“The Simpsons” shows the “series finale” episode created by AI

Is “The Simpsons” over?

The long-running animated sitcom series confused viewers when it aired what the show called its “series finale” in Sunday's Season 36 premiere.

The episode, titled “Bart's Birthday,” began with an animated version of Conan O'Brien, who previously wrote for the series, hosting an animated celebrity gala.

“It's a great honor to be with all of you for the series finale of 'The Simpsons,'” O'Brien told the audience. “I knew I was the right man for the job because I hosted the final episode of three of my own shows and counting.”

“Well, it's true. “Fox has decided to end The Simpsons,” O’Brien continued. “This show was a very special part of my early career, so it means a lot to me to be here. Also. I left a sweater in the writer’s room in 1993 and this is the only way I can get it back.”

After claiming that Fox had been “trying to end the series for years,” O'Brien showed clips of what he said were unaired series finale scenes from “classic episodes” like 1990's “Bart the Daredevil” and ” “Little Big Mom” from 2000.

O'Brien then presented the Season 36 premiere and revealed its big twist: The episode was created using AI and features various dramatic moments designed to round out the show.

The AI-created scenes that played out in hilarious fashion during the episode included the death of Mr. Burns, the shutdown of Moe, and the retreat of Principal Skinner.

There were also animated recreations of the final scenes from popular series such as “Game of Thrones,” “Succession,” “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Bad” and “Frasier.”

At the end of the episode, Bart breaks free of the AI ​​illusion that caused him to turn 11, despite being 10 since the start of the series. Once Bart regains consciousness, the false “series finale” comes to an end.

The show's AI storyline left fans perplexed, but eventually they realized that the show wasn't really going to end.

“I actually thought this was the series finale until I realized it was all a joke. XD But still, it was a great and fun season 36 premiere! I loved all the references!” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

“I definitely fell in love with this on-screen 'series finale' graphic!” another person tweeted.

“Tonight’s premiere – not series finale – of @TheSimpsons was bloody brilliant!!! Great job, author Jessica Conrad!” read another tweet.

The first episode of The Simpsons aired on December 17, 1989.

The series was created by Matt Groening and its current voice cast includes Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson), Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and Maggie Simpson), Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson), and Hank Azaria (various characters).

Groening, 70, addressed the possible end of the series in a 2021 interview with USA Today.

“My standard answer is that there is no end in sight because every time I speculate about the end of the series, the people working on it and the die-hard fans are very upset,” he said. “That’s why I always say there’s no end in sight.”

Season 37 of The Simpsons has yet to be announced.