The Simpsons' James L Brooks Affirms Bart's Choking Continues - No Restraints in Sight

[UPDATE 2] James L. Brooks, the co-creator and producer of The Simpsons, reiterated that there will be no changes in Homer choking Bart. In an interview with People, Brooks stated, "We are not altering anything," emphasizing that nothing will be toned down. He further explained, "There will be no taming. Absolutely none. Bart will still experience his father's unconventional way of showing affection."

[UPDATE] In response to the rumors about Homer no longer choking Bart on The Simpsons, the show's producers have released an image depicting Homer actually choking Bart.

Addressing the issue on social media, the producers stated, "Homer Simpson was unable to provide a comment as he was preoccupied with strangling Bart." The accompanying image features Homer strangling Bart, with the iconic phrase "Why you little!" replaced by "Why you little clickbaiting!!"

The original story follows below.

The famous animated TV series, The Simpsons, known for its long-lasting popularity and cultural significance, appears to be discontinuing a recurring joke that has become widely recognized. In a recent episode, Homer discloses that he has ceased strangling his son Bart, attributing this change to the evolution of times.

In the Season 35 episode titled "McMansion & Wife," which aired on October 22, Homer reveals that he has stopped throttling Bart by twisting his neck. Homer introduces himself to a new neighbor named Thayer and they shake hands. Impressed by Homer's strong grip, Thayer remarks, "Wow! You've got quite a grip there." Homer jokingly responds to Marge, "Looks like my past strangling days have paid off. Just kidding. I don't do that anymore. Times have changed."

The producers of The Simpsons have not made an official statement regarding whether this change is permanent for the show.

It has been 31 years since Homer last strangled Bart in an episode of The Simpsons. In a 2011 episode titled "Love is a Many Strangled Thing," Homer attends a "father enrichment class" with NBA legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar. During the class, Homer learns that choking someone is not enjoyable and decides to stop choking Bart.

Homer's history of strangling Bart goes back many decades. Whenever Bart misbehaves, Homer would say, "Why you little," before forcefully choking him. The act would cause Bart's eyes to bulge and his tongue to protrude from his throat.

Apart from Homer, Bart also once strangled an ostrich. Additionally, there was an incident where an adult Lisa, who was now president, choked grown-up Bart. In one of the Treehouse of Horror episodes, Homer clones himself and proceeds to strangle one of his own clones. A compilation of these strangulation scenes is available below.

The show has recently undergone other significant updates besides Homer no longer choking Bart, assuming this change is permanent. In 2020, it was announced that The Simpsons would no longer have white actors voice non-white characters. This resulted in the recasting of characters such as Apu and his wife Manjula, Dr. Hibbert, Lou, Cookie Kwan, Drederick Tatum, and Bumblebee Man, among others.

In January, The Simpsons was renewed yet again, bringing the show through 2025 and beyond 800 episodes. Seasons 1-34 are streaming on Disney Plus.

Editor's P/S

1. James L Brooks' affirmation that Bart's choking will continue in The Simpsons is a welcome relief for fans of the show. The iconic father-son dynamic between Homer and Bart is a staple of the series, and it would be a shame to see it toned down.

2. The show's producers have made it clear that they are not shying away from controversial topics, as evidenced by the recent recasting of non-white characters. This is a positive step forward for The Simpsons, and it shows that the show is still willing to evolve with the times. Overall, I am excited to see what the future holds for The Simpsons, and I am confident that the show will continue to be a source of laughter and entertainment for years to come.