FOXHere's some news that's sure to make yellow-hued fans tickled pink: Fox has renewed The Simpsons for two more historic and satiric seasons, bringing its overall total to a record-breaking 22.
Sorry, Gunsmoke.
The network has requested 44 more episodes, bringing the four-fingered family's total to a whopping 493.
However, while the renewal means The Simpsons has topped Gunsmoke's 20-year run as the longest-running prime-time entertainment series, Springfield's finest have a way to go before besting the western's episode count. Gunsmoke played for an astonishing 635 episodes.
To mark their longevity, Matt Groening & Co. last month launched "Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a yearlong celebration leading up to Jan. 14, 2010, the two-decade anniversary of the 'toon's debut. Woo-hoo!
(Originally published Feb. 26, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. PT.)