The Simpsons gave a shout-out to Grand Theft Auto in a new episode, but it’s not the GTA game that everyone is thinking about.
With The Simpsons still broadcasting after 36 years, the show has had to modernize a fair bit in recent years. That has meant increasingly more references to pop culture, as well as new technologies.
There have been newer episodes where Bart tackles the world of esports, there have been mentions of cryptocurrency farms, and, of course, parodies on popular social media platforms like Twitter (now X) and Facebook.
In a new episode from May, titled Estranger Things, Homer displays some keen knowledge and skills in the Grand Theft Auto series, but it’s not GTA 6 that gets a shoutout from the leader of the Simpsons family.
GTA San Andreas mentioned in The Simpsons
During part of the new episode, just as Homer and Marge are headed to bed, Marge raises concerns about Bart and Lisa’s relationship. That leads to Homer’s first GTA reference.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. We don’t want them to end up like Sweet Johnson and CJ Johnson in Grand Theft Auto,” he says, referring to GTA: San Andreas. “Marge, when you grow up in Los Santos and Big Smoke needs you to move that powder, the game has a way of playing you.”
In the second reference, Homer can be seen playing a GTA clone on the family TV, shooting at an enemy before being run over a few times by another player.
Naturally, the clip has been shared across social media, with a few criticisms from GTA fans, mainly giving CJ the incorrect name.
“CJ Johnson is the equivalent of saying ATM Machine,” one said. “CJ Johnson is Wild Ngl,” another added. “Saying CJ Johnson is basically the same thing as saying Carl Johnson Johnson,” another commented.
Others said the crossover felt “weird” and “forced,” but there are plenty of viewers enjoying it regardless.
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