‘The Simpsons’ Season 38 Episode 5 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch & Preview: Lisa Goes in for Testing
The long-running animated comedy returns to Fox on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with an episode titled “Testing 1-2-3.” The installment is the fifth of the new season and is listed with a November 1 air date. For viewers tracking the latest ‘The Simpsons’ schedule, this one puts Lisa at the center of the story.
The episode was written by J. Stewart Burns, while the director has not yet been announced. It arrives after a Halloween-timed stretch of episodes, so the show shifts back to a more standard Springfield story this week. Here is what is known about the release date, time, streaming options and plot.
Release Date and Time for the Fifth Episode
The Fox listing for “Testing 1-2-3” gives a premiere date of November 1, 2026. New episodes of the series air on Sundays at 8 PM Eastern and Pacific. That places the episode in its usual Sunday night position on the network.
The season runs for 15 episodes on Fox, a shorter order that continues the show’s recent trend of reduced network commitments. The series leads into the new seasons of ‘Animal Control’ and ‘Universal Basic Guys’ on Sunday nights.
The Fox schedule currently runs through January 3, 2027, when two episodes are listed for the same night. That gives the fifth episode a comfortable place early in the run, with plenty of new material still to come.
Where to Watch the New Episode
In the United States, the season premiered at 8/7c on Fox, and the same time slot applies to each weekly airing. Viewers who prefer streaming have a next day option as well. The season premiere became available on Hulu the day after its Fox broadcast.
Episodes of the season can be streamed with a subscription on Disney+ or Hulu, and the season can also be purchased through Fandango. That gives American viewers several routes if they miss the live airing.
International audiences have fewer details to work with. Disney+ is the place to watch the season outside the United States, although no official release date has been given there. Readers outside the U.S. should check their local Disney+ listings for timing.
What to Expect From the Episode Preview
In “Testing 1-2-3,” Lisa has herself evaluated for three types of neurodiversity, while insisting it is not an attempt to get extra time on tests. The results remind her of behaviors she has seen in Principal Skinner, Comic Book Guy and Homer.
The premise gives the show room to poke at its familiar supporting cast through Lisa’s eyes. Her habit of overthinking a problem has long been a source of comedy, and a self-directed evaluation fits that tendency neatly.
The production code for the episode is 37ABF12, which places it among the earlier produced episodes of the season. Beyond the official synopsis, little else has been shared about guest stars or specific scenes.
How the Season Has Played Out So Far
The season opened with “The Children’s Book Job,” which featured Emma Thompson as a British children’s book author visiting Springfield Elementary. The second episode, “Diary of a Chimpy Kid,” followed Bart and Lisa as they adopted an abandoned baby chimp.
The second episode drew 1.01 million viewers, and the Halloween-themed third episode, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” drew 0.98 million. The annual “Treehouse of Horror XXXVII” followed on October 25 with three segments, including “Bride’s Shed Revisited” and “Dog Boy Afternoon.”
The sixth episode, “The Kosmic Kruiser,” is scheduled for November 8, followed by “Dream Scenari-Moe” on November 15. Two additional episodes were ordered exclusively for Disney+, including a ‘Black Mirror’ parody titled “Yellow Mirror.” Lisa’s evaluation in “Testing 1-2-3” now sets up a question for longtime viewers, which is whether her diagnosis of Skinner, Comic Book Guy and Homer will say more about them or about her, and fans of ‘The Simpsons’ will have plenty to debate in the comments once it airs.
