The Simpsons had made a point of avoiding references to current events in an effort to stay timeless, but that all changed with the 1996 installment of the show's annual Halloween anthology, "Treehouse of Horror." The "Citizen Kang" segment aired on Oct. 27, about a week before the 1996 election, in which incumbent Democrat Bill Clinton faced Republican Bob Dole.
The irony is that placing the episode deliberately in a moment in time made it even more relevant in subsequent years: Despite fears that "Citizen Kang" would quickly look dated, it remains the best political parody The Simpsons has ever produced.
As the 2016 election approaches, "Citizen Kang" is still an endlessly quotable coping mechanism (and that would hold true even if one of the candidates weren't a Clinton). Here's how it relates to our current election.
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
This is how the #IowaCaucus works. A tie is solved tossing a coin @HillaryClinton wins
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
I can't anymore. #EverybodySucks2016
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
Watching the election 2016 story makes me sick
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
Trump Offends Both Sides of Abortion Debate | Election 2016 | WMEQ https://t.co/96QSGEBn2d
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
I've watched this like 20 times and I still don't know what Palin is saying, but I love it.
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
I know words. I have the best words!
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
Oh boy you know it's general election time when Lyndon larouche is posting up
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
Jill Stein pens open letter to Bernie Sanders https://t.co/ygO8vGPqzm #ImWithJill #ImWIthHer #WeAreBernie
The Simpsons in 1996:
Real life in 2016:
