“Simpsons” on Sunday presents the first deaf actors of the show, animated ASL

This weekend's new episode of The Simpsons not only introduces fans to a brand new character in Springfield. Entitled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” this chapter reveals that Lisa's late jazz idol, Bleeding Gums Murphy, had a son born deaf. The young man, named Monk, wants to get a cochlear implant and Lisa, in typical Lisa style, is a little too involved in trying to help.

Written by Loni Steele Sosthand, this chapter has two major new additions to the long series: it features the first use of deaf voice actors on the show and the first take of the 2D animated classic in animated American Sign Language. Monk is played by John Autry II (Glee, I Hear You), but the episode also features deaf comedian Kathy Buckley and three young guests from the non-profit organization No Limits for deaf children.

“The Sound of Bleeding Gums” is inspired by Sosthand's experience of growing up with a jazz-loving father and brother who was born deaf. (Sosthand and his brother, Eli Steele, previously developed a pilot based on their lives starring Autry as well).

“I am of mixed race; My dad's black and jazz was big in our house. We grew up in the suburbs and it was a way for my father to bring that aspect of our culture into it. But when I think of music, I also think of my brother, who was born deaf, ”Sosthand told Variety.

“When we were talking about this Bleeding Gums character in our initial brainstorming, we thought, wouldn't it be great if Lisa discovered this whole other side of her life. That led to him having a son, and then we based that character at least a little bit on my brother. And the story grew from there ”.

The Simpsons "The Sound of Bleeding Gums" premieres Sunday, April 10 at 20pm. ET / PT on FOX.

[Source: Variety]