'The Simpsons' (first ever and finale)

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How 'The Simpsons' animation evolved over 30 years

(Insider) On May 23, 2021, the 32nd season finale of The Simpsons aired on Fox TV, finishing off a landmark season where the show celebrated its 700th episode. The series has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a segment on The Tracey Ullman Show. On air for 32 years by 2021 and still counting, it's become the longest-running scripted series on prime time, the longest-running American animated series, and the longest-running American sitcom.

Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie have evolved a lot over the course of three decades — in the style, movement, and details in character designs, all the way down to pupil size.

This episode of "Movies Insider" turns to David Silverman and Al Jean, two of the main minds behind the show since Day 1, to find out how the show's animation evolved from the rough-around-the-edges style of cartoonist Matt Groening's early sketches to the crisp, clean look of the show in its 32nd season. #TheSimpsons #Animation #MoviesInsider

Bart's Birthday Party (The Simpsons Series Finale)

(Scrooge200) A fake Simpsons series finale involves everyone in Springfield moving on, but Bart is hesitant to change it. Featuring John Cena and Danny Devito. From the Season 36 premiere, "Bart's Birthday."

The Simpsons drops surprise series finale 

(Johnny 2 Cellos) For the Season 36 premiere, The Simpsons has done something unprecedented. They aired a surprise series (not season) finale. Well, sort of.

As somebody who grew up obsessed with The Simpsons, it’s cool to say that the show is going through something of a renaissance. Since Matt Selman took over as showrunner in Season 33, the show (created by Mat Groening) has started to feel fresher like it has a renewed energy.

But I think beyond that, the thing that’s really made me excited about the show again is the ways it’s been willing to experiment. And tonight’s premiere, "Bart’s Birthday," is the perfect example of that new energy.

The Simpsons is bringing something fresh to the table, embracing the show’s obscenely long and storied history to throw itself a premature series finale event. It’s one that celebrates The Simpsons in a way that an actual series finale would never be able to. So let’s talk about The Simpsons season premiere/series finale.

Edited by Joe Murphy ‪@nazchoz798‬. Music: Johnny 2 Cellos. Theme Music - Norman Marston Johnny 2 Cellos Theme Remix- ‪@BlackTyeChi‬.  Video Used: The Simpsons (1989-2024).

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• Insider (review), May 22, 2021; Matt Groening's The Simpsons (Fox TV) via Scrooge 200; Johnny 2 Cellos, Sept. 30, 2024; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly