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The Simpsons Writer Reveals How The Show Has Predicted So Many World Events

The Simpsons Writer Reveals How The Show Has Predicted So Many World Events

Al Jean said, after 700 episodes, you tend to get one or two right.

Hannah Blackiston

Hannah Blackiston

From Donald Trump as president to the September 11 attacks, The Simpsons has eerily predicted a lot of events in its 700 episodes.

But long-time writer and original crew member, Al Jean, says it isn't down to any magic powers.

Speaking with NME, Jean said it's simply a case of luck and longevity.

"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," he said.

The show most recently predicted Richard Branson's time in space, but has also predicted Disney buying 20th Century Fox, FIFA's corruption scandal and Smart watches.

It even managed to predict the coronavirus pandemic in season four's 'Marge in Chains'.

"The 9/11 one is so bizarre," Jean told NME.

"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."

Jean is doing the interview circuit to celebrate Disney+ Day which saw the animated family take part in a crossover event with Goofy.

Since Disney's takeover of Fox, The Simpsons has also taken part in the Star Wars universe and Marvel with The Bart and the Loki.

Earlier this week, Jean mused on how the show might end.

He told Radio Times: "I mentioned that there would be an ending where the last episode, they'd be going back to the Christmas pageant from the first episode [Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire], so that the whole series was a continuous loop - that's how I would end it, if I had to."

Featured Image Credit: AA Film Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, the simpsons