Season 27 of The Simpsons kicked off Sunday with narcolepsy-fueled dreams of Lena Dunham, but this year’s run won’t be a total snooze-fest. TVLine reports that Waylon Smithers, long-time C. Montgomery Burns admirer and Malibu Stacy fan, will have multiple episodes dedicated to his coming-out story. Showrunner Al Jean talked with the publication about what lies ahead for the Simpsons and their neighbors—aside from her marriage woes, Marge will also have legal troubles in the season finale. But before she heads to the slammer (again), the town will have a different non-scandal on its hands, as Smithers will reportedly come out to Mr. Burns.
Jean acknowledged that while most Springfieldians are aware of Smithers’ sexual orientation, his beloved boss—who until recently hadn’t heard of New Mexico—has remained oblivious. The executive producer said the show would “do a lot” with Smithers this year; the two episodes about his coming out will also feature the oft-put-upon man finally getting fed up with his treatment (or lack thereof) at the hands of Mr. Burns. Smithers will “weigh his options,” meaning he might write another musical or quit his job to have “the freedom to do other work,” only to return to the plant’s fusion-hearted breast. Wait, that was actually Harry Shearer, the voice of Smithers (and so many others), who briefly broke up with the show this summer.
This season will also see Apu leave the Kwik-E-Mart (again), some kind of riff on Boyhood, Malk 2.0, and the return of Sideshow Bob. There won’t be a Christmas episode, though, which could mean it’s finally Hanukkah’s time to shine.
[h/t UPROXX]