The Simpsons Season 37 Finally Fixes A Worrying 3-Year Bart Problem

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As a lifelong Simpsons fan, I’ve always felt Homer deserved to be front and center, so I was thrilled to see season 37 finally give him the focus he’s earned! It’s amazing to think that after nearly 800 episodes, a movie, and even a team-up with Fortnite, The Simpsons still holds the record as the longest-running scripted primetime show in American television history.

Many shows have tried to take the place of The Simpsons, but none have succeeded. While the show isn’t as universally praised as it was during its golden age (seasons 3 through 11), it’s surprisingly been getting better reviews again since season 33 in 2022.

After a period of negative reviews around season 32, The Simpsons has been praised again in recent seasons (33-37). Many critics agree the show has improved by focusing more on funny character-based stories. However, the show still isn’t perfect, and one recent example is a character who hasn’t been featured much lately.

The Simpsons Season 37 Puts Bart In The Spotlight Again

Image courtesy of Everett

In the earlier seasons of The Simpsons (34 through 26), Bart Simpson took a backseat as the show’s main focus. Originally, Bart was the central character, but his father, Homer, became more popular with viewers. The first season featured several episodes highlighting Bart, including “Bart the Genius,” “Bart the General,” “The Telltale Head,” “The Crêpes of Wrath,” “Krusty Gets Busted,” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

As the show went on, Homer became the clear central character. His appeal came from being a bit clumsy but generally good-hearted. The show attracted a wide audience, and Homer’s experiences may have particularly resonated with viewers who were also parents.

Regardless of how it happened, Bart quickly became a central figure in the family, just as important as Lisa and Marge. However, he wasn’t the main character as often as he used to be. During the show’s most popular years, episodes focused on Bart, Lisa, and Marge happened with roughly equal frequency.

Early seasons of The Simpsons were known for great episodes focusing on each member of the family, especially Homer, but Bart, Marge, and Lisa all had their own standout stories. More recently, in seasons 34 through 36, Bart has appeared less and less, with the show giving more attention to supporting characters. For example, season 35 included an episode about Groundskeeper Willie’s romantic life, while Bart only had one episode as the main focus.

Adding to the issues, season 36 had an episode about Grampa becoming friends with Moe, but completely skipped over storylines for Bart. The only episode that focused on Bart, the season premiere “Bart’s Birthday,” was mostly a long, self-aware joke presented as if it were a fake, AI-created series finale.

Bart Was The Original Protagonist Of The Simpsons

It was clear Bart Simpson needed more attention in the show’s 37th season. While he was the main character in the first season, he was often absent for several episodes in season 36. Thankfully, season 37 has brought him back to the forefront, with the last three episodes all centering on Bart and his usual antics.

In Season 37, episode 4, titled “Men Behaving Manly,” Albert Brooks played a coach attempting to teach the men of Springfield what he believed were the proper ways to be masculine. The following episode, “Bad Boys… for Life?,” showed a long flashback revealing that Bart was mistakenly labeled a psychopath after pulling his first prank as a young child.

Okay, so episode six, “Bart ’N’ Frink,” was a surprisingly fun one. It paired Bart with Professor Frink – a really odd couple, honestly – after Bart stepped in for Martin in a tabletop RPG session. And you know, after years of The Simpsons sometimes disappointing its fans, I’m really happy to see the show focusing on Bart again. It feels like a step in the right direction.

This is the first time in several years that The Simpsons has dedicated three episodes in a row to Bart. This makes season 37 the most Bart-focused season since 2022, when seasons 33 and 34 featured four storylines centered around him. However, those storylines weren’t all aired early in the season like these recent episodes.

Re-centering Bart Brings The Simpsons Back To Its Roots In Season 37

It’s great to see The Simpsons highlighting Bart’s mischievous behavior again – he’s always funny and keeps the show exciting. But this shift in season 37 is more than just entertaining; it suggests the show is refocusing its priorities.

With the latest focus on Bart, it’s clear that The Simpsons is returning to its classic roots in season 37 – a change that was much needed. Even though the show sometimes grabs attention with character deaths, it doesn’t need these dramatic tricks to keep its loyal fans watching.

To regain its former glory, The Simpsons should focus on stories that revolve around its characters, like it did during seasons 3 through 11. Thankfully, the show has recently started doing just that in seasons 34-37, resulting in some of its best reviews in a long time.

Despite its long run, The Simpsons sometimes devotes entire episodes to minor characters, like Superintendent Chalmers, instead of focusing on the core family. Fortunately, recent episodes in season 37 have wisely highlighted Bart’s importance to the show.

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2025-11-12 16:49