'The Simpsons' Celebrates 25 Years of Success with Musical Extravaganza

"The Simpsons", which is the longest running animated series on American television, celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl.

The three-night programme titled "The Simpsons Take the Bowl" took the fans to a world of music and dance.

The world-premiere of the special programme, which began on Friday night, was hosted by Hank Azaria, Yeardley Smith and Nancy Cartwright, wherein they portrayed Brat, Lisa, Moe, Apu, Chief Wiggum and his son Ralph, according to The Associated Press.

In the lively performance of the cast members, Homer and family appeared in a new look exclusively for the show and Azaria sang "Who Needs The Kwik-E-Mart" in Apu's costume along with dancing hot dogs, reported Reuters.

As the best clips from the last 25 seasons of "The Simpsons" played on big screens, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performed in tall blue Marge Simpson wigs.

Meanwhile, "Weird Al" Yankovic sang, "Oh yeah, 'The Simpsons' will go on, long after the human race is gone" and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer performed with Bratt's face. Zimmer played the music from his Oscar-nominated short film "The Longest Daycare", which shows Maggie saving a butterfly from a classroom bully.

"Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles" also performed on the occasion. They sang "Spider Pig" from "The Simpsons" movie and "See My Vest" from the 20^th episode of season 6 titled "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds".

The programme paid tribute to many, including former Fox TV presidents Barry Diller and Kevin Reilly as well as late Phil Hartman, who voiced several of "The Simpsons" characters until his death in 1998.

Former "Simpsons" writer Conan O'Brien, show creator Matt Groening, pro skateboarder Tony Hawk and comedian Jon Lovitz were also part of the event.

"The Simpsons" season 26 premiere will be aired on 28 September.