The Simpsons Gets 20^th Season

Fox Animated Series Set to Tie Gunsmoke as Longest-Running Primetime Series

By B&C Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/3/2008 12:58:00 PM

Fox will return to Springfield again for the 20^th season of primetime animated mainstay The Simpsons.

The order came as the series’ voice actors have resolved months-long salary negotiations with producer 20^th Century Fox Television that had held up production.

The show’s principals -- Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns) -- will reportedly receive in the neighborhood of $400,000 per episode, up from $300,000-plus previously, and will remain with the show for another four years (although Fox has not indicated that it will order additional seasons).

With its upcoming season, The Simpsons -- produced by Gracie Films in association with 20^th -- will tie Gunsmoke as the longest-running primetime series.