Los Tigres del Norte Take a Trip to Springfield in the Newest Episode of The Simpsons
Los Tigres del Norte, the Grammy-winning band renowned for their contributions to the music industry, made history on Sunday by appearing in animated form on the iconic television show “The Simpsons.” This marked the group’s first foray into a vibrant yellow homage, as they performed an original corrido detailing the humorous escapades of Homer Simpson and Pedro Chespirito, also known as the Bumblebee Man.
The collaboration between the acclaimed band and the long-running series was highly anticipated, as promotional material was shared across social media platforms in the days leading up to the episode’s airing. “A legendary band. An original song. A very Simpson twist,” the show’s official Instagram account declared, accompanied by still images from the episode and a caption noting the performance of “El Corrido de Pedro y Homero” on FOX.
Though Los Tigres del Norte appeared only in the end credits, their song effectively recapped the episode’s comedic narrative involving Homer and Pedro. Within the context of “The Simpsons,” Pedro Chespirito is a beloved character from the Spanish-language show “Channel Ocho,” paying tribute to the late Mexican television icon Roberto Gómez Bolaños. The Bumblebee Man character nods to “El Chapulín Colorado,” while “Channel Ocho” references Gómez Bolaños’ cherished character, El Chavo del Ocho.
Expressing their gratitude, Los Tigres del Norte remarked, “We are deeply grateful and very happy for this special moment in our history, being part of the universe of The Simpsons. For us, it’s an honor that our stories continue to cross borders, cultures, and generations. When music tells stories, it can reach anywhere… even Springfield,” in a statement to Rolling Stone.
Cesar Mazariegos, the episode’s head writer, highlighted the significance of the band’s inclusion, calling it a “tip of the hat” to the sizeable Latin American audience, particularly Mexican and Mexican American fans. “They are absolute, worldwide legends. I mean, they were on tour when we reached out to ask them for a song. I assumed they wouldn’t have time,” Mazariegos said. “When we heard back that they were game, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.”
The episode also featured acclaimed Mexican director and Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu, who played himself. Los Tigres del Norte’s guest appearance is part of a long-standing tradition of musical legends featured on “The Simpsons,” which has included notable artists such as U2, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Ringo Starr, Sting, and Dolly Parton.
Additionally, several Latinx artists have made appearances in Springfield, including Tito Puente, Linda Ronstadt, and Los Lobos. Notably, in 2021, Bad Bunny contributed to “The Simpsons” universe with an animated music video for his 2020 ballad “Te Deseo Lo Mejor,” drawing him into the beloved animated series.
