Gay-themed Simpsons episode 'Homer's Phobia' virtually really did not make it to air

Gay-themed Simpsons episode 'Homer's Phobia' virtually really did not make it to air

It's one of one of the most cherished - and also oft-quoted - Simpsons episodes ever, but the 1997 timeless 'Homer's Phobia' really virtually didn't make it to air.

A remarkable brand-new post on The Ringer that takes an in-depth take a look at the groundbreaking episode, and also author Alan Siegel reveals that network censors had a trouble with the episode all at once, regarding it unfit for tv.

In Homer's Anxiety, the Simpson family have possibly their initial experience with an openly gay person in the form of antique store owner John (voiced by epic director John Waters).

While the rest of the family accept their new friend, Homer denies John - as well as also presumes direct exposure to him may be 'turning' Bart gay.

There's a whole lot at play in the episode, as it manages Homer's prejudice, the Simpson household's direct exposure to a formerly international gay culture, and John's recognition of his new pals for their 'camp' value.

When Simpsons staff sent manuscripts for network authorization, censors generally reacted with simply a few notes, asking that particular lines or jokes be somewhat modified.

For Homer's Fear, the team at The Simpons got loads of notes pertaining to \"every thing in the episode that had to do with being gay or the word 'gay',\" Simpsons showrunner Costs Oakley informs The Ringer.

The three pages of notes ended with one easy judgment: \"The whole subject and also material of this episode is unacceptable for air.\"

\" They didn't want anything to do with it fully,\" Oakley recalls - however those working on The Simpons really did not give up on the episode. Rather, they billed in advance, hoping that something would happen later on in the process to make the network give way (a daring step, given each Simpsons episode takes a year - and also millions of bucks - to create).

Amazingly, they captured a break. In the occurring 10 months after the preliminary script denial, the network's censor left and also was replaced with a brand-new - most likely much more forward-thinking - censor. When they resubmitted the episode, the Simpsons team got only one note back: \"acceptable for program.\"

As well as give thanks to benefits. Homer's Anxiety is taken into consideration on of the best episodes from The Simpsons' gold years, scoring the program an Emmy Honor and also gifting the globe the immediately renowned 'gay steel mill' scene: