The Unexpected Commercial That Almost Debuted in 'The Simpsons'

Was Arnold Schwarzenegger really that desperate?

An Almost ‘Hollywood’ Moment in Springfield

The Simpsons isn’t known for product placement, yet there was a time when it almost featured a major celebrity endorsement. This nearly changed with a Season Five episode that could have been a banner advertisement for Planet Hollywood, a celebrity-backed restaurant chain. The episode almost journeyed down a path where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone would grace Springfield with their illustrious presence.

A Star-Studded Invitation

The producers and writers of The Simpsons were tempted by a tantalizing offer: include the restaurant chain in the show, and in return, receive top-tier celebrity appearances. Conan O’Brien, a recent addition to the writing team, contributed with his comical take on Schwarzenegger, inspired by his recent work on the abandoned Hans and Franz movie script. It seemed like a win-win scenario—until the plan unraveled.

The Subplot That Never Aired

Unfortunately, the guest appearances fell through, and the subplot was never fully realized. As Simpsons producer David Mirkin disclosed, this subplot was crafted but not executed. Still, it set a precedent. The comedic shenanigans of incorporating blatant commercial influences served as a reminder of the show’s dedication to original satire.

Revisiting the Influence

Despite the initial snub, The Simpsons found a clever way to poke fun at the celebrity restaurant concept. Season Eight’s “My Sister, My Sitter” pastiches Planet Hollywood as “Planet Hype,” teasing the ludicrous notion of celebrity influence and ridiculous menu endorsements—demonstrating how the writers turned a potential advertisement into comedic gold.

Laughing With Hindsight

While an actual appearance by Schwarzenegger on The Simpsons did not materialize, the idea lives on in quirkier corners of Simpsons trivia. The now-humorous Planet Hype sequence reminds viewers of the show’s gift for transforming commercial pitches into classic satire, leaving audiences questioning what could have been while cherishing what actually was.

Now, as we reminisce about 90s restaurant chains and celebrity-driven endeavors, it’s worth noting: sometimes a little scrapped subplot can lead to a context-rich moment, still pointing fingers and laughing at the whims of Tinseltown.

As stated in Cracked.com, the specter of commercial crossover becomes a vital lesson in storytelling innovation.