When analyzing the evolution of The Simpsons, discussions often center around perceived quality declines over the years. While this sentiment is somewhat valid—particularly with Season 36 showcasing a resurgence—it’s equally intriguing to explore other noteworthy transformations. The shift in animation quality, from the simplistic caricatures seen in The Tracey Ullman Show shorts to the intricate designs of today, stands out as a significant development. A prime example is in the “Treehouse of Horror XXV” segment titled “The Others,” where a nostalgic comparison is made between the classic and contemporary Simpsons characters. Additionally, the character arc of Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer) is compelling; he has evolved from a mere conservative stereotype to a complex, relatable individual. The dialogues have also matured, with numerous sensitive topics, such as Smithers’ sexuality, only being confirmed much later, illustrating how certain words and themes were restricted or subtly hinted at in earlier seasons.

How “Homer Defined” from ‘The Simpsons’ Season 3 Transforms Homer into a Hero While Portraying Bart as a Bad Influence

The episode titled “Homer Defined,” which is the fifth installment of The Simpsons‘ third season, features a comical yet intense plot where Homer (Dan Castellaneta) inadvertently causes chaos at the nuclear power plant. In a moment of distraction caused by a Rubik’s Cube during a safety training session, he accidentally splatters delicious donut jelly on the reactor core’s temperature dial, propelling the plant toward a potential nuclear meltdown. Faced with a crisis and unable to recall the correct button to avert disaster, Homer resorts to the classic eeny-meeny-miney-mo method to make his choice. Miraculously, he presses the right button, ultimately preventing the meltdown and unexpectedly transforming into Springfield’s unlikely hero.

Despite the accolades and praise he receives, Homer wrestles with a profound sense of guilt, knowing that his so-called heroism stems purely from luck rather than skill. During a motivational speech at the Shelbyville nuclear plant, history ominously repeats itself when he encounters another impending meltdown (this time, not due to jelly donuts). In a twist of fate, Homer must revisit his rhyme to determine the right button to save the day again, effectively redefining the expression “to pull a Homer” as “to achieve success through sheer foolishness.”

Simultaneously, Bart (Nancy Cartwright) faces a personal crisis. He learns that his longtime friend Milhouse Van Houten (Pamela Hayden) recently had a birthday party, but he was notably absent from the guest list. The reason? Milhouse’s mother, Luann (Maggie Roswell), has deemed Bart a bad influence and has prohibited any friendship between the boys. This revelation devastates Bart, who, feeling isolated and withdrawn, turns to his mother for solace, resorting to playing with Maggie instead. Distressed by her son’s sadness, Marge (Julie Kavner) decides to intervene by visiting Luann, aiming to mend the fractured friendship. With heartfelt reasoning, Marge reminds Luann of the importance of camaraderie among the boys. Ultimately, Luann reassesses her stance, and the boys rekindle their friendship, with Bart expressing gratitude to Marge for her unwavering support.

The Significance of “Homer Defined” in ‘The Simpsons’ Season 3: Introducing a Controversial Word — Twice

The episode “Homer Defined” holds significant importance for several reasons beyond its humorous plotlines. One notable aspect is the guest appearance of the legendary basketball player Magic Johnson, alongside the comedic talents of frequent guest star Jon Lovitz. However, the most groundbreaking moment of the episode is its introduction of the word “ass” in The Simpsons. This term, used in a context referring to the human posterior rather than its animal counterpart, showcases how even the mildest of swear words were once deemed scandalous. It’s amusing to reflect on how “ass,” now a commonplace term in television dialogue, was considered so inappropriate in 1991 that it sent censors into a frenzy. You can only imagine the exasperation of the censors when they reviewed Howard Gewirtz’s original script, which included the word not once, but twice.

The first instance of the word “ass” appears when Bart responds to Luann’s assertion that he is a bad influence, exclaiming, “bad influence, my ass.” The second occurrence comes from Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer), who dismissively states, “… kiss my sorry ass goodbye.” The censors, in their concern, demanded a modification, but the producers stood firm, resulting in a compromise where they altered one line: Mr. Burns’ line was changed to “kiss my sorry butt goodbye,” while Bart’s statement remained intact. Interestingly, in the first rerun of the episode, the decisions were flipped: Burns’ line kept the original “ass,” while Bart’s was modified to “bad influence, my butt.” Although it may seem trivial, the use of “butt” feels more fitting coming from Bart than from Burns, making the switch work. Ultimately, the definitive version appears on the official DVD release and is included in the Disney+ catalog.

Since that pivotal moment, “ass” has become a frequent term utilized throughout The Simpsons. It has appeared in various contexts, such as the name of one of the Stonecutters’ secret society rituals, “Paddling of the Swollen Ass with paddles,” in the iconic Season 6 episode “Homer the Great.” Additionally, the renowned band U2 even referenced the term in their song “The Garbage Man,” praising a garbage man for alerting you when “your ass is showing.” The character Krusty the Klown (Dan Castellaneta) also humorously engages with adult material, notably reading Gigantic Asses magazine in “Homie the Clown.” Homer even contemplates using “Ass” as a bowling nickname in “Homer to the Max,” only to discover it’s already taken, similar to his second choice “Poo.” In a notable twist, Bart defends the use of “ass” by pointing out that both “ass” and “whore” are mentioned in the Bible, stating, “Shut the hell up, you damn ass whore!” in Season 19’s “Midnight Towboy.”

Ironically, the word “ass” gained even more recognition in Matt Groening‘s follow-up series, Futurama, through the beloved character Bender (John DiMaggio) and his iconic catchphrase “Bite my shiny metal ass.” Reflecting on the evolution of language and censorship, it’s evident that societal norms have shifted, allowing terms like “ass” to become commonplace on television, even though it was once considered taboo. That’s all for the “ass” jokes; I’ve exhausted my puns.

You can enjoy every episode of The Simpsons on Hulu in the United States.