Coindesk Logo

New 'Simpsons' Episode Features Jim Parsons Giving a Crypto Explainer for the Masses

New 'Simpsons' Episode Features Jim Parsons Giving a Crypto Explainer for the Masses

New 'Simpsons' Episode Features Jim Parsons Giving a Crypto Explainer for the Masses

The latest episode of "The Simpsons" breaks down the complex world of cryptocurrencies, with some success.

The latest episode of "The Simpsons" breaks down the complex world of cryptocurrencies, with some success.

The latest episode of "The Simpsons" breaks down the complex world of cryptocurrencies, with some success.

AccessTimeIconFeb 24, 2020, 9:36 AM
Updated Aug 19, 2021, 12:58 AM

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

The latest episode of "The Simpsons" delved into the complex world of cryptocurrencies, managing to break the subject down so just about anyone can understand it.

Titled "Frinkcoin," the show listed on Fox on Feb. 24 features "TV's most beloved scientist" and "The Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons as he appears on-screen to talk about "the really cool subject of distributed consensus-based cryptocurrency."

"For cryptocurrencies to work, we need a record of every transaction that occurs. These are recorded in what's called a distributed ledger," Parsons (who's definitely "not a nerd") says.

Enter an animated ledger book that sings, in a slow blues style, a good portion of the tutorial:

"I'm a consensus of shared and synchronized digital data spread across multiple platforms from Shanghai to Grenada. Each day I'm closer to being cash of the future. Not in your wallet, I'm in your computer."

"When you use the currency, the transaction is recorded in the ledger," Parsons continues, "and when one ledger book gets filled up, we add to a chain of previous books – that's the blockchain."

According to a press release, Parsons voiced himself for the episode, which features Professor Frink as the subject of a Lisa Simpson school essay, creating his own "Frinkcoin" cryptocurrency. Ultimately, he surpasses Mr. Burns as richest man in Springfield.

The snippet also takes a dig at the crypto space with a concluding text that raises the environmental cost of cryptocurrency production and ends with a statement referring to the mysterious inventor of bitcoin: "Also, we know who Satoshi is, but we're not telling."

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.