# Summary

The Simpsons marks another milestone in its 33rd season by featuring a deaf actor and incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) into an episode inspired by the life of writer Loni Steele Sosthand and the film CODA.

# Abstract

The Simpsons, a television show that has consistently defied the test of time, reaches a new landmark with its 722nd episode. For the first time, the show introduces a deaf character voiced by John Autry, a hearing-impaired actor, and integrates American Sign Language into the narrative. This groundbreaking move comes after extensive consultation with ASL specialists to ensure accurate representation. The episode's storyline, penned by Loni Steele Sosthand, draws from her own experiences and mirrors themes found in the critically acclaimed film CODA. It centers around Lisa Simpson's encounter with the son of Bleeding Gums Murphy, who was born deaf and requires a cochlear implant to hear his late father's music. This development is seen as a significant stride in inclusivity and is expected to contribute to the show's enduring legacy.

# Opinions

- The show's executive producer expresses excitement about achieving a "first" in the show's history after 722 episodes.
- John Autry II identifies primarily as an actor rather than a

33 Years and The Simpsons Make History Once Again

The TV show that stands the test of time

20th Century Studios, CC via Wikimedia Commons

There are 722 episodes of The Simpsons.

It’s hard to imagine how the writers keep it so entertaining after 33 seasons. Especially since the characters don’t get any older.

Somehow, the show continues to make history, and the newest episode is no exception.

The executive producer said, “It’s very hard to do a ‘first’ after 722 episodes. But I couldn’t be more excited about this one.”

For the first time, a deaf actor will be featured.

Monk Murphy is voiced by John Autry, who is an actor that is also hearing-impaired.

“I’m not a hearing-impaired actor. I’m an actor first and hard of hearing second because my voice fought to be heard.” — John Autry II

This is the Simpsons episode with American Sign Language.

The Simpsons characters have 4 fingers

The characters aren’t missing a finger, they are made with 4, unlike our 5.

The show’s creators needed to know the characters could sign with puffy, yellow hands.

The show’s producers consulted two ASL specialists.

They made sure that the signs were clear enough to convey the right message.

Is there anything The Simpsons can’t do?

The idea for this episode

The storyline for this episode is based on the life of the main writer for the show, Loni Steele Sosthand.

Loni had pitched the idea for the character, son of Bleeding Gums Murphy, to be born deaf.

Maybe you remember, Bleeding Gums Murphy was a saxophonist that Lisa Simpson idolized. He was her role model.

He died in season 6 and it was one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen.

Now, Lisa meets the late jazz musician’s son, who needs a cochlear implant.

Cochlear implant (external part). **1: microphone; 2: speech processor; 3: external antenna; 4: magnet**. author via wiki commons

If all goes well, he will be able to hear his father’s music for the first time ever.

This is one of the greatest things that technology has ever done.

When people turn on their cochlear implant and hear a loved one’s voice for the first time, it will always make me cry. Every time, without fail.

I dare you to watch a compilation video like that and not cry.

A film with a similar theme

The Simpsons episode has some likeness to a film, CODA, which stands for Child of Deaf Adults. The film is about a hearing child born to hearing-impaired parents.

She wants to be a musician but her parents want her to stay with the family business. The film is popular and is now getting the attention it deserves.

The Simpsons creators have been working on this particular episode for quite some time. They say they are happy about CODA’s success, and both projects are a huge step in the right direction.

The series has always been ahead of its time. It takes something special to stay on for 33 seasons. With progressive strides like this emotional episode, they will be around for a while.

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