Prevent Child Abuse America aplaude a los Simpsons por detener el estrangulamiento

La decisión de "Los Simpson" de evitar que Homero estrangulara a su hijo Bart puede haber dividido a algunos fans de la serie... pero hay al menos una organización de prevención del maltrato infantil que está encantada.

La Dra. Melissa Merrick, CEO y Presidente de Prevent Child Abuse America, dice a TMZ que la decisión de la comedia de animación de reajustar sus prácticas internas después de 35 años en el aire demostrará representaciones responsables de la crianza positiva de los niños para millones de espectadores.

Merrick dice que su organización ha estado trabajando durante décadas para hacer cambios sustanciales en la forma en que hablamos, crear políticas y participar con grandes influyentes para ayudar a hacer un impacto en este tema y PCAA ha aprendido que se necesita todo tipo de socios: investigadores, medios de comunicación, otras organizaciones sin fines de lucro y particulares para detener el abuso ANTES de que comience.

Aplaudiendo a los creadores de la serie por reconocer su influencia en el cambio de la narrativa en torno al abuso, Merrick añade que establecen un poderoso ejemplo para otros en el entretenimiento y espera que otros en Hollywood tomen medidas para crear conciencia sobre el grave problema.

"Hace que me gusten aún más Los Simpson", añade.

Como ya informamos, en el tercer episodio de la temporada 35, titulado "McMansion & Wife", HS declaró que no volvería a asfixiar a su hijo de dibujos animados mientras conocía a su nuevo vecino.

A lo largo de la serie, Homero ha estrangulado a Bart en varias ocasiones y en uno de los episodios fue a terapia y se dio cuenta del daño que estaba causando al atacar a su hijo.

La decisión de Disney de retirar el controvertido gag de larga duración tuvo algunas reacciones de rechazo, pero probablemente sea una decisión acertada.

'THE SIMPSONS' PRAISED BY CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ORG For Strangle-Free Homer

"The Simpsons" decision to stop Homer from strangling his son, Bart, may have divided some show fans ... but there's at least one child abuse prevention org that's thrilled.

Dr. Melissa Merrick, CEO and President of Prevent Child Abuse America, tells TMZ the animated comedy's decision to reset its internal practices after 35 years on-air will demonstrate responsible depictions of positive childrearing for millions of viewers.

Merrick says her organization has been working for decades to make substantial changes in how we talk about, create policy around and engage big influencers to help make an impact on this issue ... and PCAA has learned that it takes all kinds of partners – researchers, media, other nonprofits and individuals – to stop abuse BEFORE it starts

Applauding the show's creators for acknowledging their influence in changing the narrative around abuse, Merrick adds they set a powerful example for others in entertainment ... and hopes others in Hollywood will take steps to create awareness on the serious issue.

"It makes me like the Simpsons even more," she adds.

As we reported, in the 3rd episode of Season 35, titled "McMansion & Wife," HS declared he would not be choking his cartoon son anymore while meeting his new neighbor.

During the show's run, Homer has choked Bart on and off, with one episode seeing him go to therapy and learn about the harm he was causing by attacking his son.

Disney's decision to retire the controversial long-running gag drew some "gone woke" pushback ... but it's probably a decision for the best.

'Simpsons' Homer Stops Strangling Bart ... 'Times Have Changed'

Homer Simpson is done strangling his son, Bart, and it all has to do with modern sentiments, it seems -- a decision by showrunners that's strongly dividing fans.

The pivot away from child abuse (albeit, in animated form) is just now making the rounds -- coming to in the 3rd episode of Season 35, titled 'McMansion & Wife,' in which HS meets his new neighbor ... and declares that he won't be choking his cartoon son anymore.

The way this becomes revealed is through a handshake, which the neighbor points out as firm -- and then Homer responds ... "See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off." He then follows up and says ... "Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed."

Fans took this to be a not-so-subtle hint from Disney -- which owns the 'Simpsons' IP now -- that they were retiring the long-running gag ... which has been a staple joke for years.

Before this episode ... the new masters of 'The Simpsons' had actually already toyed with the idea of Homer evolving and refraining from strangling Bart ... with Season 22 featuring Homer going to therapy and learning the harm he was causing by attacking his son.

However, in the seasons since ... HS has choked Bart on and off, and the last time he did it in the show was back in 2019/2020. Now, however, it seems like the creators are acknowledging ... it's over for good.

Of course, with Homer hanging up his strangling ways ... there's some pushback, with a handful of folks saying 'The Simpsons' has "gone woke." Others, meanwhile, are praising it.

Homero ya no estrangulará a Bart en "Los Simpson" "los tiempos han cambiado"

Homero Simpson ya no va a estrangular a su hijo. Los tiempos cambian, y los showrunners tomaron esta decisión que está dividiendo fuertemente a los fans.

El abuso infantil quedó en el pasado (en forma animada), llegando su fin en el tercer episodio de la temporada 35, titulado "McMansion & Wife", en el que Homero conoce a su nuevo vecino y declara que no va a estrangular a su hijo de dibujos animados nunca más.

La forma en que esto se revela es a través de un apretón de manos —que el vecino señala como firme— y luego Homero responde: "Ves, Marge, estrangular al niño valió la pena". Luego sigue y dice: "Es broma, ya no hago eso. Los tiempos han cambiado".

Los fans tomaron esto como una indirecta no tan sutil de Disney, que posee la propiedad intelectual de los "Simpsons", y que finalmente han retirado el clásico chiste.

Antes de este episodio, los nuevos directores de "Los Simpson" ya habían jugado con la idea de que Homero evolucionara y se abstuviera de estrangular a Bart, en la temporada 22, Homero fue a terapia y se dio cuenta del daño que estaba causando al atacar a su hijo.

Sin embargo, en las temporadas posteriores, Homero ha estrangulado a Bart una y otra vez. La última vez que lo hizo fue en 2019/2020. Ahora, sin embargo, parece que los creadores están reconociendo que el chiste se acabó para siempre.

Por supuesto, los comentarios son divididos. Un puñado de personas dice que "Los Simpson" se ha "vuelto woke". Otros, mientras tanto, alaban el cambio.

'The Simpsons' Episode Mocking Chinese Oppression Yanked from Disney+ Hong Kong

An episode of "The Simpsons" that lasers in on oppression in China has mysteriously disappeared from Disney+ in Hong Kong ... but there are clues as to who caused it to be yanked.

The episode -- titled "Goo Goo Gai Pan" -- aired in 2005, chronicling the Simpsons' trip to China. One of the main plotlines .... Marge's sister, Selma, is there to adopt a baby, but the infant is yanked from her arms by a Chinese official.

In another scene, the fam visits Tiananmen Square ... the legendary scene of protest, violence and defiance. A sign in the Square reads, "On this site, in 1989, nothing happened."  It's a not-so-subtle dig at China trying to sanitize what actually went down.

Tibet is also part of the show -- where religious oppression reigned supreme at the hands of Beijing.

So, as for why the episode was 86'd ... nobody's talking, but the streamer just debuted in Hong Kong and it seems there may have been a precondition courtesy of the Chinese Government for entry -- scrub the episode.

Kim, Kanye and Justin Bieber Get 'Simpsons' Treatment For Balenciaga PFW Show

Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Justin Bieber got "The Simpsons" treatment for this year's Balenciaga show ... with the cartoon nailing some of the celebs' iconic looks.

The FOX animated show teamed up with the fashion powerhouse to deliver a special 10-minute episode for Paris Fashion Week Saturday ... which even featured Homer and Marge Simpson wearing Balenciaga get-ups of their own.

The episode pokes fun at French fashion culture ... with designers puffing cigarettes, eating escargot -- which Homer takes a liking to -- and insane clothing prices.

During one scene, Homer hit the runway in a very much Kanye-style jacket while cartoon versions of Anna Wintour, Kim, Kanye and Justin Bieber -- who had his own Balenciaga campaign this year -- sat front row.

While Kim and Kanye didn't attend the premiere of the episode in Paris, Kim has indeed worn only Balenciaga for the past few weeks. Her "wedding dress" at Kanye's "Donda" event was Balenciaga, she wore it at The Met Gala from head-to-toe and even wore it during a recent double-date night with Kanye and friends at NOBU.

Next weekend, Kim hosts "Saturday Night Live" ... we're guessing Balenciaga's gonna be front and center.

Hank Azaria Invited to Meet with Hindu Org ... Over Lingering Apu Guilt

Hank Azaria feels awful about his years-long portrayal of Apu -- but there's still a way he can get right with the Indian community which he, and others, feel has been harmed by the character.

Shereen Bhalla -- a rep for the Hindu American Foundation -- tells TMZ ... Hank doesn't have to torment himself for his work on "The Simpsons," or at least he doesn't have to do it alone. Bhalla says she and the staff at HAF would love to have a sit-down with him.

She tells us coming to the table with them would help Hank do a lot of the learning he seems very open to at this point. Shereen says they can expose him to Indian people's lived experiences, and have a dialogue about his lingering guilt.

"I APOLOGIZE FOR MY PART"
Armchair Expert

It's clear from Hank's comments on Dax Shephard's podcast that he does, indeed, have a lot of remorse about Apu ... even going so far as to say he feels the need apologize to every Indian person.

If Hank's concerned about "cancel culture" ... HAF does not want to see that happen to the veteran actor. We're told the group doesn't feel Hank needs to be excommunicated, and believes he's genuinely sorry and willing to educate himself ... which HAF would love to help him do.

As for how to proceed, there are a few options. For one, HAF is offering Hank a third-party facilitated dialogue with Indians across the nation, on or off the record ... his choice. Also, HAF has a podcast called "That's So Hindu" and would be more than happy to have him as a guest.

BTW, we're aware not all Indian people are Hindu ... or even religious for that matter. However, Apu was portrayed as a devout Hindu on the show, so it's all kosher.

'Simpsons' Star Hank Azaria I Wanna Apologize to Every Indian ... For 'Slur' That Was Apu

"I APOLOGIZE FOR MY PART"
Armchair Expert

Hank Azaria -- who voiced Apu on 'The Simpsons' for years -- says his guilt after ditching the role is so great, he feels he has to say sorry to every Indian person he encounters.

The actor relayed this sentiment on the Armchair Expert podcast, telling hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman ... "Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And, sometimes I do."

Hank also said he learned about the impact of the character -- which many say is stereotypical and inherently racist -- after taking seminars and just talking to people on the ground, including kids he's met through his own son.

Hank described one interaction he had with an Indian teen, who was apparently in tears as he told the longtime 'Simpsons' star that Apu had had a devastating effect on him and his community at large ... pleading with Hank to deliver the message to Hollywood writers.

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He says he's a big advocate of actors of color voicing characters of the same race -- which is exactly why he stepped away from the gig back in 2017, following the backlash of 'The Problem with Apu.' It's interesting, Hank even referred to Apu as a de facto racial slur on the podcast.

Of course, not everyone is on the same page with Hank ... including series' creator, Matt Groening, who recently said he was proud of what they'd done with Apu as a character.

As for whether Apu will ever return to the show -- he hasn't had his own episode or storyline since all this drama kicked off -- Groening says they're toying around with ideas to bring him back, but haven't committed to anything just yet. It's unclear who would voice him.

'Simpsons' Creator Matt Groening Hindu Org Pushes Back ... Apu Marginalizes Us & Kids Get Bullied!!!

"The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening needs to do something about Apu, because the character is the reason many Hindu kids get bullied ... at least according to a Hindu-American org.

Matt's getting pushback from the Hindu American Foundation for his recent comments on Apu -- he told USA Today he's proud of the character, despite HAF and many others claiming Apu is a walking stereotype.

Shereen Bhalla, spokesperson for HAF, tells TMZ ... Apu has been the predominant face in pop culture for the 3 million Hindus living in America, and the character makes the community feel marginalized.

Bhalla also says Apu's bad for kids growing up Hindu, because they may not feel proud of their identity due to Apu being used as a punchline, and she adds ... the stereotypes of him on "The Simpsons" lead to bullying in schools and online.

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HAF, the nation's largest advocacy and education organization for Hindu Americans, says there are a few changes Matt could make to address the problem ... like taking longtime Apu voice actor, Hank Azaria's advice to hire an Indian actor to play Apu.

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HANK CAN STAY BUT ...
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The org also tells us it's disappointing to see concerns about Apu not being taken seriously, and they want Matt to change Apu's character -- as comedian Hari Kondabolu once suggested to us -- by adding some Hindus to the show's writing staff.

'Simpsons' Creator Matt Groening I'm Proud of What We did with Apu

The creator of "The Simpsons" appears to be suggesting that the blowback over having a white actor voice Apu for all these years really isn't all that big a deal ... in his eyes.

Animator Matt Groening did an interview with USA Today in honor of the upcoming 700th episode, and he was asked about the controversy -- namely, not having an Indian actor voice the Indian character ... not to mention claims Apu was portrayed as a walking stereotype.

Groening had some interesting answers ... for starters, he says he embraces bringing on new voice actors in the name of diversity -- the more the merrier, he explains. However, you can tell Matt's not nearly as up in arms as some have been about Apu's handling.

He was asked if he would change the nature of Apu's character and/or stories in light of the criticism that he lacks depth, and MG says this ... "I think the Apu stories are fantastic, and he's one of the most nuanced characters on a silly two-dimensional cartoon show. So, yeah, I'm proud of Apu."

He also adds this knowing he might get blowback, "I'm trying not to open up another chasm of criticism, but it doesn't matter what I say. I'll get it anyway." Matt goes on to say that the idea of having white actors voice non-white characters -- which is what 'Simpsons' opted to do in the end -- was not his idea, but that he's "fine with it."

Matt also says that the original intention was not to have some actors voice some characters -- they were just trying to use everyone's talent to the max, but he says he gets it. As to whether 'Simpsons' brass shoulda embraced this change years ago, he says ... "Yeah. And I hear they want to take the guns away from Yosemite Sam. He’s a little hot-headed."

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Quite telling ... especially since the longtime voice actor for Apu, Hank Azaria, seemed way more empathetic to the diversity concerns than Matt is here. Different strokes, we suppose 🤷🏽‍♂️

'Simpsons' Star Harry Shearer If Trump Hate Tweets My Album ... That'd Be The Tops!!!

TWEET ME PRES, PLEASE!
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Harry Shearer is definitely trying to poke the bear that is Donald Trump with a hilarious spoof album that's got the President singing show tunes ... and kissing Jared Kushner's butt.

The legendary voice actor and comedian -- who's played countless characters on "The Simpsons" -- came on "TMZ Live" to talk about his new album, "The Many Moods of Donald Trump," which he's been teasing with new single drops throughout the summer.

His first one was a banger -- it's called "Son in Law" ... and it's all about singing the virtues Jared. It also features Harry playing DT (with some incredible motion-capture animation tech) as he goes through a show-stopping number in the Oval Office. It's an awesome music video.

Now, as for whether this one was aimed at Donnie or Jared, Harry tells us they can split his mockery right down the middle. And, as far as praise, HS says the ultimate compliment would be if 45 himself hate tweets about 'TMMDT.' That'd be like hitting #1 on the charts!

We then pivoted to a much more serious topic -- the November election, which could see Trump in power for another four years -- well, Harry has opinions.

Marge Simpson Biting Clapback at Trump Advisor ... She's a Little 'Pissed Off!!!'

SHUT UP, JENNA
The Simpsons

Marge Simpson's known for her patient and loving demeanor, but it seems she has less patience for President Trump's advisor, who used her to jab at Sen. Kamala Harris ... 'cause she's firing back, politically.

TV's beloved animated housewife responded to Jenna Ellis' dig at Kamala ... claiming she sounded like Marge. Well, the 'Simpson' matriarch admits she doesn't usually get political, but she is now.

Marge says Lisa told her Ellis didn't mean her comment as a compliment, and -- as an ordinary suburban housewife -- she's starting to get fed up and feels disrespected. The "suburban housewife" comment is telling.

Marge is referring to President Trump's claim that Joe Biden's selection of Kamala will piss off suburban housewives because he claims it will lead to low-income housing in suburbs.

Point is ... Trump's terrified of losing that demographic, and Marge knows it.

It's the kind of witty reply expected from "The Simpsons," and we gotta say ... we haven't seen Marge this pissed since she had to deal with Becky.

'The Simpsons' Mute Michael Jackson ... Classic Episode Pulled

Michael Jackson's guest spot on "The Simpsons" is getting yanked out of circulation ... a decision made by the show's honchos in the wake of "Leaving Neverland."

'Simpsons' executive producer James L. Brooks says he made the call after watching the 2-part HBO documentary about Jackson's alleged molestation of Wade Robson and James Safechuck.

The 1991 episode features Jackson voicing the character, Leon Kompowsky.

Creator Matt Groening and producer Al Jean were in agreement with Brooks to pull it, with Brooks telling the Wall Street Journal ... "There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain."

Jackson's guest role came on the first episode of Season 3, "Stark Raving Dad," but was uncredited for contractual reasons and unconfirmed until years later. In the ep., Homer goes to a mental institution and shares a room with Leon ... who claims to be the King of Pop.

It features the song, "Happy Birthday Lisa," which Jackson wrote for the show.

'Simpsons' brass already started the process of removing the episode from their syndication circulation, but it's gonna take a while to completely scrub it from DVD and streaming services.

Matt Groening I'm Ready for My Fans ... Not Quite Ready for Real-Life Homer

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Matt Groening has a new Netflix show out called "Disenchantment" ... but he's got an enchanting way of appeasing autograph seekers -- he comes prepared.

We got "The Simpsons" creator at LAX Friday, and he showed up with a bag full of signed cartoon drawings to give away ... which he calls his new strategy for pleasing his fans.

Our cameraman even got an original Elfo! (He's one of the stars of Groening's new show.)

Then our guy hit Matt with some jarring news -- a 3D artist on Twitter posted his imagining of what a real-life Homer Simpson would look like ... and he basically replied with an "Ay, Caramba!"

Yeah, it's pretty scary ... but Groening seemed to quickly come around on making 3D Homer a star.

Zachery Ty Bryan Trump & Kanye Inspire Me ... Here's $25k for 'Apu' Contest!!!

LET'S UNITE... UNDER TRUMP

The actor who played Tim Allen's eldest on "Home Improvement" wants to end the stereotype associated with "The Simpsons" character Apu, and he's donating a lot of money to make it happen.

Zachery Ty Bryan gave $25k to the Apu Screenwriting Contest, which is being spearheaded by producer Adi Shankar. Shankar's contest is crowdsourcing short scripts for Apu that do NOT involve Indian stereotypes.

The contest got a big up from Kanye West, who shared Shankar's contest announcement on social media, and Zach, who just worked with Adi on a film, has more in common with Kanye than just saving Apu. He's also a massive Trump fan, and says it's time for all Americans to get behind 45.

BTW, Adi will submit the winning script to 'Simpsons' writers in hopes it will be folded into an episode.

Ted Cruz on GOP Here's How We're 'The Simpsons'

HOMER 2020
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Ted Cruz said Democrats were the party of Lisa Simpson, and that the GOP was the party of Homer, Bart, Maggie and Marge ... now he's explaining how so.

We got the TX senator Monday at Reagan National Airport in D.C. and asked him to elaborate on the comment he made last week at CPAC, which drew ridicule left and right.

Cruz offers a VERY thorough explanation into why each character -- sans Lisa -- represents Republican values and mirrors the traditional American family. Our question ... he reachin'?

SORRY, TRY AGAIN
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One of the voice actors on the cartoon show clearly thinks so. We got Harry Shearer over the weekend, and he thought Cruz was way out of his element tying conservatism to Springfield.

D'ohn't go there, Ted.

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