Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36’s “O C’Mon All Ye Faithful”
Although Pamela Hayden’s role as Milhouse came to an end early inThe Simpsonsseason 36, the show’s double-sized holiday special offered her version of the character a perfect send-off.Pamela Hayden’sThe Simpsonscharacterscrop up throughout the show’s 36 seasons, but one of them looms larger than the rest within the show’s history. Hayden played Bart’s best friend, Milhouse, since the series began. Her work made the character one of the show’s most memorable supporting stars, butThe Simpsonsseason 37won’t feature any appearances from Milhouse due to Hayden’s retirement in November 2024.
It is not yet clear how Hayden’s decision to retire will impact Milhouse, Jimbo Jones, and the rest of the characters she played onThe Simpsons. These roles might be recast, but they may also be retired.The Simpsonsseason 36’s many big changesmean that it is tough to predict where the show will go next, but Hayden is already guaranteed a unique spot in Springfield history thanks to her peerless work bringing Milhouse to life. Fortunately, the voice actor got an opportunity to give Milhouse a fitting send-off in season 36’s “O C’mon All Ye Faithful.”
Pamela Hayden Gets One More Appearance In The Simpsons
The Simpsons Season 36’s “C’Mon All Ye Faithful” Features A Classic Milhouse Moment
ThroughoutThe Simpsonsseason 36’s holiday special “C’Mon All Ye Faithful,” British mentalist Derren Brown attempts to instill some Christmas spirit in the denizens of Springfield via hypnosis, suggestion, and outright trickery. This indirectly leads Milhouse’s father Kirk Van Houten to start spreading conspiracy theories about Santa, furtheringThe Simpsonsseason 36’s transformationof the Van Houten parents into minor recurring villains. However,Milhouse himself doesn’t show up until near the end of “C’Mon All Ye Faithful,” when he helps Bart play an elaborate prank on the Flanders family for a surprisingly heartwarming good cause.
Milhouse emerges from the Flanders family’s television set dressed as The Ring franchise’s infamous villain, Samara Morgan.
After Lisa tells Bart to spread Christmas cheer however he can, he opts to convince the Flanders that their house is haunted by the spirit of Christmas. Since Ned is undergoing a crisis of faith at the time, this is an atypically sweet gesture from the show’s young antihero. However, his efforts fail when Marge soon uncovers his plan. Milhouse then emerges from the family’s television set dressed asThe Ringfranchise’s infamous villain, Samara Morgan, leading Bart to admit that his prank was a little scary. As Marge embraces Bart for spreading the Christmas spirit, Milhouse quietly shuffles off.
Pamela Hayden Gets To Go Out With A Solid Milhouse Gag
Hayden’s Last Milhouse Scene Is A Fitting Goodbye
Milhouse’s last line sees him clamber back inside the TV’s empty case and mutter “This better not count as screen time,” and it is a perfectly fitting farewell to Hayden’s take on the character.The Simpsonsseason 36’s Christmas specialis full of sweet callbacks to earlier episodes, but this scene perfectly pays off Milhouse’s role inThe Simpsonsby portraying him in his natural habitat. Playing a part in Bart’s pranks but ending up left behind at the Flanders house while everyone else goes to get eggnog, Hayden’s Milhouse remains a comically luckless figure throughout his role inThe Simpsons.
