The Simpsons bring American Sign Language and deaf actor in historic episode

The Simpsons have done it again.

For the historic April 10th episode, titled, The Sound of Bleeding Gums, Lisa discovered that her jazz hero, the late Bleeding Gums Murphy had a deaf son.  Naturally, she got a little ahead of herself when she reaches out to help Monk but realizes that he is the one who helps her understand a new world in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

For the first time in The Simpsons’ lengthy run, the American Sign Language, or ASL, is utilized. Deaf actor, John Autry II (Glee, I Hear You) voices Monk, the son of the late Bleeding Gums.  The idea for the episode bloomed from show writer Loni Steele Sosthand, whose own family are jazz lovers and have a deaf-born brother, Eli, who Monk embodies.

Sosthand hand-picked Autry herself when she pitched the story idea to showrunner Al Jean and exec James L. Brooks, who immediately went on board with the premise.

Autry opened up on being part of such history and how having an important role in The Simpsons changed his life.

"“It’s so incredible. It’s life-changing equality and participation. This can impact change for all of us. It’s about hard of hearing and hearing characters coming together. It’s a part of history.”"

Aside from Autry, deaf comedian Kathy Buckley and the nonprofit No Limits, which offer educational and life-changing resources, including theatrical productions to Deaf children and their families, also have cameos.

As the episode’s storyline continues, Monk wants to get a cochlear implant as it would benefit him to understand the sounds around him and hear the voice of his famous father.  Lisa continues to be in full awe over Monk and can’t fully believe that he is the son of her jazz mentor.

But what about introducing ASL to the famous four-fingered characters?  As challenging as it implies, Sosthand revealed to Variety that it was a “little tricky” at first, but The Simpsons managed to make it work.  After all, the only thing being translated is the work of Shakespeare.

The Sound of Bleeding Gums comes after a few weeks of another historic episode, You Won’t Believe What This Episode Is About-Act Three Will Shock You!, which was created by an all-women team.