In a recent episode of The Simpsons, Homer makes a comment that doesn’t go unnoticed: he no longer strangles his son Bart. The abuse is over.
This recurring “joke” dates back to the beginning of The Simpsons, 34 years ago. “You, my you…” Homer said before grabbing poor Bart by the neck.
Fans of the cult series may have realized that this act of paternal violence was becoming increasingly rare. In fact, the last time Bart had a taste of it, according to the IGN website, was in season 31, in 2019-2020.
In the third episode of the current season (the 35th!), Homer confirms this change in parental practice during a visit to his neighbor Thayer Blackburn, when the latter compliments him on the strength of his handshake.
“See, Marge, strangling the guy paid off,” Homer says. It’s a joke. I don’t do that anymore. The times have changed. »
This is not the first time that the production of The Simpsons has made adjustments. The character of Apu, an Indian-American, has been criticized for portraying stereotypes, even being the subject of the documentary The Problem With Apu, in 2017. The actor lending his voice to Apu in the English version, Hank Azaria, dropped the role, and Apu played only a supporting role thereafter.
In February 2012, the production also announced that the character Dr. Hibbert would now be voiced by a black actor.