Ever found yourself scrolling through social media, seeing a headline pop up about “The Simpsons” having done it again – predicted some outlandish event years before it happened? It’s a common internet phenomenon, almost a running gag, where the long-running animated sitcom is credited with an uncanny ability to foresee everything from political upsets to technological breakthroughs, and even global pandemics. From Lisa Simpson inheriting a “budget crunch from President Trump” back in 2000, to the eerily named “Osaka flu” in 1993, which some retroactively linked to COVID-19, the list of apparent prophecies is extensive. But is there truly a mystical element at play, or is something else entirely going on?
For decades, “The Simpsons” has held a mirror up to American society, often with prescient satire that feels more like a crystal ball than a cartoon. But when jokes become prophecies, and entertainment morphs into an oracle, it raises interesting questions about our collective desire for meaning and the blurring lines between fact and fiction. I had the opportunity to delve into this intriguing topic, drawing on insights from none other than Al Jean, the longest-serving showrunner for “The Simpsons,” who has seen these internet theories evolve firsthand. And what he reveals might just change how you look at those viral lists.
The Allure of Prophecy: Why We Want to Believe
There’s something deeply appealing about the idea of a hidden pattern, a secret knowledge that explains the chaotic randomness of life. As Al Jean himself notes, perhaps “it slightly satisfies a yearning people have for meaning, certainly when life is now so random.” In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, the comfort of believing that someone, even a team of cartoon writers, somehow “knew” what was coming can be oddly reassuring.
It’s important to remember the sheer scale of “The Simpsons.” With over 800 episodes spanning 35 years, the show is an unparalleled repository of jokes, cultural references, and speculative scenarios. Compare this to historical figures like Nostradamus, who made 942 predictions in his lifetime. The writers of “The Simpsons” have, by pure volume, created far more potential touchpoints for future events. When you have such a vast amount of material, the statistical probability of some jokes aligning with future realities naturally increases.
For Jean and his team, the whole phenomenon is a mix of amusement and a little bewilderment. He admits that when people believe he possesses prophetic powers, “it’s a good reputation to have.” After all, “you only need half a dozen things that were either on target or even uncanny to be considered an oracle.” But beneath the surface-level fun, there’s a deeper conversation about how we consume information and interpret reality.
Behind the “Crystal Ball”: Educated Guesses and Happy Accidents
So, if not magic, then what explains these recurring “Simpsons predictions”? According to Al Jean, most of them boil down to a combination of keen observation, educated guesses, and a healthy dose of cherry-picking.
The Trump “Prediction”: More Observation Than Oracle
One of the most widely cited examples is Lisa Simpson’s line in a 2000 episode about inheriting a budget crunch from President Trump. This gained massive traction when Donald Trump was elected in 2016. But Jean sheds light on the context: “What people don’t remember is that in the year 2000, it wasn’t such a crazy name to pick, because Trump was talking about running as a Reform Party candidate.” It wasn’t a shot in the dark; it was based on public discourse at the time. The initial joke even involved Johnny Depp before Trump was chosen for being funnier and more relevant to a political context.
This wasn’t a prophecy but an “educated guess” rooted in contemporary events. They continued this thread in 2015 with a short video “Trumptastic Voyage,” predicting his runs in 2016, 2020, 2024, and 2028. It highlights a recurring theme: “The Simpsons” often satirizes current trends and public figures, and sometimes, those trends take unexpected turns that make the satire seem prophetic.
Everyday Events and Historical Context
Many other “predictions” follow a similar pattern. Take the “Osaka flu” from 1993. While some linked it to the coronavirus pandemic, Jean points out that the idea of a viral outbreak wasn’t new. He recalled Marge holding a book titled “Curious George and the Ebola Virus” in an episode he wrote. “Ebola existed when I wrote the joke. I’d seen a movie about it called Outbreak. It’s like predicting the Black Death.” The show draws on existing fears, historical events, and scientific realities. It’s not predicting a *new* virus; it’s reflecting the perennial threat of *any* virus.
Even specific sports predictions, like Germany winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, had logical foundations for the writers. They needed a scenario where Brazilians would be sad, so they chose Germany as a likely winner if Brazil lost. The same episode also “predicted” FIFA corruption – “a very easy prediction!” These aren’t mystical insights but rather a reflection of societal knowledge and comedic setup.
When Coincidence Gives You Chills: The Uncanny Moments
Despite the logical explanations for most “predictions,” there are those rare instances that even give the creators pause. Al Jean specifically mentions one that “sends chills down me”: a 1997 New York episode featuring a brochure with “New York, $9” next to a picture of the Twin Towers, which to some, resembled an “11.”
This kind of bizarre coincidence is hard to explain away with simple logic. “It’s not like we would’ve made that knowing what was going to come, which we didn’t,” Jean affirms. These are the moments that fuel the conspiracy theories, with some even suggesting the writers were part of an “Ivy League” group with inside knowledge – a notion Jean dismisses as “preposterous.”
Adding to the complexity are fabricated predictions. After major events like the Baltimore bridge collapse or the Notre-Dame fire, fake “Simpsons” screenshots purporting to predict them often circulate online. Images from the real “Osaka flu” episode were even edited to include the word “coronavirus.” This phenomenon frustrates the creators, as their denials rarely gain as much traction as the fabricated “evidence,” illustrating how easily people can be convinced of something that simply isn’t true.
Beyond the Hilarity: The Alarming Trend
While “Simpsons predictions” can be a source of harmless fun and internet memes, Al Jean identifies a more concerning underlying trend. He notes that the belief in these prophecies, especially the fabricated ones, “shows you how you can really convince people of something that’s not the case.”
This phenomenon is a small but telling part of a larger, more “alarming” societal issue: “people being unable to distinguish fact from fiction.” In an age of information overload, where news and entertainment, truth and fabrication, often blend seamlessly online, the critical faculties required to discern reality are increasingly challenged. “You read something, and your natural inclination has always been, ‘Well, I read it—it’s true.’ And you have to really be skeptical about that,” Jean advises.
His solution to this pervasive problem is refreshingly simple and profoundly insightful: “Look at your phone less and read more books.” It’s a call to engage with information more deeply, critically, and perhaps, more slowly, fostering a habit of discernment that extends far beyond the realm of animated sitcoms.
Conclusion
So, can “The Simpsons” really predict the future? The answer, it seems, is both no and, in a way, yes. No, the writers don’t possess supernatural powers or a secret almanac of upcoming events. Most “predictions” are a result of clever satire, educated guesses based on contemporary realities, and the sheer mathematical probability inherent in producing decades of content. Yet, in another sense, “The Simpsons” *does* predict the future, not through magic, but through its unparalleled ability to observe, exaggerate, and comment on the trajectory of society, culture, and human nature.
The show’s enduring legacy lies not in its accidental prophecies, but in its sharp wit and insightful commentary, which sometimes happen to strike a chord with future events. It’s a powerful reminder that while it’s fun to marvel at coincidences, the real magic lies in critical thinking and the ability to separate genuine insight from mere happenstance. Perhaps the biggest “prediction” “The Simpsons” has made is a subtle one: that humanity’s fascination with meaning, mystery, and conspiracy will always find a way to interpret the world around us, sometimes overlooking the simpler, more logical explanations right in front of our eyes. Let’s keep enjoying the show, but perhaps with a renewed appreciation for its observational brilliance, rather than its supposed prophetic powers.
