Nothing lasts forever. In time, the continents will crash into each other once more, the sun will swallow the planet and, at some point long after that, The Simpsons will end. But that isn’t to say that it’s incapable of moving with the times before then. Because, in yet another nod to shifting tastes, Homer Simpson has revealed that he will no longer attempt to strangle his son to death.
In the third episode of the current 35th season, Homer greets his new neighbour by shaking his hand. When the neighbour comments that he wasn’t expecting such a firm grip, Homer replies: “See Marge, strangling the boy paid off,” before acknowledging that he doesn’t actually do that any more. “Times have changed,” he adds.
That’s honestly fair. Times do, indeed, change.
Older episodes can easily be written off as the violent-humor cartoons of the day were known for. Newer episodes don’t have an excuse to making fun of child abuse.
That said, I do wonder if the satirical nature of the Simpsons was supposed to be evident in Homer strangling Bart. It always struck me as something he just ‘did.’ Not really funny or unfunny, just a facet of the show. It’s possible the writers were originally trying to highlight how a dad like Homer might physically discipline his children out of rage while Marge just lets it happen.
Remember, the Simpsons are supposed to be satire.
I think satire is possibly too much for the average viewers, especially from the viewpoint of the channel execs.
No more strangling Bart?! Is nothing sacred!?!
This is just one of the Simpsons tropes to me. Obviously it shouldn’t be done in real life, but pretty much nothing they do should be done in real life. IT’S A FUCKING CARTOON PEOPLE!!!
Wait, are you telling me I shouldn’t keep throwing these anvils to that damned roadrunner? Because I frigging despise him.
Did they kill off Apu or did they just stop visiting the Kwik-e Mart?
Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart?
I… doooooooooooo
Hey, he’s not happy at all. He lied to us through song! I hate when people do that!
The Kwik-E-Mart is…d’oh!
They’re probably going with home deliveries now.
WHY YOU LI…D’OH!
The Simpsons is still being made
I didn’t notice either but I don’t really watch it anymore
More people talk about not watching the show vs. people that actually do.
There are dozens of us! DOZENS!
Haha yeah. I watched through season 25 or so. Still watch the re-runs a lot though.
I went back a year or so ago and rewatched the first season. It’s like an entirely different show; it had emotion and I actually cried during the Marge bowling affair episode.
I stopped watching new Simpsons a long time ago.
A few years I tried again, but the episode opened with a bunch of NBA jokes that the audience was just… supposed to get? What if you’re not into basketball? Lol.
