The Simpsons Season 36 Midseason Break: A Possible Sign of Change for TV’s Beloved Family

Despite receiving favorable reviews from critics, The Simpsons season 36 is currently navigating a lengthy mid-season break, raising concerns about the future of the series. Renewal news for season 37 has not yet arrived, leading to some speculation about a potential cancellation. However, with The Simpsons holding the distinction of being the longest-running animated series and sitcom in U. S.television history, as well as the longest-running scripted primetime program, it feels almost entrenched within American culture.

Nonetheless, every series has its life cycle, which adds weight to recent questions posed to the showrunner regarding a possible finale, discussed in a recent interview with The New York Post.

The Simpsons Season 36 Experiencing Unprecedented Breaks

A Long Hiatus from Late December to Late March

“Bart’s Birthday”demonstrates that the creators of The Simpsons can still deliver humor amid uncertainties surrounding the show’s future. However, season 36’s unique release schedule has cast doubt on the optimism surrounding Springfield. The mid-season hiatus is the longest the series has encountered in its remarkable 36-year run — causing a gap of 91 days between episodes 13 and 14. Episode 13, titled “Bottle Episode, ” aired on December 29, 2024, with the next episode, “The Flandshees of Innersimpson, ” scheduled for March 30, 2025.

This 91-day break surpasses that of any episode except for season 3’s finale, which saw a 111-day hiatus between the penultimate episode and the series conclusion.

Concerns Surrounding the Lengthy Hiatus

An Unparalleled Absence from Broadcast

Season 36 continues the tradition of mid-season breaks but has extended this customary halt further than ever before. The show’s historical breaks have typically spanned shorter durations, yet season 36 has carried a staggering 12-week hiatus, with previous seasons peaking under 10 weeks. In contrast, season 34 only experienced a six-week break, followed by an increase to eight weeks in season 35, demonstrating a trend of increasing hiatus lengths.

Disney+ Influence on Episode Count and Broadcasting

Episode Distribution Between Fox and Disney+

This season, Fox has ordered only 18 episodes outside of Disney+ exclusive content. This limited episode count could contribute to the extended hiatus, raising concerns about the series’ longevity, especially as viewership numbers have consistently dwindled. The average audience for season 35 dropped below 2 million, compared to around 3 million in season 31.

Notably, standout episodes such as “Treehouse of Horror XXXV”and the “Bottle Episode” attracted viewer numbers of 3.18 million and 3.31 million, respectively, showcasing that the series can still capture significant audiences during holiday specials, contrasting with poor performance during standard episodes.

The Future: Potential Transition to Disney+

A Steady Decline in Ratings

Looking at viewership data from season 36, episodes “The Yellow Lotus” and “Women in Shorts” performed poorly, attracting just 0.89 and 0.83 million viewers, underscoring sharp contrasts in viewership based on thematic relevance. The preference for holiday-themed episodes over typical Sunday night programming raises questions about the viability of continuing as a traditional broadcast show.

Given the ongoing hiatus and the emergence of Disney+ exclusive episodes, it seems increasingly likely that The Simpsons may eventually transition fully to this streaming platform. This change would not signify outright cancellation; rather, it represents a shift in how the show is consumed and could be received with less surprise by fans.

The future remains unpredictable, yet the evidence paints a picture that suggests The Simpsons may be taking its final bow on traditional television screens, eventually finding a more permanent home on Disney+.

Source: The New York Post

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