Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 1
WhileThe Simpsonsseason 36, episode 1 had a refreshingly original premise, the long-running show did borrow part of its setup fromSouth Parkand improved on that show’s earlier gag in the process.The Simpsonshas been on the air for so long that the show has earned the right to borrow from its competitors. Everything fromFamily GuytoSouth ParktoBob’s BurgerstoRick and Mortywas heavily influenced byThe Simpsons.South Parkeven aired a critically acclaimed episode over twenty years ago about howThe Simpsonshad already thought of every available storyline.
The Simpsons Series Finale’s Returning Controversial Character Explained
One character was singled out as the cause of The Simpsons' downfall and, shockingly, The Simpsons season 36 episode 1 brought them back for a cameo.
As such, it is no surprise thatThe Simpsonsseason 36 episode 1’s twisty storyborrowed from one of the many adult animated comedy shows the series inspired. What is surprising is howThe Simpsonsborrowed this gag and what the show did to change its central thesis.The Simpsonsseason 36 episode 1 saw Bart finally age, but this entire storyline was presented as an in-universe series finale for the show. Presenter Conan O’Brien explained thatThe Simpsonswas finally coming to an end and the network had used generative AI to write its series finale.
The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 1 Was Supposedly Written By AI
Conan O’Brien Introduced The “Breakthrough In Plagiarism” “Hack GPT”
In a gag that owed some creative debt toSouth Parkseason 26, episode 4, “Deep Learning,”The Simpsonsclaimed that season 36 episode 1’s story was written by relying on the AI technology “Hack GPT.”As this technology’s name implies, the episode “Bart’s Birthday” took a dim view of AI writing. O’Brien criticized the machine’s tacky use of Bart’s birthday as a plot point, a group of AI-powered network executives offered inane suggestions for the show mid-episode, and the AI itself eventually self-terminated instead of continuing to produce more episodes of the show in the end.
South Park’s “Deep Learning” claimed, like “Bart’s Birthday,” to be written by AI.
WhileThe Simpsonsseason 36 episode 1’s series finalewasn’t really the show’s ending, the show’s critique of AI’s use in the entertainment industry was still barbed. This marked a contrast between “Bart’s Birthday” and “Deep Learning” as, surprisingly enough, the more family-friendly series offered a more cynical, darker take on the emerging technology and its potential applications. “Deep Learning” claimed, like “Bart’s Birthday,” to be written by AI. However, theSouth Parkepisode had few substantial criticisms of AI. UnlikeSouth Park’s muddled, inconclusive ChatGPT gag,The Simpsonsepisode carried a clear and cohesive anti-AI message.
The Simpsons’ AI Satire Outdid South Park’s Chat GPT Episode For One Reason
The Simpsons Took A Side In The Contentious Debate
Making their episode in early 2023,South Parkwas so quick on the draw that “Deep Learning” ended up saying nothing about generative AI beyond noting that the technology was sometimes useful and interesting. The show had no meaningful critiques of AI to share, whereas “Bart’s Birthday” pointed to the generic nature of AI-generated writing, the lack of imagination and effort required in its creation, and the massive ethical issues with its constant plagiarism. AmongThe Simpsonsseries finale’s returning character cameos,The Simpsonsoffered a killer satirical jab whereSouth Parkhad nothing of substance to say.
