Marge and Homer ofThe Simpsons to separate
Producer Al Jean said it will emerge at the start of the show's 27th season in September that their relationship has been strained for some time.
Will Homer and Marge split after more than 25 years together on The Simpsons? Or are their creators just teasing us?
The hit cartoon comedy's writers appeared to damp down divorce speculation, despite the executive producer announcing the couple's separation in an interview.
In a link on the show's Twitter feed, Al Jean said it will emerge at the start of the show's 27th season in September that their relationship has been strained for some time.
"In the premiere, it's discovered after all the years Homer has narcolepsy [a sleep disorder] and it's an incredible strain on the marriage," he told industry journal Variety.
"Homer and Marge legally separate, and Homer falls in love with his pharmacist, who's voiced by [ Girls creator and star] Lena Dunham," he added.
But the tweet did urge readers to "read more about what #AlJean is teasing for #TheSimpsons". And maybe "teasing" was the operative word because five hours later they tweeted a picture of Bart Simpson in a school classroom, writing, "Homer and Marge are not breaking up" repeatedly on a blackboard.