Can you imagine a world without? The simpsons? Though its cultural dominance peaked over 20 years ago, the Fox animated series created by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon is still going strong — and perhaps as strong as ever in the changing tides of network vs . streaming landscape . Fox announced this on Thursday The simpsons was renewed again for two more seasons. The contract will run through seasons 35 and 36 of the series and maintain the show’s record as the longest-running scripted sitcom in television history. (Saturday night livewhich is considered a variety show, tops all time with 48 seasons.)
The simpsons order comes at a time when live scheduled television beyond major sporting events is going into a tailspin. But the animated series maintains a solid rating; Recent episodes have had up to 4 million viewers, beating most other non-sports network programs. The extension also brings good news for the animated series, which is being endorsed by and in orbit by The simpsons: Bob’s burger will return for seasons 14 and 15 while family Guy receives a 22nd and 23rd season.
Perhaps the most surprising fact about The simpsons is that it’s also one of Disney’s only streaming hits. What The office did for Netflix, The simpsons does for Disney Plus. Nielsen US announced this week that while tentpole shows like stranger things, Wednesdayand Cobra Kai were very popular in 2022, new and old seasons of The simpsons has achieved comparable figures of 15.9 billion minutes of screen time. Having 667 episodes available on the Disney Plus platform can’t hurt.
Since acquiring 20th Century Fox, Disney has mostly used The simpsons use other brands. In addition to the newly added episodes, Disney Plus has released six short films featuring the characters, incorporating everything from Star Wars to Marvel to Billie Eilish’s concert event. It might seem crass if it wasn’t for the show’s merchandising legacy!
No, The simpsons isn’t what it used to be — but the writers aren’t content to do the same old 35 seasons in both. This is a show that, for all its Disney branding notoriety, has also paid Don Hertzfeldt to design his own couch gag in recent years and dedicated an extended Edward Gorey tribute. The Simpson family and their numerous characters aren’t all that different from the Muppets in their ability to blend in and play out in odd animated worlds. No wonder The simpsons Fandom thrives, even if the expression of that fandom has little to do with the show itself.
The simpsons Season 34 is currently on hiatus, with new episodes scheduled to premiere later this year.
