The series The Simpsons is full of theories, some more far-fetched than others. But one of them—and one of the oldest—still permeates social media threads today.
The Simpsons and Their Many Theories
A cult American animated series, The Simpsons has been attracting viewers to their screens for over 35 years. With 789 episodes spread over 36 seasons, the series hasn't lost its loyal fans. Season 36, released on Disney+ in January 2025, proves that Springfield is still popular, despite reported ratings declines in the United States.
While Fox has not yet renewed the animated series for a 37th season, showrunner Matt Selman has stated his intention to continue developing other episodes. The series is adept at jokes and likes to play with its viewers, who reciprocate. A whole host of theories have been built on the networks thanks to the immense community of fans of The Simpsons, Springfield, and its universe. Among the most popular, the fact that the series manages to predict the future. Several episodes that anticipated certain events (like the one about Trump) have pushed fans to build this theory, undoubtedly the most cult to the point of becoming a meme in its own right.
This terrifying theory resurfaces on the networks
Other old and famous theories are that since Homer fell into a coma, all the events following this famous episode 12 of season 5 would be the fruit of the father's imagination, or that Springfield is stuck in a time loop, outside of time (notably because the characters never age). The fictional American city is even said to be cursed. Its omnipresent and job-generating nuclear power plant is also at the center of one of the most famous theories: it is said to be responsible for the yellow color of its inhabitants and their bulging eyes, lack of hair, and strange morphology.
To support this theory, fans explain (for example on the subreddit r/FanTheories), that Homer Simpson's catastrophic management of safety protocols nearly caused the power plant to explode on numerous occasions. While disaster was always narrowly avoided, the reactions caused radiation with irreversible effects on the residents of Springfield, but also on the wildlife (Blinky, the mutant fish is one argument). Not to mention the dumping of nuclear waste in the heart of the city's bodies of water, which significantly altered the fish, being responsible for the genetic mutations of the inhabitants.
Also, proponents of this theory argue that the stupidity of many Springfield residents is directly linked to the side effects of the nuclear power plant. In addition, the radiation has altered people's minds.
This theory undoubtedly helps bring the series to life outside of its on-screen broadcast, and has created interaction between fans. The greatest works are filled with subjects of this kind. As a reminder, creator Matt Groening chose the yellow color of the inhabitants of Springfield to attract the attention of viewers when zapping on television. "When someone was flipping on TV, I wanted the color to immediately catch the eye," he said in a BBC documentary in the 2000s.
0 Comments