In a recent episode of The Simpsons, Homer himself announced the end to his long-running bit towards son Bart. Homer, when frustrated, would say “Why you little..” then would start choking his son so hard he would gasp for air and his eyes would bulge from his head. According to CNN Entertainment, the recent episode went viral after Homer meets a new neighbor who acknowledges his strong grip when shaking hands. Homer then tells his wife Marge that strangling Bart paid off and that’s the reason his grip is strong. He then says he’s only kidding and since times have changed, he no longer lays a hand on his son in a violent way.

The Simpsons on FOX is the longest running animated comedy in television history, currently airing its 35th season. The series first debuted on FOX in 1989 after being brought to life by creator Matt Groenig (Futurama). The Simpsons as fans see it today or even in 1989, was not the way the show always looked. The Simpsons got its start as a short in 1987 on The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming its own primetime half-hour series. The series also blossomed into its own film titled The Simpsons Movie in 2007. It is available to stream on a plethora of platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video. The Simpson family consists of Homer, voiced by Dan Castellaneta (Aladdin), his wife Marge, voiced by Julie Kavner (Rhoda), son Bart, voiced by Nancy Cartwright (Rugrats), daughter Lisa, voiced by Yeardley Smith (Maximum Overdrive), and baby Maggie who is occasionally voiced by Cartwright when noises are required.

According to CNN Entertainment, although Homer announces the end of Bart’s strangling scenes in the current airing season, the last time Homer actually strangled Bart in the show was four seasons ago. Episode 3 of season 35, titled “McMansion & Wife”, is where Homer informs fans of the show that he is done taking out his aggression physically on Bart. The episode aired on October 22.