No More Strangling for Homer and Bart on ‘The Simpsons’

Homer Simpson’s iconic act of strangling his son, Bart, seems to be a thing of the past, and it’s sparking a heated debate among fans of the show.

The change in tone was introduced in the 3rd episode of Season 35, titled ‘McMansion & Wife.’ In this episode, Homer Simpson meets his new neighbor and makes a surprising declaration that he won’t be choking Bart anymore.

This revelation occurs through a handshake, which the neighbor points out as firm. Homer responds by saying, “See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off.” However, he quickly adds, “Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed.”

This moment was seen by many fans as a clear signal from Disney, which now owns ‘The Simpsons,’ that they were retiring the long-running gag. The act of Homer strangling Bart had been a recurring joke on the show for years.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the show has explored the idea of Homer evolving and refraining from strangling Bart. In Season 22, there was an episode where Homer went to therapy and realized the harm he was causing by attacking his son. However, in subsequent seasons, the act of strangling Bart was still occasionally depicted, with the last instance occurring in 2019/2020. Now, it appears that the creators are officially putting an end to this recurring gag.

As with any significant change in a long-running series, there is a range of opinions among fans. Some view this as ‘The Simpsons’ going “woke,” while others are praising the decision to retire the controversial humor.

The show’s evolution and response to changing societal sentiments continue to be a topic of discussion for both old and new fans alike.

What are your thoughts on this decision? Do you see it as a positive step forward or a loss of classic humor? Share your opinions in the comments below!