Many residents and fans of an Okmulgee event were treated to a surprise Sunday evening during an episode of the long-running animated series, “The Simpsons.”
Many residents and fans of an Okmulgee event were treated to a surprise Sunday evening during an episode of the long-running animated series, “The Simpsons.”
Episode 13 of Season 34 of “The Simpsons” is titled “Carl Carlsen Rides Again.” In the episode, one of the scenes features a bull-riding competition, and in the background can be seen “Okmulgee Black Rodeo.”
Okmulgee is home of the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo, which has been in existence for over 65 years.
The rodeo, which draws Black cowboys and cowgirls from all over the United States, is held the second weekend of August each year. A highlight of the weekend is the parade Saturday afternoon, through downtown Okmulgee. Thousands of people visit the town during the weekend to watch the competition at the Muscogee Nation Omniplex.
A screenshot of the scene from the episode was shared many times on social media, and from people around the country.
The promoter of the Okmulgee rodeo event, Kenneth LeBlanc, posted on social media following the airing: “Thank you for the shout out! Our family is proud to keep this part of history alive and relevant. See y’all in August!”
His wife, Letisha LeBlanc posted, “Our phones haven’t stopped! I am so proud of my husband for all the hard work he has done that no one will ever know about to keep this event alive and thriving. Love you, Kenneth LeBlanc… Your hard work benefits this whole community, I hope our leaders take note. Over the last few years, having the kids help has been so very special. Thank you for all of your support! See you in August!”
The episode was written by Loni Steele Sosthand with the logline: “When Carl is smitten by a beautiful black woman, her strong ties to her heritage ignite insecurities in him. He’s going to blow it with her if he doesn’t finally look more deeply into his roots, starting with the unlikeliest of clues to his black identity: a mysterious rodeo buckle.” “I mention that because stories about black cowboys are finally getting some overdue attention in Hollywood,” Sosthand said in an interview.
Sosthand also said she listened extensively to “The Black Cowboy Podcast” while researching this episode.
“There are a lot of interesting angles in the episode — the real history that a huge percentage of cowboys in the old West were Black,” according to executive producer Matt Selman.
Here is a recap of the episode: “Carl Carlson Rides Again” The Simpsons that first aired on February 26, 2023. Directed by Michael Polcino. Written by Loni Steele Sosthand.
Marge’s participation in a “meal train” gives Homer the idea of faking an injury so that he can get free food from his neighbors.
At the bowling alley, Carl meets Naima (owner of the Soul House restaurant, he immediately falls in love with her.
Since Carl was adopted by a white couple, he knows next to nothing about his ancestry. On his date with Naima, Carl tries way too hard to act like a normal black man. She tells him he needs to figure himself out if he’s to have any future with her.
The only clue to Carl’s ancestry is a belt buckle he traded because he was embarrassed of it. The shop owner in turn sold it to a rich Texan, who in turn sold it to Henry Louis Gates Jr. (As Himself), host of Finding Your Roots.
Learning about Carl’s ancestry, Gates decides to bump Rainier Wolfcastle off the next episode of Finding Your Roots and focus on Carl instead. Gates discovers that Carl comes from a long line of cowboys.
Carl invites Naima and all his friends to a rodeo in which he tries to ride a bull. Unfortunately, he doesn’t last long, and needs a blood transfusion. Naima donates her blood to him, and Naima jokes that now she’s a cowboy, too.
