In a recent episode of the iconic animated series “The Simpsons,” NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and blockchain technology took center stage, offering a satirical take on the cryptocurrency world. The episode, titled “Wild Barts Can’t Be Token,” aired during the Halloween special, Treehouse of Horror 34.
NFTs, a unique class of crypto assets that prove ownership of real or digital items, were the subject of humor and commentary throughout the episode. In a plotline that unfolds, Marge embarks on a mission through the blockchain to rescue Bart, who has become a living NFT. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor announces plans to digitize Springfield’s art gallery. Notably, various well-known NFTs, including Beeple, the Bored Ape Yacht Club, and second-tier PFPs, were depicted as having nearly no value in the episode.
One observer, Noah Bolanowski, an NFT collector and adviser to Crypt Gallery, an in-real-life NFT gallery, praised the episode’s emphasis on art. He noted that the episode portrayed profile picture NFTs as being at the bottom of the hierarchy while positioning traditional art as a symbol of prestige. Bolanowski also pointed out a scene in which Bored Ape Yacht Club holders were seen cleaning their feet, highlighting the comedic tone of the episode.
This is not the first time “The Simpsons” has delved into the world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. In the 2020 episode titled “Frinkcoin,” Jim Parsons educates viewers about cryptocurrency, explaining the concept of distributed ledgers and the blockchain. This episode aired just before the crypto crash of March 2020. In the 2022 episode “The King of Nice,” Krusty the clown is forced to join the celebrity-for-hire app Cameo because he squandered all his money on NFTs, describing them as “Non-funny TV shows.”
It’s worth noting that this is not the first instance of “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening poking fun at the crypto and blockchain world. In a recent episode of “Futurama,” another popular animated series created by Groening, crypto miners were mocked in an episode titled “How the West Was 101001.”
