LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- You know that a show has been around a long time when they start measuring milestones in episodic increments of 50.
But it's understandable that "The Simpsons" should want to make a big deal out of hitting 350 episodes with this Sunday's installment.
As the legendary Fox series wraps up its 16th season, the denizens of Springfield are wading in some uncharted prime-time waters. When executive producer Al Jean boasts that "The Simpsons" "just enjoyed the best 16th season of any comedy ever," that's because no other comedy has ever made it this far.
How many episodes is 350? More than the combined total of "Seinfeld" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." "The Simpsons" will pass "Dallas" (357 episodes) on the all-time series list before 2005 is out. Then it takes aim at the only two comedies to have produced more segments: "My Three Sons" at 380 episodes and "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" at a somewhat astounding 435.
Can "The Simpsons" really make it to 435 -- a feat that would require the show see a (gasp) 20th season?
"You know, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's really not out of the question," Jean admits. "The cast is already signed through season 19. I think we'll get at least that far. It required such a long negotiation to get the cast under contract for four years that I think it's likely we'll do them."
Creator Matt Groening is also upbeat. "I think the show has almost reached its halfway point, which means another 17 years," he told The New York Times Sunday.
The show is renewed through its 17th season. The only conventional entertainment show to run at least as many years was 20-year war horse "Gunsmoke," though it need also be noted, of course, that "Law & Order" is nipping at the "Simpsons' " heels as it looks to a 16th season come fall.
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