The "Rise of Reality TV" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Rise of Reality TV" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

• What happened: The episode features a parody of reality TV shows, with characters getting involved in a ridiculous, voyeuristic competition.
• Reality: Reality TV exploded in the late 1990s and 2000s, with shows like Survivor, The Bachelor, and Big Brother dominating television. It became a huge part of modern pop culture and continues to draw large audiences.