Simpsons Cut Homer Joke Due to Strict Rule – Find Out Why!

It appears a certain joke has overstayed its welcome. Matt Groening, the renowned creator of The Simpsons, disclosed that the show’s writers had to ax a specific gag due to very stringent regulations.

The animated series has graced our screens for nearly 35 years, featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie embarking on endless escapades in their hometown of Springfield and beyond. The show has even earned a reputation as somewhat of a soothsayer, having made eerily accurate forecasts such as Donald Trump’s presidency and Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance.

Hide Those Cheeks…

Despite its enduring success, there’s one particular joke they are no longer allowed to display on screen, even though other series—like Family Guy—aren’t held to the same standard.

At last weekend’s New York Comic Con, Matt Groening explained to Metro: “Historically, The Simpsons airs on Sunday nights at 8 PM. There are things you can and cannot do at 8 PM that you could do at 8:30 PM.“

For a while, we showed Homer’s butt, then we were told we couldn’t do that anymore, but Family Guy could because it airs at 8:30 PM.

So, if you’ve been wondering why Homer Simpson’s rear end has vanished from the screen, now you know…

A Matter of Humor

When asked how they have adapted their humor over the years of broadcasting, in an ever-changing landscape, showrunner Matt Selman explained that they do not aim to compete with other shows.

“I feel like other shows can do bold, rude, and weird better than us. Like Family Guy, South Park, or Rick and Morty—we’re not going to outdo them. For us, it’s like, let’s do what we do… let’s just make observational, human-based emotional comedy, and satire.“

All 35 seasons of The Simpsons are available on Disney+.