The Simpsons Showrunner Declares 'We're Never Going To Do A Series Finale'

After 800 episodes, the iconic animated series has no plans to end anytime soon.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Nearly 40 years after its debut, The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean says the long-running animated series will never have a series finale. Jean explained that the show's characters are meant to reset each week, similar to Groundhog Day, and that if the show ever did end, it would just be a regular episode rather than a grand finale.

Why it matters

The Simpsons is one of the longest-running scripted television series of all time, having aired over 800 episodes since its debut in 1989. The showrunner's comments indicate the series has no plans to conclude anytime soon, providing reassurance to its loyal fanbase that new episodes will continue to be produced.

The details

In a recent interview, Simpsons showrunner Al Jean said the show will never have a series finale, explaining that the characters are meant to reset each week like in Groundhog Day. Jean stated that if the show ever did end, it would simply be a regular episode rather than a grand finale, with maybe just a small Easter egg acknowledging the end of the series.

  • The Simpsons debuted as a series of animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987.
  • The Simpsons premiered as its own series in 1989.
  • The show recently celebrated its 800th episode milestone.

The players

Al Jean

The showrunner of The Simpsons, who has overseen the long-running animated series for decades.

Matt Groening

The creator of The Simpsons, who first developed the dysfunctional family as a series of animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987.

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What they’re saying

“The show isn't supposed to change. The characters reset every week. It's like Groundhog Day but they don't know it — and they don't die that much. If the show ever did end, there's no finale, it would just be a regular episode that has the family in it. Probably a little Easter egg here and there, but no 'I'm going to miss this place.'”

— Al Jean, Showrunner (Deadline)

The takeaway

The Simpsons' enduring popularity and the showrunner's comments suggest the iconic animated series has no plans to conclude anytime soon, providing reassurance to fans that new episodes will continue to be produced for the foreseeable future.