MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has renewed ?The Simpsons?, the longest-running comedy in television history, for a 24th and 25th season, bringing the series total to 559 episodes.
In India, the show airs on Star World.

The longest-running scripted show in television history exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world.
Matt Groening created the iconic family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. In February 2012, the show will celebrate its historic 500th episode.

The series has won 27 Emmy Awards, been the subject of a film, created "Krustyland" and a virtual coaster ? The Simpsons Ride ? at Universal Studios theme park, received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, been honoured with five US postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening, and named the "Best Show of the 20th Century" by Time Magazine.

Following the MLB American League Championship Series and World Series games on Fox, the show returns with all-new episodes beginning with "Treehouse of Horrors XXII," on 30 October. In the spooky opener, Homer takes a dangerous dive into an isolated canyon on Candy Peak, but when a crashing boulder traps his arm, he channels Aron Ralston (guest voicing as himself) to save himself.

In "The Diving Bell and Butterball," the first of three hair-raising Halloween tales, a venomous spider bite leaves Homer paralyzed, but when Lisa discovers Homer?s ability to communicate through natural gases, he is able to express his love for Marge. The killer spells continue in "Dial D for Diddly," when Ned Flanders, devout preacher by day, transforms into a cold-blooded vigilante by night.

In the final tale, ?In the Na?Vi?, Bart and Milhouse are assigned on a mission to access a sacred extract on a distant planet. They morph into the land?s indigenous one-eyed avatars, but when Bart finds love and an eternal mate abroad, he is caught in planet warfare.
 

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox will dish out extra helpings of family fun with two new animated holiday specials, ?Ice Age: A Mammoth christmas? and ?Happiness is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown?, on 24 November.

In ?Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas? the arctic herd is busy decorating for the holiday season. In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny?s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations. Manny is so upset, he convinces Sid he is now on Santa?s naughty list. Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), EDDIE (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell).

Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Deigo (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches? safety and race to find her. Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa?s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it?s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle. The special, directed by Karen Disher, also features the voice talent of Chris Wedge, T.J. Miller and Judah Friedlander.

Then, in ?Happiness Is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown? the Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus (Austin Lux) break away from his childhood security blanket. The stakes are high as Linus learns his grandmother is coming to visit, and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. In an effort to help Linus kick his habit, Charlie Brown (Trenton Rogers), Lucy (Grace Rolek) and even Snoopy pitch in to help. Lucy is quick to attempt her amateur psychiatric skills, while Snoopy employs the age old drag-and-run method. Despite all attempts, Linus eventually learns that security is a valuable quality in life and everyone is entitled to their own version of a security blanket.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that its music-based reality show The X Factor‘s Steve Jones will co-host ‘Countdown To The Emmys‘, the official live pre-show of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, airing on 18 September.

Jones joins previously announced co-hosts Nancy O‘Dell, Mark Thompson and Amanda Byram.

 
The live one-hour special will capture the arrivals of Primetime Emmy(R) nominees, presenters and special guests. O‘Dell, Thompson, Jones and Byram will set the stage for the night‘s festivities as they interview the stars on the red carpet and get the inside scoop on the fashion, the nerves and the excitement.

Hosted by Jane Lynch and executive-produced by Mark Burnett, the Emmys will celebrate the year‘s best television programming.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that an extended preview of ?The X Factor? will debut following the NFL On Fox late doubleheader match-ups this Sunday.

The new competition series gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group.

The eight-minute preview will feature footage including a first look at the auditions from Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as an inside look at the drama, raw emotion and behind-the-scenes action of the show.

Fans can get a double dose of the preview when it airs again later that evening during a special expanded Family Guy.

Hosted by Steve Jones, the show will make its debut with a two-night series premiere event on 21 and 22 September.

Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger begin their search for talent 12 years old and over -- both solo artists and vocal groups -- who are worthy of the prize: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. 

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that ?I Hate My Teenage Daughter?, the new family comedy starring Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran, will now debut on 30 November after ?The X Factor?.

Annie (Pressly), who was raised in an ultra-strict, uber-eligious household where she had little-to-no freedom, pretty much allows her daughter, Sophie (Kristi Lauren), to do whatever she wants. Annie?s best friend Nikki (Finneran), once an unpopular, overweight social pariah, is now a pretty Southern belle who also allows her daughter, Mackenzie (Aisha Dee), to do as she pleases.

The moms have given the girls everything they asked for and everything they never had: clothes, money and self-esteem. The unintended consequence is they have created two mean girls just like the ones who tortured them years ago.

The series also stars Eric Sheffer Stevens as Annie?s ex-husband Matt who wants to be a good parent, but doesn?t know what that even means; Kevin Rahm as Matt?s brother Jack, a father figure to Sophie who?s meddling would annoy Annie more if she didn?t have such a crush on him; and Chad L. Coleman as Gary, who also tries to help raise his challenging daughter but the couple?s complicated elationship often makes his involvement more difficult.