After 34 years and, at the time of writing, 755 episodes produced, The simpsons changes his habits.
Specifically, patriarch Homer Simpson admitted that he had changed his ways. He revealed that he no longer strangles his son, Bart.
In the third episode of season 35, titled “McMansion & Wife”, Homer declares that he has changed his ways when he and his wife Marge visit their new neighbor, Thayer.
When Homer shakes the new character’s hand, Thayer notices that he is holding on tightly.
“See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off,” Homer remarks, before adding, “Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore.” The times have changed.”
The episode first aired on October 22, but the throwaway remark generated plenty of online chatter when the scene was posted by a viewer on X earlier this month.
“It took them long enough lmao,” user @BabyLamb5 commented about the recurring gag in the beloved animated series.
Indeed, the cornerstone of the father-son dynamic between Homer and Bart is that the latter reprimands his elder by squeezing his neck and almost strangling him to death.
The Simpsons series, created by Matt Groening, was praised for recognizing the end of this running joke, particularly by those who viewed the frequently criticized action as the brutality of another era.
However, one notable (and predictable) critic has been GB News – the free British opinion news channel which has become a port of call for Brexit-loving Tories, and more right-wing than someone on the right. leg torn off. They found themselves in a tricky situation recently frank misogyny and I also have hired the former prime minister Boris Johnson is to become what they described as a “ram” to take on Fox News in the United States.
That should tell you a lot.
The news organization led the response by claiming that The Simpsons had woken up by not showing a grown man attempting to administer corporal punishment by squeezing his neck.
Whichever side you take, there is a major flaw here when it comes to GB News’ not at all unreasonable and completely articulate reaction: they clearly haven’t watched the show and will jump into any bandwagon to cry foul.
You see, Homer hasn’t strangled Bart since Season 31 (2019-2020). It’s a real pandemic and there are three prime ministers, GB News.
Additionally, the subject of child abuse had previously been addressed in The Simpsons, with Homer even attending a “father enrichment class” in the season 22 episode “Love is a Thing Many Strangled” . This one aired in 2011.
During the episode, a basketball player played by former NBA star Kareem Abdul Jabbar strangles Homer to show him exactly what it feels like, before inviting the others to join him. As a result, Homer can no longer bring himself to strangle Bart.
This is far from the first time the sitcom has acknowledged that times have changed.
Most notably, The Simpsons updated its humor to adapt to changing standards in 2020, when Hank Azaria said he would no longer voice the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, an Indian convenience store owner who s is known for its slogan: “Thank you!” Say again.”
Apu’s character was criticized by viewers of Indian origin, many of whom considered the character to be a racist caricature. The character was eventually removed, especially after the discussion went global following the release of the 2017 documentary. The problem with Apu. The documentary saw comedian Hari Kondabolu speaking to other Indian American artists, who said the character had come to represent marginalization within the entertainment industry.
So, before anyone uses cringeworthy terms like “woke squad,” “PC gone crazy,” or “snowflakes” in reference to Homer’s retirement choking tendencies, you’d do well to appreciate the desire of Simpson to adapt to the times. Oh, and watch the show.
Which becomes good again. NOW, IT IS progress.
