20 TV Storylines We Can't Believe Are Real
1. The Real Skinner - The Simpsons
When a great TV show gradually declines in quality, it can be difficult to identify when exactly it lost its core audience. However, long-time Simpsons watchers can pinpoint the precise moment the iconic cartoon jumped the shark.
In The Principal and the Pauper, a mysterious figure appears at Springfield Elementary School, claiming he is Seymour Skinner. Despite being dismissed by the crowd, Principal Skinner confirms the shocking claim, stating, "That man is the real Seymour Skinner."
It's ultimately revealed that the principal was actually a "no-good street punk" called Armin Tamzarian, who met Skinner while in the army. When Skinner seemingly died, Armin took his place to avoid breaking his mother's heart.
Viewers were furious about this revelation since it discarded Skinner's character development over the previous eight years for the sake of a preposterous twist. Armin's true identity has rarely been acknowledged since, making this entire situation pretty much redundant.
While The Simpsons has had a long and well-documented decline over the last few decades, The Principal and the Pauper single-handedly ended the series' golden age.
It's still baffling that this story made it to air, especially since it's been criticised by Simpsons creator Matt Groening and Skinner, sorry, Armin Tamarian voice-actor Harry Shearer.