A foreign television network might be yanking reruns of "The Simpsons" because of references to nuclear mishaps in the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis, but the top producer for the animated series isn't having a meltdown about it.
While a network in Austria reportedly pulled two reruns because they contained jokes about radiation poisoning and other nuclear accidents, the show's executive producer, Al Jean, says he "completely understands" why they'd do so.
"We have 480 episodes, and if there are a few that they don't want to air for a while in light of the terrible thing going on, I completely understand that," Jean tells EW.com. "We would never make light of what's happening in Japan."
An Austrian TV network has reportedly pulled two episodes so far — 1992's "Marge Gets a Job" and the 2005 offering "On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister" — because they made light of radiation poisoning and nuclear meltdowns.
Jean adds that none of the upcoming episodes of the series "even approach" the topic of nuclear power.
"Simpsons" fans shouldn't fear, though; Homer won't be abandoning his post in Sector 7-G at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant for sensitivity's sake.
"He's still going to work there," Jean adds. "We have a rich universe in which we can do a million things and not touch on that."
