Season 33, ep. 17 17 of the hit animated sitcom The Simpsons entitled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” is noteworthy for its use of American Sign Language (ASL) (even though the characters only have 4 fingers), and for its casting of Deaf actor John Autry II to be the voice of the Deaf character Monk. Autry became the 1st Deaf performer to voice a character on the show through this role.
The creators also deserve credit for attempting to have characters with only four fingers communicate in American Sign Language. This process must have been difficult to animate, which could explain why signing appears at the end of the episode. It's a brief scene, but it's entertaining to watch the characters attempt the nearly impossible task of signing while missing a fifth finger. Despite The Simpsons characters only having four fingers on each hand, the producers used two ASL consultants to ensure the accuracy of the ASL used in the episode.
The Simpsons episode "The Sound of Bleeding Gums" demonstrates that the show's creators are concerned with dealing with real-life issues on the show, specifically those affecting people from different communities such as the Deaf. For instance, to voice the Deaf character Monk, they casted Deaf actor John Autry II, who delivered an impressive performance. One other notable aspect is the script, which was carefully written by Loni Steele Sosthand, whose sibling was born deaf. On top of that, details about Deaf culture were mindfully presented. At another point in the episode, Monk tells Lisa,“I’m not anybody’s cause,” reflecting how Deaf people actually feel. They really do not want pity or help in accomplishing things simply because they can’t hear. They feel they’re capable of doing anything a hearing individual can do. The Deaf are proud of who they are and being Deaf is an essential part of their identity.
With CODA winning Best Picture and other awards at the 2022 Oscars, and the airing of “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” on The Simpsons, the Deaf community undoubtedly has a bright future ahead in the entertainment industry, especially in the field of animation. The Deaf actor John Autry II provides a great source of inspiration for other aspiring Deaf and hard of hearing actors. His ability to land a starring role star on The Simpsons despite his being Deaf is uplifting and encouraging to both the Deaf and hearing populations alike.
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