Simpsons Ink Deal for 20th Season, Score More D'Oh

Fans of the hilarious -- and often disastrous -- adventures of America's favorite dysfunctional family can look forward to 20 more episodes showcasing the cartoon residents of Springfield. Fox announced plans Tuesday to renew the Emmy Award-winning animated series for a 20th season of small-screen laughs.

Already the longest-running animated show on television, making the double-decade mark bumps The Simpsons into the realm of prime-time staples like Gunsmoke, Lassie and cop show America's Most Wanted. The 20th-season announcement comes after a huge boost in the franchise: a historic celebration of the show's 400th episode and the unveiling of Simpsons-themed amusement park attractions at Universal Studios.

The voice talent behind the residents of Springfield also scored more dough (or is that d'oh?) for the upcoming season. Principle actors Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge),
Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Nancy Cartwright (Bart) were among the cast members who nabbed the hefty sum of $400,000 per episode, according to Reuters.

Additionally, Castellaneta, who also supplies Krusty the Klown's signature gravelly groans and chuckles, scored a consulting producer credit on the show.

Spinal Tap bassist Harry Shearer, who voices the characters of Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders and regularly contributes videos to comedy site My Damn Channel, has yet to ink his own deal due to a last-minute hitch.

The pact penned by the cast secures their signature vocal stylings for an additional four years with Fox, though the studio has yet to announce a season beyond 2008-9 for the animated comedy.

See also:

• Woo-hoo! Simpsons' Krusty Gets His Own Roller Coaster
• The Simpsons Get Green for Krustyland Ride
• What's Worse for Kids, Baywatch or The Simpsons?
• Paint the Town Yellow: America Gets Simpsonized to Launch The Simpsons Movie DVD