The Simpsons fan theory about Bart's prank calls to Moe will make you weep

One Reddit user reckons moe has known it is Bart on the phone since his first prank

Moe's customers laugh at him after another of Bart's prank calls (The Simpsons)

Fans of The Simpsons love nothing better than a good theory and the latest is sure to warm even the iciest of hearts.

One Reddit user, who goes by the name Senor_Schnarf, has come up with an idea as to how naughty Bart Simpson gets away with prank-calling bartender Moe for so long.

Bart’s voice is easily recognisable and the jokes follow the same pun-style every time, so why does Moe not put a stop to it sooner?

Senor believes Moe has known it is Bart on the phone since his first call and simply plays along to humour the boy, even going further than required to make him laugh as much as possible.

“Moe is shown to know what Bart’s voice sounds like in some random episode whose exact spot in the series I can’t remember, where Bart goes to Moe’s with Homer, full of fear that Moe will recognise him and make good on his threats and flay him alive,” he writes.

“Upon entering, Moe says, ‘I know that voice, it’s little bitty Bart Simpson!’ and picks him up to give him a guy. While people’s real life and phone voices aren’t exactly the same, they’re generally similar enough that you can easily make out who’s who.”

Senor reckons Moe pretends to fall for Bart’s embarrassing pranks because he is “a sad, lonely guy who loves children and always wanted a family of his own”.

The theory holds up well as there are many ways Moe could put an end to the pranks, by finding out the number, telling the police or simply hanging up the phone when he hears the familiar voice.

“He chooses not to out of love for Bart and possibly a loneliness so crippling he’s just happy to get a phone call of any sort,” Senor says, as The Simpsons fandom weeps.

Moe: Moe's Tavern.

Bart: Is Mr. Freely there?

Moe: Who?

Bart: Freely, first initials I. P.

Moe: Hold on, I'll check. Uh, is I. P. Freely here? Hey, everybody! I. P. Freely!

Moe: Moe's Tavern, where the elite meet to drink.

Bart: Uh, hello. Is Mike there? Last name, Rotch.

Moe: Hold on, I'll check. Mike Rotch! Mike Rotch! Hey, has anybody seen Mike Rotch lately?

Bart: Hello, is Al there?

Moe: Al?

Bart: Yes, Al. Last name Coholic.

Moe: Let me check...

Moe: Hello, Moe's Tavern. Birthplace of the Rob Roy.

Bart: Is Seymour there? Last name Butz.

Moe: Just a sec. Hey, is there a Butz here? A Seymour Butz? Hey, everybody, I wanna Seymour Butz!

Bart: Hello, is Homer there?

Moe: Homer who?

Bart: Homer...Sexual.

Moe: Wait one second, let me check. [calls] Uh, Homer Sexual? Hey, come on, one of you guys has got to be Homer Sexual!