Back in the day they had episodes based on characters that weren't the family - Apu, Skinner, Edna, milhouse's family, etc
Any word of it getting cancelled? I wonder what the viewership numbers are
you misunderstood me, they always did have stories based on the other characters, but the Simpsons were always involved in some capacity.
it wasn't until the road to Cincinnati that they completely removed involvement of the family for an episode.
no word on cancellations, they've been renewed up to season 33 or 34 i believe.