10 Hilarious Simpsons Chalkboard Gags That Define the 35-Year-Old Series (2025)

Chalkboard gags and The Simpsons go hand-in-hand and have been a significant part of the show since the very first season. Typically, these gags show Bart Simpson writing lines on a chalkboard as a punishment for his latest outburst. Much like the couch gags, these messages change almost every week, making them one of the show's most unusual assets.

But, as fans can imagine, the writers are often forced to come up with new ideas so that this 35-year-old gag doesn't become too stale. Yet, this sequence is also used to display touching messages to the fans, making it a symbolic part of the opening credits. But, with so many to choose from, fans often struggle to pick their all-time favorite chalkboard gag.

I Will Not Celebrate Meaningless Milestones

Season 5, Episode 19, "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song"

Though the title of the episode doesn't suggest it, "Season 5, Episode 19, "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song" is the 100th episode of The Simpsons. Thus, the chalkboard gag is ironically criticizing minor achievements by giving itself a sarcastic pat on the back. This is a prime example of a great gag because it manages to break the fourth wall without making it obvious, proving that this lively animated sitcom can be subtle when it wants to be.

This episode is packed full of pop culture references, including Crocodile Dundee and Full Metal Jacket, easily making it a fan-favorite. After Bart accidentally gets Principal Skinner fired, he tries everything in his power to help the man get his old job back. As such, this episode shows a different side to both characters and proves that, deep down, they truly care for each other.

I Will Not Plant SubliminAL MessaGOREs

Season 12, Episode 2, "A Tale of Two Springfields"

Complete with a constant flow of gags and a guest appearance from The Who, "A Tale of Two Springfields" offers audiences a rollercoaster of laughs and music. When Homer discovers that he lost out on tickets to a concert because Springfield has two area codes, he's determined to make things right. However, the conflict between Old Springfield and New Springfield splits this once-loving community in two.

The chalkboard gag in this episode references 2000 Presidential candidate Al Gore. Since The Simpsons typically follows a democratic philosophy, it's assumed that the gag was trying to steer voters by making a reference to subliminal messages. Though this gag is often lost on modern viewers, it highlights that the sitcom was never afraid to take sides when it comes to politics.

I Am Not a 32-Year-Old Woman

Season 2, Episode 6, "Dead Putting Society"

Nancy Cartwright is a very accomplished voice actor but is probably best known for voicing Bart Simpson. As such, this chalkboard references Cartwright's age and has Bart deny that he's voiced by a woman. This is a great nod to this talented actress and just proves how far the show has come since its second season.

When Cartwright welcomed her first grandchild in 2019, one of the chalkboard gags read, "I am not a grandmother." Once again, it seems that The Simpsons is keen to pay tribute to Cartwright's dedication to the show but doesn't want to ruin Bart's character. Thus, the sitcom is able to credit its cast while also making its characters seem incredibly detailed and realistic.

"The President Did It" Is Not an Excuse

Season 10, Episode 9, "Mayored to the Mob"

After saving Mayor Quimby and Mark Hamill from a stampede at a convention, Homer starts a new life as a bodyguard. But, while serving the Mayor, he learns that he's been making deals with the notorious Mafia leader, Fat Tony. Thus, Homer is forced to work twice as hard to keep Quimby out of trouble and stop him from being killed by Fat Tony.

Though this episode has a few political undertones, it doesn't match up to the shocking chalkboard gag. Since this episode aired just a day after Bill Clinton's infamous impeachment proceedings, it's clear that the show was keen to mock his sexual harassment case as quickly as possible. Although this is quite a charged joke, it's still subtle enough to fly over younger viewers' heads.

Nobody Reads These Anymore

Season 13, Episode 2, "The Parent Rap"

In this episode, Homer and Bart are forced to be tethered together after the latter steals a police cruiser. Though they could have used this time to bond, it seems that Homer just can't be a responsible father. So, after Bart is left out in the cold while Homer grabs a beer, Marge decides to put an end to this nonsense and separates them.

After 12 years on air, The Simpsons finally acknowledged that the chalkboard gags are a little tiresome at times. Yet, instead of creating a new opening sequence, the writers went one step further and commented on the lackluster nature of this joke. Though The Simpsons is pretty sure of itself most of the time, it's nice for fans to see the writers be a bit self-deprecating.

South Park, We'd Stand Beside You If We Weren't So Scared

Season 21, Episode 19, "The Squirt and the Whale"

Though it could be argued that The Simpsons inspired South Park, the latter rarely mixes with other shows within the industry. This makes sense, considering that South Park is deemed to be much more adult than its contemporaries, like Family Guy or Daria. Yet, the chalkboard gag in "The Squirt and the Whale" proves that The Simpsons stands in solidarity with its competitors.

This gag draws the viewer's attention to the banned South Park episodes, which caused the show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, to receive lengthy death threats for their depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Though the controversy is warranted, many fans believe that the episode was unfairly censored and that Comedy Central bowed down in fear to the threats that occurred at the time. Many fans also see this gag as a comment on Fox, with Bart commending South Park for its bold moves but is unable to do the same because of the network's right-wing views. So, even though this gag is not as funny as the others, its sentimental nature places it at the halfway point on this list.

I'm Sorry I Broke The Blackboard

Season 24, Episode 15, "Black Eyed, Please"

Ned Flanders puts up with quite a lot being next-door neighbors with Homer Simpson, but in "Black Eyed, Please," he finally reaches the end of his rope. Flanders gives Homer a black eye but soothes his worries by reciting "an eye for an eye" from scripture. Yet, Ned's parents eventually work to bring the men together with a touch of medical cannabis.

After nearly 25 years, Springfield Elementary finally gets with the times and offers Bart a whiteboard. Though by 2013, interactive whiteboards were all the rage in schools, it is still fun to see Bart experiment with a new type of punishment. As such, this gag is praised for its ability to take a typical joke and still make it novel for audiences.

Bart's Earned A Day Off

Season 23, Episode 14, "At Long Last Leave"

After years of turmoil and frustration, the citizens of Springfield decide it's finally time to get rid of the Simpsons for good. Thus, the family is forced to fend for themselves and reside in the Outlands. Here, they meet WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who also works to make their new life a living hell. Though the Simpsons feel incredibly homesick, a handful of close friends begin to rebuild their new lives in this desolate location, helping to build another community for the family to fall in love with.

To celebrate the 500th episode of the long-running sitcom, the writers decided that Bart deserves a break from endlessly writing lines. So, they hand the job over to Milhouse. This is a great gag because it showcases Bart's smug grin in all its glory while Milhouse is forced to do his dirty work.

Pixel Art Is Not Real Art

Season 26, Episode 14, "My Fare Lady"

Though the vast majority of The Simpsons' opening sequences are completed by in-house animators, the show occasionally welcomes a series of prestigious guest artists. Paul Robertson is best known for his pixel art animation and has worked on several popular video games, including The Invincible Iron Man and Wizorb. Thus, his chalkboard gag not only introduces a new art form into The Simpsons universe but works to show the versatility of this unique style.

"My Fare Lady" also includes a few unusual features that viewers may have missed the first time around. For example, despite appearing throughout this episode, it's the first time that Bart doesn't speak. As such, this episode is filled with little touches that remind the audience that, after all this time, The Simpsons can still keep things fresh.

We'll Really Miss You Mrs. K

Season 25, Episode 3, "Four Regrettings and a Funeral"

Though this chalkboard gag typically brings fans to tears instead of forcing them to erupt in a fit of giggles, it's an important milestone nevertheless. After decades of being forced to write lines to his teacher, Mrs. Krabapple, he leaves her one final message. The fact that this gag only contains a single line makes it much more profound, placing it at the top spot on this list.

Maria Wallace, who voiced Edna Krabapple, passed away from complications associated with pneumonia in October 2013. As such, "Four Regrettings and a Funeral" was dedicated to the actress's legacy and time on the show. Moments like this might not be funny, but they highlight how the sitcom handles tough situations with grace and kindness.

The Simpsons

TV-14

Animation

Comedy

The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.

Release Date

December 17, 1989

Cast

Dan Castellaneta , Nancy Cartwright , Harry Shearer , Yeardley Smith , Julie Kavner , Hank Azaria , Pamela Hayden , Tress MacNeille

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

36

Creator

James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon

Production Company

Gracie Films, 20th Television Animation, Fox Television Animation, The Curiosity Company

Number of Episodes

761

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu