‘The Simpsons’ Producer Finally Speaks On Marge Simpson’s Death

"The Simpsons" executive producer Matt Selman finally addressed the controversy surrounding the decision to "kill off" Marge Simpson during a flash-forward scene in the Season 36 finale.

While the move shocked many fans, Selman dismissed the backlash, calling it “ridiculous” and explaining that the "Simpsons" episodic format allows for speculative fantasy scenarios, where anything can happen.

The episode in question, titled "Estranger Things," aired on May 18 and takes a bold step forward in the Simpson family’s timeline.

The storyline jumps 35 years into the future, revealing that Marge has died, and Bart and Lisa are estranged after they stop watching "The Itchy & Scratchy Show" together.

Homer, now in a retirement home, struggles to maintain his family bonds. A brief scene shows Homer grieving at Marge’s funeral, with the rest of the family surrounding him.

However, Marge's "death" isn't permanent.

At the end of the episode, she watches over her family from Heaven, content to see Bart and Lisa reconnect and save Homer from his solitary life. In a twist, Marge reveals that she married Beatles icon Ringo Starr while in Heaven, adding a humorous and lighthearted touch to the otherwise emotional scene.

The controversial decision to write Marge out of the series temporarily sparked outrage among "The Simpsons"’ loyal fanbase, with many expressing their shock on social media.

“I haven’t even watched 'The Simpsons' in 10+ years, but they really killed MARGE?!” one viewer posted on X, voicing the collective disbelief.

Despite the backlash, Selman welcomed the reaction, viewing it as a sign of the show’s enduring relevance.

“I guess this speaks to the fact that people care about Marge,” he told Variety. “At the end of the day, it’s probably good for business even when these ridiculous, misleading stories go viral!”

Selman further explained that in "The Simpsons" world, future episodes are speculative fantasies, and this was just one possible outcome for the beloved characters.

“Marge will probably never be dead ever again. The only place Marge is dead is in one future episode that aired six weeks ago,” he added. “'The Simpsons' doesn’t even have canon!”

The show’s creators have always been known for pushing boundaries, and this shocking move is just another example of how "The Simpsons" continues to evolve after more than three decades on the air.

In 2022, "The Simpsons" made history by featuring a Deaf voice actor and incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) into the show for the first time. This milestone occurred in Episode 17 of the show’s 33rd season, titled “The Sounds of Bleeding Gums.”

The episode centers around Lisa Simpson, the family’s oldest daughter, as she meets Monk Murphy, the son of her late music idol "Bleeding Gums" Murphy. Lisa learns that Monk was born deaf and initially considered getting a cochlear implant. Wanting to help, Lisa soon realizes that Monk doesn't need to be "fixed" and is perfectly content with his life as it is.

Over the years, "The Simpsons" has gained a reputation for “predicting” the future.

From political events to technological advances, fans have pointed to various moments in the show that seem eerily accurate once they come to fruition in real life. Some believe that the show's success at forecasting future events is merely a coincidence, while others see it as a testament to the show’s ability to tap into societal trends and cultural shifts.

One of the most widely discussed predictions was made in a 2000 episode titled "Bart to the Future," in which the show depicted Donald Trump as the President of the United States. While it was meant as a satirical portrayal, Trump went on to win the presidency in 2016, and again in 2025, which sparked debates about "The Simpsons"' apparent foresight.

As the longest-running animated show on television, with 37 Emmys under its belt, the show remains a significant part of pop culture.

In April, Fox renewed "The Simpsons" for four more seasons, ensuring the show’s place on television for the foreseeable future.