Top 10 Dark Truths About The Simpsons

[@WatchMojo]

Do you have any dark “Simpsons” facts? Let us know in the comments. For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYXLimOoqLWolac Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm and 8pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@ΕυάγγελοςΦώσκολος]

Although I have noticed Troy McClure in the background of a few episodes from time to time... it is not the same as an actual appearance. R. I. P Mr Hartman. We will always remember you from such Simpsons episodes like"a fish called Selma" and "Bart the mother". 😢

[@kevin8639]

Wasn't he zap Branagain from futureroma

[@UltraSilver64]

No, Zap was voiced by Billy West. However, he did revoice Lionel and Troy in Virtual Springfield and voiced the main protagonist Captain Blasto in the game Blasto. Phil (like many voice actors) had a unique voice, but if he had been cast to voice Zap, Billy West done a quite good version of Phil's voice.

[@TheOneManWhoBeatYou]

​@@kevin8639He was supposed to be, but died before he could

[@straightrippnable706]

Thanks for saying, I could definitely believe that

[@karenhammond7690]

Rest in peace Hartman 😢😢

[@nightslayer6951]

Rest in Peace Phil Hartman, you will always remembered

[@brondster47]

Phil Hartman was in line to voice Zap Branningon in Futurama but due to his sad death, it was decided thast Zap's Voice was a Tribute to him

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

“Homer’s Phobia” is also one of my most favorite episodes in the whole franchise.

[@Cosmic_13x]

F46

[@Jennythecatgirl]

Mine too!

[@Rafthebeast1]

When Bart realises in the end will will always get me 😂

[@TheJuanCortez]

"I've been tenderized!" Is one of my favorite quotes of Homer.

[@sgtsnokeem1139]

​@@Rafthebeast1DA! DA! DA! DA DA! Classic ending lol

[@Daichi82]

A Troy Mclure live action movie with Phill Hartman would have been great.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Who knows? We might have even gotten a live action Lionel Hutz movie.

[@THANATOS-PRIME]

RIP Phil Hartman.

[@marylynch948]

That is so sad to hear what actually happened to the late actor Phil Hartman died on May 28, 1998. He last appeared in the season ten episode "Bart the Mother". Before his death, Phil Hartman had often expressed an interest in starring in a live action film about McClure, with several of the show's writers wanting to help make it. Hartman was cast before his death as Zapp Brannigan in Matt Groening's Futurama. Billy West took over the role, and based his vocal performance on Hartman's characterizations, particularly McClure. We'll miss you Phil Hartman. 😢

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

His wife killed him

[@mojo3318]

That's the only dark truth I knew.

[@mojo3318]

@@MASTEROFEVIL Yeah. Why would she do that?!

[@TheBandit025Nova]

He was in Small Soldiers

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Because she was an argumentative and mentally unstable drug addict, and when Phil couldn’t take her bullshit anymore, he told her to clean up her act, or he would divorce her and raise their children himself, and when Phil was asleep in bed that night, Brynn got out a gun she secretly owned, and…well…you can kind of work out the rest, from there.

[@HopelessHermit]

I love how when you watch stuff like Homer's Phobia it's not awkward or anything it's fantastic and never mean-,spirited. It's almost more of a joke they used that voice actor instead of Fierstein

[@ZeoViolet]

Glad that I have Stark Raving Dad on DVD. I've never been a big fan of Jackson, but the episode itself is top notch.

[@Jynxx2744]

Which season is it because I most likely have it too

[@ZeoViolet]

@@Jynxx2744 Second season

[@ΕυάγγελοςΦώσκολος]

I really miss Phil Hartman.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

We all do. And he died two years before I was even born, so that’s saying something!

[@VanessaSamuels-v5x]

Maude death thing did lead to a Funny scene in holidays of future passed where she says “there is no god neddy it’s just an empty meaningless void” so hilarious

[@CSS-Tails_Forever]

I always liked Maude 😔 May she rest in peace 🙏

[@VanessaSamuels-v5x]

@@CSS-Tails_Forever maybe the reason ned acts a bit like maude later on in the show is because part of her spirit flew to neddy which could explain y he’s changed so vastly

[@rtozier2011]

Everything about that is objectively right apart from the word 'empty'. Subjectively, we can create our own meaning and god.

[@art.of.verser]

I loved Homer's Phobia. Just the fact that Simpsons episode won a GLAAD award as well as an Emmy is saying something. The staff, especially the writers, really took the time and necessary care to craft such an episode that was ahead of its time.

[@the1magageneral323]

That group is corrupt. Nobody should want an award from them. GLAAD is on board with grooming kids.

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Here’s a more fun fact: Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa, once appeared as herself in an episode!

[@mojo3318]

Ooooo!

[@rtozier2011]

Yeardley Smith also made a rare live action appearance in The Big Bang Theory as the woman who interviews Sheldon at the job centre.

[@brickwall7723]

People tend to forget comedy (especially satire) is meant to be controversial and thought-provoking. Those who are easily offended over satire need to reassess their priorities because there's way worse things happening in the world than getting your knickers in a twist over a joke.

[@myrnalaboy2840]

RIP Phil Hartman

[@JustinVanTrump]

I'm adopted and actually laughed at that joke because there were times where I felt like my adoptive parents didn't care about me despite the fact that they did everything they could for me when I was younger and it reminded me of how stupid I was as a kid when I finally watched that episode, but I do know other people who were offended so I see why the cast and crew would regret it

[@agneskorea5000]

Having an older brother, I spent my childhood hearing that I was found in a garbage bin and was adopted. So I understood the joke, but I can see why it could hurt others.

[@RespectTheLogos3]

One day, Stark Raving Dad will be reinstated on Disney+.

[@sarahfields288]

Starting to wish I kept my DVDs.

[@rtozier2011]

​@@sarahfields288I kept only my S3 DVD solely for that reason.

[@danielyeshe]

@@sarahfields288 Things like this are the reason physical media will never die.

[@mikeoyler2983]

Really, Matt Groening was so concerned about the crossover show with "The Critic" that he feared criticism from the audience. I guess he got over that after letting the show run way past its prime. And I guess I am lucky that I have "Stark Raving Dad" because I bought the DVDs as soon as they came out.

[@dm6905]

Pulling Stark Raving Dad is still incredibly stupid. Plus it makes the Simpsons producers look dumb, since they still air the episodes people like John K and Justin Roiland worked on.

[@g-burtfred1106]

Sadly, people will be obsessed with cancelling others, even in death.

[@EdnaK728]

It's so stupid, I don't know why people can't just mind their own business

[@alm2187]

9:58 Fond fact: he was also slated to voice certain futurama characters including Captain Zapp Brannigan. To honor him after his death, they named the series protagonist after him. (i e. Fry's first name is Philip.)

[@Match25]

the Critic as a great show, hate how it only got two seasons

[@marks.3303]

It was awful.

[@MrJoshinJosh]

Here’s another dark moment about The Simpsons. Bart’s Blackboard Gags was not shown in countless episodes making the opening look as if it was chopped up for syndication by rushing towards The Couch Gag bit immediately after The Simpsons Title cane along and going to really long commercials breaks afterwards. Talk about dark moments.

[@acfan9384]

stark raving dad is one of my favourite episodes

[@marcusmusings]

The Whole Stark Raving Dad thing is ridiculous. I don't want to get too controversial, but it's all hearsay. As for Maude, they should've just put her in a coma instead

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Now that you mention it, that probably could have worked.

[@thatmar1neguy]

Fun fact, in one of the “Simpson’s behind the scenes” parity that Troy McClure hosts he reveals that the Simpsons are from Kentucky. That doesn’t necessarily mean Springfield is in Kentucky just saying that they are a small Kentucky family.

[@COMPFUNK2]

I still have Stark Raving Dad on the original DVD release.

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! It seems there's a prophet writing The Simpsons shows as the show has accurately predicted a lot of future events ahead.. 🥶

[@Leto85]

12:00 I do remember I have that Michael Jackson episode on one of the dvd boxes I've purchased around 2006, probably allowed to on there as Jackson was still alive at that time.

[@istvangergelypalosi8795]

Top 10 Dark Truths About Futurama Top 10 Dark Truths About Family Guy Top 10 Dark Truths About South Park Top 10 Dark Truths About American Dad

[@cyrussoxlegion]

Dark Truth: The Simpsons hit its stride in seasons 3-9(and parts of 10)... it was ALL downhill from there.

[@mojo3318]

I think I understand.

[@TimBurtonPrincess]

The Tourette's joke wasn't the only one that had to be altered. In Team Homer, there used to be a joke about how Homer stole an Academy Award (I think) from one of the actors from The Killing Fields. However, a month later, that actor was murdered, so they had to alter the joke so because they didn't want people to think Homer killed a man for his Academy Award

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

I like to watch it for the laughs and hearthwarming moments

[@Zappo32]

The "adopted joke" is part of a series of top-class gags my favourite episode ever has. I find it very funny.

[@cristhianflores674]

The Michael Jackson episode was on Disney+ when the app was still new in like 2020 because I remember binging Simpsons during the pandemic. I do remember seeing this episode on Fox in the mid 2000s.

[@marcusmusings]

this might have been in 2021, it was fairly recent

[@mojo3318]

I remember seeing this episode on Fox in the mid 2000s, too!

[@axels3188]

I think thatStark raving Dad was the most dark truth about the Simpsons.

[@lissa8197]

Stark raving dad is the episode I quote the most. I didn’t even realize it was banned. :(

[@5FtOfAnger]

I'm starting to think Springfield was built on the top of the Fountain of Youth since the characters never seem to age

[@irawilliams343]

Like all cartoons, The Simpsons is never sunshine, lollipops and rainbow.

[@theorderofthebees7308]

The MJ episode is really special . Classic Simpson

[@zqxzqxzqx1]

That gay man "named John" is filmmaker John Waters.

[@Eddieavina123]

Love your video WatchMojo and keep up the great work

[@g-burtfred1106]

Seriously, did “Stark Raving Dad” really need to be removed? That episode has a nice song from Bart and Michael Jackson for Lisa’s birthday.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Exactly!

[@mayraverdugamarcillo]

Always brighten my days greetings from Ecuador

[@aisling664]

I like the "youre adopted and i dont like you" joke. It's obviously not true & the "i dont like you" bit is hilarious

[@michaelmonthey5974]

It’s ridiculous that Matt Groenig and company would keep Stark Raving Dad from being seen. The world has moved on from the controversies surrounding Michael Jackson. They should lighten up and let the episode be seen by everyone.

[@rmannayr2129]

WELL THAT WAS DARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Animeguy300]

I laughed at the simpsons for their comedy but not a fan for their controversy

[@benpogi4ever]

3:40 The producers could have simply replaced Maude's voice actor with a new one.

[@baileeridenour8947]

From my understanding it was about making a point, how they didn’t appreciate her asking for more so wanted the door closed on her having any chance to come back and do that character. It was more of a payback thing like with chef on South Park. At least that’s how other videos and articles have framed it over the years.

[@stevengibson9768]

I got some Dark Simpsons facts, the Simpsons are too predictive

[@manoftheusajones5147]

1 of them was a Theory about Homer being in a Coma from falling into Springfield Gorge!

[@josephwest124]

I wonder if that fan who was so upset over the reference to Bart's having Tourette's ever watched the "South Park" episode where Cartman fakes Tourette's so he can actually go around spewing his usual offensive comments without repercussions? Granted, the "South Park" episode aired 14 years later but I'd think the same fan who was ready (at 13) to pursue litigation against Fox, invoking the ADA, would've really gone after Matt and Trey over Cartman's far more egregious behavior.

[@OH_MY_DOGGG]

Id like to see Hank Scorpio and Smithers in a spinoff. In you only move twice, that was their original recruit to join Globex Corp before they offered Homer the job

[@scottbakanumba1heathen313]

Kids on Adderall = Ralph Wiggum

[@KhanKharma]

Looks like the catalog of Simpsons episodes will always be as incomplete as Lisa's poem "Meditations on Turning Eight" in that very episode. With "Stark Raving Dad" banned, season 3 will be doomed to be the incomplete 2nd stanza, which was about her hamster Snuffy, and she forgot that she only wrote "I had a hamster named Snuffy. He died!"

[@alm2187]

9. In a way, the concern was well-justified since I myself thought Matt Groenig created The Critic. Thanks for the factual clarification, WM. 😎

[@HesarealNoWhereMan]

The Simpsons is a shadow of its former self. Has been for years. Instead of a clever satirical take on life, its joined the very thing its poked fun at. Cancel culture, dumb, witless writing, no longer containing heart felt moments, all of these have ruined this once great show. Just kill it now.

[@Gor85]

Homer phobia is very nice episode😊 Tragic about Phil Hartman. Really dark. Critic sounds strange. Stark Raving Dad being pulled is moronic. They should leave Michael alone. Episode is pretty sweet. He had problems,but mostly because of his father. He was controversial,but huge star. Even 50 years from now or we'll be talking about him. Do The Bartman is fantastic😁 Great video😊

[@joshmg25]

@8:05 I just want to clarify: I was NOT the boy in question here. I have never had any objection to the content The Simpsons produced.

[@DomonCasuey]

8:48 WTF..no wonder it’s dark..they feed on our fear .

[@LittleJoeTheMoonlightCat]

John Boy was Played by Richard Thomas.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Uh oh...The truth is out..."Purple Monkey Dishwasher" 👀

[@kevinc1001]

I love you to Pepsi lol

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Pepi.

[@jasonwears1173]

thirty-three Treehouse of Horror episodes, special and Thanksgiving specials.

[@bobbyboswell13]

ok im adopted and i found tje adopted joke hilarious its not homer being cruel its bart taking advantage of a loopy homer to make him say that and homer immediately got after bart

[@alm2187]

Unusually cerebral question Bart has at 8:52 so I guess the writers hadn't decided to dumb him down yet.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Of course they hadn’t, that was only the first short.

[@bruceleeroy8302]

There is a debate on the *Golden Years* of the Simpsons and for me, there is a simple metric. Phil Hartman started voicing characters starting in season 2 and that sadly ended in season 9. We can say the Golden Years started in season 2 and ended in season 9.

[@djpegao]

Those are what everyone says are the golden seasons.

[@bruceleeroy8302]

@@djpegao I see many people leave out season 2 for some reason. I even asked Alexa and she said 3-8

[@davidfraher1292]

I like to see critic family guy crossover one day

[@alm2187]

4:50 Uhhh; phrasing? This implies that the parents in question don't like their adopted children and would be horrified for this to get found out. 🤗

[@jabberwock6]

the Tourette's line is still in the disney plus plus episode

[@TheMightyGumball]

If you pull a joke because someone out there was upset, you don't deserve to do comedy...

[@EggBeter]

I remember this show

[@ChrisManley1994]

The MJ episode getting pulled was absolutely pathetic

[@G1Grimlock94]

Simpsons 50 years later

[@alm2187]

8. When that ep was newI didn't know it was because Maggie Roswell quit. I thought it was cleverly subversive since we're not used to TV characters getting killed for no thematic purpose. So I'm a little surprised about the negative criticism.

[@wolfielps4411]

Every episode was written in the future and sent back in time so people can say, hey look the show predicted that happening 😅

[@MADBD619]

I wished that I never knew about this at ALL!!!!!!!!

[@brianalex2193]

You just gave me 10 reasons why I've stopped watching the Simpsons. Plus it's played out . I moved on family guy and south park.

[@williamcosbyIII]

It's.. It's a cartoon! 🤦‍♂️

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

I never knew phil hartman died.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

How did you not know?

[@stevengrvp]

Good video

[@mistimills7318]

The Critic was funny. Nobody gave it a real chance.

[@Denis-89]

Wonder if anybody has seen all Simpsons episodes?

[@theoriginalbunnygirl]

I have. I have been watching the show since the early 90's and have watched every single episode since even the new ones that come out on Hulu. Guess you can say I am the ultimate Simpsons fan 😂😂

[@jakegrant8130]

12 minute video 7 ads nice

[@mojo3318]

Number two is the only dark truth I knew. Why would the wife do that to him?! Also, I knew this guy looked familiar! 2:10 Although, I haven't seen that show of his own. I also noticed that his cap said "World's Greatest Granny", but he's a guy. God bless all the innocent people who were part of the show.🙏

[@Hellwyck]

A bout of Radies?

[@Toraryuko]

Rabies

[@thechillindude4478]

I'm surprised that getting rid of Apu isn't on here? But it's stuff like that, the touretts joke (which southpark did without any problem and a whole episode too) and getting rid of the fantastic MJ episode. Means that the creative team are absolute whooses nowadays and are afraid of offending anyone

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Why single out Apu, anyway? How is he offensive to Indians? I don’t hear anyone complaining about Groundskeeper Willie being offensive to Scots, or Krusty The Clown being offensive to Jews, or the Flanders family being offensive to Christians, or anything like that!

[@TanakaSigauke]

Dark truths the simpsons peaked in the 2000s lmao

[@dicke9587]

Surprised the "all the jerks are in tower 1" joke wasn't mentioned from the New York episode. That episode was pulled for several years after 9/11.

[@Match25]

I still remember when they stated Smithers wasnt gay, he was Burnssexual

[@jameslewin7000]

Could you amigne the new AI can replicate voices...they could bring back voices from the actors who passed,quit or left. If they can have a person mimic a celebrity, that should be able to use AI

[@djpegao]

Maybe for the occasional flashback or a one off, but permanently would cause the fanbase to riot

[@1nsansty101]

Dark simpsons fact I know....is....wait for it....its......dragged on far to long and should have been cancelled back in the early 90s.

[@secularbelt]

This is mostly crybabies who only had problems when the Simpsons made fun of their thing

[@kpopislife1622]

I am so upset with Fox for not showing my favorite episode with Michael. And the information is wrong, Michael DID voice the character but he did not provide the singing voice due to conflicts. So the voice you hear in the episode is Michael Jackson's voice. They had no issues airing the episode even through his trials but when that BS documentary came out now it's a problem?! What the hell?! It really pisses me off to my core. I wish my baby can just rest in peace since it's already been proven that he did nothing wrong. Get the hell over it! And R.I.P to Phil Hartman. 😖🤦‍♀️#MoveOnPlease

[@Necrotog82]

Besides that is should have been cancelled 15 years ago?

[@Lanwarder]

Meh I wasn't adopted but I'm pretty sure that even if they love me, my parents kinda hate me as well lol.

[@DerryMaine86]

“Stark Raving Dad” is not just pulled for featuring Michael Jackson, but because Jackson designed the episode to feature him with Bart in order to endear himself to ‘90s children. That’s the crux of it, that Jackson used the show for predatory means.

[@ZeoViolet]

Proof, please?

[@DavidEdwards9801]

10:25 The McClure movie that never was is Cannon in the Simpsons lmao =) This "great actor" never ever made a film... (edit) don't follow actor's daily lives and ... 11:02 that's not as funny as I intended :(

[@dimebagdave77]

Manythnx

[@UltimateGamerCC]

Homer's Phobia was a necessary episode, homosexuality was always a negative topic, but it needed to be shown that not everyone is going to be okay with your life choices, and that in itself is okay. as a bisexual male, i am not looking to be idolized for being myself, i just want to not be discriminated for it. opinions cannot hurt you unless you let them, if they do then perhaps you shouldnt let them any longer. people today could really take that lesson to heart these days .