MELISSA BLOCK, host: From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.</s>MICHELE NORRIS, host: And I'm Michele Norris.</s>MICHELE NORRIS, host: We have huge, huge news from Hollywood today, just huge: One giant of television, being toppled by another.</s>Mr. DAN CASTELLANETA (Actor): (As Homer Simpson) Doh!</s>MELISSA BLOCK, host: "The Simpsons" are getting another two seasons on the air, Fox announced today. That will make 22 seasons, breaking the record for the longest-running primetime series, that's held by "Gunsmoke." That's a big accomplishment for Homer and his family.</s>Ms. JULIE KAVNER (Actor): (As Marge Simpson) You will not be getting a tattoo for Christmas.</s>Mr. DAN CASTELLANETA (Actor): (As Homer) Yeah. If you want one, you'll have to pay for it out of your own allowance.</s>Ms. NANCY CARTWRIGHT (Actor): (As Bart Simpson) All right.</s>Ms. JULIE KAVNER (Actor): (As Marge) Homer.</s>Mr. DAN CASTELLANETA (Actor): (As Homer) Hello.</s>MELISSA BLOCK, host: Fox is promising that there will be 493 episodes of dysfunctional-Simpson family fun. The other current show that could be in the running for this record - now in its 19th season on NBC - "Law and Order".
Move over, Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty: Homer and Marge are about to take over. The Simpsons will air for at least another two seasons, giving it 22 seasons on television. This means the animated satire will trump the record for longest-running prime-time series once held by the Western drama Gunsmoke.