Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy your genetically-modified turkey!

Anyone watching the parades? Reminds me of last year's Turkey Day post.

Mr. Burns Now Even Richer

Last year C. Montgomery Burns ranked No. 5 on the Forbes Fictional 15 list. This year he lands at No. 2, with an estimated net worth of 16.8 billion dollars. Click the link to read Forbes' amusing analysis of Mr. Burns' fortune.

New Simpsons Safety Poster

To see more Official Simpsons Safety posters, click here.

"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."

Simpsons Season 9 DVD

The box art for the ninth season features Lisa Simpson. For a list of episodes and extras, check out TVShowsOnDVD.com.

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).

Bongo Comics: October 2006

SIMPSONS COMICS #123

by Boothby and Ortiz

Someone's out to kill Bart Simpson, but Sideshow Bob is nowhere to be seen... ­­unless of course you tune into to his new prison reality show. Who can Bart turn to when it seems like everyone is out to get him? And will Sideshow Bob ever learn to speak Cantonese? It's a comic classic to kill for this October!

SIMPSONS CLASSICS #10

The city of Springfield becomes ground zero for newly-appointed Fitness Ambassador Rainier Wolfcastle's Battle of the Bulge. But with an entire town on a diet, inspired by the presidential promise of a community water park, only one very fat man stands in the way...Homer Simpson! Then witness the miracle of Springfield, when the statue of Jebediah Springfield starts crying real tears and true believers from all over begin a pilgrimage to the holy site. But does one spiky-haired prankster have a hand (or a hose) in Springfield's newest attraction? (Collects Simpsons Comics #18-19)

BART SIMPSON #32

by McCann, Trainor and Lloyd

Bart loses control with his new Krusty Clone at Home Kit; Maggie battles Mr. Burns for a mysterious and cursed artifact; and Ralph gets mistaken for a prized pig at the Springfield county fair.

More Simpsons Safety Posters

Previous Simpsons Safety Posters

Season Eight: Regular Packaging

Click here for more info.

Simpsons Bust-Ups: Treehouse of Horror 2006

Simpsons Bust-Ups: Treehouse of Horror 2006 includes:

Killer Krusty Doll, Werewolf Bart, Homer as Death, and Dracula Hibbert and Grampa Gorilla.

Available in October from Gentle Giant. (Click image above to enlarge).

Bongo Comics for August

SIMPSONS COMICS #121

Ian Boothby and Phil Ortiz

Does anybody really know what time it is? Not if you ask anyone in Springfield. Homer takes his beef with Daylight Savings Time to Mayor Quimby. The mayor promptly rescinds the order but accidentally creates a loophole that allows everyone in town to set their own random time schedule. Be it Eastern, Central or Pacific Standard Time, chaos ensues.

BART SIMPSON COMICS #31

DiGerolamo, Dorkin and Lloyd

Bart wins a shopping spree at Krusty's Land of Misfit Toys, but it doesn't take long before all his friends and family members are asking him to score them some free toys. Then Maggie and Moe take a trip to Wall E. Weasel's, stumble into a plot of international intrigue, and come face-to-face with another crime-solving duo -- Gerald, the one-eyebrowed baby and Titania.

The Complete Eighth Season

Due out August 15, 2006. Click here for a list of episodes and extras.

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.

Bernie Wrightson Autograph

I got to meet my favorite horror artist at the Dallas Comic Con on Saturday... the master, Bernie Wrightson. He signed my copy of Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #11, which contains "Squish Thing," the story he did with Swamp Thing co-creator Len Wein.

Ultimate Pop Culture Repository

This weekend I went to the Dallas Comic Con, and brought along my 1992 San Diego Comic Con book bag to stuff with swag. On the way to the con, my friend Vic mentioned that our sons, who are watching The Simpsons season by season as they are released on DVD, will already know the story of every major movie released in the last few decades before they ever see them, because they've all been parodied on the show. I pulled out my book bag when we arrived, spurring the following conversation:

Ryan: Who's that?
Me: That's Lobo.
Ryan: Lobo? You mean Sherriff Lobo?
Me (after a lot of laughter): No, not Sherriff Lobo. Wait a minute, how do you know who Sherriff Lobo is?
Ryan: The Simpsons.

So there you have it. The Simpsons is indeed the ultimate pop culture repository. Want to know what was going on in the collective unconscious at any point in the last twenty years? Just watch that season of The Simpsons. It's in there.

Side note: It warms my heart to know that DC's Lobo, one of the lamest comics characters of all time, has sunken deeper into obscurity than Sherriff Lobo, who's been off prime time television a lot longer than Lobo's been off the new comics rack.

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.

The Onion AV Club Interviews Matt Groening

http://www.avclub.com/content/node/47771

Bongo Comics for July 2006

The new Diamond Previews hit comic shops today, so here we go:

Simpsons Comics #120

by Bates & Delaney

It begins with the pursuit of a home run ball and ends with the downfall of America's greatest pastime. One man will rock the very institution of Baseball down to its foundation in pursuit of the American dream... and lots and lots of money.

Simpsons Classics #9

Patty & Selma lose their jobs at the DMV, and the Simpsons end up with two more cigarette-smoking mouths to feed. Things begin to look up for Marge's twin sisters when they take new jobs as flight attendants, but the skies above Springfield will never be safe again. Then, don't touch that dial! Bart & Lisa turn a local cable access station into a big broadcasting concern. Check you local listings to see if they have the maverick manner to outmaneuver Murdoch. Collects Simpsons Comics #16 & 17.

Futurama Comics #26

by Boothby & Kazaleh

After a freak accident with Professor Farnsworth's Time Rifle, Leela is blown to past, present, and future bits, dividing her into her toddler, teen, and elderly selves. Any way you look at it, there's a whole lot of Leela going on.

Futurama Volume 3: Time Bender TPB

by Boothby, Lloyd, & Delaney

The four-part trilogy returns in an all-new trade paperback collection. Fry, Leela, Bender, and Professor Farnsworth's clone/ward Cubert take an intergalactic trip, and when they return to Earth, they find the planet uninhabited. First, our merry band of messengers must fight off alien invaders bent on claiming the planet as their own. Then they must go in search of their missing colleagues as well as billions of citizens from Planet Earth. And before long the intrepid crew quite literally goes to Hell and back again. Will the world ever get back to normal, or is everyone totally boned?

The Dumbest Audience Ever Polled

Sunday night I watched the new episode of The Simpsons, "The Wettest Stories Ever Told," twice. The first time with my 11-year-old son, the second with a group of thirtysomething friends. Both times, everyone involved laughed their asses off, because this episode is hilarious. The '70s references in the Poseidon Adventure parody alone make the whole thing worthwhile. (And the commercial for the remake, Poseidon, was icing on the cake).

Afterwards, out of perverse curiousity, I checked one of the message boards run by Simpsons "fans" to read their reactions, and naturally they were almost universally panning it as one of the worst episodes ever. Here is an actual quote from one of the posts:

Not a lot of people are familiar with the Mayflower, the Mutiny on the Bounty or the Poseiden Adventure, so it's hard for people to relate or understand the plot. The previous historical trilogies picked much more well known stories.

Wow. Just... wow. Assuming this had been posted by a nine-year-old, who might deserve to be cut some slack, I checked the person's profile. He (or she) is 20. I'm starting to understand the bandwagon that claims that The Simpsons hasn't been funny for years. The show hasn't jumped the shark, the audience has. At least the vocal internet one.

They don't seem to be able to grasp the idea that if they are some combination of too clueless, young, uneducated or unhip to get the humor in a Simpsons episode, they aren't the target audience. And that, my friends, is comedy gold.

Isn't It Ironic?

Ironic Punishment 2
Originally uploaded by roadkillbuddha.

My Ironic Punishment Deluxe Boxed Set arrived at Paper Heroes today in the new comics shipment. This is especially cool considering that the local Suncoast and Toys 'R' Overpriced stores don't have them yet, and comic shops tend to be the last places to receive this kind of action figure. Ironically, however, Diamond Comic Distributors still managed to screw me by not shipping us our copies of Simpsons Comics #117.

"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.

Bongo Comics for June 2006

Simpsons Super Spectacular #3

by Beland, Boothby, Delaney, & Lash

Three superior superheroic stories in one ish! Meet Gastritus, the swallower of whole galaxies and a lot of pork rinds. Then, Stretch Dude, Clobber Girl, and Battle Baby find themselves on the wrong side of the law when the local league of Women Voters outlaws superheroes. And finally, some of Radioactive Man's female friends from the Superior Squad grab the spotlight in a stirring adventure.

Simpsons Comics #119

by Boothby and Costanza

Having deprived the citizens of Springfield of electricity one too many times, and discovering his popularity at an all-time low, Mr. Burns decides to win back the public with a weekly television show giving one lucky person a chance to become his protege'. Who will become... "The Flunky"? Toady trumps tyrant this June! Includes a hum-diddly-dinger of a door hanger featuring friendly neighborino Ned Flanders.

Bart Simpson Comics #30

by Digerolamo, Lloyd, Ortiz, and Peyer

Bart gets bent out of shape when all of his friends get caught up in a reading frenzy over the newest kid's fantasy novel, and he literally sets out to destroy literacy. Then, a school field trip goes awry when Bart, Milhouse, and Martin end up on a runaway train. Also, picture if you will, Bart as the newest action star!

"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!

Bongo Comics for May 2006

Simpsons Comics #118

by Boothby & Ortiz

The lovelorn men of Springfield find that they have little prospect of romance and even less to live for, but when they put their lives on the line by participating in extreme sports, the adrenaline rush makes them feel born anew. The high life brings higher risks and a higher profile, but will it all come to an end with one high impact? Live on the edge with Simpsons Comics in May!

Futurama Comics #25

by Boothby and Kazaleh

Gather 'round and hear tell of the three "deliverers" who fell from the sky and liberated the good and filthy people of Bottingham... and the metal rebel who threw off the chains of oppression and overtaxation and without faint heart challenged the dastardly sheriff... the one who robbed from the rich, gave some to the poor, and kept most of it for himself... Robot Hood! Hear ye! Hear ye! Futurama Comics will set you free this May!

The Simpsons Volume 5: The Big, Bouncy Book of Bart Simpson (trade paperback)

Bart Simpson puts the spring in Springfield with a brand-new collection of comics and stories brimming with delicious donuts, derring-do, water balloons, warm milk, sidekicks, spy rings, moviemakers, Molemen, zip lines, and zombies. Soar above rooftops with three generations of Simpson superheroes. Dive in as Bart and Nelson go head-to-head in an all-you-can-eat battle royale and Milhouse and Martin spend a potentially exciting day without Bart. Leap into action with Bart and Lisa as they enter an enigma of elementary school espionage. And jump for joy that Bart Simpson is back and in the bindings of a brand-new book. Boundless bliss is yours to behold this May! ($13.95)

"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.

Out-of-Season's Greetings

When Cap'n John (founder of the Paper Heroes chain of comic shops) saw my photo of last year's Bongo Christmas Poster, he recognized the art from a Bongo Christmas Card he'd received back in the early '90s. He dug it out of his Big Box o' Nostalgia for me to scan (see below), and also stumbled across this Diamond Comics Christmas Card (above) in the process.

The front of the card shows Bart carving the Diamond Comics logo into a frozen pond with his ice skates. The inside shows the consequences for a cyanotic Homer.

Think of this post as an After Christmas Sale: Click on the images to enlarge, and save 'em for the 2006 holiday season.

Falling Out

"We asked (the audience) for names at a show. A kid yelled 'Fall Out Boy,' Bart's alter-ego on 'The Simpsons.' It just stuck."

- Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, on how the band got its name, in Us Weekly.

For the record, Bart Simpson's alter-egos include Bartman, El Barto, Stretch Dude, and Cupcake Kid, while Fallout Boy is Radioactive Man's sidekick, and was played on "The Simpsons" by Milhouse.

Fall Out Boy: A good band with bad Simpsons intel.

Create Your Own Couch Gag

Due in May from McFarlane Toys:

THE SIMPSONS BOXED SET: FAMILY COUCH GAG

Classic Simpsons, as only McFarlane can do it! Homer and Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, Santa's Little Helper and Snowball II recreate the classic episode-opening couch gag. Create your own couch gag by rearranging the magnetic figures, which can be positioned in a variety of poses and configurations. Comes with Simpson-themed accessories including a Duff beer can and Porko Bits.

More photos at Spawn.com.

If I Can't Watch The Simpsons, the Terrorists Win

This cartoon battle has gone too far. Attacking Denmark's embassies is one thing, but preventing an episode of "The Simpsons" from airing is over the line...

Cartoon furor puts Mohammed's guest role on "The Simpsons" in doubt

The controversy over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper has led the producers of The Simpsons to reconsider his appearance in a forthcoming episode. The offending cartoons included a picture of the founder of Islam wearing a turban, and have been slammed by Muslims for being blasphemous and Israelis as overly subtle.

“In light of the situation in Denmark, we have decided to withdraw our depiction of the Prophet out of sensitivity towards the Islamic community’s feelings,” creator Matt Groening said. “And also our sensitivity to our office being firebombed.”

In the cancelled episode, entitled ‘Don’t Have A Pig, Man’, Mohammed was to have appeared to Homer in a dream, converting him to Islam with a promise of 770 donuts in the afterlife.

Groening said that the decision to produce the episode starring Mohammed was not taken lightly. “We suspected there would be an adverse reaction if we drew the Prophet,” he said. “But we had no choice. He's the only celebrity guest we haven’t used before.”

The show's creator has also guaranteed Muslim viewers that he won't be depicting the Prophet anywhere else in future. “Since the cancellation, we can't just use all the rejected Simpsons ideas on Futurama anymore,” he said.

The furore over the incident has led the Danish press to vow to tone down its coverage of controversial events. "This will teach us to write stories that aren't about Prince Frederik's baby," the editor of Jyllands-Posten said.

Meanwhile a fatwa has also been declared on cartoonist Michael Leunig, although on account of the insipidness of his work rather than any blasphemy.

Source: The Chaser

For My Buddies at the Simpsons Collector Sector

File under: "Obscure Simpsons Merchandise"

Articles from Australia's Herald Sun:

Simpsons pins

January 29, 2006

GET ready, The Simpsons are coming to your house.

Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun readers have the chance to own a piece of the world's best comedy from Wednesday -- when we release an exclusive set of 16 collectable pins with the show's favourite characters.

Obtain your collector album on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, start the collection with a free Krusty the Clown pin at newsagents and participating outlets when you buy the Herald Sun.

Every day until Friday, February 17, pay $2 with the token in each paper to complete the set.

Wear them, display them, or keep them safe in the album.

But make sure you don't miss out on everyone's favourite skateboarding rebel Bart Simpson in the Sunday Herald Sun next weekend.

Supplies are strictly limited.

* * *

Fans overload on Simpsons

February 3, 2006

OVERWHELMING demand for the Herald Sun Simpsons pin collection means many shops are temporarily out of stock of the free collector album and free Krusty the Clown pin.

If you missed out, you can place an order with your newsagent.

All orders for the free album or free Krusty pin will be honoured.

Stock will be delivered for collection from your newsagent within seven days of the promotion ending on February 17.

Today, Simpsons fans can collect the second pin, loveable dad Homer, for just $2 from newsagents where you get your Herald Sun.

There are 16 pins in the Simpsons collection -- and they're being snapped up fast.

If you have difficulty collecting any pins in the popular series, you can also place an order with your newsagent.

Home-delivery customers and readers who get their Herald Sun from a shop that doesn't have the pins can present the daily token at any newsagency.

So... any Australians reading this blog?

"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.

Futurama Comics #23

Also in comic shops this week, Futurama Comics #23, which includes a splash page cameo appearance by the Silver Surfer!

(Click picture to enlarge)

This is a great issue, particularly the spin it puts on the Robert Silverberg short story/Twilight Zone episode "To See the Invisible Man."

The League of Extraordinary Barts!

Simpsons Super Spectacular #2 hit comic shops this week, chronicling the epic meeting of Bartman, Stretch Dude, and Cupcake Kid.

Also, the "Marvels" of Zenith City are viewed through the lens of a prickly photographer in the back-up story, "Bongos."
Previously mentioned here.