NewsBite

The Simpsons credited with predicting the future in Disney’s deal to buy 21st Century Fox

THE Simpsons’ reputation as the Nostradamus of television shows has been proven again with a scene from nearly two decades ago coming true.

The Simpsons - Trump Presidency prediction promo

LONG recognised as a comic Zeitgeist, The Simpsons reputation as the Nostradamus of television shows has been further enhanced.

The long-running comedy classic predicted Donald Trump’s rise to the Presidency as far back as 2000.

The Simpsons predicted a Donald Trump Presidential victory in 2000. Picture: Supplied
The Simpsons predicted a Donald Trump Presidential victory in 2000. Picture: Supplied

And now another of the show’s bold predictions has come true.

The Simpsons appears to have successfully foreseen Walt Disney’s overnight purchase of 21st Century Fox.

An episode that aired in 1998 displayed a 20th Century Fox sign, with the note “A Division of Walt Disney Co” underneath.

The Simpsons predicts 20th Century Fox and Disney Deal. Picture: Supplied
The Simpsons predicts 20th Century Fox and Disney Deal. Picture: Supplied

Now almost two decades later, Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has agreed to sell its entertainment businesses to Walt Disney in a groundbreaking $68.3 billion deal.

It is another example of what many Simpsons fans’ claim is the long-running show’s uncanny ability to peer into the future.

The hugely popular show, featuring the trials and tribulations of the famous Springfield family, is also credited with telling viewers about the role smartwatches would play in our lives in an episode aired in 1995, when Lisa’s fiancee talks to a phone on his wrist.

The Simpsons predicts our smartwatch future. Picture: Supplied
The Simpsons predicts our smartwatch future. Picture: Supplied

The show, which is currently in its 29th season is also said to have seen Greece’s financial misfortunes, which have resulted in a bailout by the European Union.

The Simpsons on Greece's financial problems. Picture: Supplied
The Simpsons on Greece's financial problems. Picture: Supplied

The Simpsons movie, which was released in 2007, also appears to have predicted American’s National Security Administration drama involving Edward Snowden.

In 2013 Snowden revealed the extent to which the US government was monitoring the phone and internet records of its citizens.

But it had all been seen before by Simpsons fans, when the NSA locates Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie by listening into one of their conversations.

The NSA made a cameo appearance in The Simpsons. Picture: Supplied
The NSA made a cameo appearance in The Simpsons. Picture: Supplied

Creator Matt Groenig and his crew have also been given credit for pointing out the danger faced by entertainers Siegfried and Roy.

In a 1993 episode Montgomery Burns opens a casino after Springfield decides to legalise gambling. In one scene of the episode a routine that spoofs magicians Gunter and Ernest turns bad when Gunter and Ernst are attacked by their tiger.

Entertainers Gunter and Ernst are attacked by a tiger at Springfield's casino. Picture: Supplied
Entertainers Gunter and Ernst are attacked by a tiger at Springfield's casino. Picture: Supplied

Ten years later Roy Horn was mauled on stage by a Bengal tiger, leaving him with serious injuries and ending their long-running show.

Simpsons gag comes to life

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/the-simpsons-credited-with-predicting-the-future-in-disneys-deal-to-buy-21st-century-fox/news-story/ecffe91a784861a3287c460f09c1d8c9