Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 1
For the first time in over a decade,The Simpsonsbrought back a pivotal member of the titular family. Ironically,The Simpsonsdoesn’t focus on the extended family of its main characters all that much. The series might be a family comedy, butThe Simpsonsis much more concerned with the immediate nuclear family of Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge, and Homer than with the extended clan. Marge’s father has barely even been mentioned in over 750 episodes of the series and, while both of Homer’s parents play big roles in the show, his aunts, uncles, and cousins are rarely addressed.
The Simpsons' Series Finale Explained: Was That Really The Last Episode?
The Simpsons season 36 episode 1 began by revealing that the outing was the long-awaited Simpsons series finale, but was this announcement real?
WhileThe Simpsonsseason 37may change this, the show’s season 36 premiere has already done more than most outings to remind viewers of the extended Simpson family’s existence. Season 36, episode 1, “Bart’s Birthday,” sees a slew of characters from Springfield and beyond return to celebrate the eponymous event in what is presented in-universe as an AI-generated series finale.The Simpsonsseason 36 episode 1’s wild twistsrearrange the world of the series, but one character’s return is overdue even if it does only come about because of this self-referential gag.
Why Herb Simpson Returned In The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 1
Danny DeVito Reprised His Role As Homer’s Long-Lost Half-Brother
Danny DeVito’s Herb Powell returns in season 36, episode 1, with the legendary actor reprising his role as Homer’s estranged half-brother. Herb first appeared in season 2, episode 15, “O Brother Where Art Thou?” where he enthusiastically welcomes his newly discovered half-brother into his life. He was a successful car manufacturer and, excited to collaborate with Homer, he convinced the Simpsons hero to help him design a car from the perspective of an average American. The resulting prototype, “The Homer,” was such a catastrophe that it left Herb penniless. Interestingly, this was a rare plotThe Simpsonsrevisited.
Much of what makesThe Simpsonsseason 36 episode 1 aging Bartso shocking is that, usually, the show returns to its immovable status quo at the end of each episode and doesn’t let one outing’s story impact the next. However, in season 3, episode 14, “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?” Homer and Herb are reunited and Homer manages to help his brother get rich again. By borrowing startup money from Homer and living with the Simpson family for a while, Herb manages to invent a baby translator and once again becomes a financial success.
What Happened To Herb After His First The Simpsons Appearances
Herb Mysteriously Lost His Fortune Off-Screen Again At Some Point
Herb briefly appeared in season 24, episode 11, “The Changing of the Guardian,” as Homer and Marge seek a suitable guardian for their children in case of their unexpected death. In this outing, DeVito’s character makes a voice-only appearance, and it is revealed thatHerb once again lost all of his fortune in the time since “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?”His luck appears to have been reversed all over again by the time “Bart’s Birthday” takes place, as he once again dons his slick suit and seems like a successful businessman.
DeVito’s brief reprisal of his role was a fun, clever nod to the show’s history.
AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 36’s character agingis a fakeout, the comical premise of an AI generating an ending for the show does result in some classic cameos. Not only does Herb return to tell Bart to blow out his birthday candles, but he is joined by iconic characters like Hank Scorpio and the real Seymour Skinner, as well as previously deceased characters like Bleeding Gums Murphy. In the episode’s ending, all these supporting stars vanish as Bart’s age returns to 10, but DeVito’s brief reprisal of his role remains a fun, clever nod to the show’s history.
Danny DeVito Is An All-Time Great Simpsons Guest Star
Herb Powell Is One Of The Show’s Best One-Off Guests
Thanks to both its enduring cultural legacy and its longevity,The Simpsonshas more guest stars, and more impressive A-list guest stars, than most television shows. Despite this, DeVito’s Herb Powell remains one of the show’s best minor recurring characters ever. LikeThe Simpsons’ Hank Scorpio, Herb is all the more likable thanks to his minor role in the series. Both appearances by the character further fleshed out his troubled relationship with Homer and even his minor voice cameo in season 24 was a fun way to remind viewers of his existence.
The Simpsonswas renewed for seasons 35 and 36 in January 2023, but season 37’s status is currently unknown.
DeVito’s performance infuses Herb with a brio and drive that most of the extended Simpson family lack, and his evident love for Bart and Lisa is surprisingly sweet. His raspy conversations with the family hark back to an era when the series was more grounded and poignant, and DeVito brings humanity to a role whose brevity could make Herb a forgettable figure. As such,The Simpsonsseason 36 premiere’s returning guest star remains an all-time great.
