The Simpsons' 'The Debateful Eight' short spoofs the 2016 presidential candidates

Marge finally reaches her limit with the current political scene and its lack of courtesy and basic manners

This year's US presidential election casts a shadow over all; a topic of unavoidable conversation in almost every sector. It felt inevitable, really, that The Simpsons would eventually breach some aspect of the race; yet, it took the surprising route of spoofing the whole, entire thing.

Currently in its 27th season, the show took time to release standalone short 'The Debateful Eight', which sees Marge startled awake by the echoes of election trash talk circulating in her mind; it's simply too much for the Simpsons family's perpetual arbitrator. "Basic manners are gone from politics," she cries, as she hyperventilates into a paper bag.

Homer's solution to her living nightmare? "Just try to visualise another America. One where Republicans, Democrats and Donald Trump all get along"; which inevitably leads to a song-and-dance number, of course.

Not that it works out: with the short disintegrating into a full-on brawl between candidates, Republicans and Democrats alike. Between robotic Marco Rubio shut down by Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton choking Bernie Sanders with her pearl necklace; things get very ugly, very fast.

The Simpsons currently airs in the US on Fox, Sundays at 8/7c.