In a move that left fans bewildered, the iconic Fox cartoon, The Simpsons, aired an episode on Sunday that appeared to be its “series finale.” The episode, titled “Bart’s Birthday,” was presented as a “Fox special presentation” and featured comedian Conan O’Brien hosting an Oscar-like send-off gala for the beloved sitcom.

A star-studded farewell?

As the animated O’Brien took the stage, he announced, “It’s such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of The Simpsons. Well, it’s true. Fox has decided to end The Simpsons. This show was such a special part of my early career, so being here means the world to me.” He then shared clips claimed to be unaired attempts at the series finale, adding to the drama.

Fans react to the potential end

The unexpected twist sent viewers into a frenzy on social media. One fan exclaimed, “Wait wait The Simpsons SERIES finale WTFFFFF,” while another remarked, “I haven’t watched a new Simpsons episode in about 24 years but it’s surreal seeing the series finale on right now.” The sentiment echoed across platforms as fans grappled with the idea of the show’s conclusion.

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A parody with a purpose

In the episode, a seemingly unprecedented event occurs—a character ages, defying the show’s usual timelessness. However, Bart’s refusal to accept turning 11 leads to chaos, causing the episode to glitch and reset, erasing the so-called “series finale.”

Showrunner Matt Selman later revealed that the episode was a parody exploring what makes a good finale. Speaking to Vulture, Selman explained that AI was used to replicate typical “finale” clichés, like Principal Skinner’s resignation and Mr. Burns’ death, highlighting AI’s lack of creativity. “AI is good at regurgitating but not at being imaginative,” he said.

The endless continuation

Selman also addressed the complexities of ending a show like The Simpsons, which thrives on its infinite continuation. “It can go on forever because it doesn’t have a hard canon or a dense continuity,” he stated.

The episode concluded with scenes of The Simpsons characters parodying famous series finales, including The Sopranos and Breaking Bad, further cementing the idea that this wasn’t the true end.

What’s next for The Simpsons?

Despite the fake finale, The Simpsons is far from over. Upcoming episodes promoted at San Diego Comic-Con are set to air this fall, including the 35th Treehouse of Horror episode and a Ray Bradbury-inspired trilogy.

Next week, fans can look forward to “Yellow Lotus,” a parody of The White Lotus. While The Simpsons hasn’t been officially renewed for a 37th season, the show’s creative prowess and cultural relevance suggest it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.