32 Years Later, 'The Simpsons' Officially Wrote This TV Twist Into Reality

Ahead of Conan O'Brien hosting the Oscars, one 'The Simpsons' joke about him now feels eerily accurate.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:18pm

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In a 1993 episode of 'The Simpsons', the show featured a cameo from Conan O'Brien as the host of a talk show that Bart Simpson appeared on. At the time, O'Brien was just starting out as the host of 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' on NBC, and the 'Simpsons' writers decided to include him as a joke, not knowing if he would actually succeed in the role. Over 30 years later, O'Brien is set to host the Oscars, making the 'Simpsons' prediction feel even more uncanny.

Why it matters

This case highlights 'The Simpsons' remarkable ability to predict future events, from Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox to the outcomes of various Super Bowls. The show's writers have demonstrated an almost eerie foresight, and the fact that they included Conan O'Brien as a talk show host years before he actually achieved that role adds to the show's reputation for prognostication.

The details

In the 1993 'Simpsons' episode 'Bart Gets Famous', Bart sneaks onto a TV set and ends up becoming an assistant for his idol, Krusty the Clown. This leads to Bart appearing on Krusty's talk show, where he is interviewed by a character voiced by Conan O'Brien. At the time, O'Brien was just starting out as the host of 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' on NBC, and the 'Simpsons' writers decided to include him as a joke, not knowing if he would actually succeed in the role.

  • The 'Simpsons' episode 'Bart Gets Famous' aired in 1993.
  • Conan O'Brien is set to host the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

The Simpsons

One of the longest-running animated series in history, known for its ability to predict future events.

Conan O'Brien

An American television host, comedian, writer, and producer who is set to host the Oscars in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Even though the Conan O'Brien show did not exist yet, we decided to put (Bart) on the Conan O'Brien show and make Conan a character. But we were writing this before the information came in, so we actually wrote it in secret, not telling Conan that we had put him in the show, just in case. Although we were confident.”

— David Mirkin, Former Simpsons showrunner (Simpsons commentary)

“The (Late Night) show was on the air when I did the record, and I remember at the time thinking, 'This is very optimistic of The Simpsons'. It was just after Chevy Chase had been canceled, and people thought I would last about eight weeks. I thought there's a good chance I won't be on the air when this airs, and it'll just be this sad, ironic thing.”

— Conan O'Brien (Collider)

What’s next

Conan O'Brien's hosting of the Oscars in 2026 will be a major television event, as the comedian's career has come full circle from his early days on 'The Simpsons'.

The takeaway

The Simpsons' ability to predict future events, including Conan O'Brien's rise to late-night fame, is a testament to the show's sharp writing and the foresight of its creators. This case highlights the show's enduring legacy and cultural impact, as it continues to resonate with audiences decades after its debut.