It’s that time of year again. Yes, The Simpsons is still on the air and still making ‘Treehouse of Horror’ specials at Halloween time, in case you’re a bit like me and checked out around season 10. However, there have been some gems of awesomeness within the fourteen seasons since I changed channels and their TOH specials have been among them.
For example, snagging up horror-loving director Guillermo del Toro may prove to be a high point for the longest running scripted show of all time. Del Toro is known for writing and directing Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Hellboy II and Pacific Rim. He has always had a fascination with horror and Halloween. His plans for the episode include a lot of references to classic horror films and themes. His bio states that Bride of Frankenstein is his all-time favorite film, so we are dealing with a true lover of the genre here.
According to Animation Magazine, the episode will be broken up thusly:
“The Simpsons’ Halloween anthology will offer three separate stories: The first one finds Homer wreaking havoc around Springfield in a rhyming take on a popular children’s book. The middle story, “Dead and Shoulders,” finds Bart beheaded during a kite accident and his head attached to Lisa’s body forever. The final segment, “Freaks No Geeks,” is set against the backdrop of Mr. Burns’ traveling circus The Burnsum and Bailey Circus, where Moe starts to make advances toward trapeze artist Marge.”
On his own Halloween traditions, del Toro says, “I’ve been making myself up as a nasty zombie and playing the character really straight, never breaking and not giving out candy. I wander my neighborhood with an eye socket gone, moaning and groaning, and the kids all freak out…I recommend everybody who has the option, to scare trick-or-treaters and freak out as many people as they can.” This is his chance to freak out lots of people on Halloween all at once and I am excited (and a little scared) to see his spin on this beloved cartoon institution.
Animation Fascination 
I wonder if Guillermo del Toro will every try to revive his “Disney Double Dare You” brand.
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