THE Simpsons fans have been left floored to finally realise the truth behind one of the show’s most iconic jokes – TEN tears after it first aired on TV.
The long-running animated sitcom has been airing for a huge 36 series and counting and there has been gags a plenty from its close to 800 episodes.
Having aired almost weekly since Christmas in 1989, there have been plenty of jokes for fans to deconstruct over the years but most were left baffled at one of the internet’s latest discoveries.
The moment in question is Ralph Wiggum’s iconic “I’m in danger” line which has gone on to become a fan favourite quote and a daily used meme.
In a shock to fans, it turns out that the infamous moment actually did not come from an episode of The Simpsons at all.
Instead it came from another animated comedy show altogether – Family Guy.
Both programme air on the Fox network in the US and a special crossover episode was aired in 2014.
It was this episode of Family Guy that broadcast Ralph’s famous line.
Many fans were astonished to learn the true origins of the joke moment after it was recirculated online in a nod to its ten year anniversary.
Reacting in surprise, one fan wrote: : “IT’S FROM A FAMILY GUY EPISODE?!
“ITS NOT EVEN FROM THE SIMPSONS? I can’t believe Ralph Wiggum I’m in danger was a Family Guy funny moment the whole time.”
The episode, entitled The Simpsons Guy, was the season 13 premiere of Family Guy and was written entirely by the Family Guy team but The Simpsons voice cast did agree to appear in the special.
Writing online about the episode, one fan said: “Here’s the real kicker. None of the writer from the Simpsons came in to write the episode.
“It’s why Ned Flanders isn’t in the episode, his VA didn’t want to be apart of it.”
Another quickly added: “This episode could’ve benefited from having both writing teams from both shows working on it instead of just the family guy writers working on it.”
But one fan was left defiant as their disbelief led them to insist it must have been a joke based on a past episode.
Confused, they said: “No, I swear it was a Simpsons episode and this must be a reference.”
