WATCH: THE SIMPSONS Get “Gorey” in New Animated Halloween Short

During their ComicCon panel, The Simpsons released a first look at the Edward Gorey-inspired Halloween segment titled “The Telltale Bart.” The short film is being used to promote the 33rd season of the series.

There’s a lot going down in the short segment, with horror references galore. The Telltale Bart is itself a reference to the Edgar Allan Poe short story “The Tell-Tale Heart”. This story is also winked at in an earlier Simpson’s episode where Lisa becomes jealous of a talented new student. Now the animators have paid homage to American surrealist Edward Gorey by using his distinct style to draw the chapter.


In tribute to Gorey’s picture book “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” —which details the terrible ends for 26 different unfortunate children— The Telltale Bart also uses the alphabet to tell of 26 different ways Bart has been bad. This eventually includes Bart killing his family…

Edward Gorey’s work usually took place in spooky Edwardian settings, although they often also feature cats. His other picture books include The Doubtful Guest, The unstrung harp, or, Mr. Earbrass writes a novel, and The Hapless Child. The Simpsons 33rd season premieres this September on Fox.

In response to being called gothic, Gorey once stated:

If you’re doing nonsense it has to be rather awful because there’d be no point. I’m trying to think if there’s sunny nonsense. Sunny, funny nonsense for children—oh, how boring, boring, boring. As Schubert said, there is no happy music. And that’s true, there really isn’t. And there’s probably no happy nonsense, either.

Lastly, are you a fan of The Simpson’s Treehouse of Horrors? Will you be tuning in to the new season?  Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Dread Central is now on Google News!

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