# Future-Drama

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15th episode of the 16th season of The Simpsons

"Future-Drama" The Simpsons episode Episode no. Season 16 Episode 15 Directed by Mike B. Anderson Written by Matt Selman Production code GABF12 Original air date April 17, 2005 (2005-04-17) Guest appearances John DiMaggio as Bender Amy Poehler as Jenda Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel Episode features Couch gag Several toy-like forms of transportation come into the living room, only to change Transformers-like into the family. Commentary Al Jean Matt Selman Tom Gammill Max Pross Mike Reiss John DiMaggio Mike B. Anderson Lauren MacMullan Jon Vitti Episode chronology ← Previous "The Seven-Beer Snitch" Next → "Don't Fear the Roofer" The Simpsons season 16 List of episodes

"**Future-Drama**" is the fifteenth episode of the [sixteenth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_16) of the American animated television series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)*. The 350th episode overall, it originally aired on the [Fox network](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) in the United States on April 17, 2005.[1] In the episode, [Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson) and [Lisa](/source/Lisa_Simpson) stumble into [Professor Frink](/source/Professor_Frink)'s basement, and he gives them a look into their future as teenagers getting ready for their high school graduation.

[Matt Selman](/source/Matt_Selman) wrote the episode, and [Mike B. Anderson](/source/Mike_B._Anderson) served as director. [Amy Poehler](/source/Amy_Poehler) and [John DiMaggio](/source/John_DiMaggio) guest-starred as the characters of Jenda and [Bender](/source/Bender_(Futurama)), respectively. The episode received mixed reviews.

## Plot

In the midst of one of their arguments, [Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson) and [Lisa](/source/Lisa_Simpson) fall into [Professor Frink](/source/Professor_Frink)'s basement. Frink uses an [astrology](/source/Astrology)-based machine to [show the kids their future](/source/Fortune-telling) as teenagers.

Eight years in the future (2013), Bart and Lisa are getting ready for their [high school](/source/Secondary_education_in_the_United_States#High_school) [graduation](/source/Academic_graduation_by_country#United_States_of_America) and [Homer](/source/Homer_Simpson) and [Marge](/source/Marge_Simpson) have separated after Homer blew the family savings on an [undersea home](/source/Underwater_habitat). Lisa is graduating two years early and has a scholarship to [Yale University](/source/Yale_University), while dating a muscular [Milhouse](/source/Milhouse_van_Houten) and Bart dates a skateboarder named Jenda. He also shows them a picture of Lisa at age 12 (2009) after she was saved by Milhouse from a fire, which she later learns that he started. After the prom, Jenda wants to have sex with Bart, but Bart has no plans for the future and wants Jenda to marry him and live an aimless life, so she breaks up with him.

Bart unsuccessfully seeks advice from Homer on dating. He then shows Lisa a [hologram](/source/Hologram) of the prom, and tells her love can be painful; she agrees, noting she broke up with Milhouse and he had an [Incredible Hulk](/source/The_Incredible_Hulk)-style meltdown. Lisa suggests that to get Jenda back, he must show her he can provide for her. Bart decides to take Lisa's advice and gets a job at the [Kwik-E-Mart](/source/Kwik-E-Mart). While delivering groceries to Mr. Burns, he rescues him from a robbery by [Snake Jailbird](/source/Snake_Jailbird). As a reward, Burns gives Lisa's scholarship to Bart. He accepts it, seeing it as a way to get Jenda back. He then tells Lisa about the scholarship causing present and future Lisa to both get angry at Bart. Bart reconciles with Jenda, and now has a good future. That night, Jenda again wants to have sex with Bart, but then he goes into Professor Frink's basement and sees Lisa's bleak future with Milhouse on Frink's machine. Jenda is furious at Bart (she notes she never had any problems sparking romance with Todd Flanders), and gives him an ultimatum: leave and they are finished. Bart does head out and saves Lisa from accepting Milhouse's dismal proposal, then tells his sister he is giving her scholarship back and will find a woman who loves him for himself. Professor Frink then tells present Bart he will get one at age 83, then die one minute later, and his brain would be buried in a pauper's grave.

Meanwhile, Marge has dumped [Krusty](/source/Krusty_the_Clown) and reunites with Homer in the underwater home. During the credits, Bart is shown to find the sequence boring, and instead watches [Cletus Spuckler](/source/Cletus_Spuckler)'s future as the Vice President of the United States on his way to a funeral for the [Sultan of Brunei](/source/Sultan_of_Brunei).

## Production

Matt Selman was inspired to write the episode after asking himself what if people saw Lisa and Bart as teenagers.

The episode was written by [Matt Selman](/source/Matt_Selman), his thirteenth writing credit for *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)*. The episode was the third season sixteen episode that [Mike B. Anderson](/source/Mike_B._Anderson) directed, following "[Fat Man and Little Boy](/source/Fat_Man_and_Little_Boy_(The_Simpsons))" and "[Pranksta Rap](/source/Pranksta_Rap)". It was the third future-themed episode of *The Simpsons*, following the [season six](/source/The_Simpsons_season_6) episode "[Lisa's Wedding](/source/Lisa's_Wedding)" and the [season eleven](/source/The_Simpsons_season_7) episode "[Bart to the Future](/source/Bart_to_the_Future)".[2][3]

Even though this is the 350th episode broadcast on FOX, the 350th in production order is "[The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star](/source/The_Father%2C_the_Son%2C_and_the_Holy_Guest_Star)" (which was temporarily shelved following Pope John Paul II's death, and was originally supposed to air after "[Don't Fear the Roofer](/source/Don't_Fear_the_Roofer)").

In an interview, Selman stated that the story of the episode originated when he asked himself what if people saw Bart and Lisa grow up as "ugly teenagers".[4]

[Amy Poehler](/source/Amy_Poehler) guest starred as Jenda.[5] [John DiMaggio](/source/John_DiMaggio) reprised his role as [Bender](/source/Bender_(Futurama)) from the television series *[Futurama](/source/Futurama)*, created by *Simpsons* creator [Matt Groening](/source/Matt_Groening).[6]

## Cultural references

The episode's title is a parody of the TV series *[Futurama](/source/Futurama)*, which was also created by *Simpsons* creator [Matt Groening](/source/Matt_Groening).[7] The character [Bender](/source/Bender_(Futurama)) makes a cameo appearance when Homer and Bart pass through a [quantum tunnel](/source/Quantum_tunneling); voice actor [John DiMaggio](/source/John_DiMaggio) reprised his role voicing Bender.[7] The song playing while Homer and Bart cruise through the former's hovercar is "[I.G.Y.](/source/I.G.Y._(What_a_Beautiful_World))" by [Donald Fagen](/source/Donald_Fagen). The songs "[Take On Me](/source/Take_On_Me)" by [a-ha](/source/A-ha), "[Bizarre Love Triangle](/source/Bizarre_Love_Triangle)" by [New Order](/source/New_Order_(band)), "[Incense and Peppermints](/source/Incense_and_Peppermints_(song))" by [Strawberry Alarm Clock](/source/Strawberry_Alarm_Clock), and "[True](/source/True_(Spandau_Ballet_song))" by [Spandau Ballet](/source/Spandau_Ballet)[8] are played during Bart and Lisa's prom. "[Sea of Love](/source/Sea_of_Love_(Phil_Phillips_song))" by [Phil Phillips](/source/Phil_Phillips) plays while Homer and Marge kiss in the former's aquatic home. "Lenny's Super Pet" bears a strong resemblance to [Superman](/source/Superman)'s pet dog, [Krypto the Superdog](/source/Krypto_the_Superdog_(TV_series)).[9]

## Reception

### Viewing figures

In its original American broadcast, "Future-Drama" garnered roughly 8.3 million viewers. The show finished third in its original timeslot.[10]

### Critical response

Hayden Childs of *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)* wrote in 2011 that the episode was "full of sweetness and funny", but he thought "[Holidays of Future Passed](/source/Holidays_of_Future_Passed)" was better.[3]

Colin Jacobson of *DVD Movie Guide* felt time travel episodes were "spotty" and thought the episode was "the weakest show in a while."[11]

On *Four Finger Discount*, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando thought it was a "by the numbers" episode where nothing stood out. They liked the ending when Bart makes the sacrifice for Lisa.[12]

### Awards and nominations

The episode was also nominated for a [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour)](/source/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Animated_Program_(for_Programming_Less_Than_One_Hour)) in 2005.[13]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-officialsite_1-0)** ["Future-Drama"](http://www.thesimpsons.com/#/recaps/season-16_episode-15). *The Simpsons.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090614072704/http://www.thesimpsons.com/#/recaps/season-16_episode-15) from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Halpern, Paul (2007). [*What's Science Ever Done For Us?: What the Simpsons Can Teach Us About Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe*](https://books.google.com/books?id=4yXhRxHApuwC&q=%22bart+to+the+future%22). John Wiley and Sons. p. 146. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-470-11460-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-11460-5).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Childs_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Childs_3-1) Childs, Hayden (December 12, 2011). ["Holidays Of Future Passed"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120103132619/http://www.avclub.com/articles/holidays-of-future-passed,66387/). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.avclub.com/articles/holidays-of-future-passed,66387/) on January 3, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-amc_4-0)** Neuman, Clayton (November 3, 2008). ["Simpsons Scribe Matt Selman Shares His Mad Men Inspiration - AMC Blog - AMC"](http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2008/11/simpsons-scribe.php). [AMC](/source/AMC_(TV_channel)). Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Snierson, Dan (September 11, 2013). ["Amy Poehler to guest on 'The Simpsons'"](https://ew.com/article/2013/09/11/simpsons-amy-poehler/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210412113505/https://ew.com/article/2013/09/11/simpsons-amy-poehler/) from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Evans, Bradford (July 22, 2013). ["'The Simpsons' Will Host a 'Futurama' Crossover"](https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/the-simpsons-will-host-a-futurama-crossover.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230128124742/https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/the-simpsons-will-host-a-futurama-crossover.html) from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-futurama_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-futurama_7-1) ["Future-Drama"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100827130132/http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/episodes/future-drama). *Simpsons Crazy*. Archived from [the original](http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/episodes/future-drama) on August 27, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["True by Spandau Ballet"](http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3996). *www.songfacts.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110614062023/http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3996) from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Future-Drama Trivia and Quotes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100919173554/http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/future-drama/episode/383730/trivia.html). *[TV.com](/source/TV.com)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/future-drama/episode/383730/trivia.html) on September 19, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Ratings: Future-Drama"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090924194608/http://www.simpsonschannel.com/2005/04/ratings-future-drama/). Simpsons Channel. April 18, 2005. Archived from [the original](http://www.simpsonschannel.com/2005/04/ratings-future-drama) on September 24, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Jacobson, Colin (December 11, 2013). ["The Simpsons: The Complete Sixteenth Season \[Blu-Ray\] (2004)"](http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonsixteen.shtml). *DVD Movie Guide*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230927063408/http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonsixteen.shtml) from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Davis, Guy; Dando, Brendan (November 3, 2022). ["Future-Drama (S16E15)"](https://fourfingerdiscount.podbean.com/e/future-drama-simpsons-podcast/). *Four Finger Discount (Simpsons Podcast)* (Podcast). Event occurs at 12:00. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240906191256/https://fourfingerdiscount.podbean.com/e/future-drama-simpsons-podcast/) from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** "Emmy nominees". *[The Star-Ledger](/source/The_Star-Ledger)*. July 15, 2005. p. 60.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***["Future-Drama"](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Simpsons/Season_16#Future-Drama)***.

- [The Simpsons portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:The_Simpsons)

- ["Future-Drama"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090526110451/http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1615.htm) at The Simpsons.com

- ["Future-Drama episode capsule"](http://www.simpsonsarchive.com/episodes/GABF12.html). *[The Simpsons Archive](/source/The_Simpsons_Archive)*.

- ["Future-Drama"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0701099/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e The Simpsons episodes Seasons 1–20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Season 21–present 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Season 16 "Treehouse of Horror XV" "All's Fair in Oven War" "Sleeping with the Enemy" "She Used to Be My Girl" "Fat Man and Little Boy" "Midnight Rx" "Mommie Beerest" "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass" "Pranksta Rap" "There's Something About Marrying" "On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister" "Goo Goo Gai Pan" "Mobile Homer" "The Seven-Beer Snitch" "Future-Drama" "Don't Fear the Roofer" "The Heartbroke Kid" "A Star Is Torn" "Thank God, It's Doomsday" "Home Away from Homer" "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star" See also Treehouse of Horror list The Simpsons episode guides "The Simpsons Guy" Category

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