Leo DiCaprio. The Dalai Lama. Karl Rove. Only a handful of noteworthy individuals can say they've been name-checked on "The Simpsons" opening chalkboard gag, which has offered viewers a quick laugh on nearly every episode since the series began in 1989. The newest member of the club? TODAY's Matt Lauer.
The shout-out happened Sunday night, in the episode "What to Expect When Bart's Expecting." As the opening sequence rolls, Bart can be seen repeatedly scribbling the phrase, "April showers do not bring Matt Lauers" on his classroom chalkboard.
It's not clear why Lauer was inserted into the old aphorism about spring weather patterns, though "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean did tell TODAY, "It is Matt Lauer's great misfortune that his last name rhymes with showers."
Hard to argue with that. But not everyone agrees with the show's sentiment: "A popular misconception: April showers do bring Matt Lauers," laughed TODAY's Al Roker on Monday.
Lauer himself seemed flattered, if a bit bemused. "'The Simpsons' are officially over," he joked.
"The Simpsons" airs on FOX Sundays at 8 p.m.