Smithers's loyalty and devotion to Mr. Burns was inspired from how numerous Fox executives and staff members acted towards Barry Diller. Smithers's first name (Waylon) was derived from that of puppeteer Wayland Flowers. The idea for Smithers's ambiguous sexual orientation came from Sam Simon. He proposed that Smithers should be gay and have an undying love for Mr. Burns. Smithers was colorized in his first appearance as black with blue hair. Matt Groening, in an interview with TMZ, said that this was a mistake but the producers did not have enough money to correct it.
smithers's loyalty and devotion to mr burns was inspired from how numerous fox executives and staff members acted towards barry diller smithers's first name (waylon) was derived from that of puppeteer wayland flowers the idea for smithers's ambiguous sexual orientation came from sam simon he proposed that smithers should be gay and have an undying love for mr burns smithers was colorized in his first appearance as black with blue hair matt groening in an interview with tmz said that this was a mistake but the producers did not have enough money to correct it