THE PROBLEM: As The Simpsons series moves forward, the crew should focus on pursuing a romantic, mutual relationship between Mr. Burns and Smithers, otherwise known as the most infamous, longest, and interesting love story to hit the silver screen. With the announcement of 2 more seasons and the pending finale of the series, fans across the web unanimously agree that this is one plot point of "Will they or won't they?" that is hopefully addressed and/or put to rest by the end of the show.

After almost 28 years, The Simpsons has taken us on a roller coaster of laughs, tears, and memories. It's not unheard of that this series has shaped Western culture and successfully set a revolutionary atmosphere on various social issues. One of the very first gay characters on network television was Waylon Smithers and is continuously portrayed as a sycophant hopelessly pining for Mr. Burns' affection. Monty Burns is a bi-coded villain reigning control over Springfield through the town's nuclear power plant. These two characters have helped people realize their sexualities and introduced others into thinking against their own LGBT-based phobias. Burns and Smithers have gotten a large sum of screen time that enforced their bond and potentiality for a solid relationship over the decades. 

The current argument for this relationship not becoming something more is that the show does not support "change" in these characters' lives. Should this mean that Comic Book Guy and Kumiko shouldn't have gotten married and messed up CBG's character traits of being a lonely nerd running a comic shop? Should this have meant that Ned should've never connected with Edna and interfering with the original Skinner/Edna dynamic? Or rather, does this mean that only the gay characters should never change. The hyped up marketing techniques for 'The Burns Cage' sparked interest across the fanbase of whether or not the BurnSmithers relationship will finally be obtained. No one was opposed to it for both the reasons of fans getting tired of this constant one-sided pining without reciprocation as well as the result of the show's writers growing this dynamic into an intriguing interest among the fandom. Imagine all the story-lines and new fans that could come from the most infamous gay couple sharing a mutual love. 

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO BOTH THE SHOW AND THE FANS: With current shows abusing "representation" by killing off, disrespecting, stereotyping, or LGBTQ+ characters for unnecessary reasons to their show's canon, it's time for a change in rhythm. I believe that The Simpsons can lead this revolution of demonstrating a positive gay relationship and put to rest the long unrequited tension between Burns and Smithers (a strong parallel to Homer and Marge's relationship). If social media and the news ate up the story of Smithers "coming out" the night the arc was officially announced, expect that reaction times ten if Smithers' love was going to be returned or at least addressed. The fans have are exhausted by the one-sided pining and are searching for some reciprocation after 28+ years of hints at a romantic relationship. We appreciate the staff's hard work and love for this show and I hope they will find this petition as a supportive measure of interest in the characters' lives.

"Let's make The Simpsons Great Again! By finally making Burns and Smithers a couple!" -A man with a cheap spray-on tan probably