Simpsons Satire: NFTs and Crypto in 'Treehouse of Horror' Episode

In the latest episode of The Simpsons, technology took center stage as Homer amusingly asked Marge if she recalled their earlier wishes for Bart to be less "interchangeable." This quip followed Bart's quirky journey onto the blockchain, a playful nod to the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology.

This memorable moment unfolded during Treehouse of Horror 34, the Halloween-themed installment of the beloved animated series. The segment titled "Wild Barts Can't Be Token" cleverly tackled the phenomenon of on-chain NFTs and their perceived overvaluation.

BREAKING: @TheSimpsons EPISODE SHOWS HOMER MINTING BART NFT

pic.twitter.com/q5x4fAZE2U

— DEGEN NEWS ????️ (@DegenerateNews) November 6, 2023

NFTs, a distinctive form of cryptocurrency asset, provide holders with a means to verify ownership of both physical and digital items. In this particular episode, Marge embarks on a whimsical adventure through the blockchain to rescue Bart, who has transformed into a living NFT. Meanwhile, Springfield's mayor unveils plans to digitize the city's art gallery. The episode playfully features appearances by well-known NFTs like Beeple, the Bored Ape Yacht Club, and second-tier PFPs, humorously depicted as having minimal value.

An Art Analysis of the Simpson’s NFT episode ????

Featuring Art Featured, Details Noticed & More :) pic.twitter.com/RpAZQrbTUn

— NB (@Noahbolanowski) November 6, 2023

Noah Bolanowski, an NFT collector and advisor to Crypt Gallery, a physical NFT gallery, shared his insights on the episode's portrayal of NFTs. He praised the emphasis on art, noting how PFPs were depicted as less valuable compared to the elevated status of traditional art. Bolanowski even highlighted a humorous scene involving BAYC holders tending to their feet.

The train employees were all BAYC’s ???????? pic.twitter.com/93s7CZKqF1

— NB (@Noahbolanowski) November 6, 2023

While this episode humorously references the NFT market crash of the previous year, it is not the first time The Simpsons has delved into the realm of cryptocurrency and NFTs. In the 2020 episode "Frinkcoin," Jim Parsons provided an educational segment on cryptocurrency, complete with a singing ledger book and tantalizing hints about the identity of Satoshi.

Parsons explained, 

"For cryptocurrencies to work, we need a record of every transaction...that's the blockchain."

 This informative tidbit aired just before the crypto crash in March 2020.

In last year's episode, "The King of Nice,"Krusty the clown faced a comical predicament, forced to join the celebrity-for-hire app Cameo after spending his fortune on NFTs. He dismissed it as "non-funny TV shows."

This isn't the first instance of Simpsons creator Matt Groening playfully poking fun at crypto and blockchain. Earlier this year, in an episode titled "How the West Was 101001," Groening's other popular animated series, Futurama, took a humorous jab at crypto miners.

Interestingly, the latest episode had a minor impact on the floor prices of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, which saw a modest 0.3% increase in the last 24 hours according to CoinGecko data. The Mutant Ape Yacht Club also experienced a 2.9% uptick in floor prices. In contrast, the price of ether dipped by 0.14%.

Read More: Crypto Crossroads: A Deep Dive into FTX and Alameda's Financial Moves