As global tensions escalate and Russian troops invade Ukraine, fans are in awe that Fox comedy, “The Simpsons,” has once again seemingly predicted the event in an episode that aired years ago.
Eagle-eyed social media users pointed to a 1998 episode called “Simpson Tide,” which shows Russia retaliating after Homer Simpson’s actions caused an international incident.
The eerie 30-second clip has already gone viral on social networks.
It features a discussion between Russian and U.S. representatives. After Homer unintentionally fires the sub captain out of the vessel into Russian waters, Russia reveals that the Soviet Union was never truly dissolved with a diplomat changing a sign from “Russia” to “Soviet Union” amid a montage shows military tanks descending upon the streets, the Berlin Wall being rebuilt, and the leader of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin, resurrected.
The clip is gaining popularity as many believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping to restore the former Soviet Union through his invasion of Ukraine.
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One fan noted that the animated comedy writers “definitely had a time machine.”
“When has the Simpsons not predicted anything?” another user questioned.
Another noted that “the Simpsons” don’t miss, though, another user admitted he failed to see where Ukraine was mentioned in the clip.
Even “Simpsons” showrunner, Al Jean, addressed the similarities between the clip and the current events noting, "Very sad to say this was not hard to predict."
Jean even spoke to The Hollywood Reporter: "I hate to say it, but I was born in 1961, so 30 years of my life were lived with the specter of the Soviet Union. So, to me, this is sadly more the norm than it is the prediction," Jean observed. "We just figured things were going to go bad."
"Historical aggression never really goes away, and you have to be super vigilant," he continued.
He offered up a more in-depth explanation: "In 1998, when this clip aired, it was maybe the zenith of U.S.-Russia relations. But, ever since [Russian President Vladimir] Putin got in, almost everybody has made it clear that he’s a bad guy and bad things are going to happen. There is the kind of prediction, where we reference something that has happened, happening again — we hope it wouldn’t, but sadly, it does."
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While Jean noted that new episodes will not see the Russia-Ukraine conflict addressed, the show revealed that it stands with Ukraine in a recent image posted on Twitter.
In the photo, the animated cartoon family are seen holding Ukranian flags support of Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
The long-running sitcom has made a name for itself for predicting the future. Some the the standout predictions to date include Lady Gaga's flying entrance at the Super Bowl, Toys "R" Us closing, the Super Bowl matchups, murder hornets, and even Donald Trump becoming the President.
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