The Simpsons, 8:00 p.m. ET
The first episode of The Simpsons is titled "Double, Double, Boy in Trouble," written by Bill Odenkirk. We can assume that the episode concerns Bart, well, getting into trouble.
The Simpsons continues to be one of the most successful television series, not to mention cartoons, in history. The 2008 - 2009 season will be The Simpsons' 20th, which will tie the series with Gunsmoke as the longest-running series in the history of primetime television. The Simpsons is also nominated for an Emmy this year.
In 2007, The Simpsons celebrated an unprecedented 400 episodes, and the long-awaited The Simpsons Movie was released in July 2007, grossing $526 million worldwide to date. Additionally, The Simpsons Ride opened in May 2007 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and Hollywood, California.
King of the Hill, 8:30 p.m. ET
This year will mark the 13th season of King of the Hill. In September, we'll also find out if King of the Hill takes home its first Emmy award since 2002.
King of the Hill is also a long-running cartoon on Fox, celebrating 250 episodes in May 2009. The 250th milestone episode, "Serves Me Right for Giving General George S. Patton the Bathroom Key," takes place a year after the death of Hank's father, Cotton Hill. In the episode, Cotton's widow, Didi, delivers Hank a box full of his father's prized possessions including one last crazy Cotton request to have his ashes flushed down a toilet located in an old bar and once used by General George S. Patton.
Family Guy, 9:00 p.m. ET
Family Guy returns this fall for its 7th season. The first episode is tentatively titled "Love Blactually."
Family Guy is quickly becoming a favorite staple for Fox. In 2007, the show celebrated 100 episodes. Family Guy is also nominated for an Emmy award this year, though it is competing in the hour-long category with the Star Wars spoof "Blue Harvest."
American Dad, 9:30 p.m. ET
American Dad kicks off the 2008 - 2009 TV season with an episode tentatively titled "House of Horror."
South Park, 10:00 p.m. ET
South Park will return with new episodes on Comedy Central on October 8, 2008. Nothing has been released yet about fall premiere.
The Life and Times of Tim, 11:00 p.m.
New for the 2008 - 2009 TV season is a cartoon on HBO titled The Life and Times of Tim. Tim is about a twenty-something guy who has a regular corporate job, and an ambitious girlfriend, but he can't do anything right. HBO's animated offering looks like it belongs on Adult Swim. Catch the premier on Sunday, September 28 at 11:00 p.m. ET on HBO.
In the spring of 2009, Fox and ABC will premiere new animated shows.
Sit Down, Shut Up
Spring 2009 will bring a new animated show from Emmy Award winner Mitchell Hurwitz (Arrested Development) with the working title Sit Down, Shut Up. The cartoon follows a group of unconventional staff members working at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town.
The Cleveland Show
Also in the spring we'll see a Family Guy spin-off, The Cleveland Show. The story follows Peter's friend (you guessed it!) Cleveland when he moves to Stoolbend, VA, to make good on a promise to his high school sweetheart.
Will American Dad be pushed aside for these new offerings? I hope not, but only spring will tell.
The Goode Family
Mid-season, ABC will air a new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of King of the Hill. The Goode Family is obsessed with doing the "right" thing, whether it's environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences.
Hopefully ABC will give The Goode Family more support than they did Clerks: Uncensored, from Kevin Smith.
