The beloved animated series The Simpsons shocked fans when it unexpectedly aired what was branded as its “series finale.” The surprise left viewers wondering if they were witnessing the end of the iconic show after 36 seasons.
However, there was a hilarious twist that quickly turned confusion into amusement.
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The episode that opened the new season presented itself as the final episode. But it was actually a tongue-in-cheek parody of TV finales.
Written by artificial intelligence, it humorously explored what a perfect ending for The Simpsons might look like while poking fun at classic finale tropes.
When the episode’s title card first announced the premiere as the “series finale,” fans panicked on social media.
“IS THIS ACTUALLY THE SIMPSONS SERIES FINALE????” one fan tweeted, while others questioned whether the episode was a prank or the real deal. The confusion spread fast.
Conan O’Brien hosting the episode only added to the uncertainty.
O’Brien, who had worked as a writer for the show, appeared to “confirm” the finale, joking, “Fox has decided to end The Simpsons.” His solemn, yet humorous delivery fooled more than a few fans.
O’Brien introduced what he claimed were “original cuts” of classic Simpsons scenes, adding credibility to the idea of a finale.
The episode then showcased absurd endings, like Principal Skinner’s retirement, Moe’s Bar closing for good, and even Mr. Burns’s dramatic death.
The plot revolved around Bart’s 11th birthday.
Parodying every finale cliché imaginable — from characters moving away to businesses shutting down. Even a few over-the-top celebrity cameos were thrown in for comedic effect.
But the real kicker came during the episode’s credits.
That’s where The Simpsons recreated iconic final shots from legendary shows, including The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Frasier, Game of Thrones, and even Succession. These scenes had fans laughing and scratching their heads at the clever homage.
Some fans theorized that this entire finale parody was the show’s playful response to ongoing chatter about whether The Simpsons has overstayed its welcome.
Many feel that the show reached its peak during the golden era, from season three to nine, and that this faux finale was a wink to that sentiment.
One viewer noted:
“Maybe they’re poking fun at everyone who says the show should end. What a brilliant way to address it!” While the episode was clearly in jest, it has sparked real conversation about whether The Simpsons might finally be preparing for a true finale.
Currently, Fox has not confirmed whether The Simpsons will be renewed for a 37th season.
So, was this finale just a joke, or is it hinting at an end? Fans are left wondering what the future holds for the longest-running American sitcom.
Now, the question on everyone’s mind is: what would it look like if you could write the actual ending to The Simpsons?
