“The Simpsons” returning for 20th season

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If animated characters aged like the rest of us, Bart Simpson would be turning 30. Instead, the forever-10-year-old will be back for a 20th season on Fox with the rest of his screwed-up, but loveable family. “The Simpsons” will tie with “Gunsmoke” for the longest series run on primetime television.


The Simpsons is already recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running primetime animated television series and also holds the title for having the most guest stars in a television series. In its 19-year run the series has nabbed a Peabody Award, 23 Emmys, 23 Annies, four Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven Environmental Media Awards. What’s next, the Nobel Peace Prize?

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

RBR/TVBR observation: “American Idol” may be the blockbuster driving Fox today, but way back when “The Simpsons” was the network’s first real hit. That was when many still thought Rupert Murdoch was throwing his money down a dark hole trying to start a 4th US television network. That foolish idea seems to have worked out pretty well.