Terrifying 'Simpsons' Theory Reveals Dark Truth About Springfield Viewers Ignored For 36 Years
The characters look strange for a reason.
Since its humble debut in 1989, The Simpsons has become a worldwide phenomenon. As of the summer of 2025, there have been 36 seasons and the show has its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Homer Simpson, the carefree head of the family, works as a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, owned by Charles Montgomery Burns. The plant is one of the main economic "pillars" of the city, but it also has catastrophic consequences for all residents. Fans are sure that the appearance of the Simpsons characters is connected with this place.
Mutations from the Nuclear Power Plant
A theory is gaining popularity on the Internet that the Simpson family is exposed to high levels of radiation. Bright yellow skin, bulging eyes, strange hairstyles — the recognizable appearance of the characters is explained by their constant contact with radiation.
Homer has been working at the nuclear power plant since Marge was pregnant with Bart. She also worked at the station for a short time. And their children were born under the influence of radiation, which affected their appearance.
Mutations are also noticeable in other residents of Springfield — hazardous waste from the nuclear power plant pollutes the entire city. This is not surprising, because thanks to Burns' negligence and Homer's incompetence, the station was on the brink of disaster more than once: there were dozens of safety violations such as cracks in the reactors and the dumping of radioactive waste into bodies of water and even on playgrounds.
Although a full-scale disaster was avoided, hundreds of violations clearly affected the health of the townspeople.
Other characters
Hundreds of celebrities have appeared in The Simpsons, from Lady Gaga to Stephen Hawking. But while the residents of Springfield are distinguished by their grotesque appearance, the guest characters look much more realistic.
Celebrities are drawn closer to their real prototypes. They have normal eye proportions, natural hairstyles and facial features. This is logical: if the radiation from the nuclear power plant mutated the residents of Springfield, then the visitors simply did not have time to be exposed to it.
By the way, the consequences of the station's work are visible even in animals. Dogs and cats are depicted with the same bulging eyes as people.
Fish in lakes near the nuclear power plant grow three or more eyes due to toxic waste. Other animals — from birds to elephants — also often look absurd, just remember the monkey with extra limbs.
