Current:Home > ContactIs 'The Simpsons' ending? Why the show aired its 'series finale' Sunday -Nova Finance Academy
Is 'The Simpsons' ending? Why the show aired its 'series finale' Sunday
View
Date:2025-04-21 22:38:53
Is it the end of the road for "The Simpsons"?
Not quite: The hit animated series aired its "final episode" on Sunday night, but in actuality, it was a meta-way to start the Season 36 premiere.
Titled "Bart's Birthday" and presented as a "Fox special presentation," the episode kicked off with animated celebrities shown rolling into the "Dolby-Mucinex Theater" for the occasion, hosted by Conan O'Brien.
"It's such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of 'The Simpsons,'" O'Brien says to the onlooking crowd, flanked with animated versions of stars who have appeared on the series, including Seth Rogen and Mr. T. "I knew I was the right man for the job because I've hosted the last episode of three of my own shows, and counting."
We've got room on the couch! Sign up for USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter for all TV & film news.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
He continued: "Well, it's true. Fox has decided to end the Simpsons."
O'Brien then continues the faux obituary for the legendary Fox sitcom.
"Not many people know this, but Fox has been trying to end it for years," O'Brien's character says. "When the very first episode aired in 1989, the viewers agreed on one thing: It wasn't as funny as it used to be. Fox executives, unaccustomed to criticism of any kind, immediately caved to public pressure and decided to end 'The Simpsons' in 1990."
'The Simpsons' writerreacts to viral 'prediction': Is Kamala Harris going to be president?
O'Brien's character aired clips from what he says were unaired series finale attempts before presenting the "final" episode, which was created using artificial intelligence and includes several dramatic attempts to wrap up the show's storyline, including Moe's shutting down and Mr. Burns dying.
A longtime 'Simpsons' characterwas killed off. Fans aren't taking it very well
By the end of the episode, Bart becomes self-aware and realizes his birthday means he will turn 11. (Bart has been 10 years old since the series began.) He refuses, leading to Homer strangling him and the show glitching and resetting. With everything then back to normal, the "series finale" is no longer.
"The Simpsons" remains America's longest-running animated series, sitcom and scripted primetime television series. The first episode aired Jan. 14, 1990.
Though the series may not be as popular as it was in its heyday in the 1990s, the show is still known for its sometimes uncanny way of predicting the future, at least according to fans.
veryGood! (6773)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital on Saturday
- Big Pokey, pioneering Houston rapper, dies at 48
- Clean Energy Manufacturers Spared from Rising Petro-Dollar Job Losses
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Soaring Costs Plague California Nuke Plant Shut Down By Leak
- An Arctic Offshore Drilling Plan Advances, but Impact Statement Cites Concerns
- All the Bombshell Revelations in The Secrets of Hillsong
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Daniel Day-Lewis Looks Unrecognizable in First Public Sighting in 4 Years
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Today's election could weaken conservatives' long-held advantage in Wisconsin
- Daniel Day-Lewis Looks Unrecognizable in First Public Sighting in 4 Years
- How an abortion pill ruling could threaten the FDA's regulatory authority
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Keystone XL: Low Oil Prices, Tar Sands Pullout Could Kill Pipeline Plan
- Some Young Republicans Embrace a Slower, Gentler Brand of Climate Activism
- IPCC Report Shows Food System Overhaul Needed to Save the Climate
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Pipeline Payday: How Builders Win Big, Whether More Gas Is Needed or Not
1 dead, at least 22 wounded in mass shooting at Juneteenth celebration in Illinois
Tiffany Haddish opens up about 2021 breakup with Common: It 'wasn't mutual'
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Grief and tangled politics were at the heart of Kentucky's fight over new trans law
Inmate dies after escape attempt in New Mexico, authorities say
1 dead, at least 18 injured after tornado hits central Mississippi town