The Simpsons Did What?!

Shocking
Predictions That Actually Came True
Created by Matt Groening, "The Simpsons" first graced television screens as short episodes on
"The Tracey Ullman Show" in 19871. Since its debut as a full-fledged series on December 17,
1989, it has become the longest-running American animated series and sitcom2. But beyond the
laughs and iconic characters, "The Simpsons" has gained a rather peculiar reputation: an
uncanny ability to predict the future. From political upsets to technological advancements and
even global health crises, the show has a knack for foreshadowing real-life events, leaving
viewers wondering if the writers secretly possess a crystal ball. Let's dive into some of the most
shocking "Simpsons" predictions that actually came true.

Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox

In 1998, long before Disney's dominance in the entertainment industry was fully realized, "The
Simpsons" dropped a seemingly innocuous gag that would later become a startling reality. In the
episode "When You Dish Upon a Star," Ron Howard pitches a movie idea to 20th Century Fox,
and a sign outside the studio clearly shows the company as "A Division of Walt Disney Co." 3 It
was just a joke at the time, a playful jab at the ever-shifting landscape of Hollywood. However, in
2017, Disney shocked the world by announcing its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, making this
"Simpsons" prediction a reality4.

Donald Trump's Presidency

Perhaps the most widely discussed "Simpsons" prediction is Donald Trump's presidency. In the
year 2000, the episode "Bart to the Future" offered a glimpse into a future where Lisa Simpson
is President of the United States. The episode casually mentions that Lisa inherited a budget
crisis from former President Trump5. Fast forward to 2016, and Donald Trump's victory in the
presidential election shocked the world6. While the show's writers may not have intended it as a
serious prediction, the uncanny coincidence left many wondering if they had some insider
knowledge6. Even Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, was surprised by the accuracy of
this prediction6.

But the predictions didn't stop there. In 2015, "The Simpsons" went a step further and
foreshadowed Trump's 2024 re-election bid in a short titled "Trumptastic Voyage." 7 This time,
the prediction was even more explicit, with a "Trump 2024" campaign sign appearing in the
background7.

The Siegfried and Roy Tiger Attack

In a 1993 episode titled "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized
Gambling)," the magicians Gunter and Ernst, a parody of the famous duo Siegfried and Roy,
perform a magic show in Springfield8. During their act, a white tiger suddenly mauls Ernst. A
decade later, in 2003, this fictional event mirrored a tragic reality when Roy Horn of the real-life
Siegfried and Roy was attacked by a white tiger during a performance in Las Vegas, suffering
severe injuries8. This chillingly accurate prediction left viewers with a sense of disbelief and
further solidified "The Simpsons'" reputation for predicting the future.

The U.S. Winning Gold in Curling

In 2010, the episode "Boy Meets Curl" depicted Homer and Marge joining the U.S. Olympic
curling team and, against all odds, winning a gold medal against Sweden9. Eight years later, at
the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, this seemingly outlandish plot point became a
reality. The U.S. men's curling team achieved a historic victory, defeating Sweden to claim their
first-ever gold medal9. While the episode featured a mixed doubles team instead of the men's
team, the prediction of a U.S. curling victory against Sweden was remarkably accurate10.

The Invention of Smartwatches and Video Chat

"The Simpsons" has also demonstrated an uncanny ability to anticipate technological
advancements. In the 1995 episode "Lisa's Wedding," a fortune teller shows Lisa a glimpse into
her future, where her fiancé uses a watch to communicate, much like modern smartwatches8.
The episode also depicts people using video chat technology, which was not widespread at the
time8. Today, both smartwatches and video chat are commonplace, highlighting "The Simpsons'"
ability to envision a future where technology seamlessly integrates into everyday life.

The Ebola Outbreak

In the 1997 episode "Lisa's Sax," Marge suggests that a sick Bart read a book titled "Curious
George and the Ebola Virus." 11 While the Ebola virus was discovered in 1976, it wasn't widely
known at the time of the episode's airing11. Years later, in 2014, a significant Ebola outbreak
occurred in West Africa, bringing the virus to international attention and causing widespread
concern12. This prediction, while not entirely specific, seemed to foreshadow the increased
awareness and fear surrounding the Ebola virus.

The Discovery of the Higgs Boson Particle

Even in the realm of scientific discoveries, "The Simpsons" has managed to make a surprisingly
accurate prediction. In the 1998 episode "The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace," Homer Simpson, in
a moment of unexpected genius, is shown in front of a blackboard with a complex equation.
According to Simon Singh, author of "The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets," this
equation predicts the mass of the Higgs boson particle with remarkable accuracy13. The Higgs
boson, a fundamental particle in physics, was discovered in 2012, 14 years after the episode
aired13. While it's likely a coincidence, the equation's close approximation to the actual mass of
the Higgs boson is a fascinating example of "The Simpsons'" unexpected connection to
scientific breakthroughs.

The Writers' Room: Where Satire Meets Social

Commentary
How does "The Simpsons" manage to predict the future with such surprising accuracy? The
answer might lie in the show's unique approach to satire and social commentary. The writers of
"The Simpsons" are keen observers of the human condition and societal trends14. They take
current events and extrapolate them to their most extreme, often absurd, conclusions14. This
satirical exaggeration, combined with a healthy dose of dark humor, allows them to create
scenarios that, while intended as jokes, sometimes end up mirroring real-life events.

One interesting concept that sheds light on this phenomenon is "Simpsons' razor," a humorous
take on Occam's razor14. While Occam's razor suggests that the simplest explanation is usually
the best, "Simpsons' razor" proposes that the "dumbest possible outcome" is often the most
likely14. This satirical principle seems to be at play in many of the show's predictions, where the
writers take current trends and exaggerate them to their most ridiculous, and sometimes
prophetic, conclusions.

Furthermore, with over 700 episodes aired, the sheer volume of content increases the
probability of some predictions hitting the mark15. As Al Jean, one of the show's writers,
explained, "If you write 700 episodes, and you don't predict anything, then you're pretty bad. If
you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes." 15

Conclusion: A Legacy of Laughter and Uncanny

Predictions
"The Simpsons" has cemented its place in television history as a cultural phenomenon,
entertaining audiences for decades with its satirical humor and witty social commentary. But
beyond its comedic brilliance, the show has a remarkable track record of predicting future
events. While some may dismiss these predictions as mere coincidences, the sheer number
and accuracy of these foreshadowings are hard to ignore. Whether it's a result of sharp social
commentary, insightful observations of societal trends, or just plain luck, "The Simpsons"
continues to surprise and entertain audiences with its uncanny ability to anticipate the future.
Perhaps the writers really are time travelers, or maybe they just have an exceptional knack for
understanding the absurdity of the human condition. Whatever the explanation, one thing is
certain: "The Simpsons" will continue to be a source of laughter and bewilderment for years to
come, leaving us to wonder, "What will they predict next?"

Works cited

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