The Simpsons to break US record

Animated comedy The Simpsons is to become the longest-running prime-time series in US TV history after makers Fox ordered another two seasons.

• The show is currently in its 20th season which matches the record of Western drama Gunsmoke, shown on CBS, which ended in 1975.
• The 21st season will begin in the autumn with the 22nd airing next year.
• The Simpsons was first shown in December 1989, and made its UK debut on Sky in September 1990.
• The new commission of 44 episodes over two seasons will bring the total number of shows to 493.
• The popular cartoon, featuring Bart, Homer, Marge and other residents of Springfield, has received 24 Emmy awards in its 20 years on screen.
• Next month, a new episode of The Simpsons is to have its premiere in the UK for the first time in the show’s history.
• New episodes are usually shown in the US on Fox a week before being shown on Sky1 in the UK.
• In The Name Of The Grandfather, a St Patrick’s Day special which details a family holiday to Ireland, will be shown on Sky1 on 17 March.