The Simpsons Showrunner Addresses Possible Series Finale

Matt Selman reveals how he envisions a hypothetical farewell for the long-running animated series.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman revealed how he envisions a possible series finale playing out for Homer, Marge and the residents of Springfield ahead of the show's 800th episode. Selman said there would be no grand farewell, just a regular episode with a few Easter eggs, as the show's characters are meant to reset each week and not change much over the years.

Why it matters

The Simpsons has been on the air since 1989, making it one of the longest-running scripted television series. Selman's comments provide insight into the creative team's approach to potentially ending the iconic animated sitcom, which has become a cultural phenomenon over the past three decades.

The details

Selman said the show's creative team previously explored the idea of a dramatic goodbye during the season 36 premiere in 2024, offering a parody of conventional happy endings. 'We jammed every possible series finale concept into one show, so that was my way of saying we're never going to do a series finale,' Selman noted. He explained that the show isn't meant to change, with the characters resetting each week like 'Groundhog Day but they don't know it—and they don't die that much.'

  • The Simpsons celebrated its 800th episode on February 15, 2026.
  • The show's season 36 premiere, which featured a parody of a series finale, aired in September 2024.

The players

Matt Selman

The showrunner of The Simpsons.

Matt Groening

The creator of The Simpsons.

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What they’re saying

“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.'”

— Matt Selman, Showrunner (The Wrap)

“We did an episode about a year-and-a-half ago that was like a parody of the series finale. We jammed every possible series finale concept into one show, so that was my way of saying we're never going to do a series finale.”

— Matt Selman, Showrunner (The Wrap)

The takeaway

The Simpsons showrunner's comments suggest the iconic animated series has no plans for a grand, emotional farewell when it eventually comes to an end. Instead, the show will likely continue its tradition of resetting the characters each week, with only subtle nods to the series' longevity, as it celebrates milestones like its upcoming 800th episode.