The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons season 36 episode 2, “The Yellow Lotus,” now streaming on Hulu
The Simpsonsbrought back Sideshow Bob for season 36, which highlights a long-standing hole in the character’s supporting gallery. Introduced in season 1 as Krusty’s sidekick, Sideshow Bob first stepped into the spotlight in that season’s “Krusty Gets Busted.” Since then, Bob has returned multiple times to bedevil the Simpsons and Springfield as a whole. In that time, Bob has also developed a minor supporting cast of his own, which includes members of his family who share his homicidal tendencies. However, those characters eventually faded into the background alongside countless otherguest stars and minor players inThe Simpsons’world.
Season 36’s “The Yellow Lotus” highlights this problem with the way it brings back Bob. Still played by a perpetually game Kelsey Grammer, Bob has a minor but important role in the episode. This episode also introduces a new supporting character into his life in the form of the character’s newest love interest, which comes at the cost of Bob’s previous romantic relationships. One of those previous relationships still stands as one of the most underutilizedsupporting characters inThe Simpsonshistory, whose potential was never fully reached — and whose return to the show could revitalize Bob in future stories.
The Simpsons Gives Sideshow Bob His Third Wife
The SimpsonsIntroduces Bob’s New Wife, Tasha
The Simpsonsseason 36 gives Sideshow Bob a third wife, without ever delving into what happened to his second one, Francesca. Season 36’s “The Yellow Lotus” brings back Bob and reveals he’s gained a surprising new wife in the form of the wealthy Tasha. Tasha and Bob are engaged to be wed, leaving the titular family suspicious of Bob’s intentions. This makes perfect sense, given the plot of season 3’s “Black Widower” saw Bob marry Selma in a bid to steal her money. Even Bob acknowledges that reality when he accepts their suspicions, bargaining with the Simpsons to keep quiet.
The Simpsons Season 36 Improves One Of The Golden Age’s Most Iconic Jokes After 31 Years
The Simpsons' season 36 brings back Sideshow Bob in an unlikely fashion, and finds a way to update one of the best gags fromthe show’s golden age.
Despite these fears, “The Yellow Lotus” reveals that Bob seems to be genuinely innocent, seemingly bolstered by the fortune he made with his collapsible rake. Instead, the relationship is thrown off when the unexpectedly unstable and unpredictable Tasha suddenly pushes Bob off the side of a cliff. This potentially leaves Bob open to other romantic options in future episodes, such as a return of his love interest Cassandra from season 31’s “Bobby, It’s Cold Outside.” However,it also opens the door for the return of Francesca, Bob’s second wife and a seemingly forgotten member ofThe Simpsons' massive supporting cast.
Sideshow Bob’s Second Wife Was A Great Simpsons Minor Character
What Happened To Francesca?
Francesca was introduced in season 17’s “The Italian Bob.” Played by Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Francesca lived in the small Tuscan village of Salsiccia. When Bob relocated to Italy in a bid to escape his feud with the Simpsons, he became mayor and fell in love with Francesca. By the time the Simpson family encountered Bob again while in Italy themselves, Bob and Francesca had married and even had a son, Gino. Initially kept in the dark about Bob’s criminal past,Francesca and Gino proved incredibly content with Bob’s homicidal rage, even working with him to try and kill the Simpsons.
Francesca brought out a new side of Bob, showcasing a genuine element of a character who is often seen mid-performance or amid a manic turn. Bob and Francesca seemed to genuinely love one another, making their matching homicidal rage surprisingly complimentary. Gino shared their bloodthirsty nature, but was also seen playfully dancing along with Maggie at one point.Both characters brought something different out of Bob, and fit easily into his orbit. Their episode even ended with a vow of a “family style” vendetta that was never truly followed up on, which is a shame given the potential of Francesca.
The Simpsons Wasted Sideshow Bob’s Supporting Characters
Sideshow Bob’s Family Has Fallen By The Wayside
The Simpsonshas a very deep bench of supporting characters, thanks to the show’s long-running nature. Many times, the characters played by guest stars only appear a few times, justifying why they fade into the background. Sideshow Bob is the exception to the rule, with Kelsey Grammer reprising the role over a dozen times by the time of writing. However,The Simpsonshas never used Bob’s own supporting cast to their full potential. Alongside Francesca and Gino, Bob’s return in season 19’s “Funeral For a Fiend” featured the return of his previously introduced brother Cecil, as well as their parents.
Tasha (Wife)
Chloe Fineman
However, none of them have formally returned since, outside of clever cameos in episodes likeseason 36’s “Bart’s Birthday.“Bob’s loved ones being pitted against the Simpsons was a fun concept that deserved further exploration, especially with Francesca. Francesca could have been a direct foil to Marge or developed a specific hatred for Lisa for accidentally setting off Bob’s exile from Salsiccia reflecting Bob’s obsession with Bart. Even just forcing Bob to be a family man and potentially empathize more with the Simpsons could have been compelling. Instead,Bob’s subsequent appearances have been focused on him alone, with mixed results.
The Simpsons May Have Run Out Of Sideshow Bob Stories
Sideshow Bob’s Future Episodes Need Resurgence
Sideshow Bob is a beloved fixture ofThe Simpsons, his various episodes often being hailed as highlights of their respective seasons. However, they’ve also become increasingly less exciting. Season 25’s “The Man Who Grew Too Much” wasted an interesting idea connecting Bob and Lisa on a bizarre sci-fi turn. Season 29’s “Gone Boy” was a solid episode, but one that gave Bart and Bob closure and seemed to resolve their longstanding feud. As a result, “Bobby, It’s Cold Outside” and “The Yellow Lotus” felt far less compelling, withBob ultimately more forgettable as a supporting character rather than overt antagonist.
Sideshow Bob may have lost his appeal inThe Simpsonsunless they find new ways to expand him, and Francesca might be the key.
It’s a shame, because reverting Bob to his more murderous ways would subvert the genuinely sweet and affecting elements of “Gone Boy.” However, a return for Francesca might be the key. It could explain what happened to her and why the show has never mentioned her since season 19, as well as what happened to their son.Bringing Francesca back and allowing her to carry out their vendetta could put her in direct conflict with a more at peace Bob.Sideshow Bob may have lost his appeal inThe Simpsonsunless they find new ways to expand him, and Francesca might be the key.
The Simpsons
“The Simpsons” is a legendary American animated franchise that debuted in 1987 as short segments onThe Tracey Ullman Showbefore becoming a standalone series in 1989. The show follows the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie—who live in the fictional town of Springfield. The franchise is renowned for its satirical and humorous take on various aspects of American culture, society, and the human condition. Over the years, “The Simpsons” has expanded into films, video games, comic books, and theme park attractions, becoming a cornerstone of popular culture.
