The Simpsons, a show that has been on the air basically since the beginning of time, is nearing the end of its inexorable march toward death.

Executive producer Al Jean told The Hollywood Reporter that the show, now in its 27th season, likely only has three more seasons in it, max.

“It’s quite possible that we don’t have to go through the whole negotiation for 30. I wouldn’t be stunned if we stopped at 28, but my bet is on at least 30. But then you’d have to resign them again. If you made me pick one, I’d say the likeliest is ending after 30, but I’ve been wrong before. I thought five seasons was good when I got there.”

With the end drawing nigh, it’s time to tie up loose ends! Chief among them, resolving Waylon Smithers long-running unrequited love for his boss, Mr. Burns, and finally having the character come out, after years of playing his sexuality for gags.

See exhibits a, b, c:

Jean confirmed to TVLine that Smithers will finally and officially come out this season. “In Springfield now, most people know he’s gay, but obviously Burns doesn’t,” he said.

Burns-Smithers shippers will likely be disappointed, though. The way Jean puts it, it doesn’t sound love will — at last! — blossom between the two.

“We deal with that in two episodes,” Jean said. “We actually do a lot with Smithers this year; he gets fed up with Burns not appreciating him and considers his options.”

Love’s not totally dead though, it’s just still trapped in a sexless marriage, like Homer and Marge, who, Jean also confirmed, are not getting divorced.