The Simpsons at 800: No Finale, Just More Springfield (Ep. 346)

As The Simpsons hits its 800th episode, Jim Hill takes a moment to appreciate how this once-scrappy Fox upstart became an animation institution that may never actually end. From the long-lost series finale concept where Homer and Krusty were secretly the same person to the show’s upcoming theatrical sequel and Disney’s long-term park plans, this week’s Fine Tooning looks at how Springfield keeps evolving. Plus, box office updates, Avatar sequel math, Matt Braly’s next move after Sony, and a wild Steven Spielberg phone call that changed animation history. NEWS • The Simpsons celebrates its 800th episode with “Irrational Treasure,” the 14th episode of Season 37, as the series eyes renewal through Season 40 and a second theatrical film set for September 3, 2027. • Disney+ viewers can compare Season 1’s “Santa’s Little Helper” to the new milestone episode to see just how dramatically the show’s animation quality has evolved since 1989. • Sony Pictures Animation’s Goat opens strong over Presidents Day weekend, reportedly close behind Warner Bros.’ Wuthering Heights, with final box office numbers still shifting. • Zootopia 2 crosses $1.83 billion worldwide, becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of all time, though its upcoming March 3 home video release may slow its push toward $2 billion. • Avatar: Fire & Ash reaches $1.46 billion globally, profitable but well below the franchise’s prior installments, raising questions about costs and expectations for Avatar 4 and 5. • Matt Braly and Rebecca Sugar’s previously in-development Sony feature is shelved, but Braly launches a Kickstarter on March 13 for his indie gothic horror pilot Clara and the Below. • The RiffTrax team raises nearly $1.9 million on Kickstarter for The RiffTrax Experiments, offering a hopeful blueprint for creator-driven animation crowdfunding. FEATURE • The behind-the-scenes story of how Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss were hired by Steven Spielberg to write The Land Before Time, following his surprise discovery of Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird. • Spielberg’s now-legendary phone call to Freudberg, initially mistaken for a prank, ultimately led to a creative partnership that bridged Sesame Street and major animated feature filmmaking. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Get real discounts on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12% off. Unlocked Magic is run by the team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, making it easy to plan your 2026 Central Florida trip and save big. Grab your tickets today at UnlockedMagic.com and be sure to tell them Drew and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices