The prophetic household cartoon The Simpsons has proven its oracular powers once again. The same show that predicted the U.S. men’s curling win, Donald Trump’s presidency and Disney’s purchase of Fox also predicted the eventual closure of retail giant Toys "R" Us—sort of.
In an episode from 2004 titled “Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays,” the adults of the fictional town of Springfield decide to destroy all things kid-friendly and fun. In the clip above you can watch them burn toys, tear down “kids at play” traffic signs, and eventually deface a Toys R Us store by turning the signature backward “R” in the proper direction, meanwhile the children of the town scream and cry. It’s not an exact prediction, but hey, it’s close enough to keep the running joke about Simpsons writers having time traveling abilities alive.
At the beginning of March, news broke that the 70-year-old company would be liquidating its operations and possibly closing all of its U.S. locations. Toys R Us Inc. failed to restructure its debt after filing bankruptcy in January, and as a result, is shutting or selling its 735 stores across the country. As the company liquidates, it’ll be selling the rest of its inventory for ridiculously low prices. Major sales begin Friday, for those of you who want to get some half-priced Barbies or Nerf guns for a young family member (or yourself, no judgment).
Toys R Us is just one of many companies that have been struggling in the Amazon age. Teenybopper retailer Claire’s also filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
