Homer’s odyssey: The Simpsons takes down Gunsmoke, with record-breaking episode 636
“Why does the show endure?” comedy writer Mike Reiss asks of The Simpsons, the show he used to run, in his forthcoming book Springfield Confidential. “Because it’s based on two fundamental principles: family and folly.”
With that in mind, it only seems fitting that The Simpsons draws upon both principles to dramatise its act of taking down Gunsmoke as the new sheriff of television. On Sunday night, Homer and family passed the classic midcentury Western by airing show No 636 – the most scripted episodes aired by any prime-time series in US TV history.
In a new video to mark the moment, Gunsmoke’s marshal Matt Dillon challenges Maggie Simpson to a duel. “Can’t let you do it,” the lawman intones to baby Maggie. “Can’t let you break my record.” But there’s no pacifying Maggie, who’s faster on the draw.
The video then parodies the opening to Gunsmoke (1955-1975), from cameo-style images to musical theme.
So what does Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman think of the TV-history showdown?
