‘The Simpsons’ airs ‘collection finale’ episode created by AI

Is “The Simpsons” over?

The long-running animated sitcom collection confused viewers when it aired what the present dubbed its “collection finale” when Season 36 premiered on Sunday.

The episode, titled “Bart’s Birthday,” opened with an animated model of Conan O’Brien, who used to jot down for the present, internet hosting a gala with animated celebrities.

“It’s such an honor to be with you all for the collection finale of ‘The Simpsons,’” O’Brien stated to the group. “I knew I used to be the correct man for the job as a result of I’ve hosted the final episode of three of my very own exhibits, and counting.”

“Effectively, it’s true. Fox has determined to finish the Simpsons,” O’Brien continued. “This present was such a particular a part of my early profession, so being right here means the world to me. Additionally. I left a sweater within the author’s room in 1993 that is the one manner they’ll let me get it again.”

After claiming Fox “has been making an attempt to finish” the present for years, O’Brien confirmed clips from what he stated have been unaired collection finale scenes from “traditional episodes,” like 1990’s “Bart the Daredevil” and 2000’s “Little Huge Mother.

O’Brien then offered the Season 36 premiere and revealed its huge twist — the episode was created utilizing AI and includes completely different dramatic moments that attempt to wrap up the present.

Mr. Burns dying, Moe’s shutting down and Principal Skinner retiring have been among the many AI-created scenes that hilariously performed out through the episode.

There have been additionally animated recreations of the ultimate scenes from widespread exhibits like “Recreation of Thrones,” “Succession,” “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Unhealthy” and “Frasier.”

On the finish of the episode, Bart snaps out of the AI phantasm, which noticed him turning 11 regardless of being 10 because the present’s begin. As soon as Bart is sentient once more, the fake “collection finale” involves an finish.

The present’s AI storyline left followers perplexed however they ultimately realized the present wasn’t truly ending.

“I legit thought this was the collection finale till I spotted it was all a joke XD However nonetheless this was an incredible and humorous season 36 premiere! Beloved all of the references!” one fan wrote on X (previously Twitter).

“I DEFINITELY FELL FOR THAT “SERIES FINALE” ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC!” one other individual tweeted.

“Tonight’s premiere — not collection finale — of @TheSimpsons was freaking sensible!!! Nice work, author Jessica Conrad!” a different tweet learn.

“The Simpsons” aired its first episode on December 17, 1989.

The collection was created by Matt Groening and its present voice forged consists of Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson), Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and Maggie Simpson), Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson) and Hank Azaria (numerous characters).

Groening, 70, addressed the doable finish to the collection in a 2021 interview with USA Today.

“My commonplace reply is there’s no finish in sight as a result of anytime I speculate on the present ending, the individuals who work on it and diehard followers get very upset,” he stated. “So, I all the time say there’s no finish in sight.”

Season 37 of “The Simpsons” has but to be introduced.