Two more years! FOX, The Simpsons cast agree to seasons 24, 25

That was fast. A couple of days after we learned how much cash FOX and News Corp. could bank by canceling The Simpsons, and just hours after voice actor Harry Shearer published his own statement willing to negotiate, the entire cast and the show agreed to a new two-year deal with pay cuts that will extend the animated sitcom through a record 25th season.

As Homer J Simpson’s Twitter account read late yesterday: “See? I’m not going anywhere. I always knew I liked that Harry Shearer…”

Here is the official press release from FOX:

FOX ORDERS DOUBLE D’OHS OF “THE SIMPSONS”

Longest Running Scripted Series on Television is Renewed Through Season 25 FOX has renewed THE SIMPSONS, the longest-running comedy in television history, for an incredible 24th and 25th season, bringing the series total to an astonishing 559 episodes. THE SIMPSONS airs Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In the words of Homer Simpson, “Woo Hoo! I outlasted Andy Rooney!”

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Matt Groening created the iconic family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. In February 2012, THE SIMPSONS will celebrate its historic 500th episode. The series has won 27 Emmy Awards, been the subject of a hit feature film, created “Krustyland” and a revolutionary virtual coaster – The Simpsons Ride – at Universal Studios, received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening, and named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine.

Following the MLB American League Championship Series and World Series games on FOX, THE SIMPSONS returns with all-new episodes beginning with “Treehouse of Horrors XXII,” on Sunday, Oct. 30 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT). In the spooky opener, Homer takes a dangerous dive into an isolated canyon on Candy Peak, but when a crashing boulder traps his arm, he channels Aron Ralston (guest voicing as himself) to save himself. In “The Diving Bell and Butterball,” the first of three hair-raising Halloween tales, a venomous spider bite leaves Homer paralyzed, but when Lisa discovers Homer’s ability to communicate through natural gases, he is able to express his love for Marge. The killer spells continue in “Dial D for Diddly,” when Ned Flanders, devout preacher by day, transforms into a cold-blooded vigilante by night. In the final terrifying tale, “In the Na’Vi,” Bart and Milhouse are assigned on a mission to access a sacred extract on a distant planet. They morph into the land’s indigenous one-eyed avatars, but when Bart finds love and an eternal mate abroad, he is caught in planet warfare.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman, a Starz Media Company, is the animation house.

Visit THE SIMPSONS website at www.TheSimpsons.com. Become a fan of the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesimpsons and follow the series on Twitter @TheSimpsonsTV and Homer Simpson @HomerJSimpson.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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One thought on “Two more years! FOX, The Simpsons cast agree to seasons 24, 25

  1. “The longest-running scripted show in television history”

    I’m sure they meant to put “animated” somewhere in there, because didn’t they recently end some soap opera that had been on for at least 40 years? Unless they’re insinuating that soap operas aren’t scripted, which would explain the quality of writing.

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