TV or Not TV?
As the creators of 'The Simpsons Movie' probably know, putting out a big-screen effort while your show is still on the air can be a risky proposition. It's all in the timing.
By Joel Keller
 READ MORE: The Simpsons, Embiggened
READ MORE: 10 TV Shows That Should Be Films
 VIEW FILM STILLS: The Simpsons Movie
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The Simpsons Movie, one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the summer movie season, opens July 27. But would it have been even more eagerly anticipated if it premiered, say, 15 years ago? After all, back then the show was at the height of its popularity and was still considered subversive by President Bush (the first), among other authority figures. Also during that period, the show boasted arguably its best collection of writers, including a pre–Late Night Conan O'Brien.
In the rare cases in which a movie based on a TV show is released while the show still airs, the critical question is: Did the producers make the movie too early in the show's run, too late, or just at the right moment? These five movies might give Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and company an idea of how tricky that timing can be.
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Copyright © 2008 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.