The Simpsons – Season 29 arrived on Fox on October 1, 2017, continuing the life of the Simpson family in the fictional town of Springfield. This season consisted of 21 episodes that followed the usual format of satirical comedy and family situations. The family, including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, faced several new challenges during this run.
The season began with a departure from the normal setting by placing the characters in a fantasy world. It concluded in May 2018 after reaching a major television milestone. During these episodes, the show used various guest stars and parodies of popular culture to tell its stories. You can find more details about the series in the general guide for The Simpsons.
Is The Simpsons – Season 29 Safe to Watch? (Age Rating Guide)
Official age rating not available.
Why You Should Watch The Simpsons – Season 29
This specific season is notable because it helped the series become the longest-running scripted primetime show in the United States. It offered a mix of traditional family stories and experimental episodes that changed the visual style of the animation. The production team focused on keeping the humor relevant by referencing modern trends and television habits of the late 2010s.
The Breaking of the Gunsmoke Record
One of the main reasons to revisit The Simpsons – Season 29 is the episode titled “Forgive and Regret.” This was the 636th episode of the series. By airing this episode, the show officially surpassed the record previously held by the western series Gunsmoke.
The writers acknowledged this achievement with a special opening sequence. In the sequence, Maggie had a standoff with a character from the older show. This milestone showed the longevity of the Springfield characters and their place in television history.
The episode itself focused on Grampa Simpson making a confession to Homer while he thought he was dying. This created a rift between the father and son that lasted for most of the half-hour. It was a grounded story that focused on family history rather than pure sight gags.
High-Profile Guest Stars
This season included a large number of famous guest voices that added variety to the different plots. In the episode “Haw-Haw Land,” singer Ed Sheeran voiced a character named Brendan who became a love interest for Lisa. This episode parodied the musical film La La Land and included several original songs.
Another major guest appearance occurred in the episode “King Leer.” The late Ray Liotta provided the voice for Moe Szyslak‘s father. This story explored the background of the local bartender and showed his difficult relationship with his family in the mattress business.
Other notable voices during the season included Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Shaquille O’Neal, and Daniel Radcliffe. These actors helped fill out the world of Springfield and provided voices for both new characters and versions of themselves. The use of guest stars remained a core part of how the TV Shows on this network stayed popular.
Fantasy and Horror Parodies
The season premiere, “The Serfsons,” was a full-length parody of fantasy series like Game of Thrones. The characters lived in a medieval version of Springfield where magic was common. Marge‘s mother turned into an Ice Walker, and Homer had to find a way to pay for her treatment.
This episode allowed the animators to use a different color palette and character designs. It showed that the series could still operate outside of its standard modern-day setting. The humor relied on tropes found in the fantasy genre and role-playing games.
The annual tradition of “Treehouse of Horror” also continued with its 28th installment. This episode featured a segment inspired by the movie Coraline, using a different animation style to represent the “Other” world. It also included a parody of The Exorcist with Maggie becoming possessed by a demon.
Character Development and Narrative Risks
In the episode “Gone Boy,” the show focused on a mystery surrounding Bart. He went missing after falling into a manhole and finding an old secret bunker. The town searched for him, and Sideshow Bob returned to try and find him first.
The plot allowed for a look at how the town reacted to a crisis. It also gave Sideshow Bob a chance to show a slightly different side of his personality. The search for Bart involved the whole community and felt more focused than a standard gag-heavy episode.
The season finale, “Flanders’ Ladder,” dealt with the concept of mortality. After Bart was struck by lightning, he had visions of how different characters in Springfield would eventually die. It was an unusual way to end a season, providing a look at the potential future of the show’s universe. You can see more details on IMDb or the Disney Plus page.
| Director | Not available |
|---|---|
| Main Cast | Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Genre | Animation, Comedy, Family |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Simpsons – Season 29 released?
The Simpsons – Season 29 was released on October 1, 2017.
What is The Simpsons – Season 29 about?
The Simpsons – Season 29 is available on Flixr.
Where can I watch The Simpsons – Season 29?
The Simpsons – Season 29 is available on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Disney+.
