On Sunday night (April 3), people watching “The Simpsons” finally got confirmation on a controversial topic that has been ruminating in the minds of fans for nearly 30 years.
“The truth is sir,” Mr. Smithers, begins. “I’m in love with …”
“The sounds of your own voice!” Mr. Burns, interrupts before he can finish. “Don’t take this the wrong way, you mean nothing to me. Someone I give less thought to than the piece of popcorn stuck in my teeth.”
While Mr. Burns apparently never got the note about how it’s nice to be a touch more gentle when breaking someone’s heart, Mr. Smithers’ secret is finally out. He is loud, proud and totally gay.
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The long running animated series has tiptoed around this particular subject for nearly three decades, why did they choose now for this triumphant moment to happen?
Co-exectuive producer and writer of the FOX series Rob LaZebnik discussed the matter on CNN, explaining that, “We had so much fun with the nod and the wink. But we reached a place in the show where we decided it was time. And the show tracks ‘our time.’ It felt right.”
LaZebnik, who describes himself as “a mid-westerner who doesn’t typically wear his heart on his sleeve” says the story idea was prompted after he discovered that one of his four kids, Johnny, is gay. “And what better way to say I love you to my son than to write a cartoon about it?”
Johnny was involved in the entire process, too. “I pitched the show to Johnny first and he was very helpful,” LaZebnik says. “He gave me specific advice. And I would ask dumb questions like if Smithers goes out with a another guy, where should they go on a date? And he was like, ‘Um, a restaurant?'”
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“Even more specifically … How does Grindr work?” LaZebnik also asked his son. “He was like that’s the most hilarious thing a father has ever said to his son. So yeah, welcome to the world of modern parenting!”
After this interview aired, LaZebnik’s son showed his sense of humor about the whole thing on Twitter by posting this hilarious GIF:
Asking his followers: “Did YOUR dad appear on @CNN tonight to talk about how gay you are?? I DIDN’T THINK SO”
In case you missed Smithers’ confess his love to Mr. Burns, the full episode is available to watch below for Hulu members.
