‘Simpsons’ Showrunner Says Ending Bart-Strangling Bit Was ‘Mistake’ as Gag Returns

Homer Simpson will continue to strangle Bart on “The Simpsons” … with the showrunner telling TMZ the “gag” was never really going to end.

Here’s the deal … the iconic cartoon just premiered its 36th season … and besides confusing fans by calling the episode the series finale — it wasn’t — the episode peppered in shock value when Homer strangled Bart … a bit most assumed was purposely ended last year.

In an episode that aired last November … a character noted Homer’s firm handshake — to which he responded … “See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off.” He then follows up and says … “Just kidding, I don’t do that anymore. Times have changed.”

Simpsons’ showrunner Matt Selman tells TMZ … it was a “mistake” to ever suggest the strangulation joke would end, and he regretted the quip “felt more like an announcement … it was just a joke … and people took it in the wrong direction.”

Stressing the show in no way condones child abuse … MS tells us the recurring strangulation joke is “in the DNA of the series,” and fans can expect to see it happen again … when the moment can be “funny or impactful.”

And to the pearl-clutchers … the joke was not shoe-horned in as a result of criticism the series had gone “soft” and “woke” … MS telling us “The Simpsons” has always had an edge … and that ain’t going to stop either.

As for the haters who disagree … Matt says, “Why, you little…!”