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"THE SIMPSONS" TO AIR FIRST-EVER ONE-HOUR EPISODE IN JANUARY 2017 ON FOX

TARAJI P. HENSON AND KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY TO MAKE GUEST-VOICE APPEARANCES

Season 28 Premieres Sunday, September 25, on FOX

Already in the history books for its unprecedented, upcoming 28th season, THE SIMPSONS makes history once again with its first-ever one-hour episode airing in January 2017 on FOX.

"I just pray it won't be the last thing people see before a Trump inauguration," said executive producer Al Jean.

In the one-hour "The Great Phatsby," featuring Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson (EMPIRE) as a guest voice, Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) tries to relive his glory days, and crosses paths with a mysterious music mogul. After being conned by him and reduced to bankruptcy, Mr. Burns seeks revenge on the music producer with the help of Homer, Bart, rapper Jazzy James (guest voice Keegan-Michael Key) and the mogul's ex-wife, Praline (guest voice Henson). Also in the episode, Lisa (Yeardley Smith) is courted by the richest kid in town, Smithers (Shearer) begins a perilous journey and Marge (Julie Kavner) opens an obscure boutique store.

Premiering Sunday, Sept. 25 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), Season 28 kicks off with the all-new episode "Monty Burns' Fleeing Circus," in which Springfield is burned to the ground, and the Simpsons beg Mr. Burns (Shearer) to fund its rebuilding. Burns agrees - with one condition: he gets to put on a variety show at the Springfield Bowl.

Additionally, the series' record-setting 600th episode will air Sunday, Oct. 16 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), with a classic "Treehouse of Horror XXVII" episode. In it, Mr. Burns introduces a "Hunger Games"-style contest in which Springfield's children must fight each other; and Lisa's imaginary best friend becomes jealous of Lisa's real best friends.

THE SIMPSONS continues to strike a chord with viewers for irreverently poking fun at anything and everything. As the longest-running scripted series in television history, THE SIMPSONS has become one of the most consistently groundbreaking, innovative and recognizable entertainment franchises throughout the world. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and its family members - HOMER (Dan Castellaneta), MARGE (Julie Kavner), BART (Nancy Cartwright), LISA (Yeardley Smith) and MAGGIE - are television icons.

The series has won 32 Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards and a 2016 People's Choice Award. It was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short "The Longest Daycare." "The Simpsons Movie" was a hit feature film, the mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of "Springfield," and the show was honored with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the "Best Show of the 20th Century" by Time magazine, and called the "Greatest American Sitcom" by Entertainment Weekly in 2013. The series recently was nominated for a 2016 Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Animated Program.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Visit THE SIMPSONS website at thesimpsons.com. "Like" the series on Facebook at facebook.com/TheSimpsons. Follow Homer Simpson @HomerJSimpson and join the conversation using #thesimpsons. Shop THE SIMPSONS at TheSimpsonsShop.com.