SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details about Season 36, Episode 1 of “The Simpsons,” titled “Bart’s Birthday,” which aired on September 29 on Fox.
“The Simpsons” opened its Season 36 premiere with a cheeky twist, branding the episode as its “series finale.” The event, hosted by an animated version of former writer Conan O’Brien, featured the characters entering a venue reminiscent of the Dolby Theatre, aptly named the “Dolby-Mucinex Theatre,” to commemorate what was portrayed as the show’s end.
O’Brien kicked off the festivities with a playful monologue, joking about his history of hosting series finales. “It’s such an honor to be with you all for the series finale of ‘The Simpsons,’” he stated, humorously recalling how Fox has been trying to cancel the show for years.
The episode included a satirical look at classic series finales, with O’Brien showcasing original cuts from iconic episodes where Homer died and other dramatic story arcs were intended to wrap up the series. He revealed that the show’s writers had used artificial intelligence to craft what they called the actual final episode script, “Bart’s Birthday.” This episode played with typical finale tropes, featuring significant changes such as Mr. Burns’s death and Milhouse’s family moving away.
In a surreal twist, “Series Finale Bart” gained sentience and discovered he was turning 11—an impossible event in the show’s continuity—leading to a comedic rebellion against blowing out his birthday candles. The episode concluded with a reboot back to Bart’s age of 10, playfully reinforcing that “The Simpsons” isn’t really over.
Despite the elaborate ruse, fans were quick to realize that the show will continue. Although it hasn’t officially been picked up for Season 37 at Fox, there are several special episodes slated for Disney+, including the highly anticipated 35th “Treehouse of Horror.”
Alongside O’Brien, guest stars in the episode included John Cena, Danny DeVito, Seth Rogen, Tom Hanks, and more. The finale featured the characters parodying famous series endings from shows like “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Bad,” and “MAS*H.”
With upcoming episodes still lined up for this fall, including a parody of “The White Lotus” and a “scary trilogy” inspired by Ray Bradbury, fans can rest assured that “The Simpsons” will remain a staple of television for the foreseeable future.
