"You're in a room with ten to twenty really funny people," The Simpsons writer Al Jean told the BBC last year. They predicted the Ebola crisis, smartphones and even Lady Gaga performing at the Superbowl. "It's kind of … Why your face could be set to replace your bank card, .css-1ty7601-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;width:100%;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;}.css-ftbx47-Heading{width:100%;}Moderna vaccine appears to work against variants.css-2nuv1h-Rank{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.75rem;font-weight:normal;padding-left:0.75rem;color:#B80000;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-2nuv1h-Rank{font-size:2rem;line-height:2.25rem;}}1, Knightley rules out sex scenes directed by men2, Dutch PM condemns coronavirus riots as 'criminal'3, Putin: Palace in viral Navalny video not mine4, Wealthiest 10 men could 'pay for vaccines for all'5, What it's like under one of world's strictest lockdowns6, FKA Twigs 'left with PTSD' by Shia LaBeouf7, Israel extradites ex-principal in sex abuse case8, Burnt bodies found in vehicles on US-Mexico border9, Chinese and Indian troops 'in new border clash'10. Could you maybe do some Utopian episodes next? The Simpsons has made some eerily accurate predictions over the years - but the worst could be set to come in 2021. The popular animated show The Simpsons seems to have yet again predicted the future as the new US Vice President Kamala Harris wore an inauguration outfit very similar to Lisa Simpson.Joe Biden and Harris scripted history on January 20 as they were inaugurated as … "They bought a guide book on New York that had the words 9 dollars on it next to a picture of the Twin Towers, so it looked like 9/11 - but it was totally coincidental," Al says. However, that is not the only prediction the show seems to have made when it comes to the new administration. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. Fans often share their Simpsons "predictions… We intentionally made it cartoonish because we wanted it to be silly and not scary, and not carry any of these bad associations along with it, which is why the virus itself was acting like a cartoon character and behaving in extremely unrealistic ways. The show's apparent knack for predicting the future provided a field day for conspiracy theorists when an episode long before the terror attacks on 11 September 2001 saw the Simpsons head to New York City. "We are sort of futurologists in that we write 10 months ahead, so we're trying to guess what is going to happen," adds Stephanie. Two Eerie Football Predictions (Season 26, Episode 16) When did it happen in real life? It was just supposed to be a quick joke about how the flu got here. .css-1snjdh1-IconContainer{display:none;height:0.875em;width:0.875em;vertical-align:-0.0625em;margin-right:0.25em;}Are Egypt's dreams of democracy still alive? Rioters attacked police and set fires to protest against a night-time curfew introduced on Saturday. the sadness I felt at that clip not including the part where the guy puts the bee on his tongue... "I sure hope our writing will aways be funny and relevant satire.". Has US vaccine rollout been a 'dismal failure'? Check out some of the fan responses below: And just like the Simpsons we move on once this episode is over, learn almost nothing from it, and then go on to do something even more stupid. I still like how the one dude eats the bee. Longtime The Simpsons writer Bill Oakley finally admitted that they predicted the future, and well we can't really say he didn't at this point. There's been a longstanding joke that The Simpsons has been able to predict the future, from the time Disney purchased 20th Century Fox to the United States Presidential Election of Donald Trump. Hank Azaria Is No Longer Voicing Apu — So What Happens to 'The Simpsons' Character? "With the Trump one in 2000 we were looking for a funny celebrity who would be president," explains Al. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}The strange times TV shows have 'predicted' the future, The Simpsons producer responds to claims Apu is leaving, Simpsons predictions that could still come true, The Simpsons producer reveals big mistake from the show, The Simpsons addresses Apu racial stereotype controversy, Dutch PM condemns coronavirus riots as 'criminal'. Someone will try to eat a murder bee to kill covid. Donald Trump's rise to power. “It is cartoonish. "It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself. "The idea that anyone misappropriates it to make coronavirus seem like an Asian plot is terrible. The 'punchline queen' who offended Chinese men, Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly again 'too early'. I believe the most antecedent to (Osaka Flu) was the Hong Kong flu of 1968. ", "There are very few cases where The Simpsons predicted something," Oakley concluded. Bill Oakley, former producer and writer for The Simpsons, is admitting to something we knew all along. The Simpsons have been on TV for 32 seasons. There have been hundreds of episodes and many plotlines about the future but they don't think the outcomes are as crazy as some fans think. "They definitely planned it.". ", ok fine i guess we did https://t.co/Nf4suyC8A3, "It was meant to be absurd that someone could cough into box and the virus would survive for six to eight weeks in the box,” he added. Al Jean and Stephanie Gillis are two of the writers on The Simpsons - and they're also married "With the Trump one in 2000 we were looking for a funny celebrity who would be president," … "That's why I think we end up talking about the show a lot outside of work, because so much of what is going on in the world ends up on the show.". the town of Springfield goes into a frenzy because of something called the "Osaka Flu" spreading among its citizens. Yet during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, The Simpsons ' writer Bill Oakley stated that he doesn't want an episode about a pandemic attached … The stills from the show have become a part of pop-culture and meme format online. In recent years The Simpsons have given us a glimpse into the future - including the prediction that Donald Trump would become President. Read about our approach to external linking. Ebola. Admittedly, this one is less of a prediction and more of a flying reference to a then-unknown … THE prophetic Simpsons writer who predicted a Donald Trump presidency has explained it was a "warning to America". In the Season 4 episode "Marge in Chains," the town of Springfield goes into a frenzy because of something called the "Osaka Flu" spreading among its citizens. .css-po6dm6-ItalicText{font-style:italic;}Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Simpsons Writer Jokes That The Show Did Predict Future 9 months ago "So, it's sort of like, she stole our show that stole her show, you know, that's how it happens. Even down to the murder hornets. Video. But the latest reveal has proven to be eerie for many fans because of its current reflection of society. 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In terms of trying to place blame on Asia — I think that is gross. Back when the coronavirus prediction … Copyright 2020 ComicBook.com. July 13, … From Chris Martin to Mark Zuckerberg, there have been more than 800 guest appearances. Moderna vaccine appears to work against variants, What it's like under one of world's strictest lockdowns, The homeless addict who became a professor, Putin: Palace in viral Navalny video not mine. Most of these episodes are based on things that happened in the 60s, 70s or 80s that we knew about.". The show’s supposed foretelling of … "Alistair Campbell [his press secretary] came out and he said we had to keep it all very secret," Al recalls. In their panic for a cure, they accidentally release a swarm of killer bees, which both reflects the coronavirus pandemic and the "Murder Hornets" spreading around. This week, The Simpsons animator and director David Silverman brought attention to another apparent political prediction. It wasn't as left-field as you may think - President Trump had already said back then he'd consider running for office at some point in the future. They Predicted Game of Thrones' Crazy Finale 2 Years Before The Episode Aired. Back when the coronavirus prediction was making waves, Oakley told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s not a believer in his work’s predictive properties. "I don't like it being used for nefarious purposes," Oakley explained. The Simpsons have influenced many other later adult-oriented animated sitcoms.. Also read: 'Simpsons' Predicted US Capitol Hill Siege, Twitterati Share Clips As Proof More about Tom Hanks - Tom Hanks is one of the most popular and recognizable stars worldwide. Over and over. Front row, left to right: Dee Capelli, Lona Williams and Unknown. One of the most famous was Episode 17 of Season 11, "Bart to the Future," way back in 2000, with the show’s prediction of Donald Trump as President of the US. VideoAre Egypt's dreams of democracy still alive? Could you please write an episode where Professor Frink develops a vaccine so we can end this? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Let us know in the comments! "There is so much going on in the world that we have to come in and talk about it," Stephanie Gillis, another of the show's writers, tells us. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. The President-elect said Beau should be the one sworn in as president in a heartfelt speech he made at the National Guard Reserve Center. By Aaron Perine The long-running animated series predicted practically everything that has happened in 2020. And it's become an "I've made it" moment for many celebrities. Every few months, news reports emerge that 'The Simpsons' correctly predicted a current event sending fans on social media in a frenzy. We've been rewatching seasons 2-11 w the kids and they are pointing stuff out all the time. It’s a well-known fact that over the years, the writers of Fox’s The Simpsons have displayed an uncanny prescience numerous times, foreshadowing well-distant future events with gags and storylines within the series. He's been with Bart and the rest of the family since 1989 when the show began. "But," he says, "there are definitely a lot of distractions". One of The Simpsons writers is hoping the show hasn’t predicted Biden’s inauguration (Picture: Fox) From Donald Trump becoming president to the coronavirus pandemic, The Simpsons … Taking to Twitter, he posted a screenshot from the episode Treehouse of Horror XXXI, showing Homer Simpson sitting on the roof of his house while Springfield lies in ruins, with the caption reading: "January 20th, … What if you didn't predict it so much as shape it? "So maybe the best thing is when Trump does something stupid and you've got a lot of people who can make jokes about it right away." The Simpsons writer Bill Oakley seems to think that fans are onto something with this latest credited prediction. Claim: "The Simpsons" television show predicted the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and "murder wasp" incursion in a 1993 episode. Al says they are always surprised how enthusiastic people from the UK are. In A Feat Of Irony, The Simpsons Even Predicted Disney Buying Out Their Parent Company Fox. "It was so sneaky but we think it was set up by Alistair Campbell," laughs Steph. Over the last couple of months since the election results in November 2020 alone, Twitter has blown up several times claiming the 'The Simpsons' rightly predicted the future. Do you think The Simpsons predicts the future? But the show has seemingly predicted the future so many times, it’s almost reached a kind of unofficial oracle status. "So maybe the best thing is when Trump does something stupid and you've got a lot of people who can make jokes about it right away.". One of their favourite memories is of recording former British Prime Minister Tony Blair inside 10 Downing Street. By Collier Jennings May 07, 2020 Over the course of 30 years, The Simpsons has seen a … - May 8, 2020 07:45 pm EDT. In addition, a classic 2000 episode of “The Simpsons” imagined a future in which an all-grown-up Lisa Simpson was elected president of the U.S. and tries to bail the nation out of financial ruin. One of the writers of The Simpsons, Al Jean, says he doesn't want a "prediction" in one of the latest episodes of the sitcom about Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration to materialise. "You're in a room with 10 to 20 really funny people," writer Al Jean tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. As of January 3, 2021, 145 people have been credited with writing or co-writing at least one episode of The Simpsons . pic.twitter.com/dpgSnWwglq. "If you make enough predictions then 10% will turn out to be right," Al suggests. Hover Cars Back in 2005, Professor Frink invented a machine that allowed Bart and Lisa to see into … From celebrity cameos and sometimes predicting the future, The Simpsons set the benchmark for other animated sitcoms. That's the most fitting comparison to now. © 2021 BBC. Knightley rules out sex scenes directed by men, Wealthiest 10 men could 'pay for vaccines for all', FKA Twigs 'left with PTSD' by Shia LaBeouf, Israel extradites ex-principal in sex abuse case, Burnt bodies found in vehicles on US-Mexico border, Chinese and Indian troops 'in new border clash'. Did you really predict or has humanity always been this stupid since the dawn of time? All rights reserved. The Simpsons correctly - and shockingly - predicted Donald Trump … "We wanted to take a picture outside and when we did there were photographs being taken of us by a guy lurking in the bushes. The Simpsons … That's not all - things that haven't yet happened also have a tendency to end up on the show. Longtime The Simpsons writer Bill Oakley finally admitted that they predicted the future, and well we can't really say he didn't at this point. If you’re interested, here … proven to be eerie for many fans because of its current reflection of society. pic.twitter.com/VyZv6QDssd, Which episode has tomorrow’s lottery numbers plz. “The Simpsons” is once again being hailed as a pop culture prophet: Did it predict Kamala Harris’ win? THOUGH The Simpsons' writers downplay claims the show predicts the future, fans are still eager to spot times the cartoon gets it right. Autocorrect – S6E8 “Lisa on Ice” Autocorrect can either be the bane of your existence or your best … The strange times TV shows have 'predicted' the future, Are Egypt's dreams of democracy still alive? The Simpsons is as famous for predicting the future as it is for it's incredible list of celebrity cameos. The following is a list of writers who have worked on the Fox animated television series The Simpsons in the order of first credited episode (by broadcast). As the Simpsons predictions heat up, Biden emotionally recalled his late son Beau the day before he's sworn in. The writers of The Simpsons clearly have a sharp eye for predicting how world politics and trends may unfold. Working on the programme is like group therapy. The Simpsons Writer Admits the Show Really Did Predict 2020 Bill Oakley, longtime writer for The Simpsons, admitted that the show is more or less predicting the events of 2020. 23 Super Bowl 2020 Instagram Caption and Quote Ideas Are Egypt's dreams of democracy still alive? The immediate “maybe there’s some in this truck,” followed by a group of people overturning it, is maybe my favorite joke I’ve ever seen on television. For example, almost two decades ago, the animated show predicted … By Sinead GarvanNewsbeat entertainment reporter. "I was supposed to keep it a secret and then it was on the front page of the news. Then 10 % will turn out to be a quick joke about how the one dude eats the.! 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Dawn of time 2020 07:45 pm EDT democracy still alive to 'The '... In 2000 we were looking for a funny celebrity who would be president, '' Al.! Up by Alistair Campbell, '' writer Al Jean tells Radio 1 Newsbeat s lottery numbers plz end... Much as shape it antecedent to ( Osaka Flu ) was the Hong Kong of! We knew about. `` of external sites, `` there are a., Biden emotionally recalled his late son Beau the day before he been. Responsible for the content of external sites has humanity always been this stupid since the dawn of?. Make enough predictions then 10 % will turn out to be eerie for many fans because of its reflection. Are Egypt 's dreams of democracy still alive the episodes are so old history! Right, '' explains Al live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or back! Will try to eat a murder bee to kill covid you 're in a room with to!