Will ‘The Simpsons’ end after Season 36? Fans baffled after show airs episode dubbed ‘series finale’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Simpsons' gave fans a scare during its Season 36 premiere by presenting what appeared to be the show's final episode. But is the long-running animated sitcom actually coming to an end?

Fans of 'The Simpsons' were left bewildered after the show unexpectedly aired what it called a “series finale” during the Season 36 premiere on Sunday, September 29.

Titled 'Bart’s Birthday', the episode played out like the end of an era, leaving viewers questioning if the long-running animated sitcom was finally ending.

Is 'The Simpsons' really ending?

'The Simpsons' Season 36 premiere episode, titled 'Bart’s Birthday' was billed as a “Fox special presentation” and was a meta way of poking fun at the idea of a series finale, rather than a real goodbye, as per The New York Post.

The episode began with an animated Conan O’Brien, a former Simpsons writer, hosting what he humorously called the “series finale” of the iconic show.

“It’s such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of ‘The Simpsons,'” O'Brien said, standing before the crowd alongside animated versions of past guest stars like Seth Rogen and Mr T.

"I knew I was the right man for this because I've hosted the last episode of three of my own shows, and counting."

“Well, it’s true. Fox has decided to end 'The Simpsons',” O’Brien went on. “This show was such a special part of my early career, so being here means the world to me. Also, I left a sweater in the writer’s room in 1993 and this is the only way they’ll let me get it back.”

After joking that Fox "has been trying to end" 'The Simpsons' for years, O’Brien showcased clips he claimed were unaired series finale scenes from "classic episodes," including 1990’s 'Bart the Daredevil' and 2000’s 'Little Big Mom'.

One of the biggest surprises of the night came when O'Brien's character showed clips of what he claimed were unaired series finale attempts before introducing the "final" episode, created using artificial intelligence.

The episode featured several dramatic efforts to conclude the show's storyline, including Moe's Tavern closing down and Mr Burns' death.

By the episode's conclusion, Bart becomes self-aware and realizes that his upcoming birthday means he will finally turn 11 (despite being 10 since the series started). Refusing to age, Bart sparks a confrontation with Homer, who strangles him, causing the show to glitch and reset. Everything returns to normal, effectively erasing the "series finale".

Viewers were treated to animated recreations of iconic final scenes from shows like 'Game of Thrones', 'Succession', 'The Sopranos', 'Breaking Bad', and 'Frasier'—all further blurring the line between satire and reality.

With everything returning to its usual state, the faux “series finale” came to an end, leaving fans relieved but amused.

While the "series finale" was a playful twist, 'The Simpsons' is far from over. It is the longest-running animated series, sitcom, and scripted primetime show in American history. The show had debuted in January 1990.

Despite the occasional dip in popularity, it continues to be a cultural force, known for its uncanny ability to "predict" the future.

'The Simpsons’ fake ‘series finale’ leaves fans flabbergasted

The Season 36 premiere of 'The Simpsons' threw fans for a loop with its faux “series finale” episode titled 'Bart’s Birthday'. But once the joke was revealed, viewers took to social media to express their reactions—ranging from shock to amusement.

The episode, which played out a dramatic AI-generated storyline featuring key characters like Moe and Mr Burns, had some fans genuinely believing the beloved animated sitcom was coming to an end. Many viewers, however, eventually caught on to the meta humor.

“I legit thought this was the series finale until I realized it was all a joke XD But still this was a great and funny Season 36 premiere! Loved all the references!” one fan tweeted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another person admitted they were fooled by the on-screen gag, “I CAN’T BELIEVE TONIGHT’S EPISODE OF #THESIMPSONS DIDN’T END WITH THIS SCENE! AND I DEFINITELY FELL FOR THAT 'SERIES FINALE' ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC!”

Some fans were simply amazed that 'The Simpsons' is still running after more than three decades. “Can't believe 'The Simpsons' is still going strong after all these years,” a tweet read.

Other fans praised the show for its clever approach. “The Simpsons will never end,” one user predicted.

Another added, “So well done. I love how #thesimpsons has evolved with the times.”

One viewer summed up the clever prank: “Just because the episode’s title is 'Series Finale' doesn’t mean it’s the final episode of the series. It’s just the start of Season 36.”

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