Forecasting the Future | ‘The Simpsons’ Astonishing Predictions Come to Life

For decades, “The Simpsons” has been hailed as a modern oracle, astonishing viewers with its eerie ability to predict the future. Notably, in the 2000 episode “Bart to the Future,” viewers see Lisa Simpson envisioned as the future first female president of the United States, her attire strikingly reminiscent of what Vice President Kamala Harris wore during the 2021 inauguration.

video by CNN

Al Jean, a celebrated writer for the series, expressed his pride over this predictive feat on social media. He posted, “@TheSimpsons ‘prediction’ I’m proud to be a part of,” reflecting his amazement and joy on X.

The episode’s prophetic reach didn’t stop at Lisa’s presidency. It also introduced a presidency under “Donald Trump,” making this call 16 years before Trump would actually win the 2016 election. Although some rumors about the show forecasting specific images or electoral outcomes from Trump’s presidency were debunked, the show’s knack for foresight is undeniable.

Further cementing its prophetic legacy, “The Simpsons” has mirrored real-life cultural moments with uncanny accuracy. For instance, a 2012 episode featured pop icon Lady Gaga performing a high-flying concert act, a scene that came to life during her dramatic Super Bowl halftime show in 2017.

The show even ventured into predicting tech trends. In 1995, a decade before the advent of popular smartwatches, “The Simpsons” featured a similar device, showcasing its vision for wearable technology.

Dramatic real-life events have also been presaged by the show. A 1993 episode featured a parody involving famed Vegas performers Siegfried and Roy. In a chilling parallel, the episode depicted a white tiger attack, which tragically mirrored an actual event in 2003 that ended Roy Horn’s career.

Moreover, “The Simpsons” also foretold unexpected collaborations in the music world. The hip-hop group Cypress Hill was shown discussing a performance with the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1996 “Homerpalooza” episode. Remarkably, nearly three decades later, this unlikely pairing actually took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

As “The Simpsons” continues to broadcast new episodes, it solidifies its position as a pop culture prophet, reflecting back at us some of the most pivotal moments in entertainment and technology, often before they happen.

Feature image taken from CNN