The Simpsons’ late-era revival makes sense after Matt Groening’s revealing comments

For a long time, The Simpsons has been a prime example of TV show fatigue. What started as an iconic part of American culture and a satirical take on suburban life came to be recognized for its decline in creativity, so much so that it inspired the phrase “Zombie Simpsons.” In a surprising turn of events, however, the animated giant is experiencing a creative renaissance in its 30s, and its most recent seasons have received near-critical acclaim. Creator Matt Groening’s recent statements shed more light on why this is the case.

As per the Deadline, addressing the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Groening revealed the creative philosophy behind the show's revival:

"Our main motivation is to surprise ourselves. If we surprise ourselves then we think we can surprise the audience."

The quote encapsulates the deliberate change in both the writing and the construction of The Simpsons. Rather than pursuing laugh-per-minute ratios, the writers have begun focusing on character-driven narratives and experimental storytelling. And audiences are noticing.

The earlier seasons received flak for being too conventional. Seasons 33 to 36, however, have embraced daring creative risks that mirror the show’s golden years. His remarks not only justify the shift but bolster what loyal viewers have long maintained: The Simpsons always manages to surprise us with new things instead of becoming stagnant.

From punchlines to purpose: A new era of storytelling for The Simpsons

The creators have intentionally moved away from the show's conventional structure, which relied on excessive humor, and instead focused on the characters through emotional and unique storylines. The approach is visibly effective as more recent episodes, including the absurd “Bart’s Birthday” and the “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” showcase genre elements while being praised for their creativity and emotional impact. A dip in the numerous jokes narrated in an episode has also been pointed out by YouTube creator SuperEyepatchWolf, and this reduction, in his opinion, made the storytelling much better.

Groening admitted that this evolution occurs since the writing group now seeks surprises and narrative risks instead of humor. Through referencing everything from movies to individual stories, The Simpsons has managed to feel contemporary again, not by trying to be young and hip, but by being whimsical and emotionally honest. For instance, the season 36 finale’s Toy Story 2 homage was bizarre and heartfelt at the same time, and that combination has become the show’s secret weapon.

Streaming freedom & experimental highs

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Though there has been some fluctuation in viewership for season 36 episodes, “Women in Shorts” is particularly notable for garnering only 0.83 million viewers. Regardless, the show’s expansion into Disney+ is proving to be beneficial. With streaming-exclusive episodes including nature-doc spoof “Yellow Planet” and time-traveling “The Past and the Furious,” The Simpsons has finally found a space unrestricted by traditional broadcast pressures where it can take bigger risks.

These specials, which exist outside of Fox’s primetime scheduling, allow the creators to delve into surreal and niche storytelling. The two-part holiday special “O C’mon All Ye Faithful” is a striking example — it addressed Ned Flanders’ crisis of faith with surprising depth and artistry. It goes to show the kind of story that proves how The Simpsons can still surprise, not just its audience, but the show itself.

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