the simpsons

Season 28 is shaping up to be a big one for The Simpsons; not solely for the series’ first hour-long special, or even the 600th episode, but also some of the familiar faces popping up. To wit, the joint Treehouse of Horror and 600th episode will feature the return of one of Homer’s greatest adversaries, as the famous Frank Grimes pops in from beyond the grave.

The Simpsons has pulled few punches when it comes to presidential candidate Donald Trump (they kind of owe it to themselves), and Season 28 will feature a trio of major experts to take on the infamous “Trump University.” Not only will Neil deGrasse Tyson lend his voice, so too will Suze Orman and screenwriter Robert McKee.

The Simpsons still has a few surprises left in its old age, and after going live this past season, Springfield will chart a new frontier: the full hour! After 28 years, America’s favorite family will run a full hour-long episode for the very first time, with special guest Taraji P. Henson and more.

The Simpsons has visited just about every nook and cranny of pop culture in its near-30 years, though a long-abandoned episode concept saw the late Prince putting in a particularly meta appearance. Now, Simpsons boss Al Jean shares the tribute episode that might have been, as well what caused the revered artist to decline.

The Simpsons obliquely anticipating future events has become a common phenomenon, though never quite so regrettably as a 2000 episode that referenced “President Trump” in our future. Now, writer Dan Greaney looks back on the unfortunate premonition, noting the line was intended to envision an America that “went as bad as it possibly could.”

Despite failing to outlive its progenitor, Futurama joined the ranks of Matt Groening’s iconic animated works to follow The Simpsons, and Netflix may have given both another sibling. Reports confirm Groening is readying a new animated series for Netflix, though the concept remains under lock and key.

Having survived its latest challenge to eternal status quo by way of Sunday’s Girls-y premiere, The Simpsons seem poised for fewer head-turning changes this fall. That is, until Waylon Smithers finally, and officially comes out of the closet to all, while an even bigger surprise may lie ahead beyond Season 30.

Sweater-loving, God-fearing Simpsons character Ned Flanders is the inspiration for the Phoenix-based metal band Okilly Dokilly.

The Simpsons has gone on long enough that fans will inevitably face cast departure or a potential end to the series, but despite the recent renewal for Seasons 27 and 28, that end may already be in sight. Iconic Simpsons mainstay Harry Shearer appears to have revealed his exit from the long-running FOX animated series, and not even Ned Flanders could find the optimism here.

FX's spinoff network FXX has proven something of a challenge for the company in its initial months, recently forcing 'Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell' into an early grave, but it seems the cable network offshoot will finally start turning some major heads. 'The Simpsons' has licensed their first 24 seasons to FXX in a major syndication deal that will also see America's favorite animated family a

We've heard quite a bit about 'The Simpsons'' twenty-fifth season, from its rich vein of celebrity guest stars, to the 'Homeland' parody that gripped this past Sunday's premiere, but is the spectre of death once again lurking about Springfield? Like Maude Flanders before, it seems one long-running 'Simpsons' character has been targeted for a permanent exit for the aging animation staple.

Ted Nugent is running for president! And he’ll win if Homer Simpson has his way.