10 Times The Simpsons Really Did It

When you have been around for over twenty years in the television world, as The Simpsons has, it's safe to say that you've done a lot - so much so that competing shows have a hard time coming up with original ideas that you haven't already covered. €œThe Simpsons Did It€ has been a nitpick used against similar (and not-so-similar) shows for years, to the point that South Park did an entire episode dedicated to it. Sometimes, it's a legit criticism, sometimes not. Take, for example, Mel Gibson. The Simpsons had an episode featuring Mad Max himself, "Beyond Blunderdome," back in 1999. Gibson guest starred, so was clearly in on the jokes in advance. Just a few years later, in 2002, Family Guy was returning from the dead - or at least cancellation. Their first show back after strong DVD sales saved the franchise? North by North Quahog, which featured, you guessed it, Mel Gibson. Only this time, it wasn't actually Mel Gibson providing his own voice, but a voice actor. Now, it's easy to say "the Simpsons did it!" but the two shows were vastly different. Gibson's public profile had already begun to change thanks to The Passion of the Christ, which the Family Guy episode spoofed. So while yes, The Simpsons featured a Mel Gibson character on their show first, there was no reason for Family Guy not to, as there was plenty of fresh material. There are other times, however, where the criticism is somewhat more valid. And there are also times where the show has actually managed to predict real life developments (being around as long as they have, it's not surprising they got a few things right). So lets take a look at 10 times the Simpsons really did do it first (only to have another show, property, or real life "copy" them later on).