The Simpsons' potential end date, the writers elected to tease the audience by releasing the season 36 premiere, "Bart's Birthday." The episode saw Bart struggling through an AI-generated ending for the show, which would have seen Springfield and its citizens losing their larger-than-life personalities. Bart rejects the ending, leading to a reset and revealing that the entire episode was predicated on the creators mocking the idea of a conclusion to the 35-year-old show.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, producer Al Jean spoke out about the episode and its larger purpose. Jean hoped that the episode would prevent any discussion of a coming finale. According to him, writer Jessica Conrad also hoped that the show would satirize complaints about other series finales. Check out his full quote below:

That was exactly it. It was written by Jessica Conrad and produced by Matt Selman. The idea was we've been asked that question so many times that we wanted to close further discussion of it. It's not coming to an end, as far as I know, and that's why it was the premiere—so people wouldn't think it was the last episode. And I thought we were able to make a lot of statements. A lot of statements were made in that show that were very good about last episodes.

I also think people expect the last episode of a show to answer all the mysteries of life. [With] The Sopranos, which I thought had a brilliant last episode, people were like, "Wait, what does it mean?" I go, "Well, it's a show and I think he's dead, but it's not going to answer all your questions about life.” The fact that you're not sure—that is what life is like.

What The Simpsons' Ending Denial Means for the Show

The Simpsons Is Not Ending Anytime Soon

The Simpsons has been an ongoing show since it spun off from The Tracey Ullman Show on December 17, 1989. Over 35 years, it has released over 750 episodes and will be completing more as the season continues. The show emerged from a minor series of shorts and became a juggernaut franchise with a movie, comic books, a theme park ride, and video games of its own. By all means, The Simpsons' ageless characters have taken on a life of their own over the years. Putting an end to an enormous franchise would be a controversial decision in itself.

The Simpsons has only been renewed through season 36, which is currently airing.

Still, after so much success, it is only natural to wonder when the show will finally end, as it remains the longest-running animated show or sitcom in American history. With countless shows projected to end in 2024, this would simply be another disappointment. Despite the fall of other successful shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Young Sheldon, it continues to endure. With its creators backing it consistently and Fox refusing to even hint at a cancelation, it appears that it will continue for several more seasons. Still, Fox has not renewed the show for season 37, which is worrying.

Our Take on The Simpsons' Ending Denial

There Is A Reason To Suspect A Coming Ending

Lisa Bart and Nelson in The Simpsons Barthood

In the current age of TV entertainment, no show is necessarily safe. Viewership is down compared to previous seasons, having fallen from a height of nearly 15 million viewers to just two million. The show can blame streaming platforms for the decline, but it is still alarming, as it has steadily declined season after season. It is not surprising that questions about a closure have been ongoing. Still, this stand by the creators proves that the show likely has ample time before a conclusion. While The Simpsons referenced many iconic TV finales, it will not be ending anytime soon.

New episodes of The Simpsons season 36 will be released on Sundays at 8 pm ET on Fox.

The Simpsons (1989) TV Show Poster
The Simpsons
Created by
Matt Groening
First Film
The Simpsons Movie
Latest Film
The Simpsons Movie
First TV Show
The Simpsons
Latest TV Show
The Simpsons

"The Simpsons" is a legendary American animated franchise that debuted in 1987 as short segments on The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming a standalone series in 1989. The show follows the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie—who live in the fictional town of Springfield. The franchise is renowned for its satirical and humorous take on various aspects of American culture, society, and the human condition. Over the years, "The Simpsons" has expanded into films, video games, comic books, and theme park attractions, becoming a cornerstone of popular culture.

First Episode Air Date
December 17, 1989
Cast
Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Marcia Wallace, Russi Taylor
Current Series
The Simpsons
TV Show(s)
The Simpsons
Video Game(s)
The Simpsons Game, The Simpsons: Hit & Run, The Simpsons: Road Rage, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, The Simpsons Arcade Game, The Simpsons Skateboarding