The Simpsons holds the title for the longest-running animated TV series in the U.S., spanning 36 seasons over its impressive 36-year history.
The show has an eerie knack for predicting future events as fans have documented several scenarios from the series that have come true, including Donald Trump’s presidency and the 9/11 attacks – along with the appearance of ‘Hawk Tuah girl’, Haliey Welch.
While it seems unimaginable for the show to conclude, viewers were taken aback when the premiere of the 36th season hinted it might be the series finale.
This turned out to be another classic prank by the writers, as it was disclosed that the episode’s storyline was crafted by artificial intelligence.
In the episode titled ‘Bart’s Birthday’, AI-generated narratives envision shocking goodbyes, such as Mr. Burns’ death, the closure of Moe’s bar, and Principal Skinner’s retirement.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the true ending. Showrunner Matt Selman explained to The Post: “The discussion that it would be so hard to do a last episode is what led to the fake series finale. That it’s sort of an impossible thing.
“The show isn’t meant to end,” he continued, “To do a sappy crappo series finale, like most other shows do, would be so lame. So we just did one that was like over the top.”
The executive producer, who has been part of the writing team since 1997, shared how he envisions The Simpsons concluding if that day ever arrives.
Selman expressed a desire for it to be a ‘regular episode’ with a ‘really good story about the family’.
He commented, “The characters in this crazy show don’t age.
“I think later we’ll just pick an episode and say that was the last one. No self-aware stuff. Or, one self-aware joke.”
Discussing the show’s Christmas special, ‘O C’mon All Ye Faithful’, now available on Disney+, Selman mentioned that fans have their own ideas for a finale based on how other series typically end. However, he dismissed the idea of concluding the show similarly, noting ‘we covered that area’ in the mock series finale episode.
Instead, he humorously suggested the last episode might be a ‘parody of A Christmas Carol with [Mr. Burns] as Scrooge. The laziest idea!’
These insights come as Matt Groening told USA Today in 2021 that ‘there’s no end in sight’ for the series.
The Simpsons creator remarked, “Anytime I speculate on the show ending, the people who work on it and diehard fans get very upset.”
Season 37 of The Simpsons has not yet been confirmed.