The Simpsons Could Be Airing Its Final Episode Very Soon

Well it had to end sometime, didn’t it?

Bart should be in his late thirties settling down with a brood of his own and clocking in at the Duff plant, not asking people to eat his shorts via Skype.

Yes, the end of America’s longest running sitcom is almost upon us, as word reaches us that The Simpsons will be finished in just three more seasons - news sure to be welcomed by some and mourned by others.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, screenwriter and producer Al Jean claimed it is likely the show will end after season 30:

"It's quite possible that we don't have to go through the whole negotiation for 30. I wouldn't be stunned if we stopped at 28, but my bet is on at least 30. But then you'd have to resign them again. If you made me pick one, I'd say the likeliest is ending after 30, but I've been wrong before. I thought five seasons was good when I got there [laughs]."

And pressed on what the final episode would look like, he teased that the producers had been keen to bring about a loop to a classic episode to tie it up nicely, possibly a Christmas special:

"If it should end, we want it to be a fulfilling ending for the viewer. To be honest, there was one point where we thought it might end in season 23, with the Christmas episode, "Holidays of Future Passed," (1989) but we didn't end there, so no plans at the moment. I had an idea, I thought it'd be cool if the last episode ended with them getting ready for the Christmas pageant that appeared in the first episode, so that the whole series was a loop that didn't have any beginning or end. That's my two cents — but no one has approved that or anything."

Currently in its 27th season, much of the show has remained timeless, certain new elements - possibly owed to the rise of more sketch happy rivals like Family Guy - have seen many fans turn away from the show in recent years. One thing's for sure though: it'll be a sad day when it's gone.

Frank Grimes. Hans Moleman. Maude Flanders. Snowball I. Snowball II. Looks like a few more of Springfield’s finest might be joining you in that big place in the sky.