Waylon Smithers finally coming out as gay on The Simpsons was inspired by the writer's son.

In tonight's (April 3) episode in the US, viewers will see Smithers realise his longing for his boss Mr. Burns will never be mutual, leading Homer to help him to look for better love interests.

'The Burns Cage', guest-starring George Takei, was written by long-time Simpsons writer Rob LaZebnik, who told the New York Post that he penned it in support of his own son who is gay.

He explained: "I am a Midwestern guy, so I don't tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but I thought, 'What better way to tell my son I love him than to write a cartoon about it?'"

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

His son Johnny described his father as "unbelievably accepting" and also joked that it's led to some unique situations. "He once sent me an email, and the header was just, 'How does Grindr work?'," Johnny recalled. "I sent it to all my gay friends because it made me laugh so much."

Rob revealed that he had the idea for Smithers coming out two or three years before he pitched it, getting positive feedback from his son when he showed him an early version. And Rob believes gay storylines, even on cartoons, can have a "real impact on people's thinking".

Smithers' coming out as gay isn't surprising, and the low-key reveal in the episode was important for Rob: "We didn't want to have that big moment of 'I'm out', you know? Instead, just have it be a big embrace - like everyone knows it."

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the episode comes when Smithers actually QUITS his job as Burns' long-suffering assistant. Watch the clip of his resignation below:

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Earlier this year, fans were relieved when Smithers and Mr. Burns voice actor Harry Shearer signed a new deal after previously announcing his departure from the hit cartoon.

'The Burns Cage' airs tonight in the US on FOX and next Sunday (April 10) at 6.30pm on Sky One in the UK.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io