“The Simpsons”: TV’s longest-running primetime scripted series

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“The Simpsons” hit a historic milestone on April 29 and became the longest-running scripted series in history after airing its 636th episode.

The previous record holder was “Gunsmoke,” which ran on TV from 1955 to 1975 with 635 episodes.

“The Simpsons out-draw Gunsmoke,” wrote Matt Selman, the executive producer of Simpsons, and posted a photo of Homer Simpson facing off against Gunsmoke protagonist Matt Dillon.

The 636th episode “Forgive and Regret” tells a story of Grandpa Simpson making an unexpected revelation to Homer on his deathbed and regret it when he unexpectedly recovers, according to NME.com.

Screenshot of Matt‍ Selman's tweet. /CGTN Photo

First premiered on Fox in 1989, “The Simpsons” is a satirical depiction of a working-class American family, and the fictional town of Springfield parodies American culture. It has since gone on as a pop culture mainstay.

Having racked up 32 Emmy Awards over the years, the cartoon is known for mocking everyone and everything. According to the DailyNews: “Past episodes eerily called the election of President Trump, the Walt Disney Company buying 21st Century Fox and a surprise win for the U.S. curling team, among other things.”

When asking about how much longer can “The Simpsons” go on, the comedy writer Mike Reiss replies, until “the day people all over the world start treating each other with love, respect, and intelligence.”

“I hope that day never comes.”