Homer Simpson, Cosmologist

First, an article published this week in Nature News:

The doughnut is making a comeback – at least as a possible shape for our Universe.

The idea that the universe is finite and relatively small, rather than infinitely large, first became popular in 2003, when cosmologists noticed unexpected patterns in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) – the relic radiation left behind by the Big Bang.

Now, this exchange in Moe's Tavern between Homer Simpson and physicist Stephen Hawking from the episode "They Saved Lisa's Brain" on May 9, 1999:

Hawking: Your theory of a donut shaped universe is intriguing Homer, I may have to steal it.

Homer: Wow, I can't believe someone I never heard of is hanging out with a guy like me.

It appears Hawking and his colleagues made good on his threat.