the simpsons

By the end of Season 30, 'The Simpsons' will have produced more episodes than any scripted TV series ever.

Now that The Simpsons firmly has 600 episodes under its belt, here’s to another 300 hours of pop-culture parody. To start, Itchy & Scratchy get a Making a Murderer makeover, as The Simpsons takes aim at Netflix’s breakout documentary series.

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 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.”

Twenty-seven seasons in, The Simpsons still needs to stay topical, an especially difficult feat given the animation process’ long lead time. Well, consider The Simpsons more relevant than ever, up to the moment even, as May will see the long-running FOX staple experimenting with a live segment.

It wouldn't be the first time that 'The Simpsons' eerily referenced the future.

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.

We've been following one of America's favorite animated families for 26 years now. We know pretty much all there is to know about them....except for one major detail: What state do The Simpsons live in?