Viewers have congratulated Channel 4 tonight (Wednesday) after the broadcaster screened a famous The Simpsons strike episode. People took it as a sign of support on a massive day of industrial action in UK for workers including teachers and rail staff.
The episode, Last Exit to Spingfield, centred around workers’ rights. But the broadcaster said it was a coincidence that it was shown on the largest day of protest for more than 10 years.
The channel’s 6pm showing of the US cartoon was a season four episode widely regarded as one of the show’s best. The story sees Homer Simpson go up against Mr Burns to fight for the employees’ dental plan, culminating in a strike at the power plant.
Mr Burns turns off the power to the city in retaliation but the solidarity of the workers eventually forces his hand. In the end, Homer wins back the dental plan.
Meanwhile, Wednesday (February 1) was described as the country’s biggest day of strike action in a decade, with workers walking out in increasingly bitter disputes over pay, jobs and conditions. “Walkout Wednesday” saw thousands of schools closed for the day because of action by the National Education Union (NEU) and picket lines were mounted outside railway stations, schools, government departments and universities across the country.
It did not take long for Channel 4 viewers to spot a link between the day’s industrial action and the themes present in Wednesday’s Simpsons showing.
“The Simpsons. Channel 4. Very apt episode considering the amount of strikes taking place,” tweeted Alex Ramsden.
“Channel 4 playing the strike ep of the Simpsons. Solidarity,” wrote Twitter user Hannah Fretwell.
“Well done Channel 4 for putting on The Simpsons episode where all the power plant workers go on strike!” tweeted a Twitter user simply known as Jim.
However, the broadcaster confirmed to the PA news agency the timing was simply a coincidence.
