12 Jokes From The Simpsons That Aged Terribly

“The Simpsons” has made many absurd predictions over the years that have actually come true. Such premonitions have led some to consider “The Simpsons” writing employees accommodates time vacationers who’re capable of see into the long run. However that idea would not maintain as much as scrutiny as a result of if that was the case, you’d hope they’d keep away from making some problematic jokes that would not age effectively.

It is pure for TV exhibits from the Nineteen Eighties and ’90s to have bits that appear crude looking back. It is truly sort of an excellent factor as a result of it exhibits simply how far society has come that making enjoyable of sure teams or concepts is not acceptable. In fact, not each joke ages poorly resulting from political correctness. Typically, a present makes a joke about one thing that is sensible within the second, however after a few years, folks overlook what it was even speculated to be about. 

“The Simpsons” has each of a majority of these poorly-aged jokes. /Movie has already gone over the worst “Simpsons” storylines, however for this listing, we’re taking a look at particular person jokes that do not maintain up immediately.

The occasions of September 11, 2001 modified the world on an enormous geopolitical scale. It additionally meant lots of motion pictures and TV exhibits needed to change certain things, like the climax of Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man.” Plus, one joke from Season 9’s “The Metropolis of New York vs. Homer Simpson” was reduce from reruns.

The episode sees the Simpsons journey to New York Metropolis in order that Homer can get his automotive again. It is parked between the Twin Towers, the place one man yells at Homer for fruitlessly making an attempt to take away the boot from his automobile. This causes one other man to yell at him after which clarify to Homer, “Sorry about that man. They stick all of the jerks in Tower One.” It was a innocent off-hand remark when the episode first aired in 1997, however after 9/11, it maybe got here throughout in poor style to have somebody insulting individuals who misplaced their lives that fateful day. 

Some consider that complete episode is “The Simpsons” predicting the occasions of 9/11. That is not the case, however showrunner Al Jean admits the eerie coincidence (by way of NME): “Within the World Commerce Heart episode, [‘The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson’], there was a brochure studying $9 a day with an 11 styled up just like the towers. That was in ’96, which was loopy, like this insane coincidence.” Hopefully, if the “Simpsons” writers might’ve truly predicted 9/11, they might’ve been loads nicer towards the parents in Tower One. 

This one may truly maintain the report for the “Simpsons” joke that aged poorly the quickest. In “Itchy & Scratchy Land,” Homer and Marge wind up at Itchy’s ’70s Disco, the place Marge makes a remark in regards to the consideration to element, together with how the bartender seems like John Travolta. This causes the barkeep to say, “Yeah … seems like.” The joke is clearly that by the ’90s, Travolta was a washed-up film star who might’ve theoretically simply been working at some random amusement park. 

Nonetheless, Travolta fading into obscurity would not actually stay an idea for lengthy. “Itchy & Scratchy Land” first aired on October 2, 1994. “Pulp Fiction,” which noticed Travolta star as Vincent Vega and rejuvenated his profession, would come out simply 12 days later in the USA on October 14. Travolta would even get nominated for an Academy Award for his half, so if he ever wanted to bartend to make ends meet, these days had been behind him at that time. 

1994 was effectively earlier than the times of streaming companies, when folks might watch no matter episode they needed on-demand. Which means, for essentially the most half, if somebody did not see that episode proper when it aired, there was an excellent likelihood they would not see it till Travolta was a megastar once more. Granted, Travolta’s star has risen and fallen over the a long time, so possibly the joke makes extra sense when his profession is in a downward spiral (taking a look at you, “Gotti”). 

Season 8’s “You Solely Transfer Twice” is usually identified for introducing the world to Hank Scorpio, essentially the most pleasant supervillain ever who’s additionally answerable for one of many funniest moments in the history of “The Simpsons.” Homer begins working for him, even confiding that his lifelong dream is to personal the Dallas Cowboys. After quitting his new job and shifting again to Springfield, Scorpio helps Homer get just a little nearer to attaining his objective by gifting him the Denver Broncos. Whereas Marge thinks it is “fairly good” to personal the Broncos, Homer is dismayed, insisting she would not know something about soccer. 

That is one other case the place the joke virtually instantly ages poorly. The episode got here out in 1996, when the Broncos had been, admittedly, having some fairly powerful seasons. Nonetheless, that was proper earlier than they’d back-to-back Tremendous Bowl wins in 1998 and 1999. Possibly Hank Scorpio knew one thing Homer did not.

Scorpio’s present turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because the proprietor of the Broncos, Homer would’ve in all probability made fairly a bit of cash following these wins. Possibly proudly owning the Broncos explains why the household can afford such good issues and go on extravagant holidays.

“Past Blunderdome” is an interesting time capsule of an episode. The plot hinges on everybody loving Mel Gibson, a sentiment that will rapidly deteriorate in the actual world resulting from a bunch of controversies. However in the intervening time, he is the toast of tinseltown, and the Simpsons fly out to Hollywood in order that Homer will help Gibson along with his subsequent film. The remainder of the household take a tour, with Marge stating, “Look, they’re making a film! Robert Downey, Jr. is capturing it out with the police.” After this, Bart notes, “I do not see any cameras.”

The late ’90s could have been good for Gibson, nevertheless it was a turbulent time for Downey, who was within the throes of drug habit. He was arrested on a number of events and even frolicked in county jail and ultimately state jail. The joke pokes enjoyable at Downey continuously being a supply of tabloid fodder on the time, nevertheless it would not be lengthy earlier than Gibson and Downey traded perceptions within the basic consciousness. 

Downey ultimately bought clear and centered on appearing once more with “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” a role that would help him land a leading spot in “Iron Man,” and the remaining is cinematic historical past. I say it is excessive time for a “Past Blunderdome” remake the place Homer helps Downey with a brand new film whereas Gibson is on the fringes doing one thing unsavory. 

Nelson has overwhelmed up Milhouse loads of occasions through the years. It is an intrinsic a part of their dynamic as bully and dweeb; nevertheless, none of his beatings have ever left such a foul style within the mouth as a lot because the one on Season 8’s “Lisa’s Date With Density.”

Lisa develops a crush on Nelson and enlists Milhouse’s assist in giving Nelson a notice. Milhouse, regardless of having his personal crush on Lisa, agrees, however when Nelson reads it, he realizes it was handed right down to him by Milhouse. The scene abruptly cuts to Milhouse getting rolled out of the varsity on a stretcher, with the implication being Nelson beat him up so laborious he needed to go to the hospital. 

The thought is that Nelson beat him up significantly laborious as a result of he believed Milhouse had the crush on him, not Lisa. It is nothing wanting a violently homophobic act, something that was tragically common in the 1990s but often gets left out of modern media that takes place throughout the decade. It is powerful to look at the episode immediately understanding the sort of abuse gay youth face on a regular basis. What’s even worse is that Lisa nonetheless desires to this point Nelson even after seeing him be such a violent homophobe. Possibly Lisa is not as woke as all of us thought. 

“Homerpalooza” is all about Homer feeling out of contact with the younger folks. It is a traditional storyline the place he desires to show to his children that he is hip. The plot facilities on Homer’s relationship with music, which entails him going to a report retailer and never understanding any of those newfangled bands (for the ’90s) like 9 Inch Nails and Sonic Youth. As an additional demonstration of simply how out of contact Homer is, he brings up Apple Computer systems to the shop clerk, who fires again, “What computer systems?”

It is actually odd to assume Homer could be extra educated a couple of main tech firm’s existence than a younger child, however in 1996, when the episode got here out, Apple was in dire straits. The start of the yr noticed the corporate lay off 1,300 workers and reporting substantial monetary losses. It was unclear if Apple would even be round for much longer, however the age of ubiquitous web was quickly upon us. Apple merchandise are a part of each day life, and this joke now makes the cashier appear to be he is been dwelling below a rock for his complete life. 

To be honest, it is laborious to carry a grudge in opposition to “Homerpalooza” an excessive amount of. It additionally accommodates this gem of a line from Mr. Burns: “And to assume, Smithers. You laughed once I purchased TicketMaster. ‘No one’s going to pay a 100% service cost.'” TicketMaster continues to be the bane of any concertgoer’s existence, in order that “Simpsons” joke continues to be painfully related. 

The next slide accommodates references to sexual assault.

Within the “Treehouse of Horror XVI” phase, “I’ve Grown a Costume on Your Face,” everybody in Springfield transforms into no matter they had been carrying Halloween night time. Bart turns into a werewolf. Lisa turns into Albert Einstein, and Chief Wiggum turns into Jared Fogle from Subway, which is now extra horrifying than the rest in that installment. 

The gimmick could have appeared innocent in 2005 when it aired, however in 2015, Fogle was arrested on expenses of acquiring youngster pornography and interesting in sexual acts with minors. He pled responsible to these expenses and was sentenced to fifteen years in federal jail.

Chief Wiggum being Jared is one factor, nevertheless it’s his line that actually sends this second excessive when he declares: “I am Jared from the Subway adverts. I am solely just a little chubby and sexually ambiguous.” His sexual preferences did not stay ambiguous for lengthy. It is dangerous sufficient there is a Fogle reference wherever, nevertheless it’s such a disturbing line to have Wiggum say in hindsight. 

If you happen to or anybody you already know has been a sufferer of sexual assault, assist is offered. Go to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

“The Simpsons” has an abysmal observe report in relation to correct trans illustration. So usually, trans characters have been relegated to one-off gags, reminiscent of Helen Lovejoy desirous to boast about having a trans cousin named Stanlerina.

Simply, one of many worst trans jokes on “The Simpsons” comes on “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo.” Homer and Marge attend a seminar to discover ways to stay giant with out spending loads, and the host explains all the assorted methods he is saved cash, like shopping for a yacht that smells like cat pee. He additionally factors out that he is surrounded by stunning girls in a picture as a result of “they was once males.” It is dangerous sufficient the road suggests trans girls are inferior or “a cut price” in comparison with cis girls, however the line is adopted up by the sound of utter disdain by the viewers. They’d no drawback with him crusing on a urine-smelling yacht, however being round trans girls was a step too far for some motive. 

Very like Nelson beating up Milhouse for being perceived as gay, this joke exhibits simply how informal transphobia was within the ’90s. And in order for you a deeper dive into simply how prevalent this situation is on the sitcom, take a look at the unimaginable breakdown inside Lily Simpson’s video essay, “The Trans Failure of The Simpsons.”

“You Solely Transfer Twice” has not one however two jokes that rapidly did not make sense shortly after the episode got here out. When Bart and Lisa arrive at their new college, there is a signal studying “Cypress Creek Elementary Faculty” together with a URL for “http://www.studynet.edu.” “The Simpsons” has loads of nice signal gags, reminiscent of “Sneed’s Feed & Seed Previously Chuck’s,” however this one simply would not make sense watching it immediately. 

There’s nothing all that comical in regards to the URL itself, and that is as a result of the joke is {that a} college having an internet site in any respect could be one thing unusual and out of the peculiar all by itself when the episode debuted in 1996. “Simpsons” showrunner on the time, Josh Weinstein, remarked on the DVD commentary of simply how misplaced it quickly grew to become, calling it “one of many present’s most clearly dated jokes.”

These days, each college has an internet site, even when they don’t seem to be as superior as Cypress Creek. Though I suppose this might virtually be seen as an anti-joke lately, the place viewers count on the varsity signal to say one thing humorous, nevertheless it’s essentially the most humdrum factor possible. 

“There’s One thing About Marrying” tries to normalize the thought of homosexual marriage whereas fully invalidating the existence of trans folks in a reasonably baffling approach. The episode sees Springfield legalize homosexual marriage earlier than it was authorized nationwide. Homer begins marrying anybody who desires to get married, and Patty comes out as lesbian to her sister, Marge. Up till this level, Marge has been fairly accepting of the gay neighborhood however has a tough time accepting her sister’s id, particularly when she reveals she’s already engaged to a different girl — Veronica. 

However not every little thing is because it appears, as Veronica seems to be a person. That is not me being transphobic — within the context of the present, Veronica (whose actual title is Robin) is a person pretending to be a lady to excel in girls’s golf. In the previous couple of years, girls’s sports activities has been a battleground situation, as conservatives attempt to forestall transgender girls from competing by insisting they’ve an inherent benefit. 

The bit reinforces the terrible notion that transgender girls are actually simply pretending to have sports activities careers. It is a dangerous look, particularly because the trans neighborhood faces more and more hostile discrimination. It is excessive time “The Simpsons” has correct trans illustration with a personality that does not make folks cringe years later. 

Out of all of the Oscar winners “The Simpsons” might’ve chosen for this bit, they needed to go along with Dr. Haing S. Ngor.

On “Group Homer,” Homer bemoans that his bowling workforce will doubtless lose an upcoming event, which is a disgrace as a result of he simply constructed a trophy case. We then see stated case, and the one trophy in it in the mean time is an Oscar belonging to Dr. Haing S. Ngor, along with his title crossed out and Homer’s written in. The episode got here out on January 7, 1996, and if you happen to watched it at first, it simply appeared like they picked an Oscar winner at random. Ngor received for finest supporting actor for his work on “The Killing Fields,” a noteworthy achievement seeing as Ngor had by no means acted earlier than that movie. Nonetheless, tragedy struck not lengthy after the episode premiered. 

On February 25, 1996, Ngor was killed outdoors of his Los Angeles dwelling. Experiences initially advised it was a botched theft, however additional investigations counsel there could have been political motivations behind the homicide. Both approach, Homer now having Ngor’s Oscar felt in dangerous style, particularly with an implication that Homer could have robbed (and killed) Ngor to get the statue. Reruns and the model of “Group Homer” you now discover on Disney+ modified the bit to the place the Oscar belonged to Don Ameche. He received for finest supporting actor for “Cocoon” and had already died in 1993, which means there was no approach Homer might get blamed for his loss of life in-universe. 

I feel youngster abuse is flawed. Maintain your applause, I am no hero for saying that. And because the years have gone on, it has been more and more troublesome to disregard the myriad occasions Homer has violently strangled Bart. As a result of them being cartoon characters, it is maybe simpler to disregard or just wave off as a easy gag, however Homer continuously attacking Bart, which works ignored by Marge and the remainder of Springfield, simply appears troublesome. 

The present has dialed again on Homer strangling Bart in recent times, with Homer even making an off-hand remark in a single episode about how he would not try this anymore since occasions have modified. This led to lots of media consideration over whether or not the custom would finish, with the “Simpsons” inventive workforce assuring the world the strangles would proceed. 

Even the Season 36 premiere brought back this problematic gag, albeit with Homer attacking Bart inside an AI-generated simulation. Regardless that “The Simpsons” has modified with the occasions in sure methods, it is nonetheless caught in 1989 in sure facets. Sooner or later Homer could cease bodily hurting Bart, nevertheless it’s not immediately.