Holly to Bolly: The Simpsons renewed for another two seasons, Sting to headline Bataclan reopening concert, and more

AP

Anthony Harvey / Getty Images for BFI

AP

Reuters

The Simpsons has been renewed for two more seasons, which means it will run until at least 2019 and in doing so will break the record for most episodes of any scripted television show in United States history. Twenty-First Century Fox Inc's Fox Broadcasting announced the news on Friday. The show, which often playfully and poignantly satirises American culture, has won 32 Emmy awards and was nominated for an Oscar in the animated short category in 2012. It has aired over 600 episodes and is syndicated in more than 100 countries. It is already the longest-running sitcom in US history. — Reuters

Sting to lead Bataclan concert to mark reopening

Sting will headline a concert at the Bataclan to mark its reopening this month. The Paris concert venue, where militants killed 90 people in November 2015, has been closed ever since and after renovation will reopen on November 12. Sting, 65, who headed up pop music band The Police before embarking on a long solo career, announced the news on his website, saying the show would seek to honour those 130 people killed. “We hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them,” he said. Proceeds from the concert will go towards two charities catering to victims of the attacks. Jerome Langlet, the head of the firm that owns the Bataclan said the venue had been totally renovated, but kept largely as it was before so as to retain its “soul and history”. - Reuters

Pitt’s plea for joint custody of his kids

Brad Pitt is asking a judge to grant him joint custody of his six children following his split from wife Angelina Jolie Pitt. The actor's request was included in his response to Jolie Pitt's September 20 petition to end their two-year marriage. The actress sought sole physical custody of their six children, who range in age from 8 to 15. The couple reached a temporary custody agreement that allowed the actor to visit his children while an investigation by a child welfare agency in Los Angeles is ongoing. The outcome of the investigation could impact how a judge determines custody arrangements, although courts in California generally favour awarding joint custody. The actors could also reach a private agreement that would not involve a public custody fight in court. The actors were together for 12 years after becoming close while filming Mr & Mrs Smith in 2005. — AP

Hillary Clinton rolls out Beyoncé, Jay-Z four days out from US election

Four days before the US presidential election, Hillary Clinton held a celebrity-studded concert in Cleveland featuring Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z. The New York Times reports that the two rappers performed on stage in an attempt to rally young black voters. After the performance, Clinton thanked Beyoncé whom she called "a woman who is an inspiration to so many others" and Jay Z "for addressing in his music some of our biggest challenges in the country: poverty, racism, the urgent need for criminal justice reform". "When I see them here, this passion and energy and intensity, I don't even know where to begin because this is what America is, my friends," Clinton said. She also emphasised historical significance of potentially electing the first woman as president. — The National staff

Tarantino to bow out after 10th film

Quentin Tarantino says he is planning to retire after his 10th feature film. Tarantino, who has directed and written eight films, said he feels content with his career, stating that he finds pleasure in creating projects from scratch and watching them develop, reports Variety Magazine. "There is this incredible satisfaction for me to think back, to what is usually only two years ago … and to think that there was a moment in time where me and a pen were sitting at a table in front of a blank piece of paper. It's very gratifying for me," he said. Towards the end of The Creativity Conference in San Diego last week, Tarantino shared that he plans to retire after his 10th feature film, but hopes that he will leave a lasting impression in cinema for future generations. "At the end of the day, if you're going to get right down to it … the way I define success is when I'm finished with the career, and I'm considered one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived. That would be successful. And going further, a great artist, not just filmmaker." The National staff