Podcast Summary: "The Favorites - Betting, Predictions & The Simpsons"

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Producer: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: June 5, 2025

Introduction and Guest Overview (02:20 - 06:40)

The episode begins with Chad Millman introducing the segment called "The Favorites," highlighting the show's focus on future predictions, particularly those made by The Simpsons. He introduces the special guests, Rob Cohn and Joel Cohen, both seasoned contributors to The Simpsons. Rob is recognized for his work on acclaimed shows like Wonder Years and Somebody Somewhere, and as an Emmy winner for his contributions to the Ben Stiller show. Joel, a long-time executive producer and writer for The Simpsons, has penned nearly 40 episodes and authored the book How to Lose a Marathon.

Notable Quote:

"The Simpsons have been predicting it for years. So I wanted to dig in on how they do it."
— Chad Millman (02:40)

Debunking the Prediction Myth (06:40 - 09:29)

Joel Cohen addresses the popular notion that The Simpsons are prophetic, explaining that many "predictions" are coincidental or retrospective interpretations. He cites examples like the supposed prediction of COVID-19, clarifying that the episode in question was a satire of the SARS outbreak. Joel emphasizes the cyclical nature of events and the sheer volume of episodes, which naturally leads to occasional overlaps with real-world events.

Notable Quote:

"So it's mostly luck."
— Joel Cohen (07:15)

Influence of Sports on Predictions (09:29 - 18:03)

Chad shifts the conversation to how sports fandom influences The Simpsons' predictive narratives. Rob and Joel discuss the prevalence of sports enthusiasts within the writers' rooms and how sports-related events often find their way into the show. They touch upon specific instances where The Simpsons mirrored real sports scandals, such as FIFA corruption and the Ohtani betting scandal.

Notable Quotes:

"We have a gripe collection of sports episodes. I just had an episode a couple of weeks ago that sort of mirrored the Ohtani betting scandal."
— Colin Cowherd (10:53)

"If you're easily scared, I would avoid crazy films when it comes to gambling. But if you love sports, it's a great place to be."
— Joel Cohen (18:03)

Canadian Comedy Roots (11:16 - 16:00)

Simon Hunter initiates a discussion on the remarkable contribution of Canadians to the field of comedy. He praises legends like Jim Carrey, Norm MacDonald, and Martin Short, attributing their unique comedic styles to Canada's distinct cultural landscape and environmental factors. Joel agrees, attributing Canada's comedic prowess to its positioning between British and American influences, harsh weather conditions, and a societal tendency towards observational comedy.

Notable Quotes:

"What made that little pocket of Canadians so funny? It's like, crazy."
— Simon Hunter (11:19)

"I think it's really because we're stuck between England and the United States and we are watching the US and observing them."
— Joel Cohen (12:37)

Gambling Culture in the Writers' Room (16:00 - 27:03)

The conversation delves into the pervasive gambling culture among The Simpsons writers. Joel shares anecdotes about high-stakes pools and gambling activities within Gracie Films, the production company behind The Simpsons. They discuss various betting scenarios, from fantasy leagues to spontaneous wagers on show elements like joke success rates and unusual bets related to team performances.

Notable Quotes:

"Writers rooms are like eight to ten people stuck in a room all day... a lot of bets coming out of that environment."
— Colin Cowherd (19:01)

"We have a fantasy football league for summer box office... Been going on for 20 years."
— Colin Cowherd (26:05)

Notable Betting Stories and Predictions (27:03 - 35:08)

Chad Millman and Simon Hunter share personal betting experiences, intertwining them with The Simpsons' predictive legacy. They recount instances where The Simpsons accurately predicted Nobel Prize winners and discuss the unpredictability and luck involved in both comedy writing and gambling. The guests elaborate on how bets often stem from deep research and informed guesses, paralleling the writers' approach to crafting storylines that occasionally mirror future events.

Notable Quotes:

"Simpsons predicted it. The part I took of that whole story that's sad is that there's only one color of Gatorade on each sideline."
— Colin Cowherd (24:55)

"Our claim to fame is that we did."
— Chad Millman (53:18)

Creative Process and Dark Comedy (35:08 - 44:25)

The hosts and guests explore the creative mindset of comedy writers, highlighting the parallels between taking risks in both comedy and gambling. They discuss how The Simpsons writers often delve into dark and outrageous scenarios to craft compelling episodes, using humor to address bleak or controversial topics. Joel shares stories of extreme bets made during the writing process, underscoring the high-pressure environment and the constant need for creativity and risk-taking.

Notable Quotes:

"If you can get to a funny, dark place, like, yeah, we all sometimes think of, where do you end up but then we kind of have to kind of get there in a funny, dark way."
— Colin Cowherd (40:35)

"Comedy writing is as big a risk as betting."
— Simon Hunter (41:38)

Iconic Moments and Legacy Jokes (44:25 - 47:43)

Colin shares personal milestones from his tenure on The Simpsons, including his first joke that made it onto the show about taking Marge to Benihana. Joel recounts his initial successful pitch on The Ben Stiller Show, leading to a lasting legacy joke. These anecdotes emphasize the enduring nature of certain comedic ideas and their place in the show's rich history.

Notable Quotes:

"The setup was that Marge was mad at Homer, and he said, what do I do to fix this? And someone said, take her to dinner or maybe a show. And then my joke was, what about Benihana, where dinner is the show?"
— Colin Cowherd (47:08)

Closing Predictions and Future Episodes (47:43 - 57:14)

Rob Cohn narrates an inside story about how his likeness became the inspiration for the character Milhouse, leading into a discussion about The Simpsons' accurate prediction of Nobel Prize winners in 2010. The guests reflect on the blend of research and luck that contributes to the show's predictive successes. The episode concludes with acknowledgments of the guests' contributions and a tease for their animated show Super Team Canada, available on YouTube and Crave TV.

Notable Quotes:

"If you look at the early Simpsons episodes, the artwork on the fridge that is supposed to be of the kids is the horrible animation that the Koreans are sending back because it looks like a terrible kids drawing."
— Rob Cohn (49:22)

"Our claim to fame is that we did. Luckily, the guy we had on didn't mention his name, so we went a total loss."
— Chad Millman (53:18)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (57:14 - End)

The podcast wraps up with light-hearted banter among the hosts and guests, reaffirming their camaraderie and mutual respect. They encourage listeners to watch Super Team Canada and tease future episodes of "The Favorites." The episode concludes with standard disclaimers about responsible gambling and promotional content for The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

Key Takeaways

• The Simpsons' Predictions: While The Simpsons have a vast number of episodes that occasionally align with real-world events, many "predictions" are either coincidental or retrospective interpretations rather than genuine foresight.

• Sports and Gambling: Sports fandom heavily influences the writers' content, and gambling culture is ingrained within the Simpsons writers' rooms, leading to numerous betting scenarios intertwined with show narratives.

• Canadian Comedy Influence: Canada has a significant impact on the comedy landscape, producing legendary comedians whose styles are shaped by unique cultural and environmental factors.

• Creative Risks in Comedy: Developing content for a long-running show like The Simpsons involves substantial risk-taking, mirroring the uncertainties of gambling, and necessitates a willingness to explore dark or controversial themes through humor.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “So it's mostly luck.” — Joel Cohen (07:15)
• “What made that little pocket of Canadians so funny? It's like, crazy.” — Simon Hunter (11:19)
• “Writers rooms are like eight to ten people stuck in a room all day... a lot of bets coming out of that environment.” — Colin Cowherd (19:01)
• “Our claim to fame is that we did.” — Chad Millman (53:18)
• “Comedy writing is as big a risk as betting.” — Simon Hunter (41:38)

This episode provides an insightful exploration into the intersection of sports, gambling, and creative writing within the context of one of television's longest-running and most influential shows, The Simpsons. Through engaging discussions and personal anecdotes, Rob Cohn and Joel Cohen offer a behind-the-scenes look at how predictions and humor are crafted in the competitive landscape of entertainment.