The Simpsons Celebrates 800 Episodes with Creators' Reflections

The iconic animated series reaches a major milestone, with the show's creators looking back on its enduring legacy.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:56am

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring jagged geometric shapes and solid colors in a high-contrast composition, representing the iconic Simpsons family in a conceptual, non-literal way.The Simpsons' enduring legacy is captured in a striking minimalist poster, celebrating the show's remarkable 800-episode milestone.Springfield Today

The Simpsons has achieved the remarkable feat of reaching 800 episodes, a milestone few TV series have ever reached. The show's creators, including executive producer Al Jean, showrunner Matt Selman, and original creator Matt Groening, reflect on the choices and moments that have defined the show's incredible longevity over the past 37 seasons. From the spontaneous decision to have Nancy Cartwright voice Bart Simpson to the show's refusal to age its characters, the creators discuss the creative decisions that have kept The Simpsons a cultural juggernaut.

Why it matters

The Simpsons' 800-episode milestone is a testament to the show's enduring popularity and influence. As one of the longest-running scripted television series of all time, The Simpsons has become ingrained in global pop culture, with its characters, humor, and social commentary resonating with audiences for nearly four decades. The creators' insights into the show's origins and evolution provide valuable context around how The Simpsons has managed to remain relevant and engaging for so long, offering lessons for other long-running series.

The details

The Simpsons reached the 800-episode milestone with the airing of the episode "Irrational Treasure" on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Executive producer Al Jean noted that the show's refusal to have an overarching narrative and instead return to a status quo at the end of each episode has been a key factor in its longevity. Showrunner Matt Selman pondered whether the characters have the emotional memory of the 800 events that have happened to them over the years. Meanwhile, original creator Matt Groening expressed his ongoing quest to get the characters drawn correctly, saying he's spent 38 years trying to perfect their visual representation. The show's iconic opening sequence, including Lisa's signature baritone saxophone playing, was also the result of spontaneous creative decisions during production meetings.

  • The Simpsons premiered its first episode in 1987 as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show.
  • The Simpsons celebrated its 800th episode on April 12, 2026.
  • The show is currently in its 37th season.

The players

Al Jean

The executive producer and former showrunner of The Simpsons, who noted the show's refusal to have an overarching narrative as a key to its longevity.

Matt Selman

The current showrunner of The Simpsons, who pondered whether the characters have the emotional memory of the 800 events that have happened to them over the years.

Matt Groening

The creator of The Simpsons, who expressed his ongoing quest to get the characters drawn correctly and said he's spent 38 years trying to perfect their visual representation.

Nancy Cartwright

The voice actress who voices the character of Bart Simpson, despite the fact that many still don't realize a woman is behind the iconic character.

David Silverman

The animator who drew the original outline for The Simpsons' iconic opening sequence, including the decision to have Lisa play the baritone saxophone.

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What they’re saying

“We've done 800 episodes, and I'm really glad we didn't do a big overarching story. You always return to square one at the end of the show. And there's no question that was a big influence on the longevity.”

— Al Jean, Executive Producer and Former Showrunner

“Do these characters have the emotional memory of the 800 things that have happened to them? ... I don't really know the answer to that.”

— Matt Selman, Showrunner

“I've spent 38 years now trying to get them to draw the characters correctly. We've got to figure out how to shift perspective and do it more cinematically and we're always trying to improve.”

— Matt Groening, Creator

“She completely channeled him.”

— Matt Groening, Creator

“We don't have a gag for Lisa, we have a gag for everybody else. What should we do for Lisa? Jim (James L Brooks) said, 'What if she played the baritone saxophone? In fact, what if she played it really well? That could be her character, she could be the genius kid of the family that nobody appreciates.'”

— David Silverman, Animator

What’s next

The Simpsons' 800th episode, "Irrational Treasure", aired on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in the US. The show's creators have not indicated any plans to end the series, suggesting it will continue to entertain audiences for years to come.

The takeaway

The Simpsons' remarkable 800-episode milestone is a testament to the show's enduring popularity and the creative vision of its creators. By refusing to age its characters, embracing spontaneous creative decisions, and maintaining a focus on adult-oriented humor, The Simpsons has managed to remain culturally relevant and engaging for nearly four decades. The show's longevity provides valuable lessons for other long-running series looking to sustain their success.