'It would probably go to 40': Hank Azaria drops hints about when 'The Simpsons' may end
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hank Azaria has been a mainstay of 'The Simpsons' for 34 years, lending his voice to several beloved characters including Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Lou, Carl Carlson, Bumblebee Man, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy and Snake Jailbird. Despite joining the cast of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' for its fifth and final season, Azaria remains committed to 'The Simpsons'. In a recent interview, Azaria discussed how long 'The Simpsons' would go on for, which was recently renewed for Seasons 35 and 36, securing its position as the longest-running scripted television series in history.
Azaria offered a detailed response about when the animated comedy would end. More than any other long-running TV shows, 'The Simpsons' routinely sparks discussions about when it was at its best and when the decline in storytelling began to set in. There's widespread agreement that the first 10 seasons more or less represented the golden years. However, some have pointed out that program was having its own creative resurgence that was worth paying attention to. Running through the debate is an often unspoken question of how long the Fox comedy might last. Nonetheless, 'The Simpsons' will continue to grace our screens until at least 2025.
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What did Hank Hazaria say about 'The Simpsons'?
Azaria shared his thoughts on the show's future in a recent interview with People. He admitted that he was also curious about when the show might eventually come to an end, given the ever-changing standards for success in television. While Azaria speculated that the show's series finale may occur around a significant upcoming milestone, he also expressed his belief that the iconic animated series had the potential to thrive and continue its impressive run.
“I wonder about that, too. You know, we’re doing season 35 and 36. I would guess that it would probably go to 40. It seems to be doing well. Standards of what doing well means has changed so much for network television in the last 10 to 15 years. But whatever the standards are now, we seem to be doing well. People still enjoy making it. They seem to want the show. So I imagine we keep going. The voices don’t really age. So we can keep doing it. And the animation doesn’t age. The animation does get better — and quicker," Azaria said in the interview.
Will 'The Simpsons' end at Season 40?
Azaria's guess about the end of 'The Simpsons' becomes even more intriguing when considering that the show has been renewed for two more seasons. However, if Fox were to announce that the series will conclude with Season 40, it would guarantee a celebration of the groundbreaking show and potentially draw in viewers who have lapsed in recent years.
Ending with a neat and round number could also maximize the attention and spotlight on the show. Nonetheless, as Azaria suggests, the decision to keep 'The Simpsons' going or not involves more than just media strategy and ratings. The practical question of what the show provides with its reliable presence must also be considered. While Fox has been reducing its orders for new scripted comedies and dramas, it continues to renew and see value in the animation block that includes 'The Simpsons', 'Bob's Burgers', and 'Family Guy'. This value could mean that 'The Simpsons' will continue for more than 40 years, with audiences still debating whether the show has lost its luster or regained its quality.
'The Simpsons' is available to stream on Disney+.
