Variety reports that The Simpsons have, as expected, been renewed for a twentieth season. This ties the show with the episodic western drama "Gunsmoke" for longest-running prime time television series in TV history.

Regular cast members signed a four-year deal with Fox over the weekend that will net them each a repoted $400,000 an episode. 

Additionally, Dan Castellaneta, voice of Homer Simpson, has been made a consulting producer.  He will also be a regular writer for the show.

The upcoming season will run only twenty episodes, instead of twenty-two, due to prolonged contract negotiations stalling production. 

Even with the cast's contracts settled, there is no guarantee that the show will remain on the air past its twentieth season, as Gracie Films, the show's production company, has yet to re-up its deal with Fox.  That deal expires at the end of the season and, with the show's ratings declining since February, the future is anything but certain.

SOURCE: variety.com