The Simpsons Season 38 Episode 2, titled “Diary of a Chimpy Kid,” aired on Sunday, October 4, 2026, on Fox, and it delivered a wild mix of sibling rivalry, parenting chaos, and one very terrified Homer Simpson. The episode follows Bart and Lisa as they adopt an abandoned baby chimp they name Mr. Goodboy, only to clash over how to raise him. Meanwhile, Homer becomes convinced the adorable ape will eventually tear off his face and groin, a fear that spirals into a full-blown nightmare. The episode also features a kidnapping plot, a rescue mission, and a surprising real-life inspiration behind Homer’s worst fears.
What Happens in Diary of a Chimpy Kid
The episode opens at the First Church of Springfield, where Sunday school teacher Ms. Albright is reeling from her ex-husband’s affair. She shows the kids an altered Itchy and Scratchy video to distract them, but Krusty the Clown is furious about the changes, calling it a financial disaster. He decides to create Krusty Babies, a new show featuring a baby chimp, but the animal throws a pie in his face and gets tossed out.
Bart and Lisa find the baby chimp stuffed inside a little free library box and immediately adopt him. Lisa names him Mr. Goodboy, but Homer and Marge are not sold on keeping a wild animal as a pet. Marge suggests giving it time, joking that Bart will quit once he has to change a diaper. Bart tries to use the chimp for a prank, but it backfires, and he promises to keep Mr. Goodboy safe. Lisa dives into parenting books and gives the chimp a bubble bath, but the siblings quickly realize they have very different ideas about raising him.
Homer Watches a YouTube Video and Spirals
Homer’s fear begins when he watches a YouTube video warning that baby chimps can turn violent as they grow. The video explains that an adult chimp is ten times stronger than a man and that a pet chimp can see a male caretaker as a threat, leading to horrific attacks on the face and genitals. Homer starts having nightmares about the chimp ripping his face off, and things get worse when he sees Marge bonding with Mr. Goodboy.
The gag might seem like typical Simpsons exaggeration, but it actually comes from a real-life story. In 1967, NASCAR driver St. James Davis and his wife adopted a baby chimpanzee named Moe, treating him like a child. Over the years, Moe bit several people and was eventually sent to an animal sanctuary. In 2005, during a visit for Moe’s 39th birthday, two other chimps escaped and attacked the couple. Davis was severely mauled, losing a large portion of his face, his genitals, one eye, and several fingers. The attack was so brutal that someone had to shoot the animals to stop it. The Simpsons episode draws directly from this disturbing incident for Homer’s nightmare sequence.
Bart and Lisa Fight Over Parenting Styles
Bart and Lisa’s disagreement over Mr. Goodboy grows into a full sibling feud. Lisa wants to let the chimp explore and learn, while Bart becomes an overprotective parent who worries about every little thing. They bring the chimp to school, hoping to find guidance, but the school therapist has been defunded, and Nelson Muntz is now filling in as the therapist. In a surprisingly effective session, Nelson helps Bart and Lisa talk through their feelings and resolve their differences.
Mr. Goodboy Gets Kidnapped
Just as things settle down, Mr. Goodboy goes missing from school. Bart reveals that the chimp has been abducted by a private wild animal zoo. The Simpson family sets out on a mission to rescue him, but Homer is deeply conflicted. He is still convinced the chimp will tear off his face and groin, so risking his life to save the animal feels like a terrible idea. The rescue mission becomes the centerpiece of the episode’s third act, mixing action with Homer’s trademark cowardice.
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Fan and Critical Reaction
Reviews of “Diary of a Chimpy Kid” have been mixed but generally positive. Bubbleblabber called it another episode that “revamps familiar ideas through charm and references,” noting that the inclusion of Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan got an unexpected laugh. The review also pointed out that while the premise of the family raising an animal is familiar, the episode’s humor and callbacks keep it entertaining. The episode pokes fun at the public domain, with Itchy and Scratchy appearing in a religious episode because someone other than Krusty bought the rights. The review concluded that it is “a diary that’s worth monkeying around over.”
FandomWire gave the season a generally positive review, saying the bits “go down like a warm meal” and that the ending is “very sweet.” The site noted that Homer makes big mistakes, but things wrap up nicely by the end of the 23-minute episode.
Where to Watch The Simpsons Season 38
New episodes of The Simpsons air on Fox on Sunday nights at 8 PM Eastern/Pacific. For viewers in the UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets, the show streams on Disney+, though release timing can vary by region. Season 38 consists of 15 broadcast episodes plus 2 Disney+ exclusive specials. The season premiere, “The Children’s Book Job,” aired on September 27, 2026, and featured Emma Thompson as a guest star. The next episode, “Treehouse of Horror XXXVII,” is scheduled for October 25, 2026.
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