FOX renews The Simpsons for two additional seasons

It looks like America’s favorite TV family isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Fox announced this week that it has picked up The Simpsons for seasons 33 and 34, continuing the animated sitcom’s reign as TV’s longest-running primetime series.

This is particularly exciting news since Disney acquired Fox and 20th Century TV in 2019, so automatic renewals for the popular comedy are no longer a given.

The Simpsons first started out as a sequence on The Tracy Ullman Show in 1987 and its popularity has boomed ever since then.  In 1989, the funny family got their first Christmas special, entitled Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, which concluded with the adoption of the family dog, Santa’s Little Helper.

Following the special, The Simpsons tackled many adventures, featured many funny outtakes, had many big-name guest stars, recreated multiple real-life situations, and had its fair share of controversies.  Over its 32 seasons, The Simpsons has won 34 Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards, 9 Environmental Media Awards, 7 People’s Choice Awards, 13 Writers Guild of America Awards, and was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award (in 2016).

In a statement released by Fox’s press outlet, creator Matt Groening shared his gratitude over  the renewal and a tiny tease at what’s to come.

"“Everyone at ‘The Simpsons’ is thrilled to be renewed once more, and we are planning lots of big surprises. Homer will lose a hair, Milhouse will get contact lenses, and Bart will celebrate his tenth birthday for the thirty-third time,” Matt Groening, creator of the cartoon kingpin added in a statement."

The animated comedy will soon reach another milestone on March 21st:  Its 700 episode, titled “Manger Things.”  No series has ever reached that particular marker before, and by the time The Simpsons reaches the end of this two-season renewal (in 2023, the iconic comedy will have aired 757 episodes.

Season 32 is currently airing on Fox with its recent season premiere ranking the highest return in five years.

Recently, the voice of African-American doctor, Dr. Hibbert was passed down from Harry Shearer to Kevin Michael Richardson.  The change was a positive response to recent discussions about the need for greater diversity and equality in Hollywood.

With the renewal, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and the rest of Springfield will continue giving their fans their hilarious legacies for years to come.