“Take that, Gunsmoke!” character Homer Simpson said in a statement. “You lost a race you didn’t even know you were running!”
Additionally, The Simpsons’ 600th episode premiered recently and earned a 3.6 live-plus-seven rating from adults 18-49, THR reports.
“This is yet another record-setting moment for what is truly a landmark series,” said Dana Walden and Gary Newman, chairmen and CEOs of Fox TV Group. “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 Matt, Jim and Al. Congratulations to everyone who works on this groundbreaking series — from the voice cast and producers to the writers and production team — you comprise one of the greatest collections of creative talent in the history of the medium. And to the millions of Simpsons fans around the world, thank you for watching all these years. We’re happy to tell you there’s lots more to come.”
The show doesn’t only break episodic records – in the midst of its 28th season, The Simpsons is currently the longest-running scripted show in television history.
The show is executive produced by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean, and comes from Gracie Films in association with 20th Century Fox TV. On top of the series’ years-long run on Fox, it has spawned a film and even a simulation ride at Universal Studios.
The Simpsons is one of many broadcast series renewed for the 2017-18 season; NCIS has been renewed for two more seasons and NBC’s The Voice is expected to return in the fall.