TV's longest-running comedy breaks another record.
November 4, 2016
FOX announced a renewal for The Simpsons today that takes it into even more record-breaking territory. The network has ordered Seasons 29 and 30 of the landmark animated series, which already holds the distinction of being TV's longest-running animated series, sitcom, and prime time scripted series.
Today's two-season order takes The Simpsons to a whopping 669 episodes, which surpasses Gunsmoke (at 635) for the largest number of episodes for any scripted TV series in history. The impressive feat adds yet another entry in the show's growing list of records that will quite possibly never be broken. And with the Sunday night staple continuing to pull in healthy ratings, there are no indications that its run will stop at 30 seasons.
On the air since 1989, The Simpsons franchise is truly is juggernaut in so many ways. The series boasts generations of loyal fans, has won scores of awards - including over 30 Emmys, has countless amounts of merchandise, a hit movie, video games, and so much more. As far as critical praise, it has received top recognition from numerous outlets, including being named the greatest TV show ever in the 2016 book "TV (The Book)" and Best Show of the 20th Century by Time Magazine.
Dan
11/05/16 at 01:34pm
What are Matt Groening and company trying to do with this, get into the Guinness Book of World Records? This show is a shade of its former self. "The Simpsons" producers need an exit strategy and need it soon. At best, it should be replaced with a spin-off. I could write a laundry list of changes this show needs including changing the episode format to three shorts per half-hour or even make shorts that are shown before 20th Century Fox movies, but not today. I would not mind if Fox tried what ABC did last summer and put a game show block on Sunday nights even if said block included a revival of the 1980's game show "Press Your Luck" with Bart as a Whammy.
On a similar note, game shows can go 30 years and no one bats an eyebrow because that genre has staying power unlike scripted TV series, mostly because game shows typically have new contestants every episode.
I should think that some of you are unaware of the slow decline in episode quality that has taken place for some time now. "The Simpsons" is one "Must-See Television Event" away from cancellation.
To close, I apologize for my previous comment. I struck my keyboard funny.
Dan
11/05/16 at 01:23pm
_dan
Stephen
11/05/16 at 08:09am
I've loved this show forever happy for a renewal
Stefan
11/05/16 at 03:49am
I´d rather watch another 30 seasons of The Simpsons then one episode of any reality show.
Rodger
11/05/16 at 03:47am
AWESOME! It is great that in this ever changing world we have one thing we can count on every Sunday night. As for you John, go vote for Trump, turn on foxnews and work on taking women's rights away from them and keeping them in the kitchen where they belong.
Matt S.
11/05/16 at 00:06am
Bring it on! Still watch it every week!
Mila
11/04/16 at 10:26pm
I love the old episodes . I've seen some of the new ones and they're definitely not as funny but good for them for being able to last
John
11/04/16 at 07:41pm
No. Just no. I was the biggest fan in the 90s and early 2000s but they are way too far fetched and unfunny these days, not to mention liberal, pc, and preachy. Release the hounds on the producers for making the worst...episodes...ever.
Steve S.
11/04/16 at 05:40pm
27 years strong and I have yet to watch it. Is it a reality show?
Pope
11/04/16 at 05:03pm
I honestly think at this point.... they eye records more than the show itself. I mean, its not a bad show... but it has been basically the same thing for nearly 30 years now. It's like a zombie they can't kill because, well, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Canver, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardly Smith et. al. have fairly dismal careers were it not for this show that's kept them afloat for 30 years. Sure they've all appeared elsewhere. But they've never had any great success other than the Simpsons. No harm there.. if I had a job for 30 years that made me a millionaire.. I'd sure as hell want to keep it. I just don't buy the whole "show's so great we can't let it go" spin on these renewals.
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