Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

‘The Simpsons’ renewed to become the longest-running scripted TV show

Image of The Simpsons
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Homer and family will make a return to living room television screens across the country for the foreseeable future, as Fox has renewed The Simpsons for its 29th and 30th seasons, making it the longest-running scripted TV show in American television history.

The series averages 7.2 million viewers per episode, according to Rolling Stone, and will dethrone Gunsmoke! As the longest running show once it surpasses 635 episodes. The show will have a total of 669 episodes by the end of the current deal.

Recommended Videos

Fox Television Group chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman told Rolling Stone in a statement last week that the record-setting moment is representative of the landmark series.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

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 [executive producers Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean].”

The show, which premiered in 1989, has won 31 Emmys, a Peabody Award, a 2012 Oscar nomination for its theatrical short The Longest Daycare, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000, according to Variety.

For comparison, Fox’s other animated hit, Family Guy, is currently in its 15th season and just hit its 274th episode. Bob’s Burgers, also on Fox’s roster of animated comedies, is in its seventh season.

While the record-setting renewal is great news for the show, it’s hardly the first noteworthy record it has broken. It previously beat The Flintstones for the longest-running primetime animated series record.

The show has also recently sparked memes on social media for eerily predicting a future Donald Trump presidency in a 2000 episode.

The episode featured Lisa Simpson succeeding Trump, so Americans can look forward to its favorite animated family taking over the oval office in 2020.

Harrison Kaminsky
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Harrison’s obsession in the tech space originated in his father’s electronics store in Denville, New Jersey, where he…
10 more times The Simpsons predicted the future
Homer floating towards a potato chip in "The Simpsons."

How do they do it? The Simpsons have become famous for predicting a variety of world events, such as Trump's U.S. presidency, FIFA's bribery scandal, and Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Either the showrunners have access to a crystal ball, or all of their writers who went to Harvard studied under Professor X. Nevertheless, there seem to be many more instances of this animated series correctly guessing future events. Let's break them down, shall we?

The God Particle

Read more
10 best animated TV shows for adults ever made
Four kid characters from South Park standing in a snowy scene.

Animation isn't just for kids, and the best animated shows today prove that the medium is for mature viewers, too. Adult animated series can push the boundaries of the small screen with grown-up humor, brilliant social commentary, and complex storytelling and characters. And while the unique niche has grown over the years, there are some adult shows that stand out from the rest.

From satirical works to long-running favorites to dark dystopian dramas, there's no shortage of incredible adult animated TV shows to choose from. Whether audiences are long-time fans of the medium or complete beginners, these fan-favorite and critically acclaimed series are a great place to start.
Love, Death, & Robots (2019 - )

Read more
Is The O.C. one of the most influential TV shows of the 21st century?
The cast of The O.C. poses with the sun in the background.

20 years ago, teenagers Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen attended a party at Holly's beach house on one fateful summer night. After Seth got into an altercation with the water polo team, Ryan jumped in to defend his new, helpless friend. Outnumbered, a fearless Ryan took the first shot at Luke, punching the puka shell-wearing water polo captain in the face. Ryan and Seth didn't stand a chance, as they received numerous kicks and blows to the body. As Ryan and Seth caught their breath with their backs on the sand, a cocky Luke puffed his chest out, smirked, and said the most famous line of the show, "Welcome to the O.C., bitch."

This iconic phrase ushered in The O.C., Fox's fish-out-of-water teen drama and spiritual successor to Beverly Hills, 90210. The O.C. premiered on August 5, 2003, and introduced the nation to Newport Beach, a wealthy area populated with gated communities, Range Rovers, and daddy issues. Just your typical rich people's problems. However, these issues don't apply to Ryan (Ben McKenzie), a misguided teenager from Chino whom we meet in the opening moments.
The O.C. pilot remains one of the very best

Read more