The Simpsons creators have doubled down on insisting the long-running gag scene of Homer strangling Bart will continue.
Earlier this month, it was reported the recurring gag – which sees Homer yell at Bart ‘why you little’, wrap his hands around Bart’s neck and squeeze to the point his son’s eyes can be seen bulging out – had been axed after Homer quipped ‘I don’t do that anymore’ in episode McMansion & Wife from the 35th season.
After Matt Groening hilariously confirmed the gag would carry on, co-creator and producer James L. Brooks told People: ‘Don’t think for a second we’re changing anything.
‘Nothing’s getting tamed. Nothing, nothing, nothing. He’ll continue to be strangled—[if] you want to use that awful term for it. He’ll continue to be loved by his father in a specific way.’
Last week creator Groening issued an animated response first shared by Variety, confirming the long-running scene will continue.
Gag: The Simpsons creators have doubled down on insisting the long-running gag scene of Homer strangling Bart will continue
Will continue: After Matt Groening hilariously confirmed the gag would carry on, co-creator and producer James L.Brooks told People : ‘ Don’t think for a second we’re changing anything’ (Brooks pictured April 2023)
A statement read: ‘Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart.’
The last time Homer strangled Bart on screen was during the show’s 31st season, which aired from 2019 to 2020.
The strangling scene uproar began in the new episode which saw Homer introducing himself to Thayer, who remarks how firm the patriarch’s handshake is.
‘That’s quite a grip,’ exclaims Thayer.
‘See Marge? Strangling the boy has paid off,’ Homer joked.
He then added: ‘Just kidding. I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed.’
The gag was addressed during an episode titled Love Is a Many Strangled Thing from season 22, where therapist Dr Zander tries to get Homer to see the error of his ways when he strangles his child.
In the episode the towering basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a friend of the Dr Zander, confronts Homer and teaches him what it feels like ‘to be young, small, and terrified’ by strangling him mercilessly several times.
Although the method traumatized Homer, it didn’t stop the strangling gag with Bart from happening in further episodes.
Lol: However, Matt Groening, the show’s creator, issued an animated response first shared by Variety, confirming the long-running scene will continue
Speaking out: The strangling scene uproar began in the new episode which saw Homer say: ‘See Marge? Strangling the boy has paid off,’ Homer joked. He then added: ‘Just kidding. I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed’
Not fazed: Groening (pictured last month) created the iconic series in 1989
Fans of the iconic sitcom were quick to share comments on X, with many praising the choice.
One person wrote: ‘I knew my man Homer was gonna learn. He’s a smart fella,’ as another user replied: ‘Took him 36 years but he finally learned.’
A third one echoed: ‘To be fair this was under Disney since they wanted a family friendly branding for The Simpsons.’
‘Good to know that Homer realized how wrong was that. I only wonder what made him realize that,’ someone else added.
‘Now, that is progress,’ wrote another.
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