The Simpsons breaks record for most episodes

The Simpsons has been renewed for 29^th and 30^th seasons – overtaking Gunsmoke as the long-running scripted series in the US by number of episodes.

Gunsmoke ran for 635 eps between 1955 and 1975, but the two new seasons of animated Fox comedy The Simpsons will bring its total to 669.

In an announcement made over the weekend, Fox quoted lead character Homer Simpson as saying: “Take that Gunsmoke! You lost a race you didn’t even know you were running!”

The Simpsons’ first season launched in December 1989 after debuting as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in April 1987. Season 28 began on September 25, which included the 600^th episode, Treehouse of Horror XXVII, on October 16.

“This is yet another record-setting moment for what is truly a landmark series,” said Fox Television Group co-CEOs and chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman in a statement.

“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 [Groenig], Jim [James L. Brooks] and Al [Jean].”

The show – from Brook’s Gracie Films, Fox Television Animation and Groenig’s The Curiosity Company – remains popular around the world, topping our recent animation special in-demand chart in the UK.