The Simpsons forced to scrap joke even though Family Guy ‘can do it’-Rishma Dosani-Entertainment – Metro

There was a joke scrapped from the Simpsons – even though Family Guy can air it (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

Matt Groening has revealed that they were forced to scrap a certain joke from the Simpsons – due to strict watershed rules.

The cartoon has been on our TV screens for nearly 35 years, with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie going on countless adventures during that time.

The writers have also made some eerie predictions, including Donald Trump’s presidency and Lady Gaga popping up at the Super Bowl, leading many to question whether they secretly had access to a time machine.

However, there is one particular gag they are no longer allowed to show, despite other programs – such as Family Guy – not having to follow suit.

Speaking to Metro and other press at New York Comic Con over the weekend, Groening explained: ‘Historically, The Simpsons has been on Sunday night at 8pm.

‘There are things you can do and can’t do at 8pm that you can do at 8:30.

Matt Groening appeared at New York Comic Con over the weekend (Picture: Getty)

‘For a while, we’d show Homer’s butt and then they said we could no longer do it, but Family Guy could, because they were on at 8:30.’

Just in case you ever wondered why you no longer see Homer Simpson’s bum, there you have it…

When asked about how they have adapted their comedic styles in the years the Simpsons has aired, amid ever-changing times, showrunner Matt Selman explained that they have no desire to compete with other shows.

‘Certainly when we’re doing a Moe show, a lot of unusable material is pitched,’ he continued. ‘We all channel our inner Moes, it’s a dangerous thing… 

He was joined by Matt Selman, Tim Long, Carolyn Omine and Hank Azaria (Picture: Getty)

‘A pretty saucy Moe joke coming up. He taped over an important video, which was the Westminster Dog Show, and he says, “The dogs weren’t even hot that year!” That’s a room joke that we left in the show.

‘I feel like other shows actually can be edgy and dirty and weird so much better than we can.

‘Like Family Guy, or South Park, or Rick and Morty –  we’re not gonna out them them.

‘For me, it’s like, let’s do what we do … let’s just do emotional, observant, humanity based comedy, and satire.

Family Guy airs in a slightly later time slot than the Simpsons (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

The shows crossed over in a wild 2014 episode of Family Guy (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

‘Stuff that really made the show exciting in the beginning – and not try to out Family Guy Family Guy, because you’re never going to do it.’

Season 36 of the Simpsons premiered last month with the ‘episode fans have been waiting for’, but had a twist for us all when an animated Conan O’Brien gathered everyone for the ‘series finale’.

‘Well, it’s true. Fox has decided to end the Simpsons,’ he declared, while gasps were heard from around the world.

Thankfully, none of that was true and we’re still a very long way away from the actual series finale.

The Simpsons has been a staple of our TV screens for three decades (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

Could you imagine life without Homer and co? (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

While it’s hard to think of a time where the gang won’t be causing chaos in Springfield, Selman previously made headlines when he shared his hopes for the final episode.

‘I just hope it’s just a regular episode with no Winky Winky stuff at all,’ he said in a new interview with People Magazine.

‘Just a great family story, just like a classic story that’s just funny and involves the whole family and doesn’t feel like it needs to wrap up anything or change anything or tie anything up or be magic or talk to the audience directly.’

Selman, who has worked on the animated program since 1997, insisted that the writers don’t need to come out guns blazing for the last episode, as the season 36 premiere ‘finale’ took care of that.

‘We did that. We just did that,’ he added. ‘We covered it. Check that off the list.’

The Simpsons airs on Fox on Sundays.

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