The Simpsons, one of the longest-running and most iconic TV shows ever, is seemingly doing away with one of its most well-known recurring gags. On a recent episode of The Simpsons, Homer explains that he no longer chokes his son Bart because “times have changed.”
As part of the Season 35 episode “McMansion & Wife,” which debuted on October 22, Homer confirms that he no longer throttles Bart by wringing his neck with his hands. Homer meets a new neighbor, Thayer, and shakes hands. “Whoa! That’s quite a grip,” Thayer says to Homer. He replies, “See, Marge, strangling the boy has paid off. Just kidding. I don’t do that any more. Times have changed.”
The producers of The Simpsons have yet to officially comment on whether or not this is a permanent change for the show.