The Simpsons’ Halloween special: A spooky twist with ‘Denim’

A new chapter in ‘Treehouse of Horror’

This fall, The Simpsons is set to deliver its 35th annual “Treehouse of Horror” special, promising to be the scariest yet. This time, the iconic show partners with the creative minds behind “Robot Chicken” to bring a unique twist to the Halloween tradition. The highlight? A segment where Homer encounters “Denim”, a parody of the infamous “Venom”.

Homer and his alien jeans

In this segment, Homer forms a deep bond with a pair of alien symbiotic jeans. Showrunner Matt Selman describes it as a “funny, silly segment” where the jeans are brought to life through actual stop-motion animation, crafted by the talented animators at Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. Seth Green and Harv Harvatine from Stoopid Buddy joined the panel to discuss the intricate process, even showcasing some of the denim puppets used in the animation.

A second spooky trilogy

But the Halloween fun doesn’t stop there. The producers have announced a “second scary trilogy” inspired by the works of Ray Bradbury, titled “Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes”. This trilogy promises to be dark, funny, and in the true spirit of Halloween. Among the guest stars for this special episode is the talented Andy Serkis.

A nod to Ray Bradbury

Interestingly, Ray Bradbury had once criticized The Simpsons for borrowing from a “Twilight Zone” episode he had written. Despite this, the showrunners have decided to honor his legacy with this new trilogy. Matt Groening humorously wondered what Bradbury would think of this homage, while Selman hoped that Bradbury’s estate would appreciate the gesture.

Special guest appearances

The 35th “Treehouse of Horror” is scheduled to air right after Halloween, with the Ray Bradbury episode following in November. Additionally, the panel shared a sneak peek of a new opening credits sequence by guest animator Jorge Gutierrez, known for “Book of Life”.

Season 36: A star-studded premiere

The excitement doesn’t end with Halloween. The upcoming Season 36 opener, titled “Bart’s Birthday”, promises a star-studded lineup. Former Simpsons writer Conan O’Brien returns for a major guest appearance, joined by John Cena, Danny DeVito, and Tom Hanks. Selman described it as a “bold, big idea” that sets the tone for the new season.

Upcoming episodes and parodies

Among the other stories lined up for the new season is another “Treehouse” segment that humorously tackles the political divide in the country, featuring literal red versus blue monsters in a “Pacific Rim” style pool. There’s also a parody of “The White Lotus” aptly named “The Yellow Lotus”. Another episode is framed as a spiritual follow-up to the landmark episode “22 Short Films About Springfield”, but with a unique twist.

Audience participation

During the panel, Selman engaged the audience in a scream session, promising that the recording would be used in the “Treehouse” episode. The resulting scream was reportedly the loudest in the history of Comic-Con Ballroom 20 panels, leaving the audience hoarse but thrilled.

A surprise from the Vice President

The panel concluded with a surprise video clip from Vice President Kamala Harris, quoting a famous line from the Season 8 “Treehouse of Horror” episode: “I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!”

First look at ‘Denim’

To cap off the excitement, here’s a first look at the teaser poster for “Denim”:

For more details and to watch the trailer, visit Denim.

The Simpsons continues to push the boundaries of creativity and humor, ensuring that each season brings something fresh and exciting for its dedicated fans. Whether you’re a long-time viewer or a newcomer, the upcoming episodes promise to deliver laughs, scares, and unforgettable moments.