The early seasons of The Simpsons are widely considered the show’s golden age, producing countless iconic episodes and enduring storylines. One standout from Season 4 is “The Front,” which follows Bart and Lisa as they become convinced they can write better Itchy and Scratchy cartoons than the show’s current writers.

Originally, “The Front” included a joke that was ultimately removed before broadcast, offering a revealing glimpse into early 1990s television standards.

In the deleted scene, Roger Meyers Jr., the perpetually irritable head of Itchy & Scratchy Studios, dictates a rejection letter to Bart and Lisa, declaring, “In my opinion, you kids don’t know—” before the scene abruptly cuts. Moments later, Bart and Lisa are shown reading the letter at home, where Lisa asks, puzzled, “I know what this word means, but what’s Shinola?”

The unfinished sentence clearly alludes to the phrase “You kids don’t know ** from Shinola!” Although the swear word is never spoken, its implication is unmistakable. For viewers unfamiliar with the reference, Shinola was a shoe polish brand, making Lisa’s confusion the punchline—most audiences would recognize the curse before the product.

Why 1990s TV Standards Drew the Line

Despite its subtlety, the joke was deemed unacceptable under television standards in 1993, when even implied profanity could trigger concern from network censors.

This caution stood in stark contrast to other content the show routinely aired, including graphic Itchy and Scratchy violence, cartoon nudity, and sexual innuendo. Language, it seemed, was where the line was drawn.

That context makes later episodes even funnier in hindsight. In Season 6’s “Two Dozen and One Greyhounds,” Bart uses a word Marge considers inappropriate.

When she scolds him, Bart counters by citing its dictionary definition, prompting Marge to reply, “Well, I’m going to write the dictionary people and havethat checked!” The exchange works as a clever satire of the same linguistic anxieties that once forced jokes like the Shinola gag to be cut.

A Classic Episode That Still Holds Up

Even without the deleted joke, “The Front” remains a classic. Its story includes Grandpa Abe Simpson submitting Bart and Lisa’s script under his own name and Homer returning to school to earn his high school diploma.

The episode closes with a flash-forward epilogue set in 2024, showing an elderly Homer and Marge attending their 50-year high school reunion. Of course, despite The Simpsons continuing well beyond 2024—and even into 2026—the characters remain perpetually the same age, much like figures in Marvel and DC Comics.

For fans hungry for more behind-the-scenes trivia, cut gags, and production insights from the show’s golden era, dedicated newsletters and retrospectives offer deep dives into episodes like “The Front.” The episode is currently available for streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.