A The Simpsons 2005 episode has been censored in Hong Kong

The Simpsons have been pushing the envelope with risque content for well over thirty years.  For the most part, the storylines and visuals were left untouched and were allowed to be broadcast.  For America’s funniest family and their fellow Springfieldians, it is just their style.

Disney+-the streamer where you can catch nearly all The Simpsons episodes-was recently launched in Hong Kong.  For a few weeks, Disney+ has become a fan-hit in the once British-ruled region of China, which ended its reign in 1997.  After relinquishment, China adopted the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, in which Hong Kong can have its separate government, but still be a part of China.

Yet, Simpsons fans noticed something different in the episode lineup offered on the app.  2005, season sixteen episode, titled “Goo Goo Gai Pan” has been censored out due to a scene.  In the episode, the Simpson family travels to Hong Kong to adopt a baby girl for Selma, who wanted a child for eternity.

But, that was not the reason behind the removal.  “Goo Goo Gai Pan” shows the Tiananmen Square, with a sign that states, “Tien An Men Square:  On this site in 1989, nothing happened.”

To clarify, beginning April 15th, 1989, and ending on June 4th, student uprisings took place in the Square, over massive economic and government changes and reforms. The government put an end to the protesting by aggressive force containing armed troops and tank engines.  The event, called the Tiananmen Square Massacre, resulted in hundreds, if thousands of deaths, with thousands more injured.

In response to the massacre, China has tried to hide this piece of history.  The population, except for those who experienced the tragedy, has little knowledge or awareness of it. Anything or anyone, that tried to cover the Tiananmen Square event was wiped out, and memorials commemorating the lost have been banned, although that the last two years was in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

To further conceal the occurrence, the episode was removed from Disney+. It’s unclear whether Disney has removed it or the Chinese government.  Yet, “Goo Goo Gai Pan” can be accessed in other Asian countries, or Hong Kong users can still watch this “notorious” episode with a VPN.

If anything though, the erasure was yet another The Simpsons prediction, if subconsciously or with intent.

What are your thoughts on the removal?  Do you think it was the correct move?  Let us know in the comments.