Gay Simpsons’ character Waylon Smithers will embark on a romantic relationship with his first boyfriend, a billionaire sugar dad – just five years after he came out to the world on the cartoon. This comes following decades of speculation and speculation regarding his sexuality.
Smithers, one of the longest-running characters on the Fox show, will debut his new relationship with fashion mogul Michael De Graaf in an upcoming episode set to air on November 21, according to the New York Post.
Back in 2016, Smithers, who is voiced by Harry Shearer and is the personal assistant of Springfield Nuclear Power Plant owner Mr. Burns, came out of the closet in an emotional episode, which the Fox show’s longtime writer, Rob LaZebnik, said was inspired by his own gay son, Johnny LaZebnik. Johnny is now collaborating with his father to create the episode.
Actor Victor Garber, who publicly came out as gay in 2013, and is going to make a guest appearance in the upcoming episode as Smither’s billionaire beau, opened up about the plotline, revealing that voicing the new character ‘brought back certain feelings’ he had ‘as a young actor where I couldn’t be gay.’
‘I think it’s crucially important that these stories are acknowledged,’ the 72-year-old told the outlet. ‘I haven’t played a lot of gay characters, but every time I do it, it brings back certain feelings I had as a young actor where I couldn’t be gay.
Victor, who married his longtime partner, Rainer Andreesen, in 2015, added: ‘It was kind of a reminder of how much things have changed and also how I’ve evolved. In my journey to find self-acceptance, self-love, it’s a definite significant part of it.’
In an episode set for airing on November 21, viewers will see Smithers, gay Simpsons’ character, enter his first relationship after coming out five-years ago.
Episode 2: Waylon Smithers and Michael De Graaf will enter into a whirlwind love story.
Victor Garber, left, will be making a guest appearance on the episode. He is Smither’s new guy. Harry Shearer (right), has been playing Smithers for over 33 years.
Victor, who came out as gay in 2013, said voicing the character ‘brought back feelings’ he had ‘as a young actor where I couldn’t be gay.’ He is pictured with his partner, Rainer Andreesen
Rob (59) said that working on the episode with his son was “super fun” and rewarding.
He told the outlet that it was a great honor to have worked with Johnny and was able see his talent and humor. It was also super rewarding.
Johnny is a comedian writer who has followed his father’s path. He said that it was “spectacular” and satisfying to work alongside him.
He said, “I know my dad’s a comedian.” I grew up with him – obviously, I know he’s a funny guy.
“But, actually sitting down and writing jokes with him was so much more fun. And there were some moments where I was like, “Dad, that’s disgusting – we can’t put that on television,” which I didn’t expect to be saying because I’m usually the disgusting one.
“We now have the content we created together, which is the combined brainpower of both of us.”
The 27-year-old, who has worked on shows like the Paramount+ Rugrats reboot and the upcoming Disney Junior show Eureka!, said the episode will get into the ‘nitty-gritty of how gay people date, how they meet, and what it’s like.’
He said, “So often gay romances are just a subplot. And what I think I was really excited about, with this episode, we get to see – without spoiling too much – the beginning, middle, and who knows how it ends of a gay relationship, of really getting into the nitty-gritty of how gay people date, how they meet, what it’s like.
Rob LaZebnik (the Fox’s longest-serving writer), worked alongside his son Johnny to create the episode. He called it’super fun’ and’rewarding’
Mixed reactions online have resulted from the reveal of the episode. Many people are excited to finally see their character find true love. Others don’t.
One user on Twitter felt that the story was a waste of content material. One Twitter user commented, “Was this really necessary? It is obvious that Smithers has been gay. Why do they make another episode?
Others, however, claimed they were excited to watch the episode because it was time for the character to get some action
Another Twitter user added, ‘Can’t wait for people to get salty over this even though Smithers has been gay for like 30 years’
Smithers’ sexuality wasn’t surprising to show-lovers when it first appeared in Season 27, since Smithers has had a lot of fantasies about Mr. Burns.
“It was really exciting to be able to spotlight characters that aren’t punchlines but who are full-formed.
There were mixed reactions online to the news of the new episode. Many people are excited to finally see their favorite character find true love. Others don’t like it. One user on Twitter felt that the story was a waste of time.
“Was this really necessary? We know Smithers’ homosexuality – so why do we make an entire episode about it?” The writers wrote. ‘We’ve known since season one this is a waste of content material.’
‘That’s it I will no longer be watching The Simpsons,’ another person tweeted. “They have lost a loyal viewer, and a long-time supporter.
‘They just *had* to appeal to the woke crowd and it is not funny anymore. This filth is unacceptable to me and my son.
Others, however, claimed they were excited to watch the episode because it was time for the character to take some action.
Smithers went skydiving with Mr. Burns in the episode of 2016 that saw him come out. After their encounter with death, Smithers wanted to show his unrequited love for Mr. Burns.
Unfortunately, his sentiments were cut short by Mr. Burns who told him that he was someone ‘I give less thought than the small piece of popcorn stuck to my tooth’.
Smithers was distraught. Homer Simpson, determined to help Smithers find a new partner, enlisted the assistance of Grinder.
“You’d think that, after its 1989 debut and 712 episodes of programming, poor Waylon would’ve found love in 32 year’s worth of programming,” one joked.
Another added, ‘Can’t wait for people to get salty over this even though Smithers has been gay for like 30 years.’
Smithers’ sexuality wasn’t surprising to Simpsons fans when he came out in Season 27, episode 5 years ago.
He has gone roller skating in rainbow shorts from the Stonewall Bakery’s Springfield gay district. In addition to having a few racy fantasies about Mr. Burns, including one in which he leapt out of a birthday cake Marilyn Monroe-style singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. Smithers.’
Smithers went skydiving with Mr. Burns in episode titled The Burns Cage. Smithers and Mr. Burns had an unfortunate encounter with death, when the parachute of Mr. Burns failed. But Smithers decided that he would share his unsolicited love for him boss.
He was unfortunately interrupted by Mr. Burns, who said that he is someone he gives less thought to than the tiny piece of popcorn in his tooth.
Smithers was so devastated that he had to leave his job. But Homer Simpson was determined to help him find a new man, so he enlisting the dating app Grinder.
However, he was unable to stay with Julio after a couple of dates.
After a while, Smithers was able to realize how important Mr. Burns was and gave Smithers a performance evaluation of “excellent” – which meant a lot. The two then shared a heartfelt hug
“What better way than to show my son that I love him? To draw a cartoon about it?” Rob spoke to the New York Post after the first episode aired.
Smithers’ coming out was something he didn’t want to make fun of, but instead based it upon his personal experience with Johnny, who came out to Claire and Claire.
He ended up going on a few dates with a bartender named Julio, however, their relationship didn’t last.
Smithers were grateful that Mr. Burns finally realized his need for Smithers. He gave Smithers a performance evaluation of “excellent” which was very meaningful. After a heartfelt hug, he agreed to resume work with Mr. Burns.
“I am a Midwestern boy, so my emotions are not often on my sleeves. However, I thought it was a great way to express my love for my son than to make a cartoon. Rob shared his thoughts with the New York Post after the show aired.
He said he did not want Smithers’ ‘coming out’ to be comedy and overblown, but based it on his own experience when Johnny came out to him and his wife, Claire.
“We did not want that moment of outrage, you know?” He said. “It should be an embrace, like every one knows.
At the time, Johnny said he was touched by the episode but said that the ‘revelation’ that his father loves him was ‘thankfully’ not much of a revelation at all.
“He is unbelievably open-minded.” He added that they are as close to a straight father and gay son as possible.
“It was really gratifying to see someone with experience working with gay people in their family write the script.”