The Simpsons Season 35 Tackles Longstanding Issue - You Won't Believe What's in Store!

Summary

The Simpsons season 35 is likely to address NFTs in an episode, but South Park already covered the topic before it became old news.

The Simpsons' lengthy production process poses challenges in staying up-to-date with current issues, so instead of adopting South Park's writing style in Season 35, the show should leverage its own strengths.

The upcoming season of The Simpsons (season 35) will satirize a popular viral trend, bringing attention to a problem that makes South Park appear superior to its competition. Since its inception, The Simpsons has had a tremendous impact on television. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the immense success of this adult animated comedy during prime time prompted networks to approve similar projects like Fish Police, Capitol Critters, and Family Dog. Subsequently, other successful shows including King of the Hill, Beavis and Butthead, South Park, and Family Guy all incorporated elements inspired by The Simpsons.

However, well before season 35 of The Simpsons, the show itself began to borrow from its imitators. South Park famously declared "Simpsons did it" for almost every comedic storyline imaginable. In the years following that episode, The Simpsons has followed the lead of South Park and Family Guy on numerous occasions. Generally, this is not a problem for the long-running series, as borrowing from its competitors allows The Simpsons to take risks in humor and explore new comedic styles. However, this dynamic becomes a real issue for the series when it tries to surpass South Park in a particular area.

The Simpsons Season 35’s NFT Episode Could Be Too Late

The Simpsons season 35 trailer reveals that there will likely be an episode centered around NFTs, featuring a distinctive animated ape alongside Homer. However, this topic has already been extensively covered by South Park in 2022 and Futurama in 2023. Despite South Park's 2023 specials being delayed, they were able to humorously tackle the NFT craze back in June 2022 when it was a relevant and significant topic. In contrast, The Simpsons, with its longer production process, took longer to catch up.

South Park has always had an advantage in this aspect. The show's unique production process enables its creators to swiftly write, animate, produce, and air new episodes within five days. This fast-paced approach allows South Park to discuss current events as they unfold, providing them with an unmatched ability to deliver topical humor. In contrast, The Simpsons season 35 is taking a risk by featuring an NFT episode in 2023 when the phenomenon has long faded from the public consciousness. This outing may only highlight the timeliness and relevance of South Park's satire in comparison.

The Simpsons Season 35 Struggles With Its Oldest Problem (That South Park Avoids)

The Simpsons' lengthy production process makes it difficult for the show to address current issues without appearing outdated. By the time Futurama mocked NFTs in August 2023, they were already old news, and The Simpsons' NFT episode for season 35 is not expected until October 2023 at the earliest. However, this is not necessarily a disadvantage, as The Simpsons has succeeded by capitalizing on its own strengths rather than relying on timely satire. While occasional inspiration from South Park is acceptable, The Simpsons season 35 should not attempt to imitate the series' writing style.