No Larson for Season 6

[Chuckles4lyfe 441]

I don't think we should all be panicking. Writers leaving the show and moving on to other projects is nothing new. Lauren Faust left at the beginning of Season 2 and everything turned out just fine afterwards .

 

With Larson, Amy Keating Rogers, and Natasha Levinger not on board for Season 6 however, i'm sure that will cause plenty of people to panic (and for good reason mind you). These writers have been with the show for years and really know how to tell engaging stories with these characters. With a lot of new writers coming on board with less experience, people aren't sure whether or not they can continue to keep the bar so high.

 

I however, am always optimistic going into a new season. Who knows, maybe one of the new writers will blow us all out of the water with a fantastic episode  ! 

[Banul 3,831]

THE END IS COMIIIIIING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not one to doomsay, but the amount of writers dropping from the show has me just a tad worried. Larson was one of my favorites and was responsible for many of my favorite episodes. It's a shame that he won't be working on S6, but he did say that it's not impossible that he'll come back.

 

 

I have noticed that people tend to be fairly pessimistic about the new season. Maybe it's rubbing off on my, but between this and the whole Flurry Hearth thing, I find myself feeling a little apprehensive. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Banul

[BlinkZ 1,151]

Yes it is sad he leaving o move onto other projects let jus tope the season isn' full of clichs and force character moments.

oh good MORE background spike..goody cause yeah no writer know spike very well.

[Grtxkkyz 388]

Nah, not really worried at all, Larson wasn't part of s4 and yet still that season was pretty decent, after all, the show has a lot more writers who keep doing their job nicely! But stil, so many writes departing does give me an itty bitty ominous feel... Anyway, the CMC got their marks, Twi got her own apprentice, we will get more World-Building... perhaps they may wrap up everything nicely and give us a satisfying finale (with an insane final boss, hopefully) sometime...

[Nuke87654 1,849]

Just to add something, while MA Larson wasn't in season 4, we had a returning Amy Keating Rogers and Meghan McCarthy was still Mlp's head writer so 2 of the original big three returned in season 4. In fact, season 6 will be the first season where at the very best, only one of the show's big three writers will return (small chance that Meghan could write an episode, but unlikely), thus it's more likely that none of the big three will write for season 6.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Nuke87654

[Plonkett 345]

I appreciate people's optimism for the new writers, but know this; Without people like McCarthy, Rodgers and Larson, the show will never be the same anymore, that fucking simple. How do we know that the new writers will have more simplistic storytelling? It's like if a band had a guitarist who was very well received, then he leaves only to be replaced by another guitarist who is mediocre; The band would simply decline in quality that way, and this may very well be a similar case.

Edited March 16, 2016 by vgmaster9

[Mesme Rize 15,687]

I appreciate people's optimism for the new writers, but know this; Without people like McCarthy, Rodgers and Larson, the show will never be the same anymore, that fucking simple. How do we know that the new writers will have more simplistic storytelling? It's like if a band had a guitarist who was very well received, then he leaves only to be replaced by another guitarist who is mediocre; The band would simply decline in quality that way, and this may very well be a similar case.

 

We don't know that yet. I see the episodes for what they are and not what they could've been with another writer.

 

I could just as easily sit there now every saturday and say "was okay, but Larson could've done it better." For the rest that the series is going.

 

The last thing that we need is dooming the new season from the get go, because if we do that, we won't like it in the first place, because we will be blinded by cynicism.

 

Besides, different dosen't equal bad.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

We don't know that yet. I see the episodes for what they are and not what they could've been with another writer.

 

I could just as easily sit there now every saturday and say "was okay, but Larson could've done it better." For the rest that the series is going.

 

The last thing that we need is dooming the new season from the get go, because if we do that, we won't like it in the first place, because we will be blinded by cynicism.

 

Besides, different dosen't equal bad.

That and people like Larson, Rogers and McCarthy weren't the only writers writing good episodes. Some of the new writers for season 5 did perfectly well matching the show quality even if they're writing history is on not very good cartoons. 

 

DHX has proven that they can select good writers for the show.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Isn't this old news? I could be wrong, but I believe I remember MA Larson going on record at something (maybe that Comic Con panel that's filmed and posted online), and stating that he will be working on the movies henceforth. I can't remember precisely where I heard it, but I believe that's what he said. Feel free to look into it though, as I'm not the most informed.

[CastletonSnob 3,079]

So, no Levinger, AKR, Larson, or McCarthy.

 

We're left with Haber, Valentine, and people who worked on Fish Hooks and Johnny Test.

 

It's not looking good for S6.

[RavenholmZombie 1,330]

Even though I ripped on Larson from time to time, he was one of my favorite writers on the show, now that he's gone, I'm starting to worry about FiM's future.

 

However, despite this, I'm going to keep my head held high and hope that whoever's writing season six will at least try to do a decent job.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Lance Shield

[Megas 27,871]

So, no Levinger, AKR, Larson, or McCarthy.

 

We're left with Haber, Valentine, and people who worked on Fish Hooks and Johnny Test.

 

It's not looking good for S6.

Meghan also worked for Fish Hooks and Dave Polsky MADE freaking Buzz on Maggie, and AKR wrote for Post-Poof FOP.

 

Just thought I'd throw those out there

[BalanceBrony 259]

I have gone from slightly concerned because of the Flurry Heart thing, to more concerned. At this point in time, I am not going to hold S6 to any standard of storytelling and morals. Hopefully the characters remain well-written, with good comedy and slice of life soon. But as for good stories and relatable morals? I'm not expecting much from S6.

 

I think there is still hope we'll have an enjoyable season, but I predict that S5 will have been the height of the show, with S6 ranging from potentially enjoyable to utter garbage, as possibilities.

 

However, that cautious optimism took a hit when I saw some of the synopses of the S6 episodes. Looks like we're going to start hitting cliches, references, and tropes left and right. If done well, then we might just have MLP shift to being a Slice of Life comedy as opposed to a complex, relatable story. And that will be okay I guess- that's something Josh Haber can do.

 

But that's if, and only if, they stay original to the best of their ability. Also, it's completely possible we'll see some characterization shifts with all of the long term writers gone.

 

So all in all, the Flurry Fart thing has me really concerned for the opener, but the synopses so far suggest she won't exist much outside of the opener. Fair enough. That takes care of that one, and we'll simply have a terrible two parter. Also, not much mention of Starlight, which is also a plus.

 

On the flip side, the synopses suggest that the show is taking a sharp turn into the territory of a typical, random slice of life comedy. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it wasn't the best thing about the show. The best thing was the stories and the characters, and half of that equation looks grim, while the other half is uncertain with all of the new writers.

 

That said, I really don't know anymore. I'll watch. Best case scenario, somehow they keep the story quality we're used to (but I'm not setting my expectations to this, with that god-awful opener). Most likely, we'll have a random slice of life comedy in the vein of Ranma 1/2 or something like. And that slice of life comedy may sink or swim depending on whether they maintain the standards of characterization we know and love. Worst case scenario, we have a trash heap with characterization errors, continuity flaws, and cliched trope-ridden attempts at comedy.

 

But whatever scenario occurs, I think it is in the show's best interests to cut it off with S6, and then move on to G5. Good things must end. I personally feel that G5, when it occurs, should also be written in the world of equestria, and carry the visual language of G4, but with new characters, and a new story. Equestria is a big, cool world, and I don't want G4 to be the last we see of it.

 

So, there are my thoughts.

[Jeric 46,867]

Playing devil's advocate. Let's say with Levinger, Larson, and AKR gone we wind up with no God Tier episodes like Slice of Life and Crusaders of the Lost Mark, but we get over a dozen decent eps, and a few middling ones.

 

I would still be OK with that. Good is still good. Season 5 was going to be a near impossible act to follow anyway. Hell ... even a piss poor season won't erase the general kickassery of the show thus far. I doubt it will be that bad. Until last season gave me CotLM my personal fav episode was not written by any of the people mentioned above.

 

I'll just wait and see and judge them as they air.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,699]

That and people like Larson, Rogers and McCarthy weren't the only writers writing good episodes. Some of the new writers for season 5 did perfectly well matching the show quality even if they're writing history is on not very good cartoons. 

 

DHX has proven that they can select good writers for the show.

 

 

I wouldn't be so unsure if it wasn't for that fact that all signs point to haber being the head writer for this season now. Given his past performances with stinkers like Leap of faith (SERIOUSLY, most freaking boring episode of S4, and worst key episode by far) I have no faith in his ability to put the show on a good path.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

It's sad to see Larson going off again, but I hope he finds success in other projects. He really is one of the most consistent writers in this show. Although he can go overboard on the fan pandering at times, he doesn't stray away from knowing what makes a strong, coherent story in a way that shows why so many people of different ages and backgrounds enjoy this show, and he's definitely one of the most fun public personalities on the show staff.

 

Other writers can make good episodes, but what was unique to Larson was the way he worked off of the fans and the characters established in the show. He's one of the best at writing two-parters as well. I don't know if there will be a Season 7 (I personally doubt it), but I hope Larson has a good future ahead of him full of bigger and better things.

[Mesme Rize 15,687]

I have gone from slightly concerned because of the Flurry Heart thing, to more concerned. At this point in time, I am not going to hold S6 to any standard of storytelling and morals. Hopefully the characters remain well-written, with good comedy and slice of life soon. But as for good stories and relatable morals? I'm not expecting much from S6.

 

I think there is still hope we'll have an enjoyable season, but I predict that S5 will have been the height of the show, with S6 ranging from potentially enjoyable to utter garbage, as possibilities.

 

However, that cautious optimism took a hit when I saw some of the synopses of the S6 episodes. Looks like we're going to start hitting cliches, references, and tropes left and right. If done well, then we might just have MLP shift to being a Slice of Life comedy as opposed to a complex, relatable story. And that will be okay I guess- that's something Josh Haber can do.

 

But that's if, and only if, they stay original to the best of their ability. Also, it's completely possible we'll see some characterization shifts with all of the long term writers gone.

 

So all in all, the Flurry Fart thing has me really concerned for the opener, but the synopses so far suggest she won't exist much outside of the opener. Fair enough. That takes care of that one, and we'll simply have a terrible two parter. Also, not much mention of Starlight, which is also a plus.

 

On the flip side, the synopses suggest that the show is taking a sharp turn into the territory of a typical, random slice of life comedy. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it wasn't the best thing about the show. The best thing was the stories and the characters, and half of that equation looks grim, while the other half is uncertain with all of the new writers.

 

That said, I really don't know anymore. I'll watch. Best case scenario, somehow they keep the story quality we're used to (but I'm not setting my expectations to this, with that god-awful opener). Most likely, we'll have a random slice of life comedy in the vein of Ranma 1/2 or something like. And that slice of life comedy may sink or swim depending on whether they maintain the standards of characterization we know and love. Worst case scenario, we have a trash heap with characterization errors, continuity flaws, and cliched trope-ridden attempts at comedy.

 

But whatever scenario occurs, I think it is in the show's best interests to cut it off with S6, and then move on to G5. Good things must end. I personally feel that G5, when it occurs, should also be written in the world of equestria, and carry the visual language of G4, but with new characters, and a new story. Equestria is a big, cool world, and I don't want G4 to be the last we see of it.

 

So, there are my thoughts.

 

I won't say that your thoughts are wrong, since it's your opinion and you can have it.

 

I am just a bit confused about your comments to the show changing to comedy slice of life, because for me, the show was mostly slice of life from the very beginning.

[Limeblossom 482]

Are they planning to end an returning meme ?

[Megas 27,871]

I wouldn't be so unsure if it wasn't for that fact that all signs point to haber being the head writer for this season now. Given his past performances with stinkers like Leap of faith (SERIOUSLY, most freaking boring episode of S4, and worst key episode by far) I have no faith in his ability to put the show on a good path.

I dunno, I've already said I'm not a big fan of him doing the big stuff, but I think he's just fine with the non-specials/normal episodes, which is the meat of the series. He's had some SoL episodes I didn't enjoy like Simple Ways and Leap of Faith, but I feel he still "gets" the show, and barring Cutie Remark I enjoyed his S5 episodes well enough(and many consider Bloom and Gloom one of S5's best). At the very least I'll wait until the first few episodes of S6 before I judge

 

 

 

On the flip side, the synopses suggest that the show is taking a sharp turn into the territory of a typical, random slice of life comedy.

 

But that's like, the majority of the show...

Edited March 16, 2016 by Megas

[BalanceBrony 259]

I am just a bit confused about your comments to the show changing to comedy slice of life, because for me, the show was mostly slice of life from the very beginning.

 

Slice of Life was always the meat of the show, but I am referring to a specific brand of slice of life- namely the kind of random, whacky kind of slice of life. MLP's brand of SoL was character focused, growth-focused, and moral-focused. Josh Haber's brand is more of the random goofy antics kind of SoL. they're different kinds of stories.

 

Obviously it's possible that it will stay along those lines, but so far, it looks like more random antics based on the synopses we received. And as I said, whether the SoL will be good largely depends on whether the new writers can do well with long-standing characters.

 

EDIT: Also worth noting that the season is being sold as an adventure season, but is appearing as a comedy slice of life. If worldbuilding was supposed to be the goal, random character antics isn't really the way to go that.

Edited March 16, 2016 by BalanceBrony

[Unlikeable Pony 2,699]

EDIT: Also worth noting that the season is being sold as an adventure season, but is appearing as a comedy slice of life. If worldbuilding was supposed to be the goal, random character antics isn't really the way to go that.

 

I don't know about that; apart from the game of thrones joke, which was, lets face it, just a joke, the season seems to be being sold as less heavy than previous seasons.

Like, season 5 was selling itself as big on the character growth and adventure with those epic voice over intros for the mane six, but it was actually incredibly low key. (Honestly, S4 is the one that I'd vote for having a more epic feel with its two parters and whatnot.)

[Zantetsuken 364]

I'm nervous.... I'm very nervous

 

Larson was my favorite writer on the show and an amazingly fun guy, real funny and playful personality, even engaged in some community videos like Anthology 3 and Bronies React, and he really knew his shit when it came to writing episodes. 

 

That being said this is the worst news I could have received and I'm very nervous for the season and want to take this moment to explain exactly why I'm nervous. 

 

Lets start with Josh Haber being the show runner I just found this out today and I'm horrified cause Josh Haber is NOT a good writer hes second to worst on the entire team in my opinion and the though of him having MORE POWER sends chills up my spine.

 

Now lets look at the team of writers 

 

First off is Joanna Lewis and Kiistene Songco and they're the 2 best writers on the team. I can't believe I'm saying that cause in season 5 they were in 4TH PLACE! but with Larson, Natasha, and Rodgers gone, they are now the best writers on the team and they are just OK in my opinion so Celestia help us all.

 

Next is GM Berrow... I have no hope for this writer since she destroyed all my hope for her being good by writing the worst episode of season 5 (The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows) SHE COULDN'T EVEN COME UP WITH A GOOD FUCKING TITLE!

 

Now Nick Confalone. He's also OK, he wrote Hearthbreakers and Party Pooped both ok episodes that were moderately enjoyable and fun so he's second best on the team this season. (and no, that's not a good thing) 

 

Josh Haber. I don't like him, I think hes very sub-par and I'm terrified that he of all people is the show runner this season. I mean to be fair The Cutie Remark was real good and EG Friendship games was ok as well but seriously he needs to put more thought into his writing. All of his stories are littered with plot holes and he's terrible at backstory and character motivations. 

 

And now we move on the the worst writer on the team... Ed Valentine. I may have the unpopular opinion here but I absolutely despise this writer with a passion and I'm very annoyed that he's back for season 6. He has written what I consider to be the worst episode in the history of the show, Flight to the Finish an episode so bad I can't even watch it all the way through. He wrote 2 episodes in season 4 and BOTH of them are in my bottom 5 for that season because they were just that bad and in my opinion he is the only writer on the team that is worse than Josh Haber.

 

So In summary the writer team this season is made up of all the weakest links. When I can say that I only genuinely like 2 (technically 1 because they write together) of these writers, then we have a huge issue. 

 

I have more issues but I have spent long enough writing this so ill just leave it at this. 

 

I'm just nervous 

Very nervous 

Edited March 16, 2016 by Zantetsuken

[Plonkett 345]

We don't know that yet. I see the episodes for what they are and not what they could've been with another writer.

 

I could just as easily sit there now every saturday and say "was okay, but Larson could've done it better." For the rest that the series is going.

 

The last thing that we need is dooming the new season from the get go, because if we do that, we won't like it in the first place, because we will be blinded by cynicism.

 

Besides, different dosen't equal bad.

 

Well I can certainly say that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

I'm nervous.... I'm very nervous

 

Larson was my favorite writer on the show and an amazingly fun guy, real funny and playful personality, even engaged in some community videos like Anthology 3 and Bronies React, and he really knew his shit when it came to writing episodes. 

 

That being said this is the worst news I could have received and I'm very nervous for the season and want to take this moment to explain exactly why I'm nervous. 

 

Lets start with Josh Haber being the show runner I just found this out today and I'm horrified cause Josh Haber is NOT a good writer hes second to worst on the entire team in my opinion and the though of him having MORE POWER sends chills up my spine.

 

Now lets look at the team of writers 

 

First off is Joanna Lewis and Kiistene Songco and they're the 2 best writers on the team. I can't believe I'm saying that cause in season 5 they were in 4TH PLACE! but with Larson, Natasha, and Rodgers gone, they are now the best writers on the team and they are just OK in my opinion so Celestia help us all.

 

Next is GM Berrow... I have no hope for this writer since she destroyed all my hope for her being good by writing the worst episode of season 5 (The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows) SHE COULDN'T EVEN COME UP WITH A GOOD FUCKING TITLE!

 

Now Nick Confalone. He's also OK, he wrote Hearthbreakers and Party Pooped both ok episodes that were moderately enjoyable and fun so he's second best on the team this season. (and no, that's not a good thing) 

 

Josh Haber. I don't like him, I think hes very sub-par and I'm terrified that he of all people is the show runner this season. I mean to be fair The Cutie Remark was real good and EG Friendship games was ok as well but seriously he needs to put more thought into his writing. All of his stories are littered with plot holes and he's terrible at backstory and character motivations. 

 

And now we move on the the worst writer on the team... Ed Valentine. I may have the unpopular opinion here but I absolutely despise this writer with a passion and I'm very annoyed that he's back for season 6. He has written what I consider to be the worst episode in the history of the show, Flight to the Finish an episode so bad I can't even watch it all the way through. He wrote 2 episodes in season 4 and BOTH of them are in my bottom 5 for that season because they were just that bad and in my opinion he is the only writer on the team that is worse than Josh Haber.

 

So In summary the writer team this season is made up of all the weakest links. When I can say that I only genuinely like 2 (technically 1 because they write together) of these writers, then we have a huge issue. 

 

I have more issues but I have spent long enough writing this so ill just leave it at this. 

 

I'm just nervous 

Very nervous 

 

The writers have too much to prove with this season. If it ends up sucking then it may very well be the last, as there would be no reason to let it continue.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,699]

Well I can certainly say that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

 

The writers have too much to prove with this season. If it ends up sucking then it may very well be the last, as there would be no reason to let it continue.

Very much so.

 

that being said, they normally green light Seasons one season ahead of time (they were working on S6 when S5 was still going after all). So if they were going to greenlight a S7, they'd have done so by now.

[Plonkett 345]

Very much so.

 

that being said, they normally green light Seasons one season ahead of time (they were working on S6 when S5 was still going after all). So if they were going to greenlight a S7, they'd have done so by now.

 

And not only, but could also cause the fandom to deteriorate tremendously. One can only assume that the show is now a shell of what it used to be. I mean think about it, if it weren't for those writers, this show wouldn't have had the reception that it's had over the years. By this point it's just turned into another generic kiddie show.

Edited March 17, 2016 by vgmaster9