What cultural phenomenon will “The Simpsons” prove true next?
“The Simpsons” predicted that Disney would purchase 21st Century Fox, which was then known as 20th Century Fox, nearly two decades before the companies announced a $52.4 billion merger on Thursday.
The screen-grab below features a billboard with the iconic logo and the words “A Division of Walt Disney Co.” underneath. It’s from the Season 10 episode “When You Dish Upon a Star,” which aired on Nov. 8, 1998 and featured Homer meeting with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.
If the deal wins regulatory approval in the next 12 to 18 months, Disney would acquire Fox’s film and TV studios and much of its non-broadcast television business, including regional sports networks and cable networks such as FX, FXX and Nat Geo.
Top franchises like “X-Men,” “Avatar,” “Deadpool,” “Fantastic Four” and “The Simpsons” will also fall under the Disney umbrella.
And Disney would also pick up Fox’s stake in the European pay-TV giant Sky — and be better positioned to win regulatory approval to complete the acquisition of the 61 percent of the company it does not already own.
“The Simpsons” has accurately predicted Lady Gaga performing at the Super Bowl, Donald Trump’s presidency and Bengt Holmstrom’s Nobel Prize win. So, while there’s no deal yet, we wouldn’t be surprised if “The Simpsons” is proven right once again.
With the possibility of 20th Century Fox being sold to Disney, let me be one of the first to point out the Simpsons predicted it: pic.twitter.com/U1uN5VjiEp
'The Simpsons' 30th Anniversary: 12 Best. Memes. Ever. (Photos)
"The Simpsons" has been on for 30 years, and in that time, it has become an essential part of the pop culture lexicon. Here are 12 essential gags, quote and moments that have come to permeate the Internet.
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Old Man Yells at Cloud Applicable to nearly everything online, this classic comes Season 13 of "The Simpsons," in the episode "The Old Man and the Key."
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'Me Fail English?' Ralph Wiggum is the dumbest kid in Springfield, but the public school system is definitely leaving him behind. The quote comes from the Season 6 episode "Lisa on Ice."
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Sideshow Bob's Real Nemesis: Rakes Bart famously sent Sideshow Bob to jail for trying to frame Krusty. In the Season 5 episode "Cape Feare," Bob tried to get his revenge. But we're all Bob stepping on 20 rakes once in a while. Watch the clip.
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The PTA Has Disbanded Perfect for moments of intense panic, the PTA disbanding (or actually not) was a highlight of Season 6 when it appeared in the episode "The PTA Disbands." Check out the clip.
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'Am I So Out of Touch?' Principal Seymour Skinner decides he can't possibly be the out-of-touch one in Season 5's "The Boy Who Knew Too Much." The meme is perfectly deployed all over the Internet to make fun of anyone who can't seem to see the obvious.
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'It'll Happen to You' Abe Simpson perfectly encapsulates what getting old feels like in Season 7's "Homerpalooza." In the age of social media, that seems to happen faster than ever.
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'Worst. Episode. Ever.' The Comic Book Guy's "Worst [whatever] ever" quote has been used quite a bit both on and off "The Simpsons." This moment from Season 8's "Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie" show goes a step further to capture Internet commenter culture even to this day.
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'Our New Insect Overlords' Anchorman Kent Brockman chooses instant capitulation when he thinks space ants are invading in the Season 5 episode "Deep Space Homer." And we, for one, welcome our new meme overlord. Watch the clip.
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'Goods and Services' Sometimes we all need an obvious economics lesson. Homer gets one from his brain in Season 5's "Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood" episode. It's a good reminder. Watch the clip.
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'That's the Joke' McBain is possibly the worst stand-up comedian ever in "A Star is Burns" in Season 6. But he did give us this perfect meme for when a gag goes right over someone's head on social media. It's especially good if the person is also annoying. Watch the clip.
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'Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Kodos' Moments from "Tree House of Horror VII" in Season 8 got a serious workout during the 2016 election. The episode is about two space aliens, Kang and Kodos pretending to be Bob Dole and Bill Clinton in 1996 in order to take over the world. And since no one is willing to vote for a third party, Kang wins. (The gag, by the way, riffed off anti-Bill Clinton bumper stickers ubiquitous in the South during the 1990s that said "don't blame me, I voted for Bush.")
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'Disappearing Homer' It's shocking how useful this meme, from "Homer Loves Flanders" in Season 5, has become. Any time you need to exit a situation as quickly and gracelessly as possible, it's there for you. Here's the clip for context.
Not only has ”The Simpsons“ repeatedly predicted our real-life future, it’s also supplied some amazing memes
"The Simpsons" has been on for 30 years, and in that time, it has become an essential part of the pop culture lexicon. Here are 12 essential gags, quote and moments that have come to permeate the Internet.