'The Simpsons' Renewed for Two More Seasons; Fox Orders Season 27, 28 To Reach 625 Episodes

By Staff Writer

May 06 2015, 04:39 AM EDT

Fox continues its renewals with a two-season pickup of "The Simpsons", the longest-running scripted show in television history. This means that the network will continue to be the home of Matt Groening's animated family through the show's 28th season, targeting to total 625 episodes.

"I've outlasted Letterman, Jon Stewart and 'McDreamy,' because I have something they don't: a costly 200-donut-a-day addiction," Homer Simpson said in a statement from FOX.

"The Simpsons" which premiered in 1989 and has won 31 Emmys, became the first animated show to win a Peabody Award. It was also nominated for an Oscar in 2012 for theatrical short "The Longest Daycare" and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000.

According to Deadline, this season's "The Simpsons" is averaging a 2.7/8 among Adults 18-49 - steady year-over-year in the core demo and Total Viewers (6.0 Mil). Over 30 days, "The Simpsons" delivers an average audience of 7.7 million across platforms, +45% higher than its Live + Same Day total audience (7.7 vs. 5.3 Mil). In fact, the series ranks as one of the Top 10 shows overall on broadcast television among Men 18-34 and Male Teens and ranks among the Top 20 in Adults 18-34, Men 18-49 and Men 25-54.

Currently in its 26th season, the show has surpassed 570 episodes; another animated Fox hit, "Family Guy," just hit its 250th episode this weekend, according to Variety. The latter series has yet to be renewed, though the season 14 order is a no-brainer. "Bob's Burgers," also part of the network's animation slate, will be returning for its sixth round, consisting of 22 new episodes, in the 2015-16 TV season.

TVLine reports that other comedies renewed at Fox are "New Girl," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and Will Forte's freshman laffer "Last Man on Earth." On the drama side, breakout hit "Empire," "Gotham" and "Sleepy Hollow" have been picked up, though Variety has learned Orlando Jones, who plays Frank Irving, will not be back for its third season.

"The Simpsons" hails from Gracie Films and 20^th Century Fox Television, and is executive produced by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean.