As Homer Simpson would say, "Woo Hoo!". The hit animated show The Simpsons, currently in its 23rd season, has been renewed for an additional two years. The Simpsons is the longest-running primetime television show in history.

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie were first introduced to television audiences in April of 1987, appearing in animated shorts between sketches on Fox Television's The Tracey Ullman Show. Two and a half years later, on December 17, 1989, the first 30-minute episode of The Simpsons aired. The 500th episode of The Simpsons is scheduled to air in February of 2012.

The Simpsons takes place in fictional Springfield, a town that could be anywhere in the United States. Homer, the patriarch, works at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, hangs out at Moe's, and loves Duff Beer, doughnuts, and his family - wife Marge and children Bart, Lisa and Maggie. Marge is a stay-at-home mom with a blue beehive who often disapproves of Homer's antics, but stands by him through thick or thin.  The oldest child, Bart, is often a brat, while middle child Lisa is a brainiac, and Maggie is the pacifier-sucking baby. Other characters on The Simpsons include Homer's boss Mr. Burns, Marge's sisters Patty and Selma, neighbor Ned Flanders, bar owner Moe, Principal Skinner, Bart's teacher Mrs. Krabapple, Krusty the Klown, Police Chief Wiggins, and convenience store owner Apu.

To date, The Simpsons has won more than 100 awards including 27 Emmy Awards, 4 People's Choice Awards, an American Comedy Award, and 28 Annie Awards, which are awards given to animated movies and television shows.  Other honors include being named The Best Show of the 20th Century by "Time Magazine", and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.