Fox has set a new TV land precedent by ordering 29th and 30th seasons of global pop-culture phenomenon and animation icon, The Simpsons. The renewal will bring the series’ episode total to 669, the largest number of episodes for any scripted TV ever, breaking the record previously set by Gunsmoke (635).
Family patriarch Homer Simpson said in a statement released by Fox on Friday: “Take that Gunsmoke! You lost a race you didn’t even know you were running!”
“This is yet another record-setting moment for what is truly a landmark series,” said Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs, Fox Television Group. “The Simpsons has meant so much to the network, the studio and everyone at Fox, and its continued cultural impact around the globe is a testament to the combined brilliance of Matt, Jim and Al. Congratulations to everyone who works on this groundbreaking series – from the voice cast and producers to the writers and production team – you comprise one of the greatest collections of creative talent in the history of the medium. And to the millions of Simpsons fans around the world, thank you for watching all these years. We’re happy to tell you there’s lots more to come.”
The Simpsons recently ran its 600th episode — another in a long line of milestones for the series since its 1990 debut. Currently in production on its record-breaking 28th season, The Simpsons has won 32 Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards, a 2016 People’s Choice Award and a 2016 Environmental Media Award. It was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.”
Beyond TV, The Simpsons Movie was a hit feature film, the mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of “Springfield” and the show was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the “Best Show of the 20 th Century” by Time magazine, and called the “Best TV Show Ever” by Vulture in 2016.
The next episode airs this Sunday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. In “There Will Be Buds,” Homer (Dan Castellaneta) gets roped into coaching the kids’ lacrosse team with Milhouse’s dad, Kirk (Hank Azaria), who is in desperate need of a friend. When Kirk gets too clingy, Homer vents about how much of a loser he is. Kirk overhears his rant and disappears, right when the team needs him most: the championship game.
