Homer: "Flanders was a zombie?"
I have gone WITHOUT the Simpson's since I moved in '96 to this rock in the South Pacific that doesn't HAVE Fox. Som technically, I can't say if it's declined or not. But, if I had to guess, or put one finger on anything, it would be the loss of Phil Hartman as the voice for Lionel Hutz, Attorney at Law...
Not to mention Troy McClure
Troy: Oh Princess fair, wilst thou grant me thine dainty hoof in marriage?
[shows Selma a wedding ring]
Piggy: Oh, Sir Lies-A-Lot, I will!
Selma: Oh, Troy, I will!
[Troy slips the ring to her finger, then they kiss]
Troy: Just a second baby.
[sprays breath freshener in her mouth, then resumes kissing]
-- 3F15 "A Fish Called Selma"