My Money's on Patty

Pastor Homer Simpson Will Marry a Same-Sex Couple

AFTER 16 SEASONS and nearly 350 episodes, it’s amazing that Fox’s “The Simpsons” can still cause a ruckus. Last summer, one of the show’s producers, Al Jean, announced that the series would feature an episode where Homer becomes a minister to make money performing same-sex weddings. Homer also is to perform a wedding for someone close to him, who will come out on the show.

Ever since, there has been an unusual amount of buzz about just who the character will be. In October, London’s Sun newspaper reported that it would be Patty Bouvier, Marge Simpson’s man-hating sister. At the time, Fox wouldn’t comment.

The network still isn’t talking, but it did confirm that the episode, dubbed “There’s Something about Marrying,” will air on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m.

THE GOOD FOLKS at www.BetUS.com have seized on the highly anticipated coming out episode. On Jan. 18 the Canadian-based gambling Web site posted odds on which character would come out on “The Simpsons” and began taking bets.

“I believe this is the first time we’ve offered odds relating to anyone’s sexuality, fictional or non,” says Mike Foreman, a spokesperson for the company.

The odds-on favorite is Patty, with 4-to-5 odds, which means, for every $5 you bet, if she comes out, you only get $4 back. Guess all those rumors that she’s going to come out carry some weight after all.

Next in line is Waylon Smithers, Mr. Burns’ dithering, effeminate assistant, who viewers have assumed for years is gay. His odds are 4-to-1, so you’ll get $4 for each dollar you bet that he comes out first.

Foreman says that, after more than 1,000 bets, he was surprised that Homer’s evangelical neighbor, Ned Flanders, at 15-to-1, was getting the most big money bets — many of them at the $500 limit.

“Imagine the kind of press they would get if Ned came out,” Foreman says. “I think that’s definitely something to consider.”

Other characters who visitors can bet on include Patty’s twin sister, Selma, at 9-to-1 odds; Homer’s homoerotic coworkers Lenny and Carl, at 9-to-1 and 13-to-1 odds, respectively; bartender Moe at 15-to-1 odds; Bart’s best friend Milhouse, at 8-to-1; convenience store owner Apu, at 10-to-1; Homer’s boss, Mr. Burns, at 16-to-1; and Homer Simpson himself, a long shot at 20-to-1.

BetUS.com often encourages betting on pop culture issues, like the winners of reality television programs and the outcomes of award shows, but rarely on scripted series such as “The Simpsons.” Foreman says that the company almost always loses money running entertainment pools.

“It’s fun for our customers and it creates a bit of a buzz,” he says, adding that “The Simpsons” pool has brought them to an entirely different market.

Comments

[Mark]

I remember Matt Groening once saying that Waylon Smithers is not hetro-, homo-, or a-sexual. He is Burnsexual.