Long-time The Simpsons producer Al Jean reveals that the running gag of Sideshow Bob being hit in the face by a rake may have come to an end. Originating in season 5, episode 2 "Cape Feare," the gag has the villain stepping on the end of a rake and getting hit in the face by the handle, followed by an aggravated mumble from Bob. It was recently seen in The Simpsons season 36, episode 2 "The Yellow Lotus" and the Disney+ short "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," released less than a week apart.

Talking with Inverse to discuss the new Simpsons short, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," which is currently streaming on Disney+, Jean was asked if there was any debate over whether to include the rake gag, which happens twice in the special. He notes that director David Silverman wanted the short to acknowledge that the joke had run its course within the context of the short as a meta-reference. He also added that while he can't tell anybody else not to use the gag, he's had his fill of it. Here’s what he had to say:

I love the joke. [Director] David Silverman wanted to put it at the end and have Bob say, “Tired gag.” So to me, the point of the gag was that we kept repeating it, but that's the last time I'll do it. I mean I can't tell anybody else not to, but I’ve finally had my fill.

What The Loss of The Gag Means To The Simpsons

It Should Have Little Impact On The Show

Dr. Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., PhD, better known as the villainous Sideshow Bob, has appeared in more than 40 episodes of The Simpsons, first appearing in the season 1 episode, "The Telltale Head" (though it was prior to his villainous ways). The rake-in-the-face gag was originally a filler gag to pad out the running time of the episode "Cape Feare," which is considered to be one of the best Simpsons episodes, but it has gone on to be a multi-decade-spanning running joke for the series.

As much as Sideshow Bob is beloved as a character, equally as beloved is the rake-in-the-face gag.

That said, The Simpsons is nothing if not deep in lore. Very few television shows have had the opportunity for as much world-building as The Simpsons, though that is expected after being on the air for nearly four decades. There are plenty of running gags on the show, plus new jokes every week. Retiring a small running gag for an occasional guest character will have very little impact on the series as a whole.

Our Take On Retiring The Rake Gag

The Loss Of A Great Joke

While the loss of the rake joke does not mean the loss of Sideshow Bob, it does mean the loss of a great gag. Sideshow Bob has become a critic and fan-favorite character over the years. Kelsey Grammer even won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for his work in the season 7, episode 8 episode "The Italian Bob." But as much as Sideshow Bob is beloved as a character, equally beloved is the rake-in-the-face gag. It's a silly little homage to old-school slapstick comedy, but it will be missed.

Source: Inverse