The Simpsons is about to get funnier. Kind of. Since the hit animated show's first 30 seasons became available on Disney Plus last fall, the episodes have been shown only in widescreen, which cuts out some visual gags that can't be seen in that format. But on Wednesday, longtime Simpsons writer and producer Al Jean tweeted that a change is coming to Springfield.
"The even more important most important tweet I can make!" Jean wrote. "As always you have been heard! The Simpsons episodes will be available in their original 4:3 aspect ratio on Disney Plus beginning May 28."
The even more important most important tweet I can make!
— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 20, 2020
As always you have been heard! @theSimpsons episodes will be available in their original 4:3 aspect ratio on #DisneyPlus beginning 5/28.
The official Disney Plus account confirmed Jean's news, adding a Homer-esque "WOO HOO!"
WOO HOO! We love a prediction for #TheSimpsons, especially coming from @AlJean himself in 2015. Episodes in original 4:3 aspect ratio are coming to #DisneyPlus on May 28. #DisneyBundle pic.twitter.com/WxEs9TC5D5
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) May 20, 2020
The widescreen version meant characters' faces looked unusually stretched out, and some jokes were lost entirely. Back in November, Tristan Cooper of Dorkly and CollegeHumor pointed out on Twitter that the widescreen format destroyed a season 4 joke where Duff, Duff Lite and Duff Dry beer are all shown coming from the same pipe.
All the classic Simpsons episodes on Disney+ are in cropped widescreen format -- this means you miss out on tons of great visual jokes, like how Duff, Duff Lite and Duff Dry all come from the same tube. pic.twitter.com/cTy9adulFl
— Tristan Cooper (@TristanACooper) November 12, 2019
Disney Plus had been showing all episodes with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which The Simpsons didn't switch to until season 20, CNET sister site TV Guide reported.
