In a recent statement, the producers of the beloved animated sitcom "The Simpsons" have addressed the growing speculation surrounding Homer Simpson's infamous act of strangling his son, Bart, for comedic effect. The response came after an episode sparked debates among fans about whether the long-running gag would be discontinued.

The statement, provided to Nexstar by a consultant for the series, humorously mentioned that Homer was unavailable for comment as he was busy engaging in his trademark action. To further emphasize their point, Matt Groening, the show's creator, prepared an illustration that aimed to dissuade viewers and media outlets from taking Homer's recent remarks literally.

The speculation surrounding the potential end of the strangling gag began in October when an episode featured Homer and Marge interacting with a new neighbor, who praised Homer's strong handshake. In response, Homer turned to Marge and quipped, "See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off." However, he quickly added, "Just kidding, I don't do that anymore. Times have changed."

While some fans expressed their surprise and disappointment at the possibility of the gag retiring, others were more skeptical. They argued that "The Simpsons" has always been a satirical show and that Homer's actions were never intended to be seen as acceptable behavior.

One Reddit user expressed their belief that the humor of the show lies in the absurdity of Homer's actions, maintaining that the writers did not intend for him to follow through on his remarks. Additionally, these fans pointed to a 2011 episode where Homer initially gave up strangling Bart after attending a fathering enrichment class but later resumed the behavior.

Despite the producers' response, it is worth noting that viewers had valid reasons to question the continuation of the gag. The show faced criticism in 2020 when voice actor Hank Azaria stopped voicing the character of Apu due to allegations of racial stereotyping. Azaria himself admitted to feeling embarrassed by his portrayal and acknowledged the negative impact it had on the Desi community.

As the controversy surrounding the fate of Homer's strangling gag continues, fans eagerly await new episodes of "The Simpsons" to see if and how the show's creators address this long-standing element of their beloved cartoon.