AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 36 has the chance to pull off a surprising series first, this would require the show’s creators to take a big creative risk.The Simpsonsmight receive a lot of flack for its perceived critical decline, but the show can’t be faulted for its invention. One 2017 two-parter was a two-part parody ofThe Great Gatsbytold via hip-hop, while the show’s season 29 premiere took place entirely in a fantasy land re-imagining ofThe Simpsonsuniverse. Judging by seasons 34 and 35,The Simpsonsseason 36will continue this experimental streak with aplomb.
I’m Glad The Simpsons Season 36 Is Doing What All Of Its Competitors Are Missing
The Simpsons season 36 is leaning into an unlikely trend, and this decision is a wise choice in the crowded marketplace of adult animated comedies.
Sadly, not all of these ambitious experiments pay off. Some of theworst episodes ofThe Simpsonsare outings that try to do something truly new and different with the show’s formula, like season 23, episode 12, “Moe Goes from Rags to Riches.” On paper, the idea of an entire episode about Moe’s sentient dishrag sounds surreal and hilarious but, in practice, the episode earned largely negative reviews. Fortunately, these missteps have not stopped the show from making bold, bizarre choices. As such, it is surprising thatThe Simpsonshas never attempted one experiment that would be truly daring.
The Simpsons Has Never Done A Silent Episode
No Episode Of The Simpsons Is Silent From Start To Finish
In its 25 seasons,The Simpsonshas never done an entirely silent episode. The show has messed with its format repeatedly, with a partially “Live” improvised episode in 2016, an episode animated via Lego in 2014, and an earlier Treehouse of Horror segment that ended in the live-action real world. However,The Simpsonshasn’t attempted a silent episode even though one of its most acclaimed shorts ever, 2012’s “The Longest Daycare,” was dialogue-free. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, “The Longest Daycare” was deservedly adored by critics and fans alike upon its release.
It seems like a striking oversight to realize thatThe Simpsonshas no silent episodes.
Admittedly, this short film is only four minutes long, while a typical episode of the series lasts around twenty minutes. However, given the strange experiments that later seasons ofThe Simpsonshave attempted, it still seems like a striking oversight to realize thatThe Simpsonshas no silent episodes.The Simpsonsseason 36’s problem with declining ratingscould be assisted by an attention-grabbing stunt like this, and the success of 2024’s recent indie hitHundreds of Beaversproves that silent comedy is more than a mere gimmick.The Simpsonscould truly surprise viewers with this approach.
The Simpsons Has Tried Its Hand At Most TV Experiments
The Simpsons Has Musical Episodes, Anthology Episodes, And Two-Parters
Since the series began,The Simpsonshas rarely met a TV experiment that the show didn’t try.The Simpsonshad numerous clip shows in its early seasons, and its earliest anthology episodes date back as far as season 2, episode 3, “Treehouse of Horror.”The Simpsonsturned this multi-story experiment into a beloved annual tradition immediately, resulting in other anthology episodes that riffed on everything from bible stories to the tall tales of American folklore, to Shakespeare.The Simpsonsalso staged numerous musical episodes, such as season 9, episode 11, “All Singing, All Dancing,” and some audaciously meta outings.
The Simpsonsseason 11 finale “Behind the Laughter” purported to be a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show and the dysfunctional relationship shared by its stars. Earlier, both season 8, episode 24, “The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase,” and season 7, episode 10, “The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular,” acknowledge the show’s existence as a fictional series within its own universe. This list doesn’t even mention the manySimpsonsepisodes told out of chronological order or weird one-off experiments like season 7, episode 21, “22 Short Films About Springfield." All of these prove that a silent episode wouldn’t be outside of its purview.
It’s Not Too Late For A Silent Simpsons Episode
The Simpsons Season 36 Could Try This Risky Experiment
AlthoughThe Simpsonsbringing back beloved supporting starssmacks of desperation, the show’s fondness for experimental episodes has the opposite impact on its reputation. These outings might not always succeed, but they always prove thatThe Simpsonsis not irrelevant yet.The Simpsonscan still surprise viewers after 36 years on the air, as proven by acclaimed outings like season 34, episode 3, “Lisa the Boy Scout.” An entirely silent episode could be the perfect way to double down on this approach, paying homage to an earlier era of entertainment while simultaneously, ironically, provingThe Simpsonsisn’t old news.
Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 4, episode 10, “Hush,” andBoJack Horsemanseason 3, episode 4, “Fish Out of Water,” are only partially silent.
Admittedly, silent episodes are a rarity in TV history. AlthoughThe Bear’s season 3 premiere brought the idea back into the mainstream, Michael Hogan’s article on the topic forTheGuardianproves that, while silence is golden, silent episodes are a big creative risk in the medium. Many of the most famous examples, such asBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 4, episode 10, “Hush,” orBoJack Horsemanseason 3, episode 4, “Fish Out of Water,” are only partially silent. However, this only makes the idea of a television staple likeThe Simpsonsbreaking this rule all the more intriguing.
Why The Simpsons Needs A Silent Episode
The Simpsons Should Try A Silent Outing For Two Reasons
There are two major reasons thatThe Simpsonsseason 36 should include a silent episode, one practical and one artistically motivated. In practical terms,The Simpsonsis one of the few shows on the air with enough un-cancelable cultural clout to do something as risky and weird as an entirely silent episode.The Simpsonshas lasted for over 760 outings, so there is no fear of one negatively received episode killing the series. The other reason is more concerned with the show’s creative side.The Simpsonsowes its unique comedic style to influences from cinema’s entire history, including the Silent Era.
The Simpsonsseason 36 is set to premiere on Jul 04, 2025.
The Simpsonswas shaped by every type of comedy that came before it, from the Marx Brothers to the Zucker brothers. There are countlessmovies viewers can’t watch withoutThe Simpsonscoming to mind since the show spoofed, paid homage to, and borrowed from innumerable classics since its inception. As such,The Simpsonsshould acknowledge its creative debt to Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, and the rest of the Silent Era’s stars.The Simpsonsseason 36 has a chance to pull this off with a silent episode or, more likely, one wherein Homer utters a single “D’oh!” just before the credits roll.
