During an appearance at Comic-Con, Matt Groening addressed a significant question regarding the future of The Simpsons.
The Simpsons is widely regarded as one of the most influential animated TV shows ever, holding the distinction of being the longest-running cartoon in American television history.
Despite its enduring legacy, some believe its golden era has already passed.
This sentiment is echoed by a sizable portion of its fan base, who often argue that the peak seasons were between the fourth and eighth.
Nevertheless, The Simpsons continues its journey, currently in its 36th season, with the next installment anticipated later this year.
Matt Groening, the visionary behind the quirky town of Springfield, addressed a persistent inquiry during his appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday (July 27).
Groening discussed the potential conclusion of the series, and his comments stirred a considerable reaction on social media.
He shared that as of now, the series will continue for the loveable yellow family, adding, ‘I honestly thought [season] 36 would be where we’d end it’.
He elaborated: “But no, there’s no end in sight. We’re going to keep going until somebody dies,” seemingly hinting at the potential passing of a main cast voice actor.
Predictably, the news sparked varied reactions online.
Some fans argued that the series had persisted for too long and should conclude before the inevitable happens.
One user expressed: “Wouldn’t it be more gracious and respectful to have the series bow out whilst the actors are still around? Heaven forbid one of the actors does pass away whilst the series is still going. It wouldn’t feel right to continue without the OG actor(s).”
Another simply commented: “They are milking it for too long.”
Conversely, some speculated that AI might eventually replace the voices of deceased actors to keep the series running indefinitely.
One user noted: “I guarantee they will use Ai to continue the show for the next 200 years.”
Another agreed, saying: “Or in a dystopian future, the actor’s voices will be used by AI to keep the Simpsons going in perpetuity.”
Someone else added: “I don’t think something as “insignificant” as the death of a main cast voice actor can stop Fox or Disney. They will find a new voice and go.
“In Italy, when Tonino Accolla (Homer’s voice actor) died, they replaced him with Massimo Lopez (the current voice actor), for example.”
In contrast, a segment of fans believes the show should continue indefinitely, viewing any mention of its conclusion as ominous.
In any case, Groening’s comments have sparked debate. What are your thoughts? Should The Simpsons continue its run indefinitely?