Fans of The Simpsons were happy by the return of Jacques, yet frustrated by a major continuity problem.
Albert Brooks originated the role of Jacques, a bowling coach, in the pilot episode of the 1990 series.
Marge is angered by Homer’s purchase of a bowling ball for himself as a birthday gift for her, and vows to learn how to bowl in order to spite him.
Marge meets Jacques in the bowling alley, and he attempts to pursue an affair with her, but she rejects him at the end of the episode.
Jacques had more cameo appearances, notably in The Simpsons Movie, however Albert Brooks never reprised his role or spoke his lines.
Nevertheless, in Sunday night’s (March 19) episode of season 34, Pin Gal, Marge returned to the bowling alley and Jacques made his first appearance on the programme in 33 years.
In the episode, Homer finds that his neighbourhood bowling alley is shutting, so he enlists Marge’s assistance in an effort to save the Bowlerama.
Homer recruits Jacques to assist Marge improve her abilities, unaware of the French instructor’s past with Marge.
But, sharp-eyed Simpsons fans saw that Homer did learn about Marge’s almost-affair in 1994, catching the programme off guard.
In the sixth season episode Another Simpsons Clip Show, Marge recounts to Homer the time she was almost persuaded by Jacques.
In the fifth-season episode The Final Temptation of Homer, Homer tells Marge about a time when he almost had an affair with his coworker Mindy.
One viewer said: ‘I don’t know if I like the idea of The Simpsons basically retconning Marge telling Homer how she almost cheated on him with Jacques.’
Another commented: ‘Marge and Homer shared their moments of “almost-affairs” with each other. Homer already learned about Jacques. I know there’s a flexibility with canon but… c’mon!’
Nevertheless, some fans pointed out that The Simpsons frequently admits and incorporates continuity issues on purpose to keep viewers on their toes.
Later in the show, Moe’s Tavern received an upgrade, with writer Al Jean requesting that viewers identify the item that had been removed.
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