The Simpsons: OceanGate Titan Disaster Had Some Similarities To Prior Episodes

One big knock against The Simpsons in past years is the constant recycling of plots and plot devices, and this ugly truth came to light after the recent OceanGate tragedy that took place over the last couple of weeks when a private submarine sight-seeing mission featuring five paying guests wanting to see the Titanic underwater, all this despite the fact that there’s a perfectly good movie that reruns all over television on an almost constant basis that features plenty of underwater visuals of the famed sunken ship from 1912.

That said, anytime there’s a disaster it seems not long after that The Simpsons is not too far behind with fans clamoring that the show somehow predicted it. In this case, there are actually TWO episodes of The Simpsons that featured submarines, one in “Simpsons Tide” which was actually written by future OceanGate passenger Mike Reiss and was more of a send-up of the 95 film Crimson Tide. The episode that probably is a tad closer is “Homer’s Paternity Cool” written by Joel H. Cohen which was an episode all about a sunken wreckage that Homer and the gang investigate for treasure so they take a submarine down as part of the voyage.

In any event, in both cases, Homer and the crew survive which is the opposite of what happened on the OceanGate’s Titan voyage.

The new season of The Simpsons premieres Fall 2023, and there’s no telling what, if any, more predictions the franchise will make in the coming year.

The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into popular culture in 1989 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. HOMER (Dan Castellaneta), MARGE (Julie Kavner), BART (Nancy Cartwright), LISA (Yeardley Smith) and MAGGIE are instantly identifiable television icons. Rounding out this cast of characters are many beloved Springfield residents, including tavern proprietor MOE SZYSLAK (Hank Azaria) and nuclear power plant owner MR. BURNS (Harry Shearer). The Emmy Award-, Annie Award- and Peabody Award-winning animated comedy will begin its 34th season this year. In the premiere, Homer is desperate to prove he’s not dumb and sets out to solve the case of the tortoise missing from the zoo. Season 34 also will feature a double dose of “Treehouse of Horror” episodes, marking the first time in the show’s history there have been two “Treehouse”-branded episodes in a single Halloween. One of this fall’s two “Treehouse of Horror” episodes will be a full-length parody of “It,” with Krusty the Clown playing Pennywise, the evil clown character. Guest voice appearances this season include Simu Liu, Anna Faris, John Roberts as BOB’S BURGERS’ Linda Belcher, and Melissa McCarthy, who will play Homer’s rival for Grampa’s love.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean and Matt Selman are the executive producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series.