The full 25-year run of “The Simpsons” will arrive on cable channel FXX with a summer marathon, to be followed this fall by a digital extravaganza that could turn other TV shows yellow with envy.
A website and app dubbed “Simpsons World” will allow on-demand access to all of the 500-plus episodes of Fox’s animated comedy and enable users to search through the life histories of Mr. Burns, Bart and other lemon-hued Springfield residents.
“I’m not going to overpromise, but I think this website will provide you with affordable health care,” longtime “Simpsons” executive producer Al Jean told a TV critics’ meeting. He said the accompanying app “completely blew me away.”
SimpsonsWorld.com and content available through FXNOW apps for devices including iPhone, Xbox and smart TVs are set to debut in October. FXX’s marathon showing of all “Simpsons” episodes and “The Simpsons Movie,” in chronological order, will begin Aug. 21 and air 24 hours a day through Sept. 1.
Beginning on Sept. 2, FXX will regularly air “The Simpsons” throughout its weekday and weekend schedule, with a Sunday “mini-marathon” of eight episodes.
“Simpsons World,” the encyclopedic book by series creator Matt Groening, was the “bible” for the digital content, FX Networks executives said. Fans of Sideshow Bob, for instance, will see “curated” material that includes a list of his attempted murder victims Krusty the Clown and Homer Simpson, among others.
Clips and the treasure trove of “Simpsons” factoids can be shared through social media.
FXX announced last November that it had secured exclusive cable and video-on-demand rights to TV’s longest-running scripted show and winner of 28 Emmy Awards. For the first time in 20 years, however, the show missed out on a top-series nomination for this year’s awards, airing Aug. 25.
FXX will get future seasons of “The Simpsons” that air new on Fox.
But all of that is just not enough. What can be next? The Simpson family has been just about everywhere over the course of 25 years, but in September they’ll go where they’ve never been before: live on stage. The Hollywood Bowl will turn into the town on Sprinfield when The Simpsons Take the Bowl hits the stage on September 12th, 13th and 14th. The show ill be a celebration of the show’s 25 year anniverary complete with orchesta music and fireworks.
The show will be hosted by Hank Azaria who voices characters like Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy and Carl Carlon, just to name a few.
Azaria will be joined by other familiar voices inlcuding Nancy Cartwright and yeardkley Smith who voice Bart and Lisa Simpson.
As part of the show the entire stage will be transformed into the town everyone is so familiar with; Springfield and the audience will get enjoy of performances of some very special guests including people like Jon Lovitz, Beverly D’Angelo and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
The show creator Matt Groening will be on hand to share behind-the-scenes anecdotes with the audience.
Tickets for The Simpsons Take Take the Bowl will be available on www.hollywoodbowl.com . The show will begin at 8 p.m. on September 12th and 13th, and will start at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th.
