How The Simpsons Will Actually End

As a long-time fan of The Simpsons, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and anticipation as I ponder over the show’s potential ending. Having grown up with these yellow characters, I’ve seen them evolve, make mistakes, learn, and grow, just like we all do in life. The beauty of The Simpsons lies in its ability to reflect our own human experiences, albeit in a more animated and humorously exaggerated form.

Currently, The Simpsons stands unrivaled in a realm that no other franchise has ever managed to attain. This extraordinary status is due to the exceptional quality of its initial seasons, which catapulted it into pop culture dominance, creating some of the most memorable characters in the annals of animation. However, over time, the show has been criticized by fans for not maintaining the same level of excellence as before. The present era of The Simpsons represents a distinct fusion of viewers who have been loyal to the animated sitcom since its inception, and those who have grown up with it throughout its 35 seasons so far.

The climax appears to have been reached during the debut of The Simpsons‘ Season 36, “Bart’s Birthday.” Previous seasons have dabbled in experimentation, acknowledging their remarkable longevity, but this season opener took things a step further. It hinted at what the finale might look like if The Simpsons were to conclude, offering a glimpse into how an extended animated sitcom could actually end. Contrary to expectations, it suggested that the end wouldn’t be marked by a grand, spectacular episode. Instead, it would unfold much like any other episode in the series.

How The Simpsons Will Actually End

Will The Simpsons Ever End?

Fans have been discussing when The Simpsons should conclude since around the tenth season, but some argue it’s been an issue even earlier. The drop in quality, first noticed in Seasons 7 and 8, has led many fans to express concerns, with the debate really gaining momentum after Season 10. The show has faced similar criticism before, and even taken on such comments directly, as evident in the Season 13 clip show episode “Gump Roast,” where a final song humorously claimed they’d have “stories for years.” This idea was playfully challenged again during the Season 36 premiere.

For over three decades, The Simpsons has faced criticism from long-time fans, but it’s persisted and achieved one landmark after another. Now, under the umbrella of 20th Television Animation and Disney, The Simpsons is a cornerstone of their business following Disney’s acquisition of Fox. They’ve continued to back this enduring animated comedy series, with Season 36 currently airing. It’s plausible that those fans who claim The Simpsons isn’t as good as it once was (and honestly haven’t watched a recent episode) have been replaced by newer generations of fans who grew up with the more recent seasons. Over time, The Simpsons has undergone some notable transformations.

Despite facing criticism from viewers and producing some less-than-stellar seasons, such as Season 23’s “Lisa Goes Gaga” which is infamously mentioned in “Bart’s Birthday,” the long-running animated series The Simpsons shows no signs of weakening. With a total of 769 episodes under its belt, current showrunner Matt Selman remains optimistic about the show’s future, even jokingly predicting that it will one day reach an “infinite” number of episodes. History has shown that predictions about the end of The Simpsons have consistently been off base, so Selman confidently asserts that the series will eventually surpass any preconceived limits.

The longevity of “The Simpsons” is due to its distinctive situation. It has been criticized extensively over time, but it has also been adored for much longer. As a result, “The Simpsons” feels more self-assured than ever before. Lately, the show has utilized this sense of confidence to experiment with series structure similar to some of its classic episodes. Notable episodes from the “golden era,” such as “22 Short Films About Springfield,” “The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular,” and “The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase,” were praised for their creative twists on the sitcom formula. This same approach can be seen in recent, unexpected episodes like “Not it,” “Thanksgiving of Horror,” “Pixelated and Afraid,” “A Serious Flanders,” “Lisa the Boy Scout,” and “My Life as a Vlog.” These examples come from the seasons led by Al Jean.

The Simpsons can examine its current state while drawing fresh perspectives from its history. It also gains an extra layer of narrative depth by referencing past errors and misfortunes for humor. This approach is evident in the Season 36 premiere, “Bart’s Birthday,” which cleverly mocks the notion that a show like this could ever have an end. Given the series’ long-running history and multiple eras, creating a finale that appeases everyone would be unattainable. Instead, when The Simpsons eventually comes to an end, it will take a different approach.

How The Simpsons Will Actually End

How Will The Simpsons End?

The TV series “The Simpsons” has the potential to run indefinitely, with no plans to replace the current main cast members unless an unforeseen event necessitates it. However, at some point, changes will inevitably occur. Assuming there’s no catastrophic event that would make terminating the show more appropriate, “The Simpsons” is likely to persist in a different format, similar to its evolution over the years. Fresh creators will take charge, new voices will dominate, and given its iconic status, it’s almost inherent within television. As long as any form of television continues to exist, this series will too. Yet, if it were to conclude, “The Simpsons” would opt for a subtle ending. How might such an ending transpire? By focusing on the smaller, everyday aspects of the family’s life rather than a grand finale.

The possibility exists that “Bart’s Birthday” could serve as the conclusion for the The Simpsons series. Regardless of the specifics of the final episode, it’s bound to draw massive attention due to its status as a finale. Former viewers will likely return to catch the ending, while newcomers might tune in out of curiosity. The event is anticipated to be significant. However, it’s worth noting that despite the potential grandeur of certain episodes and the movie, at its heart, The Simpsons has never been known for grand-scale events outside of what was shown in The Simpsons Movie.

In simpler terms, the animated sitcom we’re discussing typically wraps up each episode by restoring the original situation, much like how “Bart’s Birthday” epitomizes this concept in many series finales by showing how the status quo can evolve as the show concludes. Essentially, Bart’s 11th birthday is the focus of this finale. Similarly, when The Simpsons air their final episode, it will feature a modest tale that ends with the Simpson family progressing in their lives.

It seems likely that the final episode of The Simpsons will wrap up with another resolution of a familiar family dilemma, bringing an end to the series. This finale is expected to be just another humorous episode, similar in style to those that have come before it, such as “Holidays of Future Passed.” The show’s creators may find it more satisfactory to end on a low-key note rather than trying to create a grand finale that might not please everyone. In essence, they plan to send off The Simpsons with a lighthearted episode full of laughter before it fades into the sunset.

2024-10-01 03:39

Will The Simpsons Ever End?

How Will The Simpsons End?

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