Here’s who’s coming out as LGBTQ in The Simpsons’ Smithers-centric episode
Exclusive: The Simpsons writer Johnny LeZebnik tells Attitude's March/April issue he 'seized' the chance to bolster Springfield's LGBTQ population in the episode.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; Image: Disney
The Simpsons has added at least two “canonically queer” characters to Springfield – and possibly a third, depending on your view of the word “heteroflexible”.
In season 33’s Waylon Smithers-centric episode ‘Portrait of a Lackey on Fire’, the show introduces a new gay character in the former of billionaire fashion designer Michael De Graaf – who promptly sweeps Mr. Burns off his feet. (The pair cover the latest, new-look issue of Attitude March/April issue, out now.)
The Simpsons’ Waylon Smithers leads Attitude’s new-look March/April issue. (Cover illustration by Julius Preite)
However, De Graaf is not the only new gay in town: elsewhere, there’s an emotional sexuality subplot involving the mother of Italian restaurant owner Luigi (which you can see some of in the exclusive clip below).
“It’s impossible to tackle all of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum in one episode,” he explained , before adding of the decision to give Smithers a gender-ambiguous puppy: “I like that little nod to: ‘Hey, there are more than two genders.’”
Johnny LeZebnick, a comedy writer who worked on the episode, tells the Attitude March/April issue he seized the opportunity to make “one or two” Springfieldians “canonically queer.”
Attitude cover star Waylon Smithers gives us an unprecedented insight into his personal life with this exclusive footage from his date with Michael De Graaf in @TheSimpsons episode ‘Portrait of a Lackey On Fire’.
Read more now ➡️ https://t.co/ZFHJLcoYVN pic.twitter.com/ZX7Dthox0Q
— Attitude Magazine (@AttitudeMag) February 17, 2022
Elsewhere, Johnny opines of “heteroflexible” Disco Stu: “It’s a very specific vibe, and I believe he has it” while Johnny’s dad Rob, the long-term Simpsons writer who also worked on the episode, said he can “absolutely” imagine Springfield adding a trans resident one day.
Read the full interview in Attitude’s new-look March/April issue, out now.
Meet Smithers’ boyfriend on 6th March at 7pm on Sky Showcase and catch up on previous seasons of The Simpsons now streaming on Disney+.
