The Simpsons is bringing back a classic Simpson family member we haven’t seen in 32 years

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 1

For the first time in over a decade, The Simpsons Brought back a pivotal member of the title family. ironic, The Simpsons Does not focus so much on the extended family of its main characters. The series may be a family comedy, however The Simpsons is far more concerned with the immediate nuclear family of Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge and Homer than with the extended clan. Marge’s father was barely even mentioned in over 750 episodes of the series, and although both of Homer’s parents play large roles in the show, his aunts, uncles and cousins ​​are rarely spoken of.

While The Simpsons Season 37 could change that, the premiere of the show’s season 36 has already done more than most outings to remind viewers of the extended Simpson family’s existence. Season 36, episode 1, “Bart’s Birthday,” sees a host of characters from Springfield and beyond return to celebrate the eponymous event in what is presented in-universe as an AI-generated series finale. The Simpsons The wild twists of season 36 episode 1 rearrange the world of the series, but the return of one character is overdue even if it only comes because of this self-referential gag.

Why Herb Simpson returned in The Simpsons season 36, episode 1

Danny DeVito reprized his role as Homer’s long-lost half-brother

Danny DeVito’s Herb Powell returns in season 36, episode 1With the legendary actor reprising his role as Homer’s estranged half-brother. Herb first appeared in season 2, episode 15, “O Brother Where Art Thou?” where he welcomes his newly discovered half-brother into his life. He was a successful car manufacturer and, excited to collaborate with Homer, he convinced the Simpsons hero to help him design a car from the perspective of an average American. The resulting prototype, “The Homer,” was such a disaster that it left Derb penniless. Interestingly, this was a rare plot The Simpsons Revisited.

Much of that makes The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 1 Aging Bart is so shocking that, usually, the show returns to its immutable status quo at the end of each episode and doesn’t let the story of one outing impact the next. However, in season 3, episode 14, “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?” Homer and Herb are reunited and Homer manages to help his brother get rich again. By borrowing start-up money from Homer and living with the Simpson family for a while, Herb manages to invent a baby translator and once again becomes a financial success.

What happened to Herb after his first The Simpsons appearance

Herb mysteriously lost his fortune off-screen again at some point

Herb appears briefly in season 24, episode 11, “The Changing of the Guardian,” as Homer and Marge search for a suitable guardian for their children in case of their unexpected deaths. In this outing, DeVito’s character makes a voice-only appearance, and it’s revealed that Herb again lost his entire fortune in the time since “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?” His luck seems to be reversed all over again in the season “Bart’s Birthday”, as he once again dons his sleek suit and seems like a successful businessman.

Although The Simpsons Season 36’s character aging is a fakeout, the comic premise of ​​an AI generating an ending for the show results in several classic cameos. Not only does Herb return to tell Bart to blow out his birthday candles, but he’s joined by iconic characters like Hank Scorpio and the real Seymour Skinner, as well as previously deceased characters like Bleeding Gums Murphy. At the end of the episode, all the supporting stars disappear when Bart’s age returns to 10, but DeVito’s brief reprise of his role remains a fun, clever nod to the show’s history.

Danny DeVito is an all-time great Simpsons guest star

Herb Powell is one of the show’s best one-off guests

Thanks to its enduring cultural heritage and its longevity, The Simpsons Has more guest stars, and more impressive A-list guest stars, than most TV shows. Despite this, DeVito’s Herb Powell remains one of the best minor recurring characters on the show. like The Simpsons‘ Hank Scorpio, Herb is all the more likable thanks to his minor role in the series. Both of the character’s appearances further fleshed out his troubled relationship with Homer and even his minor voice cameo in season 24 was a fun way to remind viewers of his existence.

DeVito’s performance infuses Herb with a brio and drive that most of the extended Simpson family lacks, and his evident love for Bart and Lisa is surprisingly sweet. His raspy conversations with the family harken back to an era when the series was more grounded and poignant, and DeVito brings humanity to a role whose brevity could make Herb a forgettable figure. how so The Simpsons The returning guest star from the season 36 premiere remains an all-time great.