'Simpsons' Executive Producer Opens Up About The Show's Legendary Gay Episode

We all learn alongside Homer.

For decades "The Simpsons" has been a staple of American television.

Episode after episode, viewers have watched as the show's patriarch, Homer Simpson, encountered new and sometimes baffling political and social issues and subsequently learned and grew because of them and, as a result, many watching the show learned and grew too. In a recent HuffPost Live segment, David Mirkin, an executive producer for "The Simpsons," opened up about the show's legendary gay episode and the audience's ability to connect with Homer.

In the episode, Homer worries that the influence of a new openly gay family friend will have a negative influence on his son, Bart. In order to reinforce his son's heterosexuality, he takes him hunting.

"Because there's so much humor and because it's a cartoon, people are more accepting [of the subjects]. It seems less dire -- it seems less intense. And so it sneaks up on you, which is the greatest way to change minds and make people realize things. And they're connected to Homer so in going through his experience of learning and having that personal connection with someone is the greatest change."

Check out the clip above or head here to watch the segment in whole.

Also on HuffPost:

Simon's Personal "The Simpsons" Jacket
Sotheby's

Estimated value: $600-800.

"The Simpsons" Data East Pinball Machine
Sotheby's

Circa 1990. With backglass featuring vgnettes from opening, including Bart on skateboard, Simpsons in the car, Homer at the nuclear plant. Estimated value: $1,000 to $2,000.

Sotheby's

Bart mug

Douglas M. Parker Studio

The table will be offered for sale Oct. 22 by Sotheby's New York.

  Like |    Follow |   Contact

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot