An episode of thrilled viewers after it aired on the same day as widespread industrial action in the UK – but it was apparently just a coincidence, according to .
The channel’s 6pm showing of the US cartoon on Wednesday was Last Exit to Springfield, a season four episode widely regarded as one of the show’s best.
The story sees go up against Mr Burns to fight for the employees’ dental plan, culminating in a strike at the power plant.
Mr Burns turns off the power to the city in retaliation but the solidarity of the workers eventually forces his hand, and Homer wins back the dental plan.
Meanwhile, Wednesday was described as , with workers walking out in increasingly bitter disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.
‘Walkout Wednesday’ saw because of action by the National Education Union (NEU) and picket lines were mounted outside railway stations, schools, government departments and universities across the country.
Viewers were quick to spot the link between the cartoon and reality, with one writing: ‘On the day of the biggest strike action in a decade, Channel 4 are showing The Simpsons episode, Last Exit to Springfield, where Homer becomes union leader and leads strike action.
‘If this is a coincidence, spooky. If this is planned, bravo schedulers. Either way, great episode.’
Another noted: ‘This evening’s Simpsons episode was the one where Lisa needed braces and Homer was a union leader and the workers at the nuclear power plant went on strike.’
‘Big props to the guy who put on the strike episode of the Simpson’s as the UCU goes on strike,’ another wrote.
After one viewer asked: ‘Did @Channel4 put this strike-themed episode of the simpsons on specifically or is this some divine coincidence,’ the broadcaster confirmed to the PA that the timing was simply a coincidence.
The Simpsons is available to watch on All4.
