The Simpsons premiered its 36th season with an episode titled 'Bart's Birthday,' misleading fans into thinking it was the series finale. Hosted by an animated Conan O'Brien, the episode spoofed the idea of a series finale by using AI to generate clichéd endings, such as Principal Skinner's retirement and Mr. Burns' death. It also featured parodies of final scenes from iconic shows like The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad. The episode ended with Bart refusing to turn 11, resetting the show and revealing the 'finale' as a prank. Showrunner Matt Selman explained that the use of AI was a jab at the unimaginative nature of AI-driven content. The meta-premiere highlighted the show's ongoing cultural relevance and its knack for satire.