Simpsons Renewed Til Season 22
Fox has ordered two more seasons of The Simpsons that will make the animated hit the longest-running series in primetime TV history. The 44-episode pickup will bring the show to a whopping 493 episodes.
“Gunsmoke” has held the record as the longest-running series and was on the air for 20 years. “The Simpsons” and NBC’s “Law & Order” have been closing in on the Western classic, with Fox’s comedy tying “Gunsmoke” this year and “Order” currently airing its 19th season. With this renewal, “The Simpsons” will easily take the lead. And with NBC shedding its 10 p.m. hour and the “L&O” flagship pulling modest numbers, the chances of the crime drama outlasting “The Simpsons” seems unlikely.
The “Simpsons” pickup came after 20th TV closed a new deal with James L. Brooks’ company Gracie Films on Wednesday. The voice cast was already secured for two more years as part of their most recent contract negotiations.
