It was just Monday that we were grousing about the insufferable glut of campaign advertisements swamping D.C.-area airwaves. Between two presidential campaigns, a host of congressional runs and countless third-party groups, over $170 million has been spent on political advertising in the greater Washington area.

And now comes the worst effect. The Washington Post reported this week that beginning on Monday, D.C.’s Fox affiliate, WTTG, added an extra half-hour to its 6 p.m. newscast to accomodate an increased focus on political coverage. In turn, an extra news broadcast means another crack for political campaigns to reach voters with their incessant advertisements. What’s getting bumped?

The Simpsons.

That’s right. The daily reruns of America’s favorite family are getting the temporary axe so viewers can spend more time being shouted at about why they should or should not vote for President Obama, Mitt Romney, Tim Kaine, George Allen, expanded gambling in Maryland and many other candidates and issues.

The ABC affiliate, WJLA, is also adding more local news programming in an attempt to grab more ad revenue. Not that selling airtime has been that difficult for local broadcasters. Television broadcasters in the D.C. market raked in $58.6 million from political advertisers in the one-month period ending October 19.

But to cut The Simpsons to make way for more campaign ads? In the words of a certain television clown, that’s the sweetest plum! Though perhaps this reaction would be more appropriate: