Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Simpsons showrunner wants the cartoon to end in an infinite loop

The last episode will lead into the first

Christopher Hooton
Wednesday 22 October 2014 12:35 BST
Comments
1989 episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
1989 episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (Fox)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Al Jean has revealed how he would like The Simpsons' eventual finale to end, saying he wants it to lead into into the first episode of its 1989 series.

"There is an ending I've always had in mind, which was, I thought it would be cool if in the last episode they're getting ready to go to a Christmas pageant, and they go to the Christmas pageant that opens up the first episode, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," so the entire series is a loop with no end," Jean told Cinema Blend.

"That would be my way of concluding the run, but nobody has asked me for it yet."

I actually kind of like this idea – The Simpsons is so unprecedentedly prolific that it would be cool for its ending to be similarly unique, and a circular ending would echo how in its later years the cartoon has had to re-evaluate itself and how through repeats it feels 'never-ending' anyway.

It's unlikely this is the ending we'll see however, otherwise I'm sure Jean wouldn’t have just given it away.

A finale series/episode is probably still a long way away, with the show continuing to thrive in its 25th season.

"I think we're the highest-rated show on the network, so it's not like there's an ending coming soon," Jean added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in