Casting remains the original ensemble with white actors voicing core characters and recurring minorities like Apu and Dr. Hibbert in stereotypical but comedic roles, predating modern DEI controversies by decades—no race or gender swaps, no diversity mandates. Themes are incidental: 'Mr.

Lisa Goes to Washington' satirizes government corruption and includes a sexist congressman but resolves optimistically in faith in democracy; 'Separate Vocations' mildly challenges gender stereotypes via aptitude tests assigning Lisa to homemaking and Bart to police work, but it's a single subplot amid broader comedy. Other episodes emphasize traditional elements like family bonds ('Lisa's Pony', 'I Married Marge'), gambling ('Lisa the Greek'), healthcare costs ('Homer's Triple Bypass'), and corporate greed ('Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk') through humor, not lectures or activism. No overt identity politics, LGBTQ representation, systemic critiques, or creator-stated progressive intent; reception hails it as peak 'golden era' entertainment with no contemporary or retrospective 'woke' backlash.