Homer Simpson will continue to strangle Bart on “The Simpsons”… with the showrunner telling TMZ that the “gag” would never truly end.
Here’s the thing… the iconic cartoon just premiered its 36th season… and in addition to confusing fans by calling the episode the series finale – it wasn’t – the episode was peppered in shock value when Homer strangled Bart… one of the most presumptive parts was purposely closed last year.
In an episode that aired last November …a character noticed Homer’s firm handshake – to which he responded… “See, Marge, strangling the boy was worth it.” He then follows up and says… “Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed.”
Simpsons Showrunner Matt Selman told TMZ…it was a “mistake” to suggest the choking joke would end, and he lamented that the joke “felt more like an ad…it was just a joke…and people took it in the wrong direction.”
The show’s emphasis in no way condones child abuse… MS tells us the recurring strangulation joke is “in the series’ DNA” and fans can expect to see it happen again… when the moment can be “funny or impactful “.
And for the pearlers… the joke wasn’t made because of the criticism that the series had gone “soft” and “woke”… MS telling us that “The Simpsons” always had an edge. . and that won’t stop either.
As for the haters who disagree… Matt says, “Why, you little…!”