The Simpsons: 11 Most Paused Moments
Thank goodness for box sets and Disney+
With over 30 Seasons to its name, one of the largest ensembles in any television series and a distinctively built universe, there is so much going for The Simpsons that it’s difficult to take it all in on just one viewing.
Having some of the finest minds working in television, the writers of the cartoon sitcom have a way of implementing small images and jokes hidden underneath the main bulk of all their episodes that often only get noticed on a third or fourth viewing. On the other extreme, the creative team sometimes has a field day with the visuals to the point where the animation is overflowing with inventive details that you just have to pause to take everything in.
However, being a cartoon series, sometimes the sketches/colouring go a bit skew-whiff and something ends up looking unintentionally funny. These particular moments will probably go on to be the product of a Instagram meme or somebody's Twitter header.
Whatever the case, these are a handful of moments which made viewers do a double take (in some cases, for the wrong reasons).
11. Life Imitates Art On Halloween
Probably the most consistent aspect of The Simpsons long run is the annual Treehouse of Horror specials. They have stayed creative, visually appealing and comical (except for the one about Homer’s flatulence – that was bad writing at its peak).
The Halloween trilogies are an opportunity for the producers, animators and writers to have greater creative freedom over their content since anything that happens during a Treehouse of Horror segment is not officially canon and therefore won’t affect the main Simpsons timeline.
The creators demonstrated their artistic abilities in the act “I’ve grown a costume to your face” where an infuriated witch turns all the Springfieldians into their Halloween outfits, after she was caught cheating in a costume competition.
It becomes a visual feast and allows for several hilarious visual gags – including Hans Moleman turning into a mole despite not officially participating, Groundskeeper Willie becoming an anthropomorphic spray can and Patty & Selma transforming into the rear ends of horses. For any Simspons fanatic, this entire segment is pause-worthy.