Why the Third Season’s Premiere Episode Is Absent
Disney+ promised to bring all episodes of ‘The Simpsons’ to its platform, but fans noticed a glaring omission. The first episode of the show’s third season, “Stark Raving Dad,” remains conspicuously absent. Here’s why this iconic episode featuring a Michael Jackson cameo has been left out, and why it has sparked heated discussions about streaming platforms, past mistakes, and the evolving landscape of media consumption.
The Omission that Fans Couldn’t Overlook
“‘Stark Raving Dad’ is the first episode of The Simpsons’ third season. Kicking off the season on September 19, 1991, it is a widely cherished entry from the show’s early years, an episode that fans will recognize, reference, and quote without mistake.”
Longtime fans of the show are well aware of this episode’s significance and were quick to notice its absence. The episode debuted in 1991, amid a television landscape different from today, and quickly became a fan favorite.
The Plot Twist: What Makes It Controversial
“While the gendered stereotypes and exaggerated portrayals of mental health are executed with the expected levels of winking humor for The Simpsons, it is neither of these elements that make ‘Stark Raving Dad’ taboo.”
Instead, the controversy revolves around Michael Jackson’s guest role. The episode presented Jackson as a large white man in a mental institution who believes he is the King of Pop. However, the celebrity landscape has shifted drastically since then.
The Michael Jackson Factor: An Unraveling Reputation
“A 2019 Documentary Made Michael Jackson’s Already Ruined Reputation Even Worse”
“Michael Jackson faced numerous allegations of pedophilia during his lifetime. […] HBO released the documentary Leaving Neverland, where main subjects Wade Robson and James Safechuck once more accused Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were child actors.”
Jackson’s tainted reputation impacted the episode’s legacy, creating an ethical dilemma for its inclusion on a family-friendly streaming platform like Disney+. This led Simpsons showrunner Al Jean and co-creator James L. Brooks to pull the episode from syndication and future DVD sales.
The Double Standards: What Else Is on Disney+?
“Disney’s rationale for excluding ‘Stark Raving Dad’ from the streaming service is sound. […] Other episodes feature voices from Mel Gibson, Elon Musk, and Rupert Murdoch, all portraying their now-contentious selves.”
Disney’s decision, while understandable, also opens up debates about inconsistency. Episodes with problematic elements, including racial stereotypes and other controversial celebrity guest stars, are still available on the platform. The omission raises questions about how media platforms curate content and what should be deemed acceptable or unacceptable for audiences today.
The Gray Area: Morality vs Publicity
“All of this is not to suggest that ‘Stark Raving Dad’ should be put on Disney+, but rather to explain that the decision to exclude it could be multifold, and perhaps born of publicity just as well as morality.”
The absence of this single episode from Disney+ sheds light on a larger debate that transcends just one streaming platform or show. It begs the question: Where do we draw the line when it comes to addressing the problematic elements in older media?
In the end, whether one agrees or disagrees with Disney+‘s decision, the episode’s absence does serve as a lens through which we can examine how past media is reconciled with modern values and expectations. While Disney+ users may never see “Stark Raving Dad” on the platform, the discussion it has generated proves it remains a significant part of the television canon.
What Now? The Simpsons’ Library Minus One
The future of “Stark Raving Dad” remains uncertain. Although the episode may never rejoin the library on Disney+, the extensive catalog of ‘The Simpsons’ ensures that fans will still have plenty of episodes to enjoy. Still, the exclusion of this specific episode continues to generate buzz, ensuring it won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
