Uncovering Every Apple Reference in Futurama and The Simpsons: A Fascinating Exploration

Futurama and The Simpsons together span 33 seasons packed with numerous nods to Apple products and culture! If you’ve caught a few, you’re not alone—but author Joni Heisler from Tuaw has tracked down nearly every single one. If you recall any references we missed, feel free to share in the comments as we continue this captivating journey!

Part 1 covered earlier references; here’s more:

14. Futurama — "Clockwork Origin" (Season 6, Episode 9)
A clear nod to the iPad appears as the "iFad" tablet. Even the newspaper is cleverly named USB Today.

15. The Simpsons — "Thursdays with Abie" (Season 21, Episode 9)
In this episode, we learn Homer’s brain operates on an outdated version of Mac OS.

16. Futurama — "Fear of a Bot Planet" (Season 1, Episode 5)
On a planet of hostile robots, Fry and Leela are accused of being human. The trial is presided over by a vintage Mac 128k, complete with a Mac OS boot screen.

Early Mac users will recognize the familiar system error with the bomb icon appearing on the screen.

17. The Simpsons — "Mypods and Boomsticks" (Season 20, Episode 7)
Prior to this episode, The Simpsons’ Apple references were subtle. In 2008, they launched a sharp satire targeting everything Apple-related: the Apple Store, iPod, Steve Jobs, the legendary 1984 commercial, and more.

This episode introduces the fictional Mapple universe, arguably the most extensive Apple parody in Futurama and The Simpsons history. Lisa visits the Mapple store and remarks, "It's so sterile! Mypods, Myphones, and a shelf full of brainiacs!"

Steve Mobs, the "founder and chief inventor of Mapple," makes a public appearance. However, Bart hijacks the broadcast, overlaying his own words:

"You’re all losers. You think you’re cool because you spent $500 on a fruit-branded phone. Guess what? It costs $8 to make, and I personally pee on each one. I made a fortune off of you fools and invested it all in Microsoft. Now, me and my buddy Bill Gates are kissing atop your money pile!"

Unable to tolerate the insult, a comic book vendor shouts, "Traitor! Your heart is darker than your turtleneck!" and smashes a giant screen showing the iconic 1984 commercial.

Someone comments, "How can we blame a boss who was fired 10 years ago and just rehired?"

In a conversation with David Silverman, it was revealed why Mapple references are so rare in The Simpsons:

"We carefully avoid overusing Mapple. We don’t want it to feel like advertising because the Mapple brand is too close to the real thing."

18. Futurama — "A Flight to Remember" (Season 2, Episode 1)
Bender seeks solace in a space cruise ship bar. Who mixes his cocktail of motor oil and Jägermeister? None other than the old-timer iZac.

19. The Simpsons — "Marge vs. The Monorail" (Season 4, Episode 12)
Spot the stolen original Mac!

20. Futurama — "Clockwork Origin" (Season 6, Episode 9)
This episode introduces the Woz Nerd Academy, named after the beloved self-taught professor Voz.

21. Futurama — "A Bicyclops Built For 2" (Season 2, Episode 13)
Bender uses a Mac OS-style menu interface.

22. The Simpsons — "Politically Inept with Homer Simpson" (Season 23, Episode 10)
A news ticker announces: "Steve Jobs introduces iGhost." This joke about Apple’s late CEO sparked mixed reactions, with some finding it tasteless and others praising the show’s boldness.

23. Futurama — "Attack of the Killer App" (Season 6, Episode 3)
Two years after The Simpsons’ Mapple Store, Futurama introduced its own parody in "Attack of the Killer App." This episode is packed with Apple references.

The plot centers around MomCorp’s latest hit: the eyePhone, a device implanted directly into the eye.

"With the new eyePhone, you can watch, listen, ignore friends, argue with exes, download adult content on a packed bus, or even check your email while getting hit by a train!"—proclaims the ad. The crew rushes to Mom’s Store, facing a massive line of money-waving, zombified customers.

Inside, every detail parodies Apple—from dancing silhouettes reminiscent of iPod ads to Amy’s remark about the music playing: "Oh, that’s the indie song that’s everywhere right now!"

When the salesperson points out the eyePhone’s flaws, Fry shouts, "Shut up and take my money!"

24. The Simpsons — "Bart has Two Mommies" (Season 17, Episode 14)
Meet the FeMac, a "computer designed for women," clearly inspired by the iMac G4. Voiced by Susan Sarandon, it alerts users of new emails with a cheeky message: "You got mail, unlike the Guantanamo prisoners! Enjoy reading!"

25. Futurama — "The Series Has Landed" (Season 1, Episode 2)
One of the robot sisters is named Daisy-May 128k, likely a distant relative of the Mac 128k.

26. The Simpsons — "A Tree Grows in Springfield" (Season 24, Episode 6)
Homer wins a MyPad at a school auction and quickly becomes addicted. When he turns it on, Steve Mobs appears, "broadcasting from the afterlife," saying, "The thing you’re holding is an expensive giant smartphone that can’t call anyone. Isn’t that amazing?"

This episode features numerous Apple references, from interactions with Siri to the Smart Cover. There’s even a nod to Angry Birds with "Vengeful Pigs." In The Simpsons’ universe, even God uses a MyPad.

27. The Simpsons — "Flaming Moe" (Season 22, Episode 11)
Bart, Milhouse, and classic mischief make an appearance.

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Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries!

(Source: Tuaw)

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