'Nothing's getting tamed': Producer James L. Brooks confirms Homer Simpson will keep choking Bart

Legendary producer for "The Simpsons" James L. Brooks squashed rumors that Homer Simpson would no longer choke Bart Simpson, a classic gag the show has used for decades.

Viewers noticed that during a recent episode, Homer had commented that "strangling the boy has paid off," before clarifying his comments.

"Just kidding, I don't do that any more. Times have changed."

Afterwards, fans pointed out that Homer had not strangled Bart for years. The joke was last illustrated for episodes that played during the 31st season, which aired 2019-2020, according to IGN.

Despite the gap in gags, Brooks told People that there are no plans to change that aspect of the show.

"Don’t think for a second we’re changing anything," he remarked. "Nothing's getting tamed. Nothing, nothing, nothing," he added.

Brooks then assured viewers, who have stuck with the show since it first aired in 1989, that Homer has been choking Bart out of love.

"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 83-year-old reportedly showed off an illustration of Homer strangling Bart, which was shared on X by the show's official account.

"Homer Simpson was unavailable for comment as he was busy strangling Bart," the show wrote. The attached imaged displayed the show of force, with Bart holding a phone that read "Simpsons: No more strangling," while Homer said "Why you little clickbaiting-!!"

"Homer strangling Bart is just such an iconic part of the show,” said BlazeTV host Lauren Chen. "It’s just one of the show’s many classic gags."

"The joke instead is look at how flawed ‘The Simpsons’ are, especially contrasted with, at the time, the picture-perfect families that were on other TV shows," she added.

While a line appeared to have been drawn by the producer, the show has certainly heeded the call of the perpetually offended in recent years.

Hank Azaria stepped down from voicing the role of beloved Indian character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in 2020 over complaints that the voice actor is white. Azaria acquiesced, saying he "really didn't know any better."

In 2021, iconic actor Harry Shearer (who is also white), stopped performing the voice of the show's black doctor, Dr. Julius Hibbert. The show instead hired Kevin Michael Richardson to voice the role, whose skin color happens to match that of the character.

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