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The Simpsons showrunner denies iconic cartoon is ending after current season

Reports of show’s demise are ‘not true’, says Al Jean

Tom Parfitt
Thursday 28 November 2019 22:43 GMT
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The Simpsons reluctantly accept their new lives as Disney characters

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The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean has denied suggestions by the show’s composer that the long-running sitcom is coming to an end.

Danny Elfman, who wrote the the series’ classic theme tune, recently gave an interview hinting that The Simpsons was preparing to bow out after 30 years on air.

“Well, from what I’ve heard, it is coming to an end. I don’t know for a fact, but I’ve heard that it will be in its last year,” Elfman told the website Joe.

In response, Jean tweeted: “We are all thankful the following article is NOT TRUE.”

The animated Fox show is current in its 31st season, which premiered last month, but has been renewed for a 32nd season.

“No disrespect to Mr Elfman but we are producing season 32 starting next year and have no plans to end after that,” Jean told Metro.

Elfman also spoke about the longevity of the show, which was created by Matt Groening in 1989, saying: “All I can say is that I’m so flabbergasted and amazed that it has lasted as long as it did.

“So, you have to realise, when I scored The Simpsons, I wrote this crazy piece of music, and I expected no-one would hear it, because I really did not think the show had a chance in hell.

“Really, I expected it would run for three episodes and get cancelled, and that would be that, because it was so weird at the time, and I just didn’t think it had a chance.

“So believe me, that is one of the truly big surprises in my life.”

The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted series in TV history, having overtaken Gunsmoke and Law and Order last year, and continues to deliver strong ratings for Fox.

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