LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Could the end be near for cult television cartoon family "The Simpsons?"
"I think we are closer to winding it up," the television show's creator, Matt Groening told the Financial Times in an interview published Tuesday.
"Although what happens generally if we win the Emmy for best animation show is that that gives us another couple of years to run it into the ground," he said.
Groening has earned millions for media baron Rupert Murdoch's Fox network since the series featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie first entered the lives of television viewers in 1989.
Its appeal has spread far beyond its American setting and its dysfunctional characters have become globally recognized symbols of mid-life crisis and childhood rebellion.
TV Guide magazine recently placed the animated show eighth on its list of the 50 greatest television shows of all time.
When a recent episode depicted Rio de Janeiro as teeming with rats, monkeys and street crime, Brazilian tourist officials were outraged and the show's executive producer was forced to apologize.
Even so, Groening admitted to weariness with the formula of the show, now in its 13th year. "It becomes increasingly difficult as the years go by to keep on not only surprising the audience, but surprising ourselves," he said.
He said he doubted, however, that his creative angst would overly concern the television accountants. "I think Fox will wring every last penny out of the show before they call it a day," he said.