“The Simpsons” will air its first-ever one-hour episode during its upcoming 28th Season, Fox announced Monday at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour.
In the one-hour show, titled “The Great Phatsby,” airing in January 2017 and featuring Taraji P. Henson and Keegan-Michael Key as guest voices, Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) tries to relive his glory days and crosses paths with a mysterious music mogul.
After being conned and reduced to bankruptcy, Mr. Burns seeks revenge on the music producer with the help of Homer, Bart, rapper Jazzy James (Key) and the mogul’s ex-wife, Praline (Henson), in a spoof of Henson’s “Empire” role.
“I just pray it won’t be the last thing people see before a Trump inauguration,” executive producer Al Jean said.
Additionally, the series’ record-setting 600th episode will air on October 16 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 series is a Gracie Films production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. 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 it was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.”
“The Simpsons” Season 28 premieres on Sept. 25 at 8/7c on Fox.