The Simpsons” Kicks Off Season 36 with a Fake Series Finale

The long-running animated series “The Simpsons” confused viewers by airing what appeared to be its “series finale” in the Season 36 premiere. The episode, titled “Bart’s Birthday,” was presented as a humorous twist rather than an actual conclusion to the show, which remains America’s longest-running animated series.

Hosted as a “Fox special presentation,” the episode opened with an animated Conan O'Brien. Known for his past work as a writer for “The Simpsons,” O’Brien humorously addressed the crowd, declaring, “It’s such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of ‘The Simpsons.'” He added a jest about having hosted the final episode of three of his own shows.

O’Brien’s character further claimed, “Fox has decided to end ‘The Simpsons,'” presenting a tongue-in-cheek commentary that mirrored long-standing jokes about the show’s supposed decline since its debut episode aired on December 17, 1989.

The episode featured artificial intelligence (AI) components with dramatic scenes that envisioned the end of the series, including Moe’s Tavern shutting down and Mr. Burns dying. These AI-created scenes contributed to a playful montage that served as a faux conclusion.

The climax of the episode had Bart Simpson becoming self-aware, realizing he was about to turn 11 instead of his perpetual age of 10, resulting in a humorous reset of the series narrative.

This fake “series finale” managed to bewilder some fans. Reactions on social media platforms expressed initial confusion, followed by appreciation for the clever subversion. One viewer remarked online, “I legit thought this was the series finale until I realized it was all a joke XD,” while another exclaimed, “I DEFINITELY FELL FOR THAT ‘SERIES FINALE’ ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC!”

“The Simpsons,” created by Matt Groening and boasting a voice cast including Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Cartwright, continues its notable run, with no end confirmed as of now. Groening himself, during an interview in 2021, remarked that there’s “no end in sight” for the beloved series, intending to reassure both fans and the team behind “The Simpsons.”