"Little Big Girl"

Episode JABF04: As a reward for a heroic act, Bart is granted a driver's license, and in an attempt to escape endless family errands and chauffeuring, he flees to a faraway town where he is romanced by Darcy (guest voice Natalie Portman), an older teenage girl whose expectations may prove to be too much for Bart.

Also, when Lisa struggles to find excitement and intrigue in her family heritage for a school presentation, she decides to take creative license in crafting her heritage as a Native American, since it's only for a school project. What begins as an innocent embellishment quickly turns into a web of lies when Lisa is chosen to represent the school, and "her people," at City Hall, and then as a keynote speaker for the National Native American Tribal Council.

"Little Big Girl" airs February 11.

"Springfield Up"

Episode JABF07: Famous documentarian Declan Desmond (guest voice Eric Idle) walks us through the lives of Springfield's most prominent inhabitants, from childhood to the present. Those profiled include Marge, Moe, and of course Homer, who attempts to convince Declan and his crew that he is a millionaire.

"Springfield Up" airs February 28.

"Yokel Chords"

In the March 4 episode, guest voices will include Andy Dick and James Patterson as themselves, Meg Ryan as Dr. Swanson, Stephen Sondheim as himself and Peter Bogdanovich as a psychologist. In a parody of The Sound of Music, Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel's children become a singing group on the Krusty the Clown Show.

Other upcoming episodes include:

"Little Big Girl" (airing February 11)

"Springfield Up" (airing February 28)

"Kill Gil: Vols. 1 & 2"

Airing December 17: "During a holiday ice skating show starring guest voice Elvis Stojko (see below), Homer jumps into a chaotic brawl involving the other ice skaters. In order to escape the chaos, Marge decides to take the family holiday shopping. Gil, dressed as Santa Claus, unknowingly gives Lisa a sold-out Malibu Stacy doll that belongs to his boss' daughter. When Gil loses his job, the Simpsons invite him over for Christmas dinner, which becomes a huge mistake as Gil moves in uninvited and mooches off the Simpsons. Out of guilt, Marge continually allows Gil to prolong his stay, but when her patience wears thin, she's forced to overcome her fear and finally say no."
(Click images to enlarge).

"Moe'N'A Lisa"

Last November I posted the article "Tom Wolfe Is Screaming" that describes the recording session with Michael Chabon, Tom Wolfe and Gore Vidal for the "Moe'N'A Lisa" episode of The Simpsons. The article was accompanied by a preliminary sketch of Tom Wolfe, and you can now see the finished promo card above. The episode is scheduled to air Sunday, November 19. Here's the synopsis.

"After Homer forgets Moe's birthday, Moe's anger inspires Lisa to write about him for her school report. She finds a poetic side to Moe and helps him get published in American Poetry Perspectives. However, when Moe is featured at a literary conference -- where he encounters celebrated authors Gore Vidal, Michael Chabon, Tom Wolfe and Jonathan Franzen, all guest-voicing as themselves -- he takes all the credit despite Lisa's feelings."

Treehouse Of Horror XVII

From TV.com: "The Day the Earth Looked Stupid" - in the late 1930s, Kang and Kodos land in Springfield as part of an alien invasion, but the town, completely taken in by The War of the Worlds, doesn't pay much attention.

More info at Wikipedia.

"G.I. D'oh!"

Kiefer Sutherland guest-stars on the November 12 episode of "The Simpsons."

After Bart gets out of a commitment to join the Army at 18, Homer falls prey to a couple of Army recruiters and lands himself in basic training. Homer, of course, treats this like summer camp and infuriates his hard-nosed colonel (Sutherland) when he is unfazed by the constant hazing and humiliation.

The White Stripes

"Jazzy And The Pussycats" will be the second episode of the new season, set to air September 17th.

"After Bart's arm is mangled by a tiger that Lisa rescued from the local pound, Bart organizes a benefit concert to raise money for an operation to repair his drumming arm."

As previously mentioned, the episode will guest star The White Stripes.

The 18th Season Premiere

"The Mook, The Chef, The Wife and His Homer," featuring Metallica (above), is scheduled to air on Sept. 10.

Synopsis: After Lisa befriends Michael, the son of Fat Tony (Joe Mantegna, reprising his role as Springfield's infamous mob boss), Fat Tony invites the Simpsons over for dinner as a sign of gratitude. Shockingly, Fat Tony is shot by a rival family moments after Michael admits he would rather be a chef than take over the family business. Fat Tony's main thugs, Dante and Dante Jr. (guest voices Joe Pantoliano and Michael Imperioli), want Michael to be the new kingpin, but when he declines, Homer steps up and leads the family on a major mob spree.

Sounds like Homer might finally be living up to those Scarface and Sopranos parody T-shirts:

But... Dante and Dante Jr. are Fat Tony's main thugs now? What happened to Louie and Legs? (Something violent, no doubt).

HOMERSAPIEN

Above is the promo card for the upcoming "Monkey Suit" episode of the The Simpsons. Click the image for a larger version. You can read the episode synopsis here.

Season 17 Finale

"Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play" - May 21, 2006

In the 17th season finale, Mandy Moore and Stacy Keach guest-voice. After a passionate kiss between Marge and Homer airs on the Isotope Jumbotron, struggling second baseman Buck Mitchell turns to the couple for marital advice. The Simpsons are able to get Buck and his sexy singing wife, Fiona (guest-voice Moore), on track, and the Isotopes' season turns for the better. Things seem to be coming up aces for the Simpsons until Buck catches Homer giving Fiona a post-show neck massage, which results in both couples separating.

Last 3 Episodes of Season 17

Synopses courtesy of Comics Continuum:

"Regarding Margie" on May 7

After a spring-cleaning frenzy and inhaling too many fumes, Marge suffers from retrograde amnesia. In an effort to bring back her memory, Homer takes Marge around town to re-familiarize her with her surroundings. She still has no recollection of who Homer is and puts herself back on the singles market. Will Marge ever remember her beloved Homey?

"The Monkey Suit" on May 14

Larry Hagman and Melanie Griffith guest-voice. After visiting an evolution exhibit narrated by guest voice Griffith, Flanders pushes Mayor Quimby to appoint Reverend Lovejoy as a "Morality Czar" in charge of spreading the theory of creationism. Darwin's theories are quickly outlawed, and Lisa finds herself as the only supporter of the scientific theory. After holding secret evolution classes, Lisa is arrested and retains Southern lawyer Wallace Brady (guest-voice Hagman) to help defend her beliefs in front of a judge. While Flanders is on the stand in court, Homer's antics cause him to crack under pressure and he calls Homer an ape, which leads the judge to believe Homer resembles the missing link ­ putting a monkey wrench in the prosecutors' case.

"Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play" on May 21

In the 17th season finale, Mandy Moore and Stacy Keach guest-voice. After a passionate kiss between Marge and Homer airs on the Isotope Jumbotron, struggling second baseman Buck Mitchell turns to the couple for marital advice. The Simpsons are able to get Buck and his sexy singing wife, Fiona (guest-voice Moore), on track, and the Isotopes' season turns for the better. Things seem to be coming up aces for the Simpsons until Buck catches Homer giving Fiona a post-show neck massage, which results in both couples separating.

"Girls Just Want to Have Sums"

(Click promo card to enlarge)

The April 30, 2006 episode of The Simpsons:

Springfield is in an uproar after Principal Skinner makes a sexist comment at the end of an Itchy and Scratchy musical. Principal Skinner is replaced by Melanie Upfoot, a women's educational expert, who decides to divide the school in two: one for boys, and one for girls. Studious Lisa soon becomes frustrated when she isn't learning anything from girls' school.

When the Principal refuses to allow her to take math at the boys' school, Lisa decides to dress up as a boy. While Bart teaches her the ropes of boyhood, Lisa wins the math award at the Student Achievement Awards and learns what it's really like to be a part of the boys' club.

Frances McDormand guest-stars as Principal Melanie Upfoot.

Tonight's Episode of "The Simpsons"

"Homer Simpson: This Is Your Wife," the highly-anticipated episode written by, and starring, Ricky Gervais, airs tonight. Above is the second promo card for this episode released by Fox. The first one is here. Word on the net is that the live-action opening sequence will also appear at the beginning of tonight's episode.

"Bart Has Two Mommies"

Episode HABF07: "The Bart Has Two Mommies" (airs March 19, 2006)

When Ned Flanders wins a new computer that features guest star Susan Sarandon as the "You've Got Mail" voice, he offers it to Marge, as he has no use for it. In return, Marge babysits the Flanders children so that Ned can attend the Left-Handed Convention, where he meets New York Yankees guest star Randy Johnson, who is selling left-handed teddy bears. With Marge spending so much time at The Flanders', Homer must look after Bart and Lisa. Homer takes the kids to an animal retirement home, but the trip goes awry when Toot-Toot the monkey pulls Bart into her cage and holds him hostage. Marge learns of the kidnapping when it is a breaking news report and she must figure out a way to get her son back.

Live-Action Simpsons!

The live-action opening credits of The Simpsons (first mentioned back in December) is finally available on YouTube! Check it out!

"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story"

When Homer finds himself trapped upside down in a cave, Lisa helps pass the time by telling him a series of interconnected stories.

Ricky Gervais Episode

"Homer Simpson: This Is Your Wife," previously discussed here back in November, is set to air March 28. The episode was written by, and stars, Ricky Gervais.

Gervais praises 'Simpsons' appearance

Tuesday, February 28 2006, 16:15 UTC - by Miriam Zendle

Ricky Gervais has said that his upcoming appearance on The Simpsons was the pinnacle of his career.

The Office star believes the show is "the greatest TV comedy of all time."

Gervais told the New York Daily News: "It was like I'd won a competition. I'm genuinely worried that Hollywood got together and talked to my doctors and found out I've only got a few months to live and said, 'Just let him do what he wants to do.'

"I'm in awe of (The Simpsons) and have been for at least 10 years. When I first got into comedy, my ambition was to get a joke on The Simpsons. So to write and star in one is ridiculous. Remarkably, I've got to a place where I'm cherry-picking jobs and I'm cherry-picking jobs (with) my heroes. I mean, really! The Simpsons!"

As usual, you can click on the image above to get the full-sized promo card.

"My Fair Laddy"

"My Fair Laddy"
Scheduled to air February 26, 2006
Synopsis:

When Bart accidentally destroys Groundskeeper Willie's shack with a game of solid ice dodge ball, Marge takes in the homeless janitor. Lisa decides to offer Willie a better life by refining him for her upcoming science fair, and after an arduous regimen, she turns the curmudgeon into the talk of the town. Meanwhile, Homer fears changing trouser styles when he discovers the factory that makes his classic blue pants is going out of business.

White Stripes To Guest Star on "The Simpsons"

The White Stripes, the first and only musical guests to appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," (check out the interview and their performances) are set to be Simpsonized, a lifelong dream of the duo's drummer Meg White.

From NME.com:

White Stripes to appear in The Simpsons

Meg White's long-held wish comes true

The White Stripes are set to guest star in The Simpsons.

Duo Jack and Meg White will provided their voices and appear in an episode in the new season of the long-running cartoon.

Appearing alongside Homer, Bart and co has been a long-held desire of drummer Meg White.

"A guest appearance would be amazing," Meg said in March 2003, adding, "I wouldn't want to be in a Lisa episode. They're kind of boring. Maybe a Homer one would be better."

The band will join the likes of New Journalism pioneer and author Tom Wolfe and 24 star Kiefer Sutherland, who are also set to feature in the forthcoming season, Hollywood.com reports.