For over three decades, The Simpsons has astounded viewers with its uncanny ability to seemingly predict future events, from Donald Trump’s presidency to the 2020 murder hornet invasion. The long-running animated series, which debuted in 1989, has become known not only for its humor but also for its bizarrely accurate foreshadowing of real-world events. However, according to Matt Selman, the show’s executive producer and showrunner, the process behind these predictions is far more grounded than fans might imagine. In a recent interview with People, Selman explained that these so-called predictions are not the result of magic or special foresight.
Mathematics and history: The formula behind predictions
“Well, the sourpuss answer I always give that no one likes is that if you study history and math, it would be literally impossible for us not to predict things,” he told People in a new interview.
“If you say enough things, some of them are going to overlap with reality, and then that’s the math element,” Selman explained.
Selman emphasized that the key to The Simpsons predicting events lies in its writers’ ability to analyze past human behavior. “If you make a show that is based on studying the past foolishness of humanity, you are surely going to anticipate the future foolishness of humanity as it sinks further into foolishness fair,” he added. “So we don’t really think about it.”
Frustration over fake predictions
While The Simpsons has indeed foreshadowed major events, Selman expressed frustration over fans who fabricate predictions and circulate them online. “Writers hate when fans put obviously fake images online and say we predicted things that we didn’t,” Selman noted. He described it as “very depressing and dispiriting that people want the magic to be true so bad that they just start putting out images of fake scenarios the show has never featured.”
Infamous predictions and cultural impact
Currently in its 36th season, The Simpsons has undeniably left a mark on modern culture for its satirical portrayal of American life and its eerie ability to reflect real-world events.
One infamous example occurred earlier this year when Channel 4 pulled a 1996 episode titled “Lisa the Iconoclast” from airing due to its resemblance to an assassination attempt at a Trump rally. The episode featured a scene where a law enforcement officer aims at Lisa Simpson during a public speech, reminiscent of the real-life event.
The episode, which centers on Lisa discovering that Springfield’s founder was a murderous pirate, was replaced with a more lighthearted episode from season 30 titled “Baby You Can’t Drive My Car.”
Despite the occasional eerie overlap between The Simpsons and reality, Selman’s explanation reminds fans that the show’s predictive powers are rooted in a deep understanding of history and human nature. As the series continues to entertain audiences, its cultural relevance and unique commentary on society show no signs of waning.