(WFLA) — "Arthur," the iconic children's show that aired on PBS KIDS, ended Monday after 25 seasons.
Screenwriter Kathy Waugh first revealed that PBS Kids plans to close the iconic children's series this summer during an interview on the "Finding DW" podcast.
"'Arthur' is no longer in production. We had our rap party two years ago," Waugh told podcast host Jason Swimmer. "I think [PBS] made a mistake, and I think 'Arthur' ' should come back and I know I'm not alone in thinking they made a mistake. I don't know if it was a ratings issue or if it felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it felt evergreen, like it was never going to end, but it ended. We finished the last episode, season 25, two years ago."
The children's show features Arthur, an animated aardvark, and the lessons learned from friends and family about kindness, empathy, and inclusion while growing up in the fictional Elwood City.
"Arthur" debuted in 1996 and became the longest-running animated children's TV series in American history. It has won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Children's Animated Program as well as a Peabody Award.
But fear not if you missed the final show today: You can find the full episode on PBS's YouTube channel now.
If you haven't seen the final episode yet, here's your spoiler alert.
The final episode tells viewers who the characters become as adults.
Arthur has become a graphic novelist. Her sister, D.W., is a traffic cop, while her best friend, Buster, is a teacher. Binky is a weatherman, George oversees the Sugar Bowl, Francine runs a sneaker company, and Muffy is running for Meyer.
Re-runs of the show are available on PBS KIDS and future content was teased this evening on Arthur's PBS Twitter page.