# Simpsons character to come out of closet - any guesses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2004, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191 "2004-07-28T00:25:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/181 "2005-02-21T04:37:38Z")
Usually the self-referential humor reeks of desperation, but the ending Lisa: Well, that’s the end of dad’s marriage service. Bart: …_why?!_ was great. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/182 "2005-02-21T05:09:16Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > Heh. The show just began and had a rare disclaimer: “This episode contains discussion of same-sex marriage. Parental discretion is advised.” God, that pissed me off. After all of the stuff over the years that . . . . Never mind. It pissed me off, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/183 "2005-02-21T06:20:03Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > I think the hayseed at the beginning of the show was based on Huell Howser, who does a program called “California’s Gold” which airs on PBS stations in California, and in which he visits various towns in the state. > > BTW, there was a news story on ABC on Friday about the controversy about the show. As you’d expect, a lot of Christian groups were unhappy, but one minister pointed out that the show has more religion in it than virtually all entertainment shows (and one of the few born-again Christians in Ned Flanders). > > But I thought the parental discretion warning was odd. The takeoff on Huell Howser was dead on. He is always rhapsodizing about everything he sees. Except his voice is normally twice as loud. I also loved: Disco Stu just got an annullment from John Paul Two ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/184 "2005-02-21T10:14:22Z")
> [@Yumblie](#): > > Usually the self-referential humor reeks of desperation, but the ending > > Lisa: Well, that’s the end of dad’s marriage service. > Bart: …_why?!_ > > was great. What killed me was when Homer held the map up to the camera. I was doing my usual thing of darting my eyes around, trying to download all the information as quick as possible. Then I realized that I was done skimming, but the map was still up, so I started to look closer. Just as I was thinking, “Gee, they’re giving us a lot of time; I wonder if it’s on purpose?” Homer says, “Have you read them all yet? Good!” (Apologies if that’s not the exact quote. The full capsule isn’t up yet at alt.nerd.obsessive.) ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/185 "2005-02-21T10:42:38Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Homer says, “Have you read them all yet? Good!” That _was_ funny. But I remember when the show used to have a coherent plot rather than a series of loosely-related events. I already can’t remember how the show started, and what lead to them legalizing gay marriage. They used to have sub-plots that ran _simultaneously_. Now it’s more like, “Let’s do this - now let’s do this…” They don’t seem to put much though into it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/186 "2005-02-21T10:44:13Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > They don’t seem to put much **though** into it anymore. Heh heh - that was kind of ironic. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/187 "2005-02-21T11:22:18Z")
I didn’t “catch” the entire joke with “There goes dad’s Wedding service – Why”. I feel left out. Also, I also saw the Map scene, but was too far away from the tv to make anything out. I heard Homer mention ~~Got them all??~~ and knew that he was refering to the jokes on the map. Again, I missed them. ~~ Usually I get the marquees and banner jokes - but not last night. Also, couldn’t beleive that - that was the episode with the character comming out. I’m suprised it was we know who… and not “That Guy”… In fact that duo wasnt even around at all last night. -Niether were Homer’s Co-workers. ((If that doesnt tip you off as to who I thought would get the “comming out” treatment, Im sure I refer to him in an earlier post.)) Also, I didn’t care for the disclaimer either, but Applaud “The Simpsons” for doing it. ~~Pound for pound The Simpsons is one of the better shows ((Light years ahead of other Animation alone [Save of course Futurama])) and this seems to be right down their alley to forwarn the parents (If they watch at all.) It is so Obvious that the TV raises the kids now days, FOX/Simpsons wanted a last ditch effort to get Parents to start parenting again. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/188 "2005-02-21T11:28:42Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > That _was_ funny. > > But I remember when the show used to have a coherent plot rather than a series of loosely-related events. I already can’t remember how the show started, and what lead to them legalizing gay marriage. They used to have sub-plots that ran _simultaneously_. Now it’s more like, “Let’s do this - now let’s do this…” They don’t seem to put much though into it anymore. Bart was Pranking people, Barney (who didn’t become the victim of a free Duff) and a newcommer to Springfield. Bart and I think Milhouse take the newcommer around the town, and exchange pranks on him. One scene after they injure the newcommer with “snapping gum” he responds “Can we visit the Hospital now?” Turns out that the new commer was a News Anchor, doing his “Travel the US” spot, and gives Springfield (Conviently after they remove the US map) his lowest grade ever… a 6 on a scale of 1-10. (Did Brockman Have anything to do with this segment?) The down-talking of Springfield relates to a decline in tourism, which hurts the economy. Lisa, at an impromtu Town meeting suggests that Gay Marriage be legal in Springfield. the Mayor then says ~~~“We approve gay Money… I mean marriage”~~~ Ok that was a little too long, but… oh wait… that was Rhetorical?? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/189 "2005-02-21T12:22:01Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > I didn’t “catch” the entire joke with “There goes dad’s Wedding service – Why”. I feel left out. At the end of every sitcom the status quo must be restored (another rule of comedy). Everything must be the same as it was in the beginning. The Simpsons has made jokes about this several times. The point is that next week homer won’t be a minister, and there’s no reason given why he won’t be. I don’t think there was a cop out at the end at all, just a plot twist to keep Selma single. The Simpsons is one of the most gay-friendly shows ever and I can’t believe they would feel any pressure to change Selma’s situation. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/190 "2005-02-21T12:39:41Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > the Mayor then says ~~~“We approve gay Money… I mean marriage”~~~ The B&B’s in our state have definitely found civil unions to be a lucrative market segment… ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/191 "2005-02-21T13:42:03Z")
I think all real-life same-sex commitment ceremonies should start with, “Queerly beloved…” ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/192 "2005-02-21T13:51:26Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > Also, I also saw the Map scene, but was too far away from the tv to make anything out. I heard Homer mention ~~Got them all??~~ and knew that he was refering to the jokes on the map. Again, I missed them. ~~ Usually I get the marquees and banner jokes - but not last night. I don’t remember all of them, but the one that cracked me up was the “Hunny Tree” at the middle of the map. There were also arrows pointing to the homes of “Lenny” and “Karl” and “Guy with red car”. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/193 "2005-02-21T13:54:51Z")
> [@sleeepy2](#): > > I don’t think there was a cop out at the end at all, just a plot twist to keep Selma single. To keep Patty single. > [@](#): > > The Simpsons is one of the most gay-friendly shows ever and I can’t believe they would feel any pressure to change Selma’s situation. To change PATTY’S situation! Arrgh! Look, folks, it’s very simple. Selma’s name has an “M” in it, and her hair is in the _shape_ of an M. No M-shaped hair? It’s Patty. And Patty’s the gay one. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/194 "2005-02-21T16:18:14Z")
I thought the “Have you read them all?” bit was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/195 "2005-02-21T18:12:09Z")
They need to keep Patty and Selma as a pair as they represent a dramaturgical dyad. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cheapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8e7dd6/32.png) [@El\_Cheapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cheapo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/196 "2005-02-21T18:47:16Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > To keep Patty single. > > To change PATTY’S situation! Arrgh! > > Look, folks, it’s very simple. Selma’s name has an “M” in it, and her hair is in the _shape_ of an M. > > No M-shaped hair? It’s Patty. And Patty’s the gay one. **S** elma has the **S** pherical earrings. **P** atty has the **P** yramidal earrings. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/197 "2005-02-21T19:23:17Z")
Did anyone from Los Angeles see this episode? I turned on Fox at 8 last night and saw a rerun of the cooking-contest episode. I didn’t even know that this episode was supposed to be airing last night until I read the paper this morning. So either it didn’t air at 8:00, or else either KTTV (Fox 11 Los Angeles) or my local cable company took it upon themselves to protect my delicate eyes. Anyone know which? ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/198 "2005-02-21T19:42:28Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > I don’t remember all of them, but the one that cracked me up was the “Hunny Tree” at the middle of the map. There were also arrows pointing to the homes of “Lenny” and “Karl” and “Guy with red car”. Dont forget Isabella Rosallini! I thought it was funny that there really was one famous person on the map. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/199 "2005-02-21T22:17:31Z")
First of all, _Patty_ dated, but jilted, Principal Skinner. Skinner (“Possible Homersexual”) was intended to be set up with Selma by Homer but Skinner’s eyes fell on Patty first. I was surprised that “leaving the toilet seat up” was something that caught Marge’s eye. Selma does that too! (Referenced in the episode where she marries Sideshow Bob.) And lastly, from [the Denver Post](The show also lampooned lesbian stereotypes - women who love construction workers’ gear and golf.) (last paragraph). Can somebody explain to me this new “qear” and “qolf” jargon. The first one seems to be sort of a pune… ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191/200 "2005-02-21T22:19:05Z")
[Fixed link.](http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~78~2723673,00.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simpsons-character-to-come-out-of-closet-any-guesses/257191.md?page=11)