The Simpsons Unveils the Surprising Resolution to the Long-standing Homer & Bart Debate
The Simpsons finally addresses the long-standing controversy of Homer strangling Bart in a surprising and clever way, proving once again that they know how to handle sensitive topics with humor and wit
Summary
The Simpsons season 35, episode 3 acknowledges the show's past controversies with grace and humor, particularly in referencing Homer's habit of strangling Bart.
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The episode acknowledges that some jokes and gags from previous seasons are no longer in line with current cultural norms, demonstrating the show's openness to change. "McMansion and Wife" showcases a more respectful approach to addressing sensitive subjects, indicating a improvement compared to previous episodes.
In The Simpsons season 35, episode 3, the show cleverly tackled one of its oldest controversies, handling the sensitive subject with surprising finesse. Despite the show's waning controversy compared to its early days, it still occasionally faces negative publicity. While the classic early episodes were deemed too crude for prime time television, the show now struggles with outdated jokes that don't align with current cultural norms.
Rather than brushing off these issues, The Simpsons admirably confronts them head-on in recent episodes. In episode 1 of season 35, titled "Homer's Crossing," the show addresses criticisms of Homer's character by intentionally portraying him as more unlikeable than ever, justifying his callousness and thoughtlessness early on. Episode 2, "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream," focuses on the critique that Marge lacks an identity beyond her role as a homemaker, exploring her fears about her future once her children have grown up and become independent. Continuing this trend, episode 3, "McMansion and Wife," delves further into these ongoing issues.
The Simpsons Joked About Homer Strangling Bart
The controversial gag of Homer strangling Bart, a divisive element of The Simpsons for decades, was finally addressed in season 35, episode 3 titled "McMansion and Wife." This particular episode acknowledged the show's previously ignored controversies. While the season emphasizes and celebrates Homer's character flaws, it also acknowledges that the gag of strangling Bart is no longer regarded as funny. In the beginning of "McMansion and Wife," Homer and Marge encounter their new neighbors. After Homer receives a compliment for his firm handshake, he playfully points out to Marge that his habit of strangling Bart is now being recognized.
Homer then chuckles and confesses that he no longer engages in such behavior due to evolving cultural norms — a clever punchline that allows The Simpsons to poke fun at the show's longevity. With over 750 episodes spanning 35 years, it was inevitable that societal views on parenting and discipline would undergo significant changes during this time. Just as The Simpsons provided Marge with a standout episode by acknowledging the shifting times and the growth of her children, the show effectively addressed the controversy surrounding Homer's strangling of Bart by acknowledging that this joke has become outdated and no longer resonates.
Why The Simpsons’ Bart Strangling Joke Worked
Despite the fact that neither Homer nor his son have aged, Homer casually declares, "Times have changed." This cleverly allows The Simpsons to acknowledge the obvious retcon, adding a brazen meta-gag that is amusing due to its audacity. What adds to the humor is the show's willingness to repeat this gag, despite the mixed reactions it has received in the past. In 2007, The Simpsons Movie featured a pivotal scene in which Homer strangled Bart, and the 500th couch gag, airing in 2012, concluded with Homer strangling Bart. The perpetually unchanging ages of The Simpsons characters make this sudden shift all the more unexpected and hilarious.
The Simpsons Handled This Controversy Better Than Most
Prior to the episode "McMansion and Wife" which addressed jokes about child abuse, The Simpsons was not adept at addressing its own controversies. In 2021, the series discreetly replaced white actors in non-white roles without acknowledging the switch, and it completely disregarded the Apu controversy until a later episode, "No Good Read Goes Unpunished" in season 29, episode 15. However, even in this episode, The Simpsons only made a passing reference to Apu without delving into the character's problems or addressing the criticisms raised against him, ultimately providing no resolution.
The show, The Simpsons, made a significant change to Mr. Burns in season 35 as a one-time joke. However, when it came to the character Apu, the show chose to quietly retire him instead of addressing the concerns raised by viewers. Despite this lack of response from the creators, it was somewhat encouraging to see the episode "McMansion and Wife" address the issue by depicting Homer strangling Bart. While The Simpsons didn't handle the controversy flawlessly, they did exhibit more sensitivity than in the past.
