It's an interesting question. Some characters are quietly retired (Phil Hartman's), while others are killed off in-series (Krabapple). Eventually all of the original cast will age out or pass away. Will they continue Ship of Theseus style by replacing people?

Retiring the entire show seems to be impossible, although I'd argue that it should have been done 15 years ago.

[–] WarlockLawyer@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Or with enough audio references they will just replace them all with AI.

[–] GraniteM@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That'd be even more depressing and gross than recasting everyone with new actors.

[–] WarlockLawyer@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Yes and cheaper for Fox so they'll love it. The zombie corpse of the Simpsons continues to shamble onwards

[–] ArtieShaw@fedia.io 1 points 2 days ago

That's a great point. They have a vast pool of references after all these years.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world -3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I wouldn't exactly say Phil Hartman "quietly retired".

He was straight up murdered.

[–] ArtieShaw@fedia.io 11 points 3 days ago

No - I meant the show retired the character without much comment on the murder.