Simpsons Showrunner Shares How He Thinks The Show Will End

The Simpsons became a pop cultural phenomenon when the series debuted with a Christmas special in December of 1989. Schools banned merchandise depicting the show. Brilliant comedic minds like Conan O’Brien established their bona fides as television writers. The influence of the series could be felt everywhere.

Now in its 33rd season, the end of The Simpsons is likely just a matter of time. Changing tastes and a core fanbase that believes the show has experienced a significant decline in quality over time have many thinking that the time has already passed. In an interview with Radio Times, 32-year veteran Simpsons showrunner Al Jean shared his thoughts on how the show should end.

“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.”

While many think the show is only living off the good name it established through the early 1990’s, Jean says it’s still doing well. There are no plans for the show to stop. Even with their 700th episode coming soon, The Simpsons will roll on.

“To be honest … especially as we’re doing really well on Disney+ in the US and the UK and other countries in the Americas, I don’t see anybody going, ‘Let’s wrap it up, or figure out how to get out of it’ at the moment,” 

The sharp social satire and political wit in The Simpsons has made the show a favorite among Americans and around the world. It’s the only prime-time series to air a new episode in five different decades. Whether it’s now or ten years from now, all shows must eventually end. Al Jean doesn’t think that time is now.

What’s your favorite episode of The Simpsons? Let us know in the comments!