THE SIMPSONS(Disney+)

Since it first aired in 1989, 725 episodes ago, The Simpsons has kept it’s wry social commentary coming, always left-of-centre and progressive in its attitude and its politics. But, mostly, it’s just very funny.

Episode 7 in the latest season, series 33, is a nod to same-sex marriage and features two guys kissing – still a bit of a boundary-pusher for animation.

Office assistant Waylon Smithers (voiced by Harry Shearer) had a crush on his thick-headed boss Mr Burns. In this episode, Portrait Of A Lackey On Fire, Smithers gets a boyfriend: mega-rich fashion designer and reality TV judge, Michael de Graaf.

Smithers’ romance begins with a heartfelt wish: “What I want is someone to come home to, someone to love me unconditionally.” Homer: “Oh, yeah, that’s the good stuff – it’s the conditions that’ll kill yer.”

Smithers comments about the shortcomings of his last boyfriend confuse Homer: “Your last girlfriend was a boy?”

Victor Garber (he played Samuel Garland in the 2019 reboot of Tales Of The City) voices the billionaire Michael who turns out to have feet of clay. Smithers is shocked at his clothing factory, which is run without concern for the staff or the environment. Bart: “I thought gay people were s’posed to be better than us.”

Marge throws the new gay couple a party because she’s dying to meet the famous designer. They’re introduced and Michael asks Marge: “Do you like my top?” Marge: “Yes, he seems very nice.”

The party gets a bit wild. “The only thing missing is Christine Baranski singing Dancing Queen,” Homer says. Cue special guest star Christine Baranski singing Dancing Queen. She exits with: “I gotta go help a 13-year-old boy come out to his parents.”

The sly wit continues, often buried, and you have to be quick. For example, Smithers posts a letter and the mailbox reads: “US Male Service.”

The show is a continual delight. No wonder it’s the longest-running sitcom in the United States. (M, 23m. All 33 seasons now streaming on Disney+)