A special episode of The Simpsons aired 29 years ago today, introducing a new member to the Burns family and featuring a well-known guest star. Considering how long the show has been on the air, you might expect many new relatives for supporting characters to drive new storylines. However, the show rarely adds family members, and when it does, it often involves a popular celebrity guest voice.
I remember watching The Simpsons 29 years ago today, on November 17, 1996, and being surprised by the Season 8 episode, “Burns Baby Burns.” That’s when they finally revealed that Mr. Burns had a son! They introduced us to Larry Burns, voiced by the one and only Rodney Dangerfield. Honestly, the episode didn’t get a ton of love when it first aired, especially since Season 8 had so many other amazing episodes like “You Only Move Twice.” But looking back, it’s really held up, mostly thanks to Dangerfield’s fantastic performance. It’s become a bit of a classic over time.
The Simpsons Gave Burns a Son 29 Years Ago Today
The episode “Burns Baby Burns” starts with a classic trip to a cider mill, featuring memorable moments like Marge accidentally saying “foilage” and Homer’s brain briefly detaching from his body. However, viewers may forget what happens after that. The main plot kicks in when Mr. Burns discovers he has a son, who is initially a roadside vendor. The Simpsons bring the son to Springfield, and Burns attempts to connect with him after learning he was the result of a past romance.
Burns desperately wants his son, Larry, to share his interests and fit into his wealthy lifestyle, but Larry just doesn’t seem to enjoy the same things. Instead, Larry quickly connects with Homer, and the two come up with a plan: a fake kidnapping designed to make Burns admit he loves his son. Predictably, the plan goes awry, leading to a chaotic standoff on a movie theater roof. However, everything ultimately works out for the best.
What Happened to Larry?
Throughout its many seasons, The Simpsons often featured one-time characters, and season eight was no exception. The show was known for surprising viewers with guest stars playing extended family members – like Danny DeVito as Homer’s half-brother Herbert – and this episode continued that tradition. Rodney Dangerfield was a great fit for the series; his character, Larry, closely reflected the comedian’s signature style and jokes.
Larry only appeared in one episode of the series. The final joke showed he had a family he’d been ignoring while spending time with his father. The episode concluded with a simple party, which perfectly capped off the humor. It effectively signaled Larry wouldn’t return, yet, nearly three decades later, Larry Burns remains a well-remembered character.
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2025-11-18 00:11