My 2 cents on the way the show has changed.

The first season of this show is what I can only describe as "Magical." I loved the transition shots of the park at night with the car lights jumping across the road, the way that Julian and Ricky's trashy life had a deeper meaning to it than blatantly using it for humor as they do in the recent seasons, Julian picking up a girl, etc. Police encounters were rare, making them seem more special and intense rather than each episode being a tense shitshow where the boys have to continuously dodge some obnoxious figure of authority and "save the park."

Speaking of which, I couldn't help but grow to dislike bubbles. He went from a shy sort of discreet character that served as a sense of right and wrong but still carrying greasy traits, to an obnoxious shouting crybaby that seems to have 3 emotions: Upset, Reluctant acceptance, and crying.

Back in season one, Julian says "I need some advice, I'm gonna go see bubbles," then bubbles talks about Socrates with some of the most classic and funny lines with a hidden wisdom to them. He was such a loveable and wise character. In the recent seasons, I get stressed out every time bubbles walks on camera, wondering what he's going to flip out about this time. Also in season 1, Julian looks out for Ricky, telling Lucy that he's going to propose to her and organizing a b&e job so Ricky could get a nice ring for her. The subtle detail of Julian and Ricky eating cheese sandwiches while they picked out a ring to steal killed me. It was a chill scene, which we NEVER see in the show any more. Just like Julian and Ricky going to shoot their guns at bottles and talk. Their scenes together weren't only chill and funny, but they showed a real friendship. Now all Julian cares about is money, and at end of a season he loses it every time, big surprise.

Ricky's development was basically brain damage. He constantly falls on the ground, shoots his gun off, and loses the ability to form a cohesive sentence. Moments like these were very rare and unique in the older seasons, but now these moments literally define his character. His family is also really hateable in my eyes. Jacob is old, gross and hard to watch. Trevor was at least a funny kid and could stand up for himself. I don't know why they even decided that trinity should marry Jacob, considering trinity is not only 1/3 of Jacobs age but is honestly played by a terrible actor, and nobody really cares about their awkward emotional family scenes.

This show went from having its own really intriguing vibe and aesthetic with deep characters to three old jackasses making fools of themselves in HD, complete with cringeworthy celebrity appearances. (Doug benson should be imprisoned for his appearance on the show it was so bad.)

They honestly should have stopped this show after the first 7 seasons, and even that is being generous. Everyone is old and gross now, and the jokes are overused and played out. Thanks for reading this, let me know what you think about this shows progression in the comments.