Every few months, a golden-age episode of The Simpsons is credited with predicting the future in the real world.
From to , some folks believe ’ writers used a crystal ball for their ideas.
And with ’s Barbie released to widespread acclaim on Friday, yet another episode from the show’s most celebrated era is under the microscope.
With the new movie – directed by Greta Gerwig – being , it’s been compared to Simpsons classic Lisa vs Malibu Stacy.
In the episode, Lisa is enraged when the talking version of Malibu Stacy – a Barbie-style doll from the series – said: ‘I wish they taught shopping at school!’
However, Lisa responds to this revelation by asking toymakers to create Lisa Lionheart, an empowering doll that young girls can learn from.
Now former Simpsons writer Bill Oakley has said the new Barbie film provides ‘modern answers’ to questions that were originally asked in the early 90s.
‘It sounds like it’s the modern answer to questions asked 30 years ago,’ Oakley said, after writing for The Simpsons between 1992 and 1997.
When asked whether they really did predict the future, Oakley explained that the process behind the show’s mid-90s success only makes it seem that way.
‘We often looked for things that came from current events,’ he explained. ‘And I specifically remember being told, “Take the social trends from now”.’
Speaking to, he continued: ‘[We were told] in 10 months when people have forgotten about it, they’ll think you made the whole thing up.’
He also revealed that female fans of The Simpsons will often reference Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy when discussing their favourite episodes of the series.
‘It particularly seems to resonate with women, I would say. When I meet a female Simpsons fan, that is often the one they cite as their favourite.’
See Barbie in cinemas from Friday, July 21.
