The Simpsons’ fake finale sparks speculation about the series’ end

For years, people behind the scenes of The Simpsons have been constantly asked when the series will end – and it’s mostly come from fans. Sure, the show is well past its prime, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still have a few tricks up its sleeve, as evidenced by the Season 36 opener “Bart’s Birthday,” which felt like the Simpsons series finale. Apparently that wasn’t the case, and unfortunately for some producers, it only leaves them more preoccupied with the question of when and how the longest-running sitcom of all time will come to an end.

While producer Al Jean – who joined The Simpsons in its infancy – admits the series is probably nowhere near its finale, he believes the season opener provided a good opportunity to explore the topic. “The idea was that we were asked this question so many times that we wanted to stop further discussion of it. It…