“The Simpsons” breaks TV record with two-season renewal

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The Simpsons" is here to stay. FOX has renewed the long-running animated comedy for seasons 29 and 30, so it's announced on Friday, November 4. The two-season renewal will take the show to 669 episodes, the largest number of episodes for any scripted television series ever, AceShowbiz said.

"Gunsmoke", which aired from 1955 to 1975, previously held the record with 635 episodes. "The Simpsons" had surpassed the Western drama series as the longest-running American scripted primetime television series when it was renewed for the 21st season.

"Take that 'Gunsmoke'!" lead character Homer Simpson said in a statement. "You lost a race you didn't even know you were running!"

Fox Television Group chairmen and CEOs, Dana Walden and Gary Newman, also said of the double-season renewal, "This is yet another record-setting moment for what is truly a landmark series. '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," they added. "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 cast has also signed new deal that will keep them throughout the upcoming season 29 and 30. Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer are all confirmed to return.