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| | {{Character| | | {{Character| |
| − | image= [[Image:c-smithers.gif|120px]]| | + | image= [[Image:ez.gif|120px]]| |
| − | name=Waylon J. Smithers, Jr.| | + | name=Hezekiah Mordecai Issac Jeremiah Jephthe Dauchtenliegen| |
| | gender=[[Male]]| | | gender=[[Male]]| |
| − | hair=Spiky brown-gray hair| | + | hair=Green mullet| |
| − | age=52 | + | age=20| |
| − | |job=Assistant to [[Charles Montgomery Burns]]| | + | |job=Grocery store clerk| |
| − | relatives=Father: [[Waylon J. Smithers, Sr.]] (deceased); divorced; unknown children| | + | relatives=none known| |
| − | appearance=[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]] (voice) [[Homer's Odyssey]] (in person)| | + | appearance=[[Number Seven]]| |
| − | voiced by=[[Harry Shearer]]| | + | voiced by=[[Zorgin Hmorgin]]| |
| | }} | | }} |
| − | '''Waylon Smithers, Jr.''' (voiced by [[Harry Shearer]]) is the assistant to [[Mr. Burns]]. Smithers first appeared briefly in the episode "[[Homer's Odyssey]]", although he could be heard in the ''The Simpsons'' series premiere [[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]] [[Image:Smithers_kiss_Mr_Burns.jpg|thumb|Smithers kissing Mr Burns when he thinks he is going to die]]. He is the consummate executive and personal assistant (and self-proclaimed best friend) of [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]]'s CEO [[Mr. Burns]]. In many ways, Smithers represents the stereotype of the closeted gay man, and numerous overt allusions and double entendres to his homosexuality are made, though some of the show's producers instead refer to him as a "Burns-sexual". | + | '''Ez Dauchtenliegen''' is the clerk at the local Safeway. He is a friend of Jim and Freds, who fequently go to him for advice about life and relationships. He is homosexual, and therefore is believed by Jim and Fred to understand the female mind and therefore is a psychological guru. |
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| − | [[File:Daphneburns.jpg|thumb|Smithers on the phone with [[Daphne Burns]].]] | + | [[File:ezatsafeway.jpg|thumb|Ez working at Safeway.]] |
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| − | ==Role in ''The Simpsons''==
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| − | Waylon Smithers is Burns's devoted executive assistant. His father, Waylon Sr., worked for Burns until he died of [[radiation poisoning]] after saving [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]] from a potential [[nuclear meltdown]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Blunder Years|episodelink=The Blunder Years |series=The Simpsons |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Maxtone-Graham, Ian; Moore, Steven Dean|network=Fox |airdate=2001-12-09 |season=13 |number=05}}</ref> In many ways, he represents the stereotypical [[closet(ed)|closeted]] [[gay]] man. Although, he has not declared himself to be gay, he has several gay friends and frequents Springfield's [[gay village]],<ref>{{cite episode |title=Three Gays of the Condo|episodelink=Three Gays of the Condo |series=The Simpsons |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Warburton, Matt; Kirkland, Mark|network=Fox |airdate=2003-04-13 |season=14 |number=17}}</ref> and goes on a vacation to a male-only resort.<ref name="HtS">{{cite episode |title=Homer the Smithers|episodelink=Homer the Smithers |series=The Simpsons |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Moore, Steven Dean|network=Fox |airdate=1996-02-25|season=7 |number=17}}</ref> It was revealed in a flashback that he was briefly married to a woman, but the two split up when he devoted too much time to Mr. Burns.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Secrets of a Successful Marriage|episodelink=Secrets of a Successful Marriage |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Daniels, Greg; Baeza, Carlos|network=Fox |airdate=1994-05-19 |season=05 |number=22}}</ref> Smithers is shown to be quite passionate for Mr. Burns and his sexual orientation has been characterized by the writers of the show as "Burns-sexual".<ref name="Burns-sexual">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565538/20070725/story.jhtml|title='Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers|accessdate=2007-10-24|date=[[2007-07-26]]|author=Carroll, Larry|publisher=[[MTV]]}}</ref> Smithers has occasional fantasies about Burns and whenever we see his computer turning on, it shows a nude Burns saying: "Hello Smithers. You're quite good at turning me on."<ref name="Malibu">{{cite episode |title=Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy|episodelink=Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Lynch, Jeffrey|network=Fox |airdate=1994-02-17 |season=05 |number=14}}</ref> Smithers has openly declared his love for Burns on at least two occasions, such as in "[[Lisa the Skeptic]]", when, believing the world is ending, Smithers says "Oh, what the hell!" and kisses Burns on the lips, later explaining it to him as "merely a sign of my respect."<ref>{{cite episode |title=Lisa the Skeptic|episodelink=Lisa the Skeptic |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Cohen, David S.; Affleck, Neil |network=Fox |airdate=1997-11-23 |season=09 |number=08}}</ref> Another hint of Smithers sexuallity appears in [[Homer's Phobia]], where he seems to have been dating [[John (Homer's Phobia)|John]].
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| − | Burns has remained largely ignorant of Smithers's devoted adoration, much to Smithers's frustration. In later episodes, however, Burns appears to be somewhat wary of these gestures.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Little Big Girl|episodelink=Little Big Girl |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Payne, Don; Persi, Raymond S.|network=Fox |airdate=2007-02-11 |season=18 |number=12}}</ref> Burns himself has been involved with several women and in "[[A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love]]", Smithers is noticeably disgusted when Burns starts looking for a female companion.<ref>{{cite episode |title=A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love|episodelink=A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; Kramer, Lance |network=Fox |airdate=2001-12-02 |season=09 |number=08}}</ref> Burns, for his part, views (and refers to) Smithers as a [[lackey]], albeit a highly valued one for his competence and toadying. He has "rewarded" Smithers's devotion with the future "honor" of being buried alive with him after he dies.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Burns' Heir|episodelink=Burns' Heir |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Richdale, Jace; Kirkland, Mark |network=Fox |airdate=1994-04-14 |season=09 |number=08}}</ref> Smithers has been shown to be somewhat dependant on his relationship with Burns. In "[[Homer the Smithers]]", Burns orders Smithers to take a vacation and [[Homer Simpson]] is hired as a temporary replacement. When Homer loses his temper and punches Burns in the face, Mr. Burns learns to become self-reliant and this results in Smithers being fired. Smithers decides that he needs to be Burns's assistant and eventually gets his job back.<ref name="HtS"/> For all his sycophantic devotion to Mr. Burns, Smithers has been willing to challenge him on at least two occasions, most significantly in the "[[Who Shot Mr. Burns]]" episodes, where he opposed his employer's various evil schemes and was fired. As a result of his firing, Smithers became a "hideous drunken wreck"<ref>{{cite episode |title=Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part 1|episodelink=Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One) |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Lynch, Jeffrey |network=Fox |airdate=1995-05-21 |season=06 |number=25}}</ref> and when Mr. Burns was shot later in the episode, Smithers thought he might have done it while he was drunk. When it was proven that he had not, Smithers seemingly forgave Burns and demanded that the culprit be brought to justice, offering a reward for the capture of the perpetrator.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part 2|episodelink=Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two) |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Oakley, Bill; Weinstein, Josh; Archer, Wes|network=Fox |airdate=1995-09-17 |season=07 |number=01}}</ref>
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| − | Smithers's official job at the power plant appears to be that of executive assistant, which he says is "actually about 2,800 smaller jobs"<ref name="HtS"/> responsible for monitoring employee attendance, and is often a disciplinarian and has won dozens of [[Award|Employee of the Month]] awards.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Homer Defined|episodelink=Homer Defined |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Gewirtz, Howard; Kirkland, Mark |network=Fox |airdate=1991-10-17 |season=03 |number=05}}</ref> He has often hinted at wanting to be promoted to the position of executive [[vice president]], but Burns has repeatedly squashed this dream, while whimsically bestowing the vice presidency on Homer and a dog.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Homer's Enemy|episodelink=Homer's Enemy |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Swartzwelder, John; reardon, Jim |network=Fox |airdate=1997-05-04 |season=08 |number=23}}</ref> Smithers has the largest collection of [[List of fictional characters within The Simpsons#Malibu Stacy|Malibu Stacy]] dolls in the World and is the president of the Malibu Stacy fan club.<ref name="Malibu"/>
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| − | ==Future==
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| − | At age 58, he injects himself with medicine every 10 minutes to become straight. At age 65, he thawed out Mr. Burns and had his 17 stab wounds to the back cured. He attended [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa Simpson's]] wedding with him. At age 1,050, his head is on a robotic dog body. He lives with Burns and the Earth is ruled by apes.
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| | ==Character== | | ==Character== |
| − | ===Creation===
| + | [[Image:ezdauchtenliegens.jpg|left|thumb|Ez's trademark expression.]] |
| − | [[Image:Smithers-black.jpg|left|thumb|Smithers with black skin and blue hair]] | + | Ez is a 1980s young adult who loves punk and heavy metal music, has a green-dyed mullet and speaks in a strange lingo. Much of his speech is borrowed from the 'swish' lingo which is popular in the gay community. Because he is slightly older than the teenagers, but still close to their age, he is often looked to as a friend, philosopher and counselor. |
| − | Waylon Smithers was partly based on how numerous [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] executives and staff members acted towards [[Barry Diller]].<ref name=tvguide>{{cite news|title=Flash! 24 Simpsons Stars Reveal Themselves|accessdate=2007-08-15|date=[[2000-10-21]]|publisher=[[TV Guide]]|author=Joe Rhodes}}</ref> The idea for Smithers's orientation came from [[Sam Simon]], who proposed that Smithers should be gay, but the writers should never draw too much attention to it and should try to keep it in the back of their heads.<ref name="ReissTTH">{{cite video | people=Jean, Al|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "The Telltale Head"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The script for "[[Blood Feud (The Simpsons)|Blood Feud]]" originally featured Smithers saying "Just leave me enough to get home to my wife and kids," but the line had to be cut for time.<ref name=tvguide/> Smithers is voiced by [[Harry Shearer]], who is also the voice of Mr. Burns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z175z13z4&bioid=1675|title=Harry Shearer|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company]]}}</ref> Shearer is often able to perform dialogue between the two characters in one take.<ref name="JeanBF"/> [[Dan Castellaneta]] occasionally fills in for Shearer at table reads and voices Smithers.<ref name="JeanBF"/>
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| − | Smithers made his first appearance in "[[Homer's Odyssey]]", which was the third episode of the [[The Simpsons (season 1)|first season]], although he can be heard over a speaker in ''The Simpsons'' series premiere "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]".<ref name="bbc">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page1.shtml Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire] ''BBC.co.uk''. Retrieved on [[March 2]], [[2007]]</ref> In his first visual appearance in "Homer's Odyssey", Smithers was mistakenly animated with the wrong color and was made [[African-American]] by Gyorgi Peluci, the color stylist. [[David Silverman]] has claimed that Smithers was always intended to be "Mr Burns' white sycophant,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:VXGKpegLb2MJ:www.hurtwoodmedia.com/mckenzie/pdf/simpsons.pdf|title=Background Guide to The Simpsons|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=September 2002|publisher=Hurtwood Media}}</ref> and the staff thought it "would be a bad idea to have a black sub-servient character" and so switched him to his intended color for his next episode.<ref name=tvguide/> The first appearance of yellow Smithers was "[[There's No Disgrace Like Home]]", the fourth episode of the first season.
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| − | ===Development===
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| − | [[Image:SmithersDream.png|right|200px|thumb|Smithers dreams about Mr. Burns in "[[Marge Gets A Job]]." The censors had issues with the "lump in his bed."<ref name="Weinstein"/>]]
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| − | Smithers's relationship with Mr. Burns has long been a running joke on ''The Simpsons''. Smithers is an obedient and sycophant assistant to Mr. Burns. There have often been strong hints about Smithers's true feelings for his boss, with one of the earliest references being in the season one episode "[[The Telltale Head]]".<ref name="JeanTTH">{{cite video | people=Jean, Al|year=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "The Telltale Head"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Smithers's sexual orientation has often come into question, with some fans claiming he is a "Burns-sexual" and only attracted to his boss, while others maintain that he is, without a doubt, gay.<ref name="Turner">{{cite book| last = Turner| first = Chris| title =[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]]| page =p. 296| id = ISBN 0-679-31318-4}}</ref> During the [[Bill Oakley]]/[[Josh Weinstein]] era, they still tried to keep his sexuality mysterious and there was debate among the writers about his orientation. [[Al Jean]], who thinks of Smithers as being a "Burns-sexual",<ref name="JeanBF">{{cite video | people=Jean, Al|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Blood Feud"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> felt that had Mr. Burns been a woman, then Smithers would not be gay.<ref name="Oakley">{{cite video | people=Oakley, Bill|year=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Homer the Smithers"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> [[David Silverman]], a former supervising director has said, "[Smithers] seems to be focused on one particular human, as opposed to anything beyond that. [Rather than being gay], he's sort of 'Burns-sexual.'"<ref name="Burns-sexual"/> In a 2006 study conducted by the [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]], it was determined that nine of the 679 lead and supporting characters on scripted broadcast television were gay or lesbian. Smithers was not included among these nine characters, and it caused a mild online controversy. [[Patty and Selma Bouvier|Patty Bouvier]], [[Marge Simpson]]'s lesbian sister, was included on the list.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news//article/index.jsp?uuid=fd0da574-316b-4300-80a7-8662f9a096b2&entry=index|title="Simpsons'" Smithers Part of Shrinking Minority?|author=Finn, Natalie|accessdate=2006-08-22|date=[[2007-11-07]]|publisher=[[E! News]]}}</ref> The debate is referenced in "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]", when the episode host, [[Troy McClure]] is answering viewer questions, and one that is asked is "What is the real deal with Mr. Burns' assistant Smithers? You know what I'm talking about." A montage of various clips that shows Smithers' lust for Mr. Burns follows, and in the end, McClure says "as you can see, the real deal with Waylon Smithers is that he's Mr. Burns's assistant. He's in his early forties, is unmarried, and currently resides in Springfield. Thanks for asking!"<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular|episodelink=The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular |series=The Simpsons |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Vitti, Jon|network=Fox |airdate=1995-12-03 |season=7 |number=10}}</ref>
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| − | Several of the allusions to Smithers's sexuality have turned into battles with the censors. For example, in Smithers' fantasy of a naked Mr. Burns popping out of a birthday cake in "[[Rosebud (The Simpsons)|Rosebud]]", the censors had not wanted Mr. Burns to be naked. Another example is "[[Marge Gets A Job]]", which has a dream sequence where Smithers is sleeping and Burns flies through a window. The sequence shows Burns flying towards him and Smithers looking happy, but originally it went on for a few seconds longer. It had to be trimmed down due to scenes that showed "Mr. Burns land[ing] on a particular position on Mr. Burns' anatomy".<ref name="Oakley">{{cite video | people=Oakley, Bill|year=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> There were also issues with "the lump in his bed", which the animators had been drawn as his knee, but the censors had misinterpreted.<ref name="Weinstein">{{cite video | people=Weinstein, Josh|year=2005|title=The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
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| − | In the early seasons, Smithers has an occasional catchphrase, which comes from a recurring joke that Mr. Burns never remembers who Homer is. In some scenes, Smithers and Burns would watch Homer over a security camera Burns will ask, "Who is that man?", to which Smithers would reply, "That's Homer Simpson sir, one of your [insert drones, organ banks, carbon blobs, etc.] from sector 7G."<ref name="Turner2">{{cite book| last = Turner| first = Chris| title =[[Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation]]| page =p. 164| id = ISBN 0-679-31318-4}}</ref>
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| − | ==Reception==
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| − | [[Image:Harryshearer.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Smithers's voice actor [[Harry Shearer]].]]
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| − | In the second season, the writers started to enjoy writing about Smithers and Burns's relationship, and the writers often pitched episodes with them as the focus, but many never came to fruition.<ref name="VittiSaD">{{cite video | people=Vitti, Jon|year=2002|title=The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpson and Delilah"| medium=DVD||publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>
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| − | In 2004, Simpsons producers announced that one of the characters was going to [[coming out|come out]] of [[closet(ed)|the closet]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,673179,00.html|title=I D'oh|author=Susman, Gary|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=[[2004-07-28]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Speculation on who it would be was printed in newspapers throughout the United States and Canada (even claiming Smithers's "sexual orientation was about the worst-kept secret in Springfield,")<ref>Rayner, Ben. "We'll have a gay old time." The Toronto Star: February 20, 2005 Sunday, P. CO3. Retrieved October 26, 2007.</ref> as well as in [[Australia]],<ref>"Queer eye for yellow guys." The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia): February 22, 2005 LOCAL; pg. 17. Retrieved October 26, 2007.</ref> [[New Zealand]],<ref>"Simpsons in gay outing." ''The Press'' (Christchurch, New Zealand), February 15, 2005.</ref> [[Ireland]], (the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' called Smithers "too obvious" a choice)<ref>"Waylon Smithers." ''Irish Independent'': August 7, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2007.</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref> Ayres, Chris. "Homer sexual mystery as Simpsons character outed."'' The Times'' (London), July 29, 2004, p. 9. Retrieved October 26, 2007.</ref> Despite Matt Groening joking that it would be Homer, ''[[The Boston Herald]]'' calculated the odds of several characters being gay with Smithers at a million to one.<ref>Perigard, Mark. "Scandal in Springfield; For a gay old time, Bedrock has nothing on `The Simpsons' hometown." Boston Herald; July 27, 2004. P. 2. Retrieved October 26, 2007.</ref> [[PlanetOut]] hosted an online poll in the weeks prior to the episode to determine based on "cartoon [[gaydar]]" who was gay on the Simpsons, with 97% of the respondents choosing Smithers. Jenny Stewart, the entertainment editor at the site said of the poll, "We've never had such an avalanche of people voting in any of our polls as we did on The Simpsons."<ref>Harris, Misty. "Is Smithers coming out of the closet?: Simpsons fans hitting the polls. Cartoon series promises answer in January, but what's the buzz on Batman and Robin?" ''The Gazette'' (Montreal): August 10, 2004 p. D1.</ref> After the guessing, it was [[Patty Bouvier]] who came out.<ref>{{cite episode |title=There's Something About Marrying|episodelink=There's Something About Marrying |series=The Simpsons |serieslink=The Simpsons |credits=Burns, J. Stewart; Kruse, Nancy|network=Fox |airdate=2005-02-20 |season=16 |number=10}}</ref>
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| − | In a 2007 article, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named Smithers the sixteenth greatest sidekick of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20041669_20041686_20041659_9,00.html|title=We're No. 2!|author=Gunatilaka, Timothy|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=[[2004-07-28]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> They have also described Smithers and Mr. Burns as being "TV's most functional dysfunctional couple".<ref name="EW">{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,417748~3~0~25bestand1,00.html|title=The Family Dynamic|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=[[2003-01-29]]|publisher=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> Star News Online named "Smithers' fey way" as one of the four hundred reasons why they loved ''The Simpsons''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/NEWS/70518023/0/news36|title=400 reasons we love 'The Simpsons'|accessdate=2007-10-25|author=Jeff Hidek|publisher=Star News Online}}</ref> In a 2003 article, ''Entertainment Weekly'' named the [[Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)|Who Shot Mr. Burns?]] [[Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)|duo of episodes]], in which Smithers was prominently featured, 25th best episode.<ref name="EW"/>
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| | ==Cultural influence== | | ==Cultural influence== |
| − | Smithers was made into an action figure, and four different versions were included as part of the ''[[World of Springfield]]'' toy line. The first shows Smithers in his normal attire with a picture of Mr. Burns at his feet and was released in 2000 as part of "wave two".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/figure.asp?fig=F0010|title=Waylon Smithers|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=Simpsons Collectors}}</ref> The second, released in 2002 as part of "wave ten", is called "resort Smithers" and shows him dressed as he was at the resort in the episode "Homer the Smithers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/figure.asp?fig=F0116|title=Resort Smithers|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=Simpsons Collectors}}</ref> In 2003, a series of figures exclusive to ''[[Electronics Boutique]]'' was released, and a set of one Mr. Burns figure and two different Smithers toys based on the episode "[[Rosebud (The Simpsons)|Rosebud]]" were included. One, called "Bobo Smithers" shows Smithers dressed as Mr. Burns' teddy bear Bobo;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/figure.asp?fig=F0185|title=Bobo Smithers|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=Simpsons Collectors}}</ref> and the other, known as "future Smithers", shows him as a robotic dog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/figure.asp?fig=F0184|title=Future Smithers|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=Simpsons Collectors}}</ref> A "future Burns" was included in the set as a companion to "future Smithers" and depicts Burns as how he appeared as a robot at the end of the episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonscollectors.com/wospdb/figure.asp?fig=F0183|title=Future Burns|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=Simpsons Collectors}}</ref>
| + | Ez was one the earliest portrayal of an openly gay character in a cartoon show, something that is still culturally significant today. In addition, his portrayal was remarkable sympathetic and less likely to indulge in stereotypes than those seen in The Simpsons or Family Guy. |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| | <references/> | | <references/> |
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| − | ==Episode Appearances==
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| − | {{scroll|
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| − | * [[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]] (voice only)
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| − | * [[Homer's Odyssey]]
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| − | * [[There's No Disgrace Like Home]]
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| − | * [[The Telltale Head]]
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| − | * [[Life on the Fast Lane]]
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| − | * [[Homer's Night Out]]
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| − | * [[Bart Gets an F]]
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| − | * [[Simpson and Delilah]]
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| − | * [[Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish]]
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| − | * [[Dancin' Homer]]
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| − | * [[Bart vs. Thanksgiving]]
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| − | * [[Bart Gets Hit by a Car]]
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| − | * [[Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment]]
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| − | * [[Principal Charming]]
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| − | * [[Old Money]]
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| − | * [[Brush With Greatness]]
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| − | * [[Blood Feud]]
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| − | * [[Lady Bouvier's Lover]]
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| − | }}
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| − | ==Comic Appearances==
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| − | * [[The Amazing Colossal Homer]]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://www.thesimpsons.com/bios/bios_townspeople_smithers.htm Waylon Smithers] at TheSimpsons.com
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| − | * [http://www.snpp.com/guides/smithers.sexuality.html Smithers' Sexuality] at [[The Simpsons Archive]]
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| | {{simpsons characters}} | | {{simpsons characters}} |
Ez is a 1980s young adult who loves punk and heavy metal music, has a green-dyed mullet and speaks in a strange lingo. Much of his speech is borrowed from the 'swish' lingo which is popular in the gay community. Because he is slightly older than the teenagers, but still close to their age, he is often looked to as a friend, philosopher and counselor.
Ez was one the earliest portrayal of an openly gay character in a cartoon show, something that is still culturally significant today. In addition, his portrayal was remarkable sympathetic and less likely to indulge in stereotypes than those seen in The Simpsons or Family Guy.
