The Simpsons Co-Creator Says Bart Will Still Be Strangled: ‘Nothing’s Changing’

Nick Caruso

The Simpsons’ rascally eldest child better continue to watch his back: Bart will still be getting strangled by his dad, Homer, co-creator and producer James L. Brooks confirmed to People.

“Don’t think for a second we’re changing anything,” he told the publication. “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.”

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Rumors of the supposed change began swirling following the show’s Oct. 22 episode “McMansion & Wife.” In it, the family met its new neighbor Thayer (voiced by Hank Azaria), who complimented Homer on his grip while the men were shaking hands.

“See, Marge, strangling the boy has paid off,” quipped Homer to his wife. “Just kidding. I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed.”

The episode sparked heaps of social media comments. While some fans applauded the show for the acknowledgement and cessation of the violent act, others lamented the actual changing of the times. But as many of the series’ longtime fans noted, Homer hasn’t actually strangled his son since Season 31’s premiere, “The Winter of Our Monetized Content.” (The show is now currently airing Season 35 and has been renewed through Season 36.)

Bart’s strangulation by the family patriarch has been a long-running gag that started with the original animated shorts featured on The Tracey Ullman Show. Since then, the gag has been used in more than 125 episodes and has included a variety of other Springfield visitors and residents.

How do you feel about Homer’s continued act of cartoon violence? Let us know by dropping a comment.

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