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One of the few changes to Simpsons chalkboard gags occurred in a January 2014 episode titled “Married to the Blob.” In this installment, Bart’s chalkboard message states, “Judas Priest is not death metal.” To the unfamiliar, this line might not come across as humorous because it’s actually an apology in disguise, utilizing the character of Bart as a vehicle for a mea culpa from the show’s creators. This unusual step was taken after the show erroneously referred to the band Judas Priest as “death metal” in a previous episode that boasted guest voices like Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum. Their misclassification of the music genre angered fans sufficiently to warrant a public correction.
Music critic Michael Nelson from Stereogum, joined by other writers, critiqued the mistake (as noted by The Guardian): “I don’t care if you want to have fun at metal’s expense, but if you brazenly mix up black metal and death metal — and the essence of the joke hinges on getting that reference right — well, that’s just lazy writing and it deserves to be called out and mocked relentlessly.” This specific incident on “The Simpsons,” amid its history of sparking bigger controversies, showcases a situation where the fan response outshone the original “joke.” Hence, Bart’s onetime act of contrition was swiftly switched out in later reruns for another message: “If you haven’t broken your Christmas presents yet, you’re not trying.” This return to Bart’s typical mischievous tone reestablished the show’s traditional comedic stance.
FAQs about The Simpsons Chalkboard Gags
Why did The Simpsons change a chalkboard gag in reruns?
The chalkboard gag was changed to correct a mistake regarding a reference to the metal band Judas Priest, which had been inaccurately described as “death metal,” prompting backlash from fans and critics.
Are chalkboard gags usually changed in reruns of The Simpsons?
No, changes to chalkboard gags in reruns are extremely rare. The incident with the Judas Priest reference is one of the very few instances of such a change.
What message replaced the apology about Judas Priest in subsequent reruns?
In later reruns, the apology “Judas Priest is not death metal” was replaced with a more typical Bart Simpson quip: “If you haven’t broken your Christmas presents yet, you’re not trying.”
What was the reaction to the original chalkboard message?
The mistaken reference to Judas Priest as a “death metal” band was heavily criticized by music fans and writers for its inaccuracy, leading the show to issue the chalkboard apology.
Has The Simpsons ever apologized for other mistakes in similar ways?
While The Simpsons has taken strides to address and correct various gaffes over its long run, the method of using a chalkboard gag as an apology is unique to the Judas Priest incident.