D’oh! Homer pledges to stop strangling Bart on ‘The Simpsons’ — fans react

nypost.com:

beloved animated series’ longest-running gags. “Times have changed,” Homer Simpson announces to wife Marge in Episode 3 of the current batch, referencing the portly patriarch’s penchant for strangling son Bart.Making its debut on Fox in late 1989, cartoonist Matt Groening’s groundbreaking show was controversial from the start — partly for the reoccuring scenes where a rage-filled Homer works out his frustration over Bart’s behavior by squeezing him tightly around the neck, causing the boy’s eyes to bulge out.Finally, in the recent episode, titled “McMansion & Wife,” the rotund — and apparently, reformed — lead character announces he’s moved on from the torturous tactic during a tête-à-tête with a new neighbor named Thayer, The Independent reported.When Homer goes to shake hands with Thayer, the man comments on his firm grip. “See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off,” Homer jokes, before quickly clarifying that he no longer does that.Fans were quick to notice the previously unannounced pivot away from the dated disciplinary measure, with more than a few posting their surprise to social media site X.“I just found out that, after over 30 years, The Simpsons has finally retired their long-running gag of Homer strangling Bart,” user @BabyLamb5 said. ““Took them long enough lmao.” “I knew my man Homer was gonna learn,” replied @SebastianGOR3.The series has made references to the controversial interaction over the years, but still showed Homer strangling Bart up until Season 31, which aired between 2019-2020.