‘The Simpsons’ co-creator says Homer will keep strangling Bart

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Homer Simpson isn’t done strangling his son Bart.

After a recent episode implied that the abusive gag had been written off the show, the series’ co-creator James L. Brooks tells PEOPLE that the bit will continue to feature on the program.

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“Don’t think for a second we’re changing anything,” Brooks says. “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.”

The series’ official X account also took a swipe at the news, sharing an illustration of Homer strangling Bart as he yells, “Why you little clickbaiting – !!”

“Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart,” the caption reads.

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Since the show’s debut in 1989, Homer has physically lashed out at Bart when his son acts up. But the practice appeared to have been done away with after Season 31, which aired between 2019-2020.

In a recent episode titled McMansion & Wife, Homer seemingly declared the abusive behaviour was over for good. In one scene from the series’ 35th season, Homer (Dan Castellaneta) meets with his new neighbour Thayer (Hank Azaria), who comments on his “grip” as they shake hands.

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

Homer then adds, “Times have changed!”

On social media, a handful of fans lashed out at reports that the schtick was over calling it “politically woke garbage.”

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“They keep finding stupid ways to make what’s left of The Simpsons even worse,” one person whined. “Just cancel this thing. It hasn’t been good in a decade and the woke brigade is just dancing on its corpse.”

“Please don’t go woke,” another person railed. “The Simpsons is the greatest thing every created on TV in the last 30 years … let Disney f*** themselves with their woke agenda.”

After the news was confirmed that Homer will in fact continue to strangle Bart, a chorus of fans cheered the move.

“Glad to see this was all a dream,” one viewer wrote, with another declaring, “Unrepentant. Just how we love it.”

After being on the air for over three decades, The Simpsons has been forced to make adjustments as tastes change.

In 2020, Azaria stopped voicing Indian-American character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon after complaints that his portrayal helped fuel racist stereotypes.

The following year, Dr. Hibbert, who is Black, was recast after decades of being voiced by a White actor.

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X: @markhdaniell

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