Homer Pledges to End Choking Bart in Latest Episode of The Simpsons

In a recent episode of The Simpsons, Homer reveals that he has stopped choking his son Bart, citing the changing times. This change is highlighted in the Season 35 episode "McMansion & Wife," which premiered on October 22. During the episode, Homer meets a new neighbor named Thayer and showcases his strong handshake. Thayer comments on Homer's grip, to which Homer jokingly attributes to his past habit of strangling Bart. However, he clarifies that he no longer engages in that behavior, acknowledging the evolution of times.

The show's creators have yet to make an official statement regarding whether this change is permanent or not.

As IGN points out, it has been 31 years since Homer last strangled Bart on an episode of The Simpsons. In a 2011 episode titled "Love is a Many Strangled Thing" from Season 22, Homer attends a "father enrichment class" with NBA legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar. It is during this class that Homer learns that choking someone is actually not enjoyable at all, leading him to quit choking Bart.

The act of strangling Bart by Homer has been occurring for many years. Whenever Bart misbehaves, Homer has a tendency to choke him, often preceded by the phrase, "Why you little." Homer squeezes Bart's throat so forcefully that his eyes bulge and his tongue protrudes.

It is not only Homer who engages in this behavior, as Bart once strangled an ostrich. Additionally, there was an instance where an older version of Bart was choked by President Lisa. In a Treehouse of Horror episode, Homer creates clones of himself and proceeds to strangle one of them. A compilation of these strangulation incidents can be witnessed below.

Homer's decision to stop choking Bart, if indeed a permanent change, is not the only notable update to the show in recent times. In 2020, it was confirmed that The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voicing non-white characters. Characters such as Apu, Manjula (Apu's wife), Dr. Hibbert, Lou, Cookie Kwan, Drederick Tatum, and Bumblebee Man among others were recast.

In January, The Simpsons was once again renewed, guaranteeing the show's continuation through 2025 and the production of over 800 episodes. Seasons 1-34 are now available for streaming on Disney Plus.