The Simpsons' Adorable Secret: What the Cash Register Whispers When Scanning Maggie

Summary

In The Simpsons' opening credits, a comical scene involves Maggie being scanned at a cash register, cleverly incorporating an Easter egg for economists. The price assigned to raising a child in this gag is $847.63, symbolizing the significant financial investment involved.

To keep up with the changes in the economy, the cash register price was updated in 2009 to reflect inflation. With Maggie's inclusion, the new total reached $486.52. This subtle modification subtly highlights the escalating expenses associated with raising children over time.

The show is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail and clever hidden references, including nods to Futurama and the distinctive use of characters sporting five fingers instead of the customary four. This has cemented its status as a groundbreaking adult animated comedy.

In The Simpsons' opening sequence, there is a humorous moment where Maggie is scanned at the grocery store. Curiosity arises about what the cash register actually says during this scene. The iconic opening is also highlighted by the ever-changing running gags featuring the couch and the blackboard. Additionally, viewers are treated to memorable sight gags such as Homer misplacing a piece of radioactive material, Maggie appearing as if she is driving a car, and Bart successfully landing his skateboard on Homer's parked car. Another remarkable visual gag occurs when Marge fails to notice Maggie hidden amid her groceries, resulting in the youngest Simpson being scanned through the register, only to emerge unscathed from a paper bag.

Maggie's Cash Register Price Was A Satirical Flourish

In this scene, there is more to note than just Maggie being put through the cash register. A subtle Simpsons Easter egg appears on the price screen that quickly flashes up. In the classic seasons of The Simpsons, the register displays the number "847.63" when Maggie passes through. This clever reference is aimed at the economists who are part of the show's audience. It is worth mentioning that when The Simpsons debuted in 1989, creator Matt Groening confirmed that the average monthly cost of raising a child in the U.S. was $847.63. This clever satirical commentary highlights the significant financial burden of raising children in modern society.

As of 2009, a new intro sequence was introduced for The Simpsons. In this updated version, the cash register displays a total of "243.26," which then doubles to "486.52" when Maggie is added, reflecting the increased cost. Although Groening has not provided a specific explanation for this change, it can be assumed that the purpose was to make the original joke more relevant to the present time. Considering the impact of inflation, raising a child has become significantly more expensive since 1989, rendering the joke ineffective in its original context.

The opening credits of The Simpsons could have changed the cash register display to reflect an updated figure, but this would have quickly become outdated. Instead, the decision was made to show Marge's total doubling, perhaps to symbolize the high cost of raising children without specifying an exact amount. However, in a special Halloween episode called "Treehouse of Horror XXIV," directed by Guillermo del Toro, Maggie's cost gets a temporary satanic update. In this episode's opening, Stephen King participates in the blackboard gag with Bart, Groundskeeper Willie is transformed into Hellboy, and Maggie's price is shown as "666" to add to the Halloween fun.

The Simpsons' "138th Episode Spectacular" also includes a clever parody of the Maggie cash register joke. Just before the episode's commercials, an announcer poses a trivia question to the audience: "What does the cash register say when Maggie is scanned in the opening credits?" However, instead of revealing the true answer when the show returns, the announcer jokingly claims that the screen displays "NRA4EVA," poking fun at The Simpsons' supposed right-wing political stance and playfully parodying the show's actual liberal leanings. Over the years, many viewers have been fooled by this prank and mistakenly believe it to be true.

Why The Simpsons Maggie Cash Register Scene Is So Iconic

The Maggie Cash Register Is Far From The Simpsons' Only Easter Egg

The inclusion of the Maggie cash register gag in The Simpsons' opening credits goes beyond being a simple funny or relatable moment. It serves as a testament to the immense attention to detail that the show's creators put into every aspect of its production. The references and subtle jokes throughout The Simpsons are not only uproarious, but they also highlight the sheer dedication and passion behind this iconic animated series. Even the title sequence reflects the show's meticulous approach to delivering its trademark blend of satire and humor. Although Maggie's grocery store check-out scene is just a small example, it reinforces the idea of The Simpsons' enduring status as a groundbreaking work of adult animated comedy.

The opening of The Simpsons has been consistently refreshed with new jokes throughout the years, including the reading on the cash register during Maggie's scanning. However, throughout the entire run of The Simpsons, there are numerous hidden Easter eggs that fans may only discover after multiple viewings. These clever nods often allude to Futurama through posters in bedrooms and characters donning Futurama t-shirts. In addition, two characters in the series, namely God and Jesus, secretly possess five fingers instead of the traditional four fingers seen on the Simpsons. It is these subtle jokes that have played a significant role in establishing The Simpsons as the dominant force in animation that it is today.