The Simpsons celebrate "epic" 350th episode

Simpsons News — Posted 18 Jan, 2005 by DisgruntledGoat

The Simpsons will celebrate an unprecedented 350 episodes on Sunday, May 1 on FOX. In the milestone 350th episode, "The Heartbroke Kid," Bart becomes addicted to junk food when a new vending machine is installed at Springfield Elementary. His steady diet of processed foods leads to a massive weight gain and health issues. When he's unable to stick to his prescribed low-fat diet, the Simpsons stage an intervention and ship Bart off to "Serenity Ranch – A Forced Starvation Facility," headed up by former food addict Tab Spangler (guest star Albert Brooks). While Spangler tries to help Bart overcome his obsession, Homer and Marge turn their home into a hostel for German travelers in order to pay for the costly Serenity Ranch.

The longest-running animated primetime series in history and the longest-running comedy currently on television, The Simpsons is also a cultural institution. Now in its 16th season, the show has been critically praised and bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 21 Emmy Awards, 21 Annie Awards, three Genesis Awards, eight International Monitor Awards and five Environmental Media Awards. Continue...

The Simpsons currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records titles for "Longest-running Primetime Animated Series" and "Most Celebrities Featured in an Animation Series." Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson's annoyed grunt – "D'oh!" – was added as an official word in the 2001 edition of the Oxford Dictionary. The Simpsons has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Feb. 6, 2005, the show will air in the coveted post-Super Bowl XXXIX timeslot.