Well, not quite. Dubbed the “series finale,” the episode opened with a star-studded gala hosted (and voiced) by Brookline native Conan O’Brien. Not only was it a repeat guest spot for the late-night host, but a homecoming for the former “Simpsons” writer who posted on X before the episode aired: “I can’t imagine a bigger national event in the next five weeks.”
Season 36 of “The Simpsons” debuted Sunday night, and in the words of Gen Z: “It is so over.”
“It’s such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of ‘The Simpsons,’” the animated O’Brien said in the episode titled, “Bart’s Birthday.” “I knew I was the right man for the job because I’ve hosted the last episode of three of my own shows and counting.”
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But, unlike “Conan,” “The Simpsons” is far from over — the finale label was nothing more than a farce. New episodes of Season 36 will continue to air every Sunday on Fox before moving to streaming.
So, why pretend it’s the end? Perhaps because Season 37 has yet to be confirmed by Fox. Perhaps because the Writer’s Guild strike was top of mind when the episode was written. Or, perhaps, it was just for laughs.
John Cena appeared on Sunday’s episode of