"THE SIMPSONS" CHALLENGES ULTIMATE FANS TO BREAK GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST CONTINUOUS TELEVISION VIEWING

Contest Kicks Off at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles on February 8 and Will Award Winner with $10,500 Prize

500th Episode Airs Sunday, February 19, on FOX

In celebration of THE SIMPSONS' historic 500th episode milestone, FOX invites fans of the iconic animated series to participate in THE SIMPSONS Ultimate Fan Marathon Challenge at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles. Beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 8, fans will come together to watch up to 500 continuous episodes of THE SIMPSONS in an attempt to break the current Guinness World Record of 86 hours, 6 minutes and 41 seconds for the longest continuous television viewing. The contest winner will take home a $10,500 prize and an array of THE SIMPSONS merchandise, including products exclusively designed to commemorate the 500th episode.

Fans interested in participating in the marathon event are encouraged to "like" THE SIMPSONS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thesimpsons or visit http://www.thesimpsons.com to receive news updates including the exact date and time for open registration.

Members of THE SIMPSONS will kick off the Ultimate Fan Marathon Challenge event at Hollywood & Highland on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Fans and spectators, meanwhile, will be able to watch the marathon and visit THE SIMPSONS fanfare area equipped with interactive elements and animation cells. Fans living outside Los Angeles can stay up-to-date with the marathon challenge by visiting THE SIMPSONS' official Facebook page for event updates, video and photos from the event.

THE SIMPSONS strides into its 500th episode, "At Long Last Leave," on Sunday, Feb. 19 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. In the episode, the Simpsons are evicted from Springfield and join an off-the-grid community outside of town. But when Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) and Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) try to sneak back into Springfield, they are welcomed with hostility from their former friends and neighbors and begin to appreciate their new and more accepting home.

On Blu-ray and DVD, fans can enjoy and experience more from THE SIMPSONS with never-before-seen footage and extras. Start your collection today with THE SIMPSONS Season One and relive every moment of the longest-running scripted television show in history completely uninterrupted. Fans can also visit www.TheSimpsonsShop.com to get their hands on all of the latest THE SIMPSONS merchandise, and beginning in February, a special selection of products created exclusively to celebrate the 500th episode milestone.

In the all-new episode, "Politically Inept with Homer Simpson," airing tonight (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), Homer lands his own political talk show after a video featuring his impassioned rant on poor treatment at the airport goes viral. As his talk show quickly gains popularity nationwide, Homer becomes the spokesperson for the Gravy Movement and the voice of America's newest political party. But when ill-informed Homer is asked to select the next Republican nominee and officially endorses right-wing rock star Ted Nugent (guest-voicing as himself), Marge and Lisa (voice of Yeardley Smith) worry that Homer's opinion and influence might be more powerful than he realizes.

THE SIMPSONS serves up a feast of guest voices this spring, including Lady Gaga who, in the season finale, teaches Lisa to love herself; contemporary artist and graphic designer Shepard Fairey; Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") who plays a fictional movie spy and teaches Homer to be a better husband; and Glenn Close reprising her role as MONA SIMPSON. Also, Lisa falls in love with actor/comedian Michael Cera ("Scott Pilgrim vs. The World") on Valentine's Day; actor Jeremy Irons ("Die Hard with a Vengeance") plays MOE's (Hank Azaria) only friend, a bar rag; and actor Armie Hammer ("The Social Network") lends his voice to "The D'oh-cial Network."

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. Film Roman, a Starz Media Company, is the animation house.

Visit THE SIMPSONS website at www.thesimpsons.com. Become a fan of the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesimpsons and follow the series on Twitter @TheSimpsonsTV and Homer Simpson @HomerJSimpson. Shop THE SIMPSONS at www.TheSimpsonsShop.com.