THE SIMPSONS - VENEZUELAN TV COMPANY DEEMS THE SIMPSONS "INAPPROPRIATE"

A Venezuelan TV channel has deemed THE SIMPSONS "inappropriate" and removed it from its daily slot at 11.00 local time.

Elba Guillen, a spokesperson for Televen, confirmed that the decision was due to viewer complaints received by the National Telecommunications Commission.

"It had to be taken off. They consider it to be a series that isn't appropriate for that time because it isn't appropriate for children," she added.

The TV watchdog added that the sitcom contains "messages that go against the whole education of boys, girls and adolescents", but did not specify which elements of the show it felt were problematic.

It has been replaced with re-runs of BAYWATCH HAWAII, which have so far received no complaints.

According to E! News, THE SIMPSONS, which was created by MATT GROENING, is heading into its 20th season and will match GUNSMOKE's record as the longest-running scripted TV show in primetime.

THE SIMPSONS has won numerous accolades including 23 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.