Credit: FoxIs The Simpsons coming back for more seasons? D’oh-uh.
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While Disney may be most closely associated with movies like Moana, Toy Story, Lilo & Stitch, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, the company now has a hold on a ton of entertainment franchises and brands. Thanks to decades of dealmaking, Disney is now not only home to Lucasfilm and the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also horror franchises like Alien and recent Oscar winners such as Poor Things and Anora.
The Disney umbrella is larger than ever, with The Simpsons also calling The Mouse its boss, whether it likes it or not. Because of this new ownership, it’s always interesting to see what’s in the cards for America’s iconic animated family, with the series recently picking up not one, not two, not even three, but four new seasons.
The Simpsons Secures Four More Seasons on TV
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In a massive new deal, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers have all locked in four more seasons at Fox, per Variety. The three animated television shows have served as the network’s main adult animation block for years, with The Simpsons being the oldest show of the bunch.
“This new deal celebrates the eternal popularity of these iconic comedies, as well as the enduring, prolific relationship we continue to enjoy with our friends at 20th Television Animation and the brilliant creators – that goes double for Seth this time around — and incredible voices behind these contemporary classics,” said President of Fox Television Network, Michael Thorn.
It’s expected now that with each new year, The Simpsons will return for a new season, though as the series continues to age, fans wonder what may actually happen to the Simpson family and the rest of Springfield. Originally premiering in 1989, The Simpsons has served as a cornerstone of American culture for decades, though the franchise’s cultural grip seems to be slipping at least a little.
Reviews for “modern” episodes typically fall well below what the “golden era” of The Simpsons saw, though recent seasons have been a step in the right direction, according to fans. However, The Simpsons remains incredibly popular on Disney’s streaming platform Disney+, where it consistently ranks as one of the most watched programs on the app.
The renewal of The Simpsons for seasons 37 through 40 marks a record for the show and American television as a whole. The series is the longest-running animated series, longest-running sitcom, and longest-running scripted primetime television series in America.
Ever since Disney acquired The Simpsons and the rest of 20th Century Fox, fans have been speculating whether Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie may make their way into the Magic Kingdom and other Disney theme parks. The Simpsons can already be seen inside Universal Studios, with the brand spawning its own set of quick-service restaurants and attractions.
While no official word has come from Disney just yet, the company seems keen on putting as much IP (intellectual property) as it can into its theme parks, both in California and Florida. Disney recently ran a survey asking if guests would like to see Homer and the rest of The Simpson family in the parks, indicating the company is gauging interest in potential new attractions or, at the very least, meet-and-greets.
Are you a fan of The Simpsons? Who is your favorite character?