Becoming a worldwide phenomenon and redefining televised adult animation for an entire generation,The Simpsons' reputation precedes itself in every way. The iconic and inimitable characters have been a staple of American broadcasting since the premiere of the program back in 1989.
Beginning as simple cartoon short as part of the variety programThe Tracey Ullman Show, the widespread appeal of the Springfield family garnered immediate popularity, and for over three decades has been airing new seasons consistently on theFoxnetwork, as well as streaming onDisney+after Disney bought 20th Century Fox for over $71 billion. Though, like all shows, at some point the fun must come to an end, and in the case ofThe Simpsons, just when is that ending going to be, if ever? Has the fun already ended?
When it comes down to it, everyone has their own opinions on when the animated juggernaut should (or should’ve) had its final curtain call. Most audiences aren’t keeping up with the program as often as they may have back during its peak in the ’90s, and when the topic ofThe Simpsonsappears in conversation, it’s generally met with questions such as, “Is that still on?” rather than discussing the latest episodes. Being one of thelongest-running television seriesin history, the expectations of its eventual ending grow larger and larger with each consecutive season, but when exactly should that ultimate ending be? What should it be about? What do the showrunners, the creator, and the fans think? Well don’t have a cow, man, we’ll take a look and see.
What’s New is Old
Momentum of the show’s production continues to chug along as it always has, as the creative team behind the scenes has recently revealed they haveno plans to end the cartoonwithin the near future. With the current count ofSimpsonsepisodes sitting at above 700, it’s hard to believe that there’s any subject left that the series hasn’t already covered in some way. Though miraculously, current showrunner Al Jean has a concept that he feels would make a suitable ending to the long-running comedy, and it brings us all the way back to 1989.
“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” was the very first episode of the program, featuring the titular family going to a school Christmas pageant. In attempting to create a cyclical nature to the show’s timeline (which admittedly seems to exist outside of time), Jean’s idea would bring viewers back to that very pageant. During an interview withRadio Times, Al Jean specified.
“There would be an ending where they [the Simpsons] would be going back to the Christmas pageant from the first episode, so that the whole series was a continuous loop — that’s how I would end it.”
As one of several options speculated upon forThe Simpsons' last episode, the idea would be a fun way to leave audiences with a sense of nostalgic continuity, though it’s ultimately lacking in a sense of finality. After tuning in to the show for decades, fans may expect a larger send-off to the characters, one that may wrap up their individual arcs more tightly, leaving each with a satisfying point of conclusion. While dedicated viewers may not get much of a say in what ultimately becomes of the show’s end, they certainly have thoughts on past episodes that would’ve served perfectly as the series finale.
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Going Back to the Future
With countless episodes to chose from, hardcore fans have already picked out their personal favorite potential endings to the beloved animated sitcom. While most deem the golden age of the show to be within the first eight or nine seasons, one ofthe most popular choicesfor a canonical final episode would have to go to season 23’s “Holidays of Future Passed.”
Being one in a handful of ‘what if?’ time jump episodes throughout the series showing a non-canonical version of the Simpson’s future, the holiday special is favored by many as a faithful and satisfying interpretation of where the family would be 30 years down the line. Giving each Simpson an entertaining and heartwarming conclusion to their character’s individual story, it’s no wonder why fans have deemed the episode theunofficial endingof the series. Though surprisingly enough, the reason the special may bring such ‘finale’ vibes is because it was potentially meant to be just that.
During the writing of the episode, the show’s network, Fox, was asking for the actors in the series to take a 45% pay cut to their salaries. Lengthy negotiations at the time made the future of the program uncertain, and J. Stewart Burns, the scriptwriter for the episode, had created it to serve as what could’ve been the true official end to the series. Eventual agreements were made, however, and the show would continue as always with the holiday special serving as a stand-out moment inThe Simpsons' catalog.
No End in Sight
Lets for a moment pretend what it would be like to have created what many consider to be one of thetop animated TV showsthat would then go on to become a monstrous hit, making hundreds of millions of dollars a year in promotional material. The question would be, when would you pull the plug? For some who consider it a matter of integrity, they may say yes, earlier on when the show is still thought of positively, and before the franchise becomes fatigued. ThoughThe Simpsons' creator Matt Groening may see things differently.
In a lengthy interview withUSA Today, Groening answered many questions about his hit series, one in particular on the concept of the show’s cancellation. On the often-speculated topic, the cartoonist spoke briefly.
I don’t see any end in sight. It’s always possible. (But) I live in denial of death, much less the cancellation ofThe Simpsons.
Though a remark made in jest, it does signify that endingThe Simpsonsis not something on Groening’s to-do list anytime soon. With the show continuing to do well with streaming as one ofthe best TV series on Disney+, it’s very likely the yellow family could go on airing new episodes long after its creators are around.The Simpsonscould become like a much more expensive version ofThe Tonight Show, which is approaching 70 years on TV.
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The Show Must Go On
Currently in its 33rd season and being renewed through its 34th,The Simpsonsis confirmed to be on the air until at least 2023, but if history is anything to go by, it’ll continue long after. Though every few years a rumor comes along speculating that theshow is ending soon, each time without fail the animated institution smashes through expectations, setting records as being the longest-running scripted American primetime show to date.
With arumored second movie in talksaccording to the series' showrunner, the future is looking pretty stable for the animated family. It’s hard to imagine a time whenThe Simpsonsis no longer airing, and in an age of reboots and spin-offs being abundant for popular series, it’s certain that even after the long-awaited cancelation of the show, we’ll be seeing Springfield again in some form.
What madeThe Simpsonsstand out all those years ago may no longer be as groundbreaking as it was during the era it debuted, but it’s nonetheless responsible for setting the standard. Many sitcoms, animated or not, have the show to thank for creating a new way to portray a traditional American family, being unafraid to embrace their dysfunctional nature. Whether the show should’ve ended years ago or years from now, there will always be a place forThe Simpsonsamong television’s most iconic franchises; just try not to binge it all in one sitting.
