'The Simpsons' creators reflect on legacy as show reaches 800 episodes

After 800 episodes, 37 seasons and nearly four decades on air, the creators of The Simpsons are looking back at the choices that helped turn the quirky animated family into a global cultural icon and looking ahead to the show's future.

Executive producer Al Jean said the show's decision to avoid an overarching storyline helped preserve its longevity, allowing each episode to reset to "square one." Current showrunner Matt Selman noted that the characters' refusal to age gives writers creative freedom, even as it raises questions about how much emotional memory they should carry after hundreds of storylines.

Series creator Matt Groening described reaching the milestone as both a triumph and an ongoing creative challenge, saying the team continues to refine animation style and storytelling to keep the show fresh.

Voice actor Nancy Cartwright, who has voiced Bart Simpson since the beginning, recalled she originally auditioned to play Lisa but instead asked to voice Bart — a decision Groening approved immediately. Nearly four decades later, she said the role has become inseparable from her life.

The show, which began as shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show" in 1987, initially faced controversy for its rebellious humor. Groening said that early criticism actually helped boost its popularity, while the creative team quickly decided the show would primarily target adults, enabling a wider range of jokes.

Creators also dismissed claims that the show predicts real-world events, with Jean calling such "predictions" accidental and Selman blaming many viral examples on AI-generated edits.

Now streaming on Disney+, the series has reached a new generation of viewers and gained flexibility in episode timing beyond traditional commercial breaks.

Despite its long run, producers say there is no plan to end the show soon, with Jean expressing confidence that "full steam ahead" could carry it at least to Season 40 — and beyond.