Over the course of its now 30 years on television, The Simpsons has become so ingrained into our cultural lexicon that everyday references are wholly inescapable. This is particularly true on the internet, where Simpsons reactions GIFs and memes reign supreme, from the classic Grandpa Simpson enter/exit GIF to Nelson Muntz’s trademark “ha ha!”
But the most popular of them all is probably the “Homer slowly backs into bushes” GIF, which is a simple and straightforward way of communicating that you want to back away from an awkward situation. And in a clever meta nod to itself, on Sunday night’s new episode of The Simpsons it was revealed that, yes, even Homer Simpson himself uses the GIF.
In the episode, titled “The Girl on the Bus,” Lisa becomes enamored with a new friend named Sam and her seemingly perfect, cultured and educated family. Because she’s ashamed of her own family, Lisa makes up lies about her parents while assuming a double life to spend time with Sam’s family.
At one point in the episode, Homer, who is lost without Lisa, texts her because he can’t find his phone. Lisa reminds him that he’s literally texting from it. And then:
Even Homer uses that GIF. #TheSimpsons pic.twitter.com/Gw7V6mbxID
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) January 14, 2019
Some critics complain that The Simpsons has gotten stale over the years, but many — including New York Times writer Dave Itzkoff, a veritable authority on Simpsons reaction GIFs — were quick to point out the clever nod on Twitter.
the singularity has been achieved https://t.co/Q756zMqeSg
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 14, 2019
Jokes like this are one of the rewards of being an ancient, ancient TV show https://t.co/OxcESMktSf
— Matt Selman (@mattselman) January 14, 2019
THEY DIDN'T LOOOOOL https://t.co/jUw1cpGzp0
— SilverWingsYoshi64 (@SilverWYoshi) January 14, 2019
The simulation is breaking #TheSimpsons https://t.co/z1iLgQtXQ0
— Johnny D. Honcho (@MaxZane2k) January 14, 2019
First time I laughed hard at this show in years.
— Serious Guy (@jerjef) January 14, 2019
So thrilled, so proud. https://t.co/FtsYaXIXi9
— Tim Long (@mrtimlong) January 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/Han49825073/status/1084630627054481409
This was my favorite part of the episode 😂 https://t.co/O5y0p5mxmN
— Cris (@car__151) January 14, 2019
Wouldn't have thought Lisa was a BlackBerry user https://t.co/ItHdBLsgNr
— Steve Goldstein (@MKTWgoldstein) January 14, 2019
So who was filming Homer in that episode so that the footage exists to be turned into a gif in the Simpsons universe?
This is now what I think about. https://t.co/6WZJkti8xl
— Mikey Ederer (@Mikeyeddy) January 14, 2019
This is epic. https://t.co/XPITdMq5aU
— Colby Sharp (@colbysharp) January 14, 2019
— Telehell (@TelehellPodcast) January 14, 2019
Yes, well played, The Simpsons. Like a long marriage, the show still manages to come through with surprises now and then.