'Simpsons’ writer reveals deleted scenes from iconic ‘Who Shot Mr. Burns?’ episode
We wish these had made it in
It’s widely regarded as one of the best episodes of The Simpsons ever made, and now a former writer for the legendary show has revealed some never-before-seen cut scenes from ‘Who Shot Mr Burns?’
Inspired by the famous Dallas catchphrase ‘Who Shot J.R.?’, the 1995 episode sees Mr Burns mysteriously shot by an unknown assailant after he annoys the whole town by taking over an oil well underneath Springfield Elementary School and coming up with a plan to permanently block out the sun, forcing the residents of Springfield to continuously use the energy from his power plant.
The two main suspects for the crime are the tycoon’s right-hand-man Waylon Smithers and Homer Simpson, but if you’ve seen the episode, you’ll know that the real shooter is *spoilers* Maggie.
Over the weekend, Josh Weinstein – who was a writer on the show in the 1990s – tweeted out two scenes that didn’t make it into the final two-part episode.
In the first, we see Homer on the run while in handcuffs after being accused of the shooting:
Later, when Chief Wiggum is questioning Principal Skinner about his whereabouts during the shooting, there’s a funny interaction with Milhouse who has a globe stuck over his head:
Frankly, both of these scenes would have been hilarious additions had they made it into the show. But the episode was still filled with plenty of very funny gags including the song ‘Señor Burns,’ which was nominated for an Emmy award:
And while some fans have complained about the show not being as funny as it once was, it doesn’t look like the long-running franchise is coming to an end any time soon.
Earlier this year it was revealed by writer-producer Al Jean and director David Silverman that a second Simpsons movie could happen - but it’s in its “very earliest stages”.
“I’d love for there to be another one,” Silverman told Entertainment Weekly. “We’re still a ways away from it. We talk about this and that. We’re thinking it over, but nothing’s happening just yet. It’s still daunting because it really knocked the stuffing out of us to do the movie and the show at the same time.”
(Image: FOX / The Simpsons)
