Of all the villains that TV has given us over the years, few are as fun to watch as Sideshow Bob, someone whose malevolent motivations always enjoyably blow up in his face. (Or rake up in his face, really.) But the character will get his day in the sun for this year’s Treehouse of Horror special, as he will finally be able to murder Bart Simpson. And if you were wondering just how that event would happen, then you should be pleased to know that Bob is going to kill Bart in not just one way, but a bunch of different ways. Here’s what showrunner Al Jean said about it.
There’s a betting pool on the manner of death. What I’m going to say is: Everyone in the pool is going to win because he gets killed so many times.
That sounds glorious, right? After all, it would be hard for the creative team to come up with a death that incorporates all the hatred and ill will that Sideshow Bob has built up for Bart over the past two decades. Simply shooting him with a bazooka or dropping him down an elevator shaft wouldn’t suffice, and it’s almost necessary to see Bart get killed over and over.
During this year’s Comic-Con, we actually got to see a short clip from that segment, and I have to say it was pretty magnificent. I don’t want to spoil it by giving any specifics on how Sideshow Bob gets his repeated revenge, or how it’s even possible, but take comfort in knowing that it’s just as hilariously brutal as an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.
But will all this death and destruction actually bring Sideshow Bob any happiness? That’s what the segment will dig into. Here’s what else Jean told EW.
You never saw the Road Runner lose. This time you do. His whole life has just been about killing Bart, so what’s next? We deal with how Bob would really feel once he accomplished this goal he’s had his whole life.
The other segments in “Treehouse of Horror XXVI” will focus on a parody of the Godzilla franchise with the donut-eating Homer as the mythical creature, as well as the Simpson kids getting telepathic powers. The episode will also feature an extended couch gag animated by Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi, which should be amazing.
Beyond seeing Bart get killed, Season 27 is a season of other firsts for the long-running comedy. The season premiere saw Homer and Marge split up and date other people – although it was all a dream – and we’ll get to see Smithers legitimately come out of the closet at some point.
“Treehouse of Horror XXVI” will premiere on Sunday, October 25.
