The Simpsons got a two-season pick-up last week, meaning the show will run through at least its 25th season.
And while it will have been on the air longer than Gunsmoke, should the animated series stop production then, it will still have fewer episodes than the Western series. That’s because Gunsmoke had longer seasons.
Of course, the animated series could still tie or exceed the overall episode count of Gunsmoke. While the renewal is only for two seasons, producer Al Jean says that doesn’t mean this is the beginning of the end for Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and Maggie.
“Our mood is elation, ” executive producer Al Jean tells Entertainment Weekly. “Believe me, we don’t look at this as these will definitely be the last two. We just want to keep fighting and go as long as we can. We really feel this isn’t an end but a beginning. It’s cliché, but it’s the truth.”
And while the cast and crew are taking a pay cut for the next two seasons, Jean says everyone involved with the show is grateful for the fan support they’ve seen during the very public negotiations. The producers are putting together a special promo to air on Fox to thank fans for their vocal support.
“The silver lining is that people cared,” says Jean. “The viewers are obviously the reason this has happened.”
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