA 😉❤️

@rodan9773 Жыл бұрын

How about a Deep Dive in to Homer Simpsons character on how he is probably doomed to be a character that learns to br better forgets what he learned just to learn basically the same thing and then forget it again.

@carlwapper Жыл бұрын

Skinner became a joke to the entire series, and that when the show had jumped the shark!

@30chillipalmer 11 ай бұрын

Good old Armin Tanzarian. 😂😂

@1nto Жыл бұрын

baged

@BigLee1901 Жыл бұрын

8:02 Now that I see her in the picture here, is there anymore backstory to Ruth Powers or her daughter? As I can only think of two episodes with her in them.

@debpastore4741 Жыл бұрын

I love that you love the Simpson's but something is just different about your episodes now😢can you do videos on consperisy theorys?

@TheLiteralTitanic Жыл бұрын

Not ONE mention of Steamed Hams in a Skinner video! Amazing!

@amitysluzara2022 Жыл бұрын

Skinner uses to be such a strong 3 dimensional character but nowadays he just isn't the same character anymore unfortunately :(

@Lord_Foxy13 Жыл бұрын

I don't care what your thoughts on The Principal and the Pauper are... It has what is my opinion is Skinner's best line ever. When he leaves the self-storage on his motorcycle. The kids see him and question his presence and he simply replies: "Up yours Children" while riding off on the highway.

@daniapfel9673 Жыл бұрын

I don't know that thanks again Lydia

@poppinpatty2507 Жыл бұрын

They don’t stay young forever no matter how much we want them to, LMAO. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, and now I love them living in their own houses, because they are adults, LMAO. Great biography, Lydia, very interesting and fun (loved all the clips from the earlier episodes!)! Keep up the great work and great content👍👍 🍎Ahoy Springfieldians🍎

@GleppaPigg Жыл бұрын

I'm taking a grumpy, and I wipe with my hands to smell the food I ate hours ago 🤤🤤

@poppinpatty2507 Жыл бұрын

@@GleppaPigg yuck. To much TMI. everybody knows you can save a lot of money, skipping on toilet paper, every dollar counts when you’re trying to keep your eye on the prize😈🤣👏👍👍🍾oink oink

@Mike-qz4by Жыл бұрын

Armin Tamzarian

@grapeshot Жыл бұрын

Yeah who never knew that elephants were carnivorous.

@Jack_Walten32 Жыл бұрын

THIS WAS POSTED LESS THAN A MINUTE AGO AND HAS 7 VIEWS????!!!

@claymathewselevator8121 Жыл бұрын

The Road To Cincinnati is a great episode

@Matilda_- 11 ай бұрын

I think they took a downhill when they broke him up with Edna. They worked so well together as characters, flipping the stereotypes of the average Tv couples. Edna and Ned never reallly made since to me, I mean, Ned is so chastised and calls the reverend over small issues, we’ll she is a free spirit, and liberated woman.

@hullinstruments Жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear the history of Moe's noose. How many times it appeared, how many times he nearly used it, and finally... When will the writers put him out of his misery.

@hullinstruments Жыл бұрын

Also... how many times he was going to use it but found someone else hanging from it instead. Surely that's happened a few times

@daniapfel9673 Жыл бұрын

Poor Seymour

@TheTraubenstein 11 күн бұрын

What killed it for me was when during an assembly, a grenade was tossed at his feet causing him to wet himself. This is the same guy who whooped on the Disney lawyers (I know, ironic right?) and had a weird Norman Bates thing going on.

@Karnage007 11 ай бұрын

When Flander's becomes principal, is one of my favourite episodes.

@cakes3958 Жыл бұрын

The biggest change is due to him becoming Super Nintendo Chalmers lackey.

@MR.Bottom-zq4kx Жыл бұрын

Where is Üter Zörker, i miss him 😭😭

@UJEvans Жыл бұрын

Skinner: it could've been a day, it could've been the rest of my life Bart: and...? Skinner: (sigh) it was only a day Bart: but you've been gone for three months Skinner: (perks up) groovy! (Marches off confidently)

@ddjsoyenby 8 ай бұрын

agreed 100%

@wonderrise Жыл бұрын

I have never honestly picked up in this before but yea Skinner did go down hill fast

@The_Str4nger Жыл бұрын

He's an odd fellow, but he steam a good ham.

@william5356 Жыл бұрын

Did you watch the game done changed from the simpsons on hulu.

@createwithimagination1336 Жыл бұрын

I feel bad for Seymour because his mother mistreated him, yelled at by Superintendent Chalmers, got his heart broken by Edna Krabappel and more. I hope he will find a new girlfriend and become a free man.

@renamon5658 Жыл бұрын

Skinnnnnner

@Unfirst. Жыл бұрын

Finally someone had to say something about this.

@MegaHoro Жыл бұрын

Ruth Powers Deep Dive

@bemasaberwyn55 Жыл бұрын

Am I really that out of touch? No, no everyone else is wrong

@mayraverdugamarcillo Жыл бұрын

Skinner is the best

@Animated-History Жыл бұрын

Yay

@Mtv-get-off-thee-air 4 ай бұрын

*snake voice* Uh dude that thumbnail is like totally wrong

@alicewright4322 Ай бұрын

the thumbnail shows an earlier episode (skinner's sense of snow) labelled "NOW" and a later episode (crooks and ladders) as "THEN". if the thesis of the video were strong, there would be no need to invert the chronology in the thumbnail.

@isaaclemmen6500 Жыл бұрын

Skinner is probably the character most hurt by the floating timeline. Its lead to the vietnam part of his story being phased out, since for him to have it, he would be to old.

@IZAYIN 8 ай бұрын

He's the best 🥰

@user-kd7im7hs2j 8 ай бұрын

Personally I believe that the readon Skinner changed is because the series has been on air for too long. The writers cannot use the "Vietnam stuff" nowadays as that would make him older. In the show Skinner is around the age of 40. If nowadays the writers had him have one of his famous Vietnam PTSD flashbacks, panic attacks or fighting moves that would mean that he is around the age of 50 or 60.