The latest 15th episode of New Simpsons’ 8th seasons, “Homer’s Phobia”, are high for many causes, not least from which being which claimed one another an enthusiastic Emmy and an excellent GLAAD Honor. Originally pitched merely given that “Bart the brand new homo”, the fresh new episode try authored by Ron Hauge and shown from inside the age away and made television records.
This new episode looked brand new homosexual reputation from John (voiced because of the John Oceans) and you will faced the facts regarding homosexuals current worldwide that have an effective slyness – and you may feeling of humour – which had been generally speaking missing from other representations at the time, that have been usually reached that have warning, eager not to ever reveal anything as well gay.
But delivering one of cinema’s queerest and more than subversive administrators and you can and work out your the voice of a pop society memorabilia merchandiser was a masterstroke with the show’s region. They both desired the reveal to engage in some thinking-effacement – Homer requires John if the his checklist collection possess go camping value and you will John responds, “Everything you right here do!” – also certain satire out-of society’s anxiety about the definitely gay guy.
The fresh show’s demonstration out-of John is distinctly typical, plus in this new statements registered into episode, Seas expresses their fulfillment in the how the event turned out. Curiously, given that occurrence was being authored the new showrunners obtained several complete pages of notes of Fox’s conditions and you may techniques, in which they’d usually simply found a couple phrases. For a long period brand new network’s censors considered the newest script an inappropriate to own shown – up until eventually, the new circle had a special president, the new censors, and you can complete recognition towards event to see air.
Homer’s fruitless journey to help you de-gay his child, who’s not actually homosexual to begin with, ‘s the crux of one’s event, in this they shows the new the amount to which prejudice boils down so you’re able to a concern with the latest unknown. Homer is really oblivious which he doesn’t actually understand John was gay until Marge circumstances it out to him, but once he learns they are fearful to possess Bart’s sex by the import. It’s just from the getting together with John you to Homer finds out the guy doesn’t have anything to worry, a training and therefore however means exercises.
However, far more subversive than simply that is the way brand new occurrence tears down notions regarding masculinity, and you can a certain American kind of they. Homer bringing Bart so you’re able to a metal mill to show him just what actual men appear to be, just to obtain it feel a pretty much all-homosexual fling and therefore becomes a pub called the Anvil once stopping go out (from the episode statements, Seas conversations fondly of just after in a pub thereupon identity that has been full of a myriad of sexual debauchery). In the event the search excursion made to create a person away from Bart is actually upended by John, just who weaponises camp in order to defuse a dangerous problem, it’s both clever and you will poignant.
The latest Simpsons’ reputation for gay symbolization is a little spottier outside for the event, maybe not minimum because most next initiatives decrease beyond your show’s fantastic years. Faster better-understood was “Simpson and Delilah”, the season one or two episode in which Homer becomes good bigshot on the power plant due to a serum which regrows their hair. Homer employs an assistant, Karl (spoken because of the Harvey Fierstein), whoever commitment in order to Homer has never been fully said. But in acquisition to drive household good pep cam just before Homer providing a demonstration, Karl exclaims, “My personal mommy instructed myself not to ever hug a fool!” and kisses him.
Karl try supposed to reappear for the a later occurrence, “Around three Gays of your Condominium”, however, because the Fierstein rejected to help you reprise his part, he had been changed of the a great likeness. The real difference when you look at the Homer’s behaviour contained in this event instead of “Homer’s Fear” is actually smartly treated, his comfortability highlighting the latest shift for the perceptions towards homosexuality anywhere between 1997 and 2003.
But that Grady kisses Homer was an even more questionable feature, and something that the inform you do review last year into the “Flaming Moe”, in which Moe transforms their tavern for the a homosexual bar and poses because a homosexual man. Regarding event, Moe kisses Smithers and claims, “Such as for example Frisbee tennis, I am happy I tried they just after.” For each event is very We-kissed-a-girl-and-I-liked-they, for the reason that the fresh new inform you inside the retirement appears to have appear to wanted to deepen its lineup out of gay characters in place of a definite concept of how to get it done meaningfully.
You to definitely an old occurrence like “Homer’s Fear” stays once the incisive because it really does talks into the strength out-of The brand new Simpsons as the television’s higher equaliser.
A period sixteen event, in which Homer will get a great minister to do homosexual marriages and you can Marge grapples along with her aunt Patty’s coming-out, are a far greater example of a latter-time occurrence due to Marge’s effectiveness just like the a difficult anchor to possess the brand new show.
Smithers’ character as show’s most noticeable homosexual profile has afforded Brand new Simpsons a few of their finest gags, and has now always spoken toward top-notch the fresh new show’s composing that it was able to make their infatuation which have Mr. Burns comedy on account of Mr. Burns’ decades and never that he or she is some other guy.
And while they hasn’t always integrated queer letters inside perfectly – and definitely not as generally because will be – you to a classic episode particularly “Homer’s Phobia” stays given that incisive because it do speaks to your electricity from The newest Simpsons since television’s higher equaliser.
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