Mr Smithers to finally come out as gay in The Simpsons
By Will Stroude
It’s been a staple of the show for almost three decades, but the upcoming 27th season of The Simpsons is set to finally address Waylon Smithers’ sexuality and his unrequited love for his villainous boss Mr Burns once and for all.
Though Smithers’ sexuality has long been alluded to on the show, the latest season will explore it in more details over the course of two episodes, show boss Al Jean has told TV Line.
“In Springfield now, most people know he’s gay, but obviously Burns doesn’t,” Jean said. “We deal with that in two episodes.”
He added that everyone’s favourite confirmed bachelor will be forced to confront the issue when he eventually grows tired of his love going unrequited.
“We actually do a lot with Smithers this year; he gets fed up with Burns not appreciating him and considers his options,” Jean continued.
Smithers’ future on the show was thrown into doubt completely earlier this year, after veteran star Harry Shearer – who voices dozens of Springfield residents from Smithers to Ned Flanders – announced he would be departing the show over contract disputes.
Shearer was later confirmed to be returning however, with a reported pay cheque of $300,000 per episode.
While Smithers has long been considered The Simpson’s most prominent gay character, his upcoming announcement won’t mark the first time a Springfield resident has come out – Marge’s sister Patty previously came out as a lesbian in 2004, while Duff Beer’s iconic spokesperson and mascot ‘Duffman’ was revealed to be in a same-sex relationship in 2008.
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