The Simpsons breaks the record for longest-running scripted series
What happened: The long-running animated series, in its 29th season, finally broke the record for America’s longest-running scripted series. The episode “Forgive and Regret” is the show’s 636th episode, and it finds Maggie in a showdown with Marshal Matt Dillon, a character from the previous record holder, Gunsmoke.
Why it’s important: The Simpsons is a staple in American culture. It’s been on the air for almost 30 years and has made its way into every area of American life. The show itself is super important in its own right, but breaking this sort of record proves just how much American audiences have come to depend on it.
Its predecessor, Gunsmoke, was on the air for 20 years, and was among only a handful of network shows in its time. For The Simpsons to exceed this number with so much else available to viewers is no small feat. In fact, it will probably go down in American history as one of the most remarkable milestones in history.
How to watch it: It’s not quite available on free streaming services as of yet. But you can purchase it on Amazon for a paltry $2.99.