In a special Halloween episode of The Simpsons, titled “Treehouse of Horror 34,” non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology took center stage.
The episode, known for its spooky and satirical takes on pop culture, made several humorous references to the world of on-chain NFTs in its first chapter, titled “Wild Barts Can’t Be Token.”
For those not familiar, NFTs are a unique type of cryptocurrency asset that allows holders to prove their ownership of real or digital items.
In this animated adventure, Marge embarks on a journey through the blockchain to rescue Bart, who has transformed into a living NFT.
Meanwhile, Springfield’s mayor announces plans to digitize the city’s art gallery. The episode also playfully showcases various NFTs, including famous ones like Beeple and the Bored Ape Yacht Club, as well as lesser-known PFPs (Profile Picture NFTs), humorously depicted as nearly worthless.
Noah Bolanowski, an NFT collector and advisor to Crypt Gallery, an in-real-life (IRL) NFT gallery, shared his thoughts on how the show portrayed NFTs.
He appreciated the episode’s strong emphasis on art, where PFPs were humorously portrayed as the least prestigious while art held a position of high prestige.
The episode even featured Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) holders doing some humorous tasks, like cleaning their feet.
This isn’t the first time The Simpsons has featured crypto or NFTs. In 2020, in an episode called “Frinkcoin,” Jim Parsons educates viewers about crypto, complete with a singing ledger book and playful hints about the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin.
