‘The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror” 2016 Marks 600th Episode

The Simpsons never fails to deliver a memorable “Treehouse of Horror” Halloween episode each October, but this year’s annual genre homage will also be the long running show’s landmark 600th episode, and details for the episode have emerged, including the ghostly resurrection a long since departed popular character.

As reported by Entertainment Weekly, The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror XXVII” will feature the return of Frank Grimes, a character introduced and killed off in the Season 8 episode “Homer’s Enemy”, in which the fan-favorite character will issue his first lines of dialogue in almost 20 years at the beginning of the annual Halloween episode,  which also serves as episode No. 600.

Grimes’ guest spot is only a cameo that appears in the form of an apparition (see image below), as Sideshow Bob and the ghost of Grimey join forces with two other characters over a shared hatred of America’s favorite animated family. “They’re forming a sinister squadron of Simpsons enemies to try to kill the Simpsons,” executive producer Al Jean tells EW.

The series has referenced Grimes (who is voiced by Simpsons cast member Hank Azaria) multiple times in memoriam, introduced his son, Frank Grimes Jr., showed his tombstone, and, in a John Kricfalusi-created couch gag for last year’s “Treehouse of Horror,” even featured a monster rising from Grimes’ grave who sought gruesome revenge, but this 2016 episode will be the first time the character has spoken since his death in Season 8.

The three main segments of this year’s “Treehouse of Horror” episode include a satire of dystopian movies in which evil Mr. Burns controls the only water in a Springfield gone dry; a story in which an imaginary friend (Sarah Silverman) from Lisa’s younger days returns to kill her real friends; and a James Bond-themed segment with accents of Kingsman: The Secret Service that features bartender Moe running a secret society that tries to keep order in the world.

The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror XXVII” Halloween episode airs on Sunday, October 16 on Fox.

You can view the official poster for the episode below!

See what else is on TV for Halloween 2016 here!

'The Simpsons' 2016 Halloween episode "Treehouse of Horror XXVII" will resurrect the ghost of Frank Grimes.
‘The Simpsons’ 2016 Halloween episode “Treehouse of Horror XXVII” will resurrect the ghost of Frank Grimes.

'The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror XXVII" poster

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Matt Artz

Founded Halloween Daily News in 2012 and the Halloween International Film Festival in 2016. Professional writer/journalist/photographer since 2000.