Fox renews "The Simpsons" for 23rd season

0

One way to look at this is that Bart Simpson will be 33 years old when the 515th episode of “The Simpsons” airs on Fox. He’ll still be a ten-year-old, though, since this is the world of animation.


Already the longest-running comedy in television history, The Simpsons will stretch that record to 23 seasons under the latest renewal. It was the first really big hit for what was a start-up network in 1989. The show currently airs Sundays 8:00-8:30 pm ET/PT on Fox.

“Like many 22-year-olds, The Simpsons is extremely happy remaining at home, on Fox, and hopes it doesn’t have to go out into the real world for many years to come,” said Al Jean, Executive Producer of the series.

This season, America’s favorite family continues to entertain us with their wild and outlandish adventures as Maggie goes missing, Homer becomes a premier hairdresser, Moe’s Tavern is converted into an ultra-trendy bar and the family debates the best way to spend the holiday season.

The tradition of famous guest stars paying fictional Springfield a visit continues in the current season. Voices appearing in upcoming episodes include actors Halle Berry, Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais, Rachel Weisz, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Alyson Hannigan and Joe Mantegna; basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart.

Every once in a while the series explores new approaches. Pop sensation Katy Perry will not only contribute her voice, but actually appear on screen in a live-action sequence alongside Simpsons puppets.

Additionally, the World Broadcast Premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” will air Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 25th (8:00-10:00 pm ET/PT), on Fox.

In January 2010, The Simpsons celebrated its 450th episode and the conclusion of the “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global 20th anniversary celebration culminating 20 years from the original series premiere. In May 2009, the family characters were commemorated on 44-cent First-Class US Mail stamps.

The critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 27 Emmy Awards, 27 Annie Awards, five Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven Environmental Media Awards. The Simpsons holds the Guinness Book of World Records titles for Longest-Running Primetime Animated Television Series and Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series. Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson’s annoyed grunt – “D’oh!” – is an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary, and The Simpsons has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Simpsons is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham and Matt Selman are the executive producers. Film Roman, a Starz Media Company, is the animation house.