Fox Ordered Two More Seasons of "The Simpsons"

Fox is loading up on animated comedies "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill." The network has ordered two more seasons of "The Simpsons," its 18th and 19th, and one more of "King of the Hill," the show's 11th.

The two-year renewal for "The Simpsons," the longest-running entertainment prime time series on the air, guarantees it will air at least through the 2007-2008 season, during which the show will hit its 400th episode.

The animated show's principal voice cast, which includes Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria, who threatened to go on strike a few years ago until they got better deals, are all said to be locked in for the duration of the new pact.

After a two-month hiatus, production on "King of the Hill" recently resumed, after new deals were sealed with principal behind-the-scenes talent, including showrunners/executive producers John Altschuler and David Krinsky and co-creator/executive producer/voice actor Mike Judge.

Because "King of the Hill" has been a subject of frequent pre-emption for Fox's NFL football coverage, the network has enough fresh episodes for the rest of this season. The show is slated to return for its 11th season next January.