The Simpsons Writer Explains How They’ve Been Able To Predict So Many Events

A writer from The Simpsons has shed light on the show's uncanny knack for seemingly predicting future events, offering insight into how this phenomenon occurs. While audiences have been amazed by the show's accuracy in foreshadowing real-world occurrences, such as the rise of figures like Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg, or technological advancements like the Apple Vision Pro, the writer explained that it's not a result of clairvoyance or time-traveling capabilities.

Al Jean, a prominent figure in The Simpsons' creative team, shared in an interview with NME that the explanation lies in the sheer volume of content produced over the show's extensive 35-season run. He referenced a fellow writer who humorously remarked that with over 700 episodes under their belt, if they didn't hit the mark on a few predictions, they'd be considered quite inept. In essence, Jean suggests that with such a vast array of storylines and references, some are bound to coincide with future events purely by chance.

‘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'."

While the show's track record may appear mystifying at times, Jean acknowledges that certain predictions, such as the reference to the World Trade Center towers in a 1996 episode, are undeniably eerie. However, he attributes these instances more to educated guesses rather than supernatural foresight."The 9/11 one is so bizarre. In the World Trade Center episode, 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. But mostly it’s just educated guesses." 

"Stanley Kubrick made the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 and there’s Zoom and iPads in it but that’s because he had futurologists helping him construct what the world might look like in 30 years’ time.”