Simpsons writer addresses show’s ‘bizarre’ habit of predicted major historic events

The Simpsons long-time writer Al Jean spoken on the bizarre ways the show has appeared to “predict” major moments in time.

The animation, which was first released in 1989, has long baffled fans in what some say is it frighteningly accurate insight into future events, including Donald Trump’s presidency, Covid-19, and the horrors of 9/11.

Now, Al Jean, one of the show’s original writers, has provided insight into how the show has managed to pull off these instances.

In conversation with NME, Jean said that a fellow writer who predicted Trump’s presidency had this explanation: “‘[He said]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…’”

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The show was also speculated by fans to have predicted other incidents such as the January 6 insurrection, the 2013 horse meat scandal, and Richard Branson’s voyage into space.

“The 9/11 one is so bizarre. In the World Trade Center episode, [‘The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson’], there was a brochure reading $9 a day with an 11 styled up like the towers. That was in ‘96, which was crazy, like this insane coincidence,” Jean said before adding that the predictions are “mostly just educated guesses.”

He also referenced how Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: Space Odyssey had Zoom and iPads in it because he utilised “futurologists” to create an image of what the “world might look like in 30 years.”

In other news, the program has been breaking new ground in recent months, with the confirmation that Smithers will fall in love after coming out as gay in 2016.

In October, The Simpsons featured breast cancer survivor Dr Wendy Sage (voiced by Renee Ridgeley), who had a unilateral mastectomy in a special episode honouring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The character only had one breast and a prominent scar on her chest, which garnered appreciation from fans.

Ridgeley is a writer and actress who is married to The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman.