The Simpsons reveal why they retired another iconic scene after a string of ... trends now

The Simpson have quietly retired a recurring scene in their hit cartoon.

Although some things never seem to change in the legendary Fox series some adjustments have been made in the show's three-decade history. 

Aiming to keep up with modern times, new episodes no longer feature the very common scene where Homer strangles his son Bart.

It is one of the most recurring gags of the sitcom and happens whenever Homer's kid does something wrong.

As he yells to Bart 'why you little' he wraps his hands around Bart's neck squeezing to the point his son's eyes can be seen bulging out.

But this hasn't in fact happened for quite a while now - and this was addressed in the latest episode from the 35th season of the sitcom.

During episode three, titled McMansion & Wife, a new family joins the Evergreen Terrace.

In the clip, Homer is seen introducing himself to Thayer, who remarks how firm the patriarch's handshake is.

'That's quite a grip,' exclaims Thayer.

'See Marge? Strangling the boy has paid off,' Homer joked but immediately adds: 'Just kidding. I don't do that anymore. Times have changed.'

The gag was addressed during an episode titled Love Is a Many Strangled Thing from season 22, where therapist Dr Zander tries to get Homer to see the error of his ways when he strangles his child.

In the episode the towering basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a friend of the Dr Zander, confronts Homer and teaches him what it feels like 'to be young, small, and terrified' by strangling him mercilessly several times.

Although the method traumatised Homer, it didn't stop the strangling gag with Bart from happening in further episodes.

Fans of the iconic sitcom were quick to share comments on X, with many praising the choice.

One person wrote: 'I knew my man Homer was gonna learn. He's a smart fella,' as another user replied: 'Took him 36 years but he finally learned.'

A third one echoed: 'To be fair this was under Disney since they wanted a family friendly branding for The Simpsons.'

'Good to know that Homer realized how wrong was that. I only wonder what made him realize that,' someone else added.

'Now, that is progress,' wrote another. 

Is not the first time The Simpsons have been under the spotlight due to controversies - one of the most known involved Apu Nahasapeemapetilon's character.

Apu is the manager of Kwik-E-Mart convenience store on the animated series – and although he is Indian, he is voiced by a white actor, Hank Azaria, which eventually led to receive some backlash.

The Simpson's creator Matt Groening responded to criticism back in 2018, claiming people 'love to pretend they're offended.'

Asked if Groening had any thought about the criticism of the character as an Indian stereotype, Groening told USA Today: 'I'm proud of what we do on the show.

'And I think it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended.'

The show addressed the Apu controversy in an episode that aired on April 2018 – a response which also sparked a backlash.

In the episode, Marge tried to remove any references that could offend anyone from a children's book she had bought.

She reads the book to her daughter Lisa, who finds it boring.

'Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect,' says Lisa, turning towards a picture of Apu that had the words 'don't have a cow' inscribed on it. 'What can you do?'

'Some things will be dealt with at a later date,' says Marge.

'If at all,' says Lisa.

Asked what that exchange meant, Groening said: 'We'll let the show speak for itself.'

He also noted that when the show began, it was 'part of the downfall of civilization.'

'I felt that the controversy at the beginning of the show was, again, people pretending to be offended by Bart's very mild sassiness. I knew it would blew over.'

Azaria said in an interview on The Late Show that he was 'perfectly willing and happy to step aside, or help transition' the character to something new.

'The idea

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