Fox Press Release - January 18, 2003

FOX Broadcasting Company has ordered two additional seasons of THE SIMPSONS, it was announced today by Gail Berman, President of Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Company. This will take the series, created by executive producer Matt Groening, through 16 seasons in 2004-2005.

Since its debut on January 14, 1990, THE SIMPSONS has become the longest running primetime series on television and will celebrate a milestone 300 episodes on Sunday, Feb. 16 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. THE SIMPSONS is the most honored animated series in television history, garnering 18 Emmys, a Peabody and numerous other accolades, including a recent Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Currently in its 14th season, THE SIMPSONS is Sunday’s highest-rated entertainment series among Adults 18-49 and consistently ranks as No. 1 in most key demographics including Adults 18-34, Men 18-49 and 18-34, Women 18-49, Teens and Total Viewers. The series also ranks as the No. 1 regularly scheduled network series among Teens. THE SIMPSONS ranks among the Top 10 regularly scheduled network series among Adults 18-34, Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. The series also ranks among the Top 20 regularly scheduled network series among Adults 18-49, Adults 25-54, Women 18-34 and Total Viewers.

In celebration of America’s favorite animated family, FOX will air three back-to-back episodes of THE SIMPSONS beginning Sunday, Feb.16 with “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation” (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT). When Homer attends “The Rolling Stones Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp” run by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, he lives the life of rockstar with a little help from guest stars Lenny Kravitz, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and Brian Setzer.

In the 300th episode “Barting Over,” (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) Bart discovers he was a star of a commercial when he was a baby and that Homer has squandered all of his earnings.

Subsequently, Bart takes Homer to court to win his emancipation, which Judge Harm (guest star Jane Kaczmarek of MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE) grants him. Newly freed Bart then moves into a loft downtown where he befriends guest stars blink 182 and skateboard legend Tony Hawk, who live upstairs. As Bart embarks on a national tour with Tony, Homer appears, attempting to win his beloved Bart back into his life.

The 300th episode will be followed by an original episode “I’m Spelling As Fast As I Can” (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). When Lisa wins the spelling bee, she is recruited by a well-known spelling scout, Joe Beadle, to enter the Spellympics. Once at the contest, Spellympics head George Plimpton (guest starring as himself) welcomes an excited Lisa, but she soon discovers the competition may be rigged.

THE SIMPSONS’ own executive producer, James L. Brooks, guest stars as himself alongside actress Marisa Tomei, who plays a once famous starlet, in the episode “A Star Is Re-Born Again” Sunday, Mar. 2 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).

Also paying Springfield a visit this season are Joe Mantegna, Steve Bucsemi, Eric Idle, Weird Al Yankovic, Stacey Keach, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jackson Browne and David Byrne of “The Talking Heads.”

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.