“It’s said we get the politicians we deserve – but Homer J Simpson for New Zealand prime minister? Only in his dreams. A Simpsons comic has Homer coming home drunk and waking to find he’s become our PM – surrounded by Kiwis, sheep and a framed picture of Xena star Lucy Lawless. Helen Clark is in Korea and a spokesman doubted if she had ever watched The Simpsons. But, he said, “she thinks Homer would do a better job than Bill English”. Not to be outdone, English, the National Party leader, confirmed The Simpsons was a regular favourite in his home, prompting the occasional tussle over the remote at news time. Asked if Homer would make a good PM, he said: “Well he’d make a better prime minister than the present one – because he’s not politically correct and he has a sense of humour.” Read More >>>
Author: Adam
Simpsons Promotion A Winner
Australia: “FOXTEL entertainment channel Fox8 received almost 100,000 entries in its Sunday night Simpsons Text Trivia competition over a four-week period. The competition was offering a prize that money can’t buy – a tour of The Simpsons animation studios, lunch with a Simpsons’ writer, a VIP tour of the Fox Studios Lot and a signed Simpsons cartoon cell. Fox8 marketing manager Suzanne Dunseath-Hamilton said she was surprised at the number of entries, which had exceeded expectations. “This result clearly demonstrates that our viewers are highly committed to the interactive aspects the channel has to offer,” Dunseath-Hamilton said. The text component of the competition operated through Legion Interactive. The success of this promotion can ensure that Australian fans will be offered similar contests in future.”
Futurama: The End Is Near
A prediction: Viewers eons from now will give “Futurama” the credit it deserves today. When the show’s time finally comes, this shrewd cartoon series could well be endorsed as an accurate picture of life, circa A.D. 3000. For now, however, we ancients of the 21st century who love it will continue to celebrate “Futurama” as unbeatable satire – even as its prime-time cycle nears an end. The final three new “Futurama” episodes can be seen on Fox on Sundays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 10. Granted, four seasons in prime time is nothing to sneeze at – unless compared to “The Simpsons,” still going gangbusters on Fox after 14 years. Matt Groening’s big “Simpsons” follow-up, “Futurama” has always been overshadowed by his brilliant first-born. Who knows why? The verbal humor, sight gags, wicked cultural jabs and general irreverence that make “The Simpsons” great are found full-strength on “Futurama,” as is spectacular voice talent. Read More >>>
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Fox Announce Sunday Lineup
FOX today announced the season premiere dates for all their popular shows including The Simpsons. Our previously predicted November 2nd date is correct, and being named as the ‘unofficial’ season premiere as it is the annual Treehouse Of Horror special. The ‘official’ premiere will be on November 9th, with either My Mother The Carjacker or The Regina Monologues tipped to be the opener. The complete list of dates reveals Fox’s new Sunday lineup starting November 2nd as follows: King Of The Hill at 7:30, The Simpsons at 8:00, new interview show/sitcom The Ortegas at 8:30, Malcolm In The Middle at 9:00, and new series Arrested Development at 9:30. Oliver Beene is missing from the lineup but will return at a later date.
Update: Comics Continuum has confirmed that ‘My Mother The Carjacker’ will be the official season premiere, not ‘The Regina Monologues’.
‘Hit And Run’ In The News
Vivendi has revealed some more information and screens about its mission based driving title, The Simpsons Hit & Run. The game features over 56 driving and on-foot missions in seven levels spread out over familiar Springfield landmarks such as the Kwik-e-mart, and even the Simpsons’ home. 17 characters can take over 40 vehicles, while you can also explore Springfield on foot as Homer, Bart, Apu, Marge, and Lisa. There will also be hidden pickups containing episode-specific bonus material from the last 14 seasons, a multiplayer mode for up-to four players and a fully authentic voice casting. The Simpsons Hit & Run will be released in November on PlayStation2, Xbox, Gamecube and PC. You can see new screenshots at Games Domain.
OFF Give Hornby A Rev Up
“The Simpsons are helping create a new generation of Scalextric fans, the toy car racers that have entertained kids since the Sixties. Scalextric owner Hornby told shareholders at today’s annual general meeting that sales of both its Hornby and Scalextric ranges are ‘encouraging’, helped by a number of new product launches including ‘The Simpsons Micro Scalextric’. Group trading in the first few months of the year has met expectations, the company said. Retailing at £29.99, the Simpsons model contains two cars, one with a Homer figure and another with son Bart on a skateboard, allowing kids to chase each other’s cars. ‘Our prospects remain pretty bright,’ said chairman Neil Johnson.” Original Article >>>
The Simpsons Love Song
Independent Michigan band ‘BuFu Nation’ has shown their love for The Simpsons through song. The four-piece band who describe themselves as “Geeks with guitars” have written and released a song about the show titled ‘Simpsons Love Song’ (SLS). The song which is available to download from the mp3.com link on their Official Website was written to express the sentiment of every true Simpsons fan. And what fans they must be. The lyrics of the song involves the dilemma of a girl wanting to talk to them on the phone when their favorite television show is on. “Yeah to you, Its just a cartoon But to me its a way of life”. I found the song refreshingly funny, make sure you listen to the lyrics (which are also available on the site). Love the dedication, guys.
Comic Con And Guest Stars
The International Comic Convention was held in San Diego this weekend, and many fans were there to check out all the Simpsons goodies alone. “A writing team from The Simpsons screened one of the past season’s episodes with three minutes of footage cut from the television broadcast. When asked by one fan if there will ever be a film feature for the dysfunctional Springfield family, creator Matt Groening said the television series is nowhere near played out. “We hope to have a Simpsons movie ready for your children when you grow up,” he said.
Many sources are printing information about the upcoming season’s guest stars, and while much of it may not be news to you, you can read New York’s Daily News article about the guest stars here.
Halloween In November Again
Fox’s president of entertainment Gail Berman has spoke out about the network’s current schedule, in which she revealed that this years Treehouse Of Horror, or “Halloween Special” episode will again be airing in November. The specials aired in the final week of October or on October 31st from Seasons 2 – 11. Fans were disappointed when the annual episode aired in November for the first time in Season 12, but outraged when the trend continued in Seasons 13 and 14. Berman described the recurring situation as “frustrating” for the creators and the network but necessary because of Fox’s commitment to postseason baseball. With this new piece of information, it is likely that Treehouse Of Horror XIV will be the unofficial Season 15 premiere, airing on Sunday November 2nd. We’ll let you know if we hear otherwise.
Simpsons Emmy Nominations
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences today announced the Nominees in all categories for the 55th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. As usual, The Simpsons are nominated in the category ‘Animated Program Less Than One Hour’. The episode submitted for the award was this season’s “Three Gays Of The Condo.” For the first time we can bring you the rest of the nominees in this category. They are: “As Told by Ginger: And She Was Gone,” Nickelodeon; “Disney’s Kim Possible: Crush,” Disney; “Futurama: Jurassic Bark,” Fox; “SpongeBob SquarePants: New Student Starfish-Clams,” Nickelodeon.
Further down the nominees list, The Simpsons also pokes their head into the best music category for Dude, Where’s My Ranch’s “Everybody Hates Ned Flanders.” The awards will be presented at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 21, 2003.
Rock And Roll Fantasy
Now in its third year, David Fishof’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp is already muscling its way into pop culture, thanks to a hilarious recent episode of “The Simpsons” in which Homer signs up.In the episode, Mick Jagger inducts participants into the habitat’s free-for-all lifestyle. “There are only two rules here,” Jagger’s animated figure decrees. “Rule Number One: THERE ARE NO RULES! Rule Number Two: No outside food.” But the actual event is organized somewhat differently than the media has portrayed it. For all of you who saw how Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp was played out in the episode “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation,” and thought it would be fun, you can read about one man’s experience at the real fantasy camp at Lawrence.com.
OFF Not Welcome In Court
Do you have the Simpsons theme song on your cellphone? Maybe you should rethink that. “Of all the embarrassing places where a mobile phone can ring, a coroner’s court must be on a par with a funeral. Inquests are often emotionally charged, as tearful bereaved relatives answer questions about the deceased from a coroner whose duty is to establish the cause of death. When the theme tune from The Simpsons suddenly clangs through the courtroom, people involved in the inquest can react with anger, red faces, tears or sometimes even laughter. Dewi Pritchard-Jones, coroner for North-west Wales, has seen this happen too many times. In one recent inquest, he warned that if proceedings were interrupted once more by a ring tone, the phone’s owner would be ordered to pay £25 to charity.” Read More >>>