The criticism of the series has been that the quality has seriously declined to such a point that it should call it quits. That criticism refers to the recent decade and more as a zombie version of the Simpsons: something that looks the same superficially, but does not have a soul. It is something where the depth and quality of story telling is gone, the characters are no longer genuine, the series is no longer what it once was, and now it's simply an industrial mechanism no one wants to stop because of money, rather than an artistic endeavor where efforts are made. Generally, season 9 is considered the last great season, with season 10 as the beginning of the series decline.
What if the Simpsons had come to an end after season 9, or after season 10 at the latest. Before season 10 even began, there was a salary dispute that could have ended the series. However, you can assume any number of scenarios. What effect would there be on pop culture, the Fox network, and adult animation?