The Simpsons writer responds to conspiracy theory the show eerily predicted 9/11
A Simpsons writer has explained the conspiracy behind the show predicting the September 11 attacks.
It’s no secret that the long-running animated series has made predictions about the world that have ultimately come true, such as Donald Trump’s presidency, FaceTime and Disney buying 20th Century Fox.
Showrunner Al Jean has even revealed in the past how they've managed to get so many things right.
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However, writer Josh Weinstein has now addressed the supposed 9/11 prediction.
In the 1997 episode ‘The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson’, a magazine advertises a $9 bus tickets in front of the World Trade Center, which looks like it could be an ‘11’.
In response to a fan’s theory, Weinstein wrote: “I can tell you the unfortunate 9/11 one was strictly because 9 dollars seemed like the funniest low bus fare and we wanted the World Trade Center buildings in the ad because that's where the story took place. Totally, totally a coincidence.
“The Fox/Disney one seems prescient!”
Showrunner Al Jean previously revealed how they've actually managed to get things right.
Speaking to NME, Jean said: "One of our writers, the guy whose episode predicted Donald Trump as president, said it best: ‘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'."
It's hardly the answer that we all wanted because it would have been awesome if the writer's room had a time machine.
But, then again, if they had a time machine they would hardly be using the device just to get ideas for a long-running TV show.
Jean also spoke about the shocking coincidence with the September 11 story.
"In the World Trade Center episode, there was a brochure reading $9 a day with an 11 styled up like the towers," he said.
"That was in ’96, which was crazy, like this insane coincidence."
Despite the unsettling coincidence, Jean maintains that the predictions are ‘just educated guesses’.
While The Simpsons creators may not have predictive powers, they do have a ‘curse’, according to Jean.
The showrunner explained ‘we’re cursed by high ratings’, which he says could leave room for a new movie. That’s right, a new The Simpsons Movie – we can hear the spider-pig theme already.
Offering a glimmer of hope to fans, Jean made his own prediction about the future of The Simpsons.
He said: "We’re still on the air as a TV show and that takes up a lot of time.
"I worked on the [first] movie simultaneous to the show, and it nearly killed the animators.
"But we have an idea, it’s just that we’re waiting to see what the environment is."
Here’s hoping that environment isn’t the sealed dome from the first movie, because we want this prediction see the light of day.
Topics: Film and TV, The Simpsons
Charisa Bossinakis