Picture this: You’re eight years old, sprawled on the living room carpet, watching Bart Simpson write “I will not bring sheep to class” on the chalkboard for what feels like the millionth time. Fast-forward thirty-five years, and you’re now watching with your own kids, laughing at the same jokes that somehow feel fresh every Sunday night. That’s the magic of The Simpsons – a show that’s been part of our lives for so long that imagining it ending feels almost impossible.
Well, according to showrunner Matt Selman, you don’t have to worry about that farewell anytime soon. In fact, he’s made it crystal clear that when The Simpsons does eventually end, don’t expect the tearjerking, nostalgic series finale that most beloved shows deliver.
The reason? It goes against everything that makes The Simpsons what it is.
Why a Traditional Series Finale Would Break The Simpsons Formula
Matt Selman recently dropped a bombshell during an interview with TheWrap that has fans both relieved and slightly confused. The longtime showrunner revealed that The Simpsons series finale will never happen in the traditional sense we’ve come to expect from iconic television shows.
“We did an episode about a year-and-a-half ago that was like a parody of the series finale,” Selman explained. “We jammed every possible series finale concept into one show, so that was sort of my way of saying we’re never going to do a series finale.”
This approach makes perfect sense when you consider what The Simpsons has always been about. Unlike serialized dramas where character growth and story arcs build toward a climactic conclusion, The Simpsons operates on a completely different principle.
Every episode essentially hits a reset button. Homer goes back to being the same loveable oaf, Bart returns to his mischievous ways, and life in Springfield continues as if nothing monumental ever happened. It’s a formula that’s kept the show fresh for nearly four decades.
“The show isn’t supposed to change,” Selman emphasized. “The characters reset every week. It’s like Groundhog Day but they don’t know it – and they don’t die that much.”
What Makes The Simpsons Different From Other Long-Running Shows
The decision to avoid a traditional series finale sets The Simpsons apart from virtually every other long-running television series. Most shows build toward emotional crescendos that give viewers closure and celebrate the journey they’ve shared with beloved characters.
But The Simpsons has always marched to its own beat. Here’s how their approach differs:
- No character development arcs: Unlike shows where characters evolve, grow, and change, The Simpsons characters remain fundamentally the same
- Episodic storytelling: Each episode stands alone, making it easy for new viewers to jump in at any point
- Timeless setting: Springfield exists in a perpetual present, allowing the show to comment on current events without aging
- Satirical focus: The show’s primary goal is social commentary, not emotional storytelling
This unique structure has allowed The Simpsons to maintain relevance across multiple generations. While other shows from the late 1980s feel dated, The Simpsons continues to feel contemporary because it never tried to be anything other than what it is.
Television analyst Sarah Mitchell notes, “The genius of The Simpsons is that it never promised viewers a journey with a destination. It promised them a mirror held up to society, week after week, and that’s exactly what it’s delivered.”
| Traditional Series Finales | The Simpsons Approach |
|---|---|
| Character growth and resolution | Characters remain consistent |
| Emotional closure for viewers | Same format as any other episode |
| Major story revelations | No major changes or revelations |
| Sentimental farewell moments | Business as usual in Springfield |
How This Decision Affects Fans and the Television Landscape
For longtime fans, this news might feel bittersweet. On one hand, there’s comfort in knowing that The Simpsons will never truly “end” in the emotional sense that other beloved shows have concluded. On the other hand, it means missing out on the cathartic experience of a proper goodbye.
The impact extends beyond just fan emotions. The Simpsons has influenced countless animated shows, and this approach to endings could set a precedent for other long-running animated series.
Comedy writer and animation expert David Chen suggests, “What Selman is really saying is that some stories are meant to be eternal. The Simpsons isn’t about Homer’s journey or Bart’s coming of age – it’s about reflecting the absurdities of American life, and that doesn’t have an endpoint.”
This philosophy also makes business sense. A traditional series finale often signals the end of merchandising opportunities, syndication appeal, and potential revival possibilities. By avoiding that finality, The Simpsons keeps all doors open.
The show’s approach to its eventual ending reflects a broader truth about modern television consumption. In an era where viewers binge entire series and immediately move on to the next show, The Simpsons offers something different: a constant, reliable presence that doesn’t demand emotional investment in long-term storylines.
What Fans Can Expect When The Simpsons Eventually Ends
So what will the final episode of The Simpsons look like when it eventually airs? According to Selman, it’ll be remarkably unremarkable – and that’s entirely intentional.
“If the show ever did end, there’s no finale, it would just be a regular episode that has the family in it,” Selman revealed. “Probably a little Easter egg here and there, but no ‘I’m going to miss this place.'”
This means fans shouldn’t expect:
- Emotional goodbye speeches from characters
- Major revelations about Springfield’s mysteries
- Character weddings, deaths, or other major life changes
- A retrospective look at the show’s history
- Breaking the fourth wall to acknowledge the end
Instead, viewers will likely get exactly what they’ve been getting for decades: twenty-two minutes of satirical comedy featuring the Simpson family dealing with whatever absurd situation the writers have cooked up that week.
Industry insider Rebecca Torres observes, “It’s actually quite brave of them to stick to their guns like this. Most showrunners feel pressure to deliver some grand statement with their final episode, but The Simpsons is saying their statement has been consistent for 800+ episodes already.”
This approach also means that whenever The Simpsons does end, it won’t really feel like an ending at all. The show will simply stop producing new episodes, but the world of Springfield will feel as alive and ongoing as ever. There’s something oddly comforting about that – like knowing your favorite local diner will always be there, even if you stop visiting.
The decision also reflects the show’s democratic approach to its episodes. Rather than building toward one climactic moment, every episode of The Simpsons is treated as equally important. Whether it’s episode 50 or episode 850, each one gets the same attention and care.
For a show that’s been part of the cultural landscape for over three decades, this approach feels authentic to its core mission. The Simpsons has never been about providing answers or resolution – it’s been about asking questions and poking fun at the world around us.
As the show continues past its 800th episode milestone and into future seasons, fans can take comfort in knowing that The Simpsons will remain exactly what it’s always been: a reliable source of humor that reflects our world back at us, one yellow-skinned family at a time.
FAQs
Will The Simpsons ever actually end?
While The Simpsons is confirmed through season 38 and beyond, it will eventually end someday, but without a traditional finale.
What episode parodied a series finale?
According to showrunner Matt Selman, they created a parody finale episode about a year and a half ago that mocked typical series finale concepts.
Why won’t The Simpsons have a proper ending?
The show’s format relies on characters resetting each episode, so a sentimental finale would go against its core storytelling principle.
How many episodes of The Simpsons are there now?
The show is approaching its 800th episode as season 37 comes to an end, making it one of the longest-running series in television history.
Will there be any special elements in the final episode?
Matt Selman mentioned there might be “a little Easter egg here and there” but nothing more significant than that.
How does this compare to other animated series endings?
Most animated series, even long-running ones, typically provide some form of closure or acknowledgment in their final episodes, making The Simpsons approach unique.
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