The Simpsons Season 35: A Satirical Triumph

The Challenge of Timely Satire

The Simpsons season 35, episode 10 faced a daunting challenge: to effectively tackle relevant news stories while navigating the show's lengthy production process and family-friendly tone. Unlike its competitors, such as South Park, which can swiftly satirize unfolding events, The Simpsons requires six to nine months to produce an episode. This time difference has often hindered the show's ability to engage in timely political satire, making it a less formidable player in the arena of current events humor.

Homer and Marge look worried as Bart stands behind bars looking scared in The Simpsons season 35 episode 9

In seasons 30 to 33, The Simpsons stumbled with gags that relied heavily on news stories forgotten by the time their respective episodes were released. Notably, a misjudged cutaway about 'Bernie Babies' garnered attention for its outdated humor, highlighting the show's struggle to keep up with current events. However, season 34 marked a departure from these highly specific, topical jokes, earning critical acclaim for its shift in focus. The challenge for season 35 was to maintain this balance between timely satire and the show's signature humor.

Custom collage of Homer Simpsons with a dent in his head in The Simpsons season 34 beside South Park's parody of Bart Simpson and Cartman

The Triumph of Topical Gags in Season 35

In the episode 'Do the Wrong Thing,' The Simpsons season 35 achieved a satirical triumph with its incorporation of timely gags. The storyline involving Lisa's discovery of Marge's PhotoShop deception was cleverly intertwined with topical humor, as the dean of the camp’s college celebrated scammers and grifters, offering Homer a role as a professor. The subtle incorporation of timely satire in this episode was a departure from the show's earlier struggles with such gags, signaling a successful evolution in its approach to current events humor.

The episode's nod to the disgraced FTX founder, Lance Armstrong, and Bill Belichick, while spoofing USC, showcased The Simpsons' ability to seamlessly integrate topical humor into its plot. Unlike earlier attempts that felt forced and disconnected from the storylines, episode 10's gag demonstrated the show's adeptness at slickly incorporating timely jokes into its narratives, marking a significant achievement in the evolution of The Simpsons' satirical prowess.

The Art of Organic Satire

The success of The Simpsons season 35 in integrating timely satire into its storytelling lies in its organic approach to humor. Unlike earlier instances where topical gags felt like a bid for relevance, the show's current evolution in satire is marked by the seamless integration of timely jokes into its narratives. The key difference lies in the connection between the satire and the storylines, as seen in the episode 'Do the Wrong Thing,' where the timely gags were intricately woven into the plot, enhancing the overall comedic experience without disrupting the flow of the storytelling.

The triumph of season 35's approach to satire serves as a testament to The Simpsons' ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of current events humor. As the show continues to navigate the challenges of its production process, it has proven that it can effectively engage in relevant satire while retaining its signature charm and wit, setting a new standard for the seamless integration of timely humor in animated comedy.