The Simpsonshas provided the world with dozens of memes. It’s one of the most popular animated comedies of all time, and with over 30 years of material, there’s a joke for every occasion. BetweenThe SimpsonsandSpongeBob SquarePants, the internet has all it needs to forge a new language. The iconic “I’m in danger” meme comes up in several contexts, but where did the line originate?
RewatchingThe Simpsonsin the modern era is a fascinating experience. Jumpinto any single-digit season, and references from across the internet will play out in full context. People say, “I have to go now. My planet needs me.” or “I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords” all the time, but they may have never seen “And Maggie Makes Three” or “Deep Space Homer.” “I’m in danger” has a slightly more obscure origin.
The “I’m in Danger” Meme, Explained
The “I’m in danger” memedepicts young Ralph Wiggumin the back of a school bus. Ralph chuckles lightly, then states, “I’m in danger.” Like many inside jokes, it’s reached a level of ubiquity that often allows the image to stand without subtitles. According to Know Your Meme, the preeminent source, the first use of “I’m in danger” was posted on Reddit by FlimFlambadam in March 2018. It’s a reasonably on-the-nose gag. Posters typically use it in situations that imply hazardous conditions. The first example referenced their outdated truck making a strange sound after hitting 103 miles per hour. Kids use it after procrastinating on their homework assignments. Service workers use it when they’re dealing with a rush. There’s a common place for the “I’m in danger” meme in almost any competition. Sports, gaming tournaments, political debates, any participant in any contest can find themselves the subject of Ralph’s observation.
The secret weapon that makes the “I’m in danger” meme exploitable is the chuckle that precedes the line. Another meme using the same languagewould imply fear or tension. The laughter lends the moment an air of resignation, if not open acknowledgment of the upcoming threat. The “I’m in danger” meme represents scenarios from which there is no escape. There’s no bitterness, anger, or sadness in the image. It implies a willingness to shrug one’s shoulders and face the newfound nightmare. Like Ralph Wiggum, the user is already on the moving bus, and there’s nothing left to do but laugh lightly and see what happens.
Where did the “I’m in Danger” meme come from?
The “I’m in danger” meme doesn’t technically originate in aSimpsonsepisode. It first appeared in the 2014Simpsons/Family Guycrossover entitled “The Simpsons Guy.” The eventis aFamily Guyspecialthat begins in Quahog, Rhode Island. “The Simpsons Guy” was not well-received. It earned unimpressive ratings. Despite being heavily promoted, it attracted fewer eyes than the episode ofThe Simpsonsthat aired just before it. In its limited defense, the preceding episode, “Clown in the Dumps,” hasthe best couch gag of all time. Critics varied in opinion, but few had much positive to say. Emily St. James wrote a scathing critique for Vox in which she said:
What could be expected here was mostly just a weird mediocrity, a blip of a footnote in both shows' histories. What nobody could have expected was a blight on humanity itself. But that’s what we got.
“The Simpsons Guy” seesthe Griffin family chasedout of their hometown after Peter writes a misogynistic newspaper comic. They get carjacked outside of Springfield and wander into the beloved middle-American environment. Peter meets Homer Simpson, and they get along immediately. The Simpsons put the Griffins up in their home, and hijinks ensue. Peter and Homer’s relationship sours after a dispute over their favorite beer. Bart and Stewie get into a row over their differing interpretation of pranks. This angers Peter, leading to a prolonged fight scene. Long-winded fights havebecome common toFamily Guy, usually owed to a running joke about Peter’s inexplicable mutual hatred of a human-sized chicken. During the brawl, Homer and Peter steal a school bus. Peter attacks, but Homer warns him that a child is on board. The camera pans to Ralph Wiggum, who says his famous line. The bus quickly crashes, sending Ralph hurtling out of the window. The fight concludes as both men agree never to meet again. The Griffins return to Rhode Island, and the episode ends.
The “I’m in danger” meme is the best thing to come out of “The Simpsons Guy.” It’s likely the most astute joke in the 44-minute special.Family Guyhas a comicallybitter view of its competitors, even those who share its network. The spirit of questionable (likely forced) collaboration that inspired “The Simpsons Guy” won’t be coming back anytime soon. The “I’m in danger” meme works in various occasions, regardless of the quality of the episode that brought it into existence. “The Simpsons Guy” gave the world “I’m in danger” and almost nothing else of value. Try not to think of the crossover the next few times that meme comes up.
