The Simpsons writer-producer, Josh Weinstein, finally understands a classic Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) line after 25 years. Originally airing as a series of shorts on Tracy Ullman's variety show, The Tracy Ulman Show, The Simpsons debuted on the Fox network in 1989. Currently the longest-running sitcom and scripted series in American television history, the series focuses on the eccentric yet affable Simpson family of Springfield, USA, and consist of Homer, Marge (Julie Kavner), Lisa (Yeardley Smith), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), and Maggie.
Throughout the years, The Simpsons have produced many classic moments and lines that live on in popular culture. For example, Homer's annoyed grunt of "D'oh" was successfully introduced into the American lexicon and was included in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2001. However, one such line baffled the former Simpsons writer for decades. During season 5, episode 12, "Bart Gets Famous," Bart sneaks away from a field trip to a box factory which alarms both Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel (Marcia Wallace). When Skinner fails to find the boy after counting to three, Mrs. Krabappel decides to call Bart's parents. The phone rings at the Simpson's residence, where Marge barely misses answering because she rushed out of the shower wearing a towel. Mrs. Krabappel calls Homer at work, who also runs to the phone in a towel. Homer answers the phone and says, "Y'ello? You'll have to speak up; I'm wearing a towel."
Related: Do You Understand Homer Simpson's Wearing A Towel Joke?
On Twitter, Weinstein admitted that he finally understood a joke from a Simpsons episode 25 years ago. In response to @SpimpsonsQOTD, a Twitter user who posts a new quote from the show daily, Weinstein revealed that he misinterpreted the joke for decades. Weinstein explained that someone recently told him that the joke was about the fact that people with long hair wear towels over their heads and have trouble hearing when answering the phone. Unfortunately, the explanation of the joke made him like the joke less. Read what the writer wrote below.
Click here to view the original post on Twitter.
Weinstein's assumption that it was simply a non sequitur goes along with Homer's character. He is often depicted as a lovable buffoon who frequently makes comments that seemingly do not make sense to the situation. However, the joke's reference to the long-haired towel line, especially coming from a character with only three hairs on his head, is a hilarious way to subvert the familiar trope.
The Simpson's has been on the air for nearly 33 years and has produced some of the most memorable moments in American sitcom history while revolutionizing the animated medium for television. With over 700 episodes produced, the series was bound to have delivered some jokes that went over the audience's heads. When The Simpsons Season 34 returns in the fall, the series will likely provide more unforgettable moments that will be referenced for decades.
Source: Josh Weinstein