The Simpsons fans are about to be treated to two Halloween Treehouse of Horror episodes this year, thanks to the crazy and creepy fanart of Krusty the Clown. In the first of the Treehouses, airing this Sunday, The Simpsons cross a terrifying road when they encounter “Krusto,” Krusty the Clown’s (Dan Castellaneta) Pennywise alter ego. The episode “Not It” is a spin on the Stephen King classic novel, It. The episode will also use its full-time allotment of thirty minutes to tell the story.
In a clip from Entertainment Weekly, a young Barney Gumble (Castellaneta) becomes Krusto’s first victim after chasing his paper boat down a flooded street in the town of Kingfield, where Krusto is hiding in the gutters. He bites Barney’s arm off after the latter calls him out on Krusto, saying he is “the funniest clown in the whole wide world.”
The situation then gets a junior high school-age Homer (Castellaneta) and his pals to try to stop Krusto before he strikes again, and twenty-five years later, as adults are facing the evil, child-hungry clown once more. Their plans are set to stop Krusto for good this time around.
While coming face-to-face with Krusto, the friends must also relive the childhood traumas that Krusto took advantage of. In particular, Moe Syszlak (Hank Azaria) must get over his fear of ventriloquist dummies. Co-showrunner Matt Selman addresses just how the bartender overcomes it.
"“As an adult, he conquers his [Moe] fear by becoming the Criss Angel of ventriloquists.”"
Selman then pitched the role of “magical gravedigger” was pitched to Stephen King to do his voice and his second appearance on the sitcom, but he declined the offer. If accepted, it would have made an exciting connection between the book and The Simpsons’ parodied version.
“Not It” will be the first to air of the two Halloween episodes. The traditional Treehouse of Horror (number XXXIII) with three spooky tales, including a take on the Japanese anime Death Note, will air the following Sunday, October 30th.