Perennial today announced the launch of a new Simpsons book series. The Simpsons Library of Wisdom, which will be introduced in November 2004 with two inaugural volumes, THE BART BOOK and THE HOMER BOOK. With the publication of these books Perennial will have more than 5 million Simpsons books in print. "This is an incredible milestone -- reaching five million copies," says Susan Weinberg, Senior VP of HarperCollins. "The books embody all the wonderful qualities you've come to expect from the award-winning television show. The Simpson Library of Wisdom is another gem in this treasured publishing program." The books in this new series will explore the human condition and the meaning of life through the eyes of the show's characters much like Bart's Guide To Life. Read the full press release on these sets here.

British magazine Radio Times will herald the upcoming American election with an exclusive magazine tie-in edition with The Simpsons and Fox. This week’s cover will feature an illustration of Homer Simpson sitting in the White House and include the character’s own manifesto for a better America. It will also feature an exclusive interview with the creator, Matt Groening. The issue comes after a poll by the magazine revealed that the majority of readers would like to see Homer Simpson in the Oval office ahead of any other familiar television character. Read More >>>

Doughnut-guzzling, beer-quaffing Homer Simpson may not be the model father but he has won the hearts of British TV fans who want the nuclear power plant worker to be the next U.S. President. Former president George Bush notoriously said American families should be "closer to the Waltons than the Simpsons" but Homer was overwhelming favourite in a Radio Times magazine poll on which U.S. TV character should take over at the White House. As Americans ponder tax and security pledges from President George W. Bush and Democratic rival John Kerry ahead of the November 2 poll, television fans have been considering Homer slogans such as "No big government, just big waist sizes". In a manifesto compiled for the magazine by The Simpsons' writing staff, the bumbling animated TV hero also pledges: "I promise there will be fewer nuclear disasters with me as your mayor than with me as your nuclear safety inspector." Read More >>>

The Simpsons have lost their place in the Guinness World Records book as the cartoon comedy series with the most episodes - to Scooby-Doo and his ghostbusting gang. The fearful hound, together with his friends Velma, Shaggy, Fred and Daphne has featured in a total of 350 episodes since the cartoon first aired in 1969. Homer and the rest of Springfield's finest have appeared in 335. Richard Kilgarriff, of British-based Boomerang TV, which will screen the latest episode, Scooby-Doo Hallowe'en, on Sunday, said: 'It's a great honour to have taken Homer's crown.'' Scooby-Doo's other cartoon rivals are lagging even further behind. Tom and Jerry managed to notch up only 209 episodes, ahead of The Flintstones with 166 and Mickey Mouse with 120. Read More >>>

"Pop singer Christina Aguilera is set to make an appearance on The Simpsons, according to The Sun today. The newspaper claims that Aguilera stars as a "showbiz wannabe" when Lisa Simpson auditions for a Pop Idol-style talent show. Viewers can expect to see Aguilera's appearance on the show later on in the sixteenth season." We'd like to hear something more official than "according to The Sun" at the moment due to their general unreliability over the last year or two but we'll keep you posted if any details regarding an episode of this description comes about.

Fox has issued an official press release regarding the release of The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season on DVD. All the details we've been told already are there, such as the release date and price, but there was speculation on whether every episode would include commentaries. The press release clears this up, with commentary for every episode listed under special features. Fans will also be happy to know that various deleted scenes have made their way onto each disc, as well as animation showcases, storyboards, animatics, and "A Look Back With James L. Brooks" featurette. TVShowsOnDVD have posted the press release in full.

The Simpsons cartoon is not just a satire of its time, but also a ground-breaker for pop culture, says the Canadian author of a new book about of the show. Chris Turner, the Calgary writer of Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation, was in London yesterday for a preview of his book launch today in Toronto. "I think it goes both ways . . . ," Turner said after his talk to a lunch-time crowd at the University of Western Ontario's Spoke lounge. "It's a satire of its time. The praise for its realism is accurate to my mind. In a slightly exaggerated form, it's an interesting document of its time. "But that ironic, skeptical, smart-ass point of view, that it was the prime purveyor of, had a huge influence on the culture." Turner showed clips of Last Exit to Springfield -- his favourite episode -- and read selections from his book, including one that traced the show's style to Lenny Bruce. Read More >>>

The complete fourth season of "The Simpsons" on DVD was named Best 1990s Series and Best Animated Series at the first-ever TV DVD Awards, presented last night in Century City, California. The awards were launched by Video Store Magazine, in cooperation with The Hollywood Reporter and DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, to honor the top TV DVD releases of the past year. Nominees were selected by a panel of film critics and DVD writers from a field of more than 150 entries submitted by studios and independent suppliers that offer TV DVD product. All TV DVD titles released in the United States between Sept. 1, 2003, and Aug. 31, 2004, were eligible. The irreverent Fox comedy was the only two-time winner at the awards, established by Video Store Magazine to recognize achievements in the DVD release of TV series. The boxed set, hailed for its colorful menus and wide assortment of extra features, was released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

When Nancy Cartwright speaks, you can hear a tiny trace of Bart Simpson slipping through. And when she laughs, there’s little doubt about it. It’s the same mischievous chuckle as that of everyone’s favourite 10-year-old troublemaker — and right now Cartwright is chuckling heartily. I’ve just asked her if she would teach me how to talk like Bart. It seemed like a skill she might be willing to pass along. “Not only can’t I, but if I could, I wouldn’t,” she says. “Are you crazy? I value my job way too much to go telling all the secrets to you guys up north.” But what if she were run down by a Chrysler like Snowball the cat? Or abducted by aliens, as the Simpsons were in the Hungry are the Damned episode? What would happen to The Simpsons? “It would be cancelled,” she replies. If she goes, so does the show. “I have no doubt about that. They have never found anybody who can do any of the characters that I do. I don’t think I can be replaced. I could, but the public would hate it.” Read More >>>

UK: Channel 4 have today confirmed that cult cartoon The Simpsons will make its network premiere on Bonfire Night, November 5. The themed night of programming will begin at 9pm with two new episodes from season 12, 'A Tale of Two Springfields' and 'Tree House of Horror XI'. At 10pm, a documentary called The Ultimate Guide To The Simpsons will chart the success of the show, with contributions from Eddie Izzard, Green Wing star Tamsin Greig and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carte, as well as the cast and crew. At 11pm, Jamie Theakston will host The Simpsons' Quiz Show, a comedy panel show with Ralph Little, Sara Cox, Iain Lee, Richard Bacon, Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Nick Frost - all diehard Simpsons fans who are tested on their knowledge of the show using some of the funniest clips from the past 15 years. From November 8, C4 will air older episodes of the show each weeknight at 6pm, while the terrestrial premieres of season 12 episodes will be seen Fridays at 9pm.

Comedy Central Home Entertainment has today announced that the Chappelle's Show Season 1: Uncensored DVD box set has become the #1 all-time selling TV show on DVD ever with over 2 million units sold, according to Videoscan and retail sources. It puts the two-disc collection of Dave Chappelle's top-rated Comedy Central series ahead of previous record-holder, The Simpsons - The Complete First Season, which has sold 1.9 million units. The show is celebrating by releasing the second season DVD earlier than planned. Meanwhile, recent research has shown that TV Show DVDs are the fastest growing trend in the home video business, and if Fox manage to release all fifteen seasons of The Simpsons while the format is still popular, the company could take in an estimated $235 million on the sets alone. If that's not reason enough for Fox to push out these discs faster, I don't know what is.

On the eve of the airing of 'Smart And Smarter' in the UK, Pop/American Idol, and X-Factor judge Simon Cowell has spoken out to the media saying that being a guest star on The Simpsons was the most “intimidating” thing he had ever done. As British viewers prepare to watch their born and bred local star in animated form, Cowell says he was “very proud” to be part of the show. “It’s genuinely my favourite programme. When I got the telephone call I thought it was a wind-up but it was true,” he said. “It was the most intimidating thing I have ever done in my life. I only had one condition – make me handsome and make me young – as you can see that’s been achieved.” The episode airs on Sky One on Sunday at 6:30pm. Read More >>>

Don't be surprised if you hear a lot of people saying "D'oh" and "Eat my shorts" this weekend in Toronto. Fans of the animated series The Simpsons are expected to descend on the city today to attend Simpsons Mania, a one-day event designed to celebrate the long-running animated show. Simpsons devotees will have a chance to meet people involved with the program and purchase Simpsons-related art. The most high-prolife guest at Simpsons Mania will be Nancy Cartwright. David Silverman, an animator and director on The Simpsons, will also appear at Simpsons Mania, along with Chris Turner, author of Planet Simpson. Simpsons Mania takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre today. Read More >>>

Here it is. Further confirmation that The Simpsons: The Complete Fifth Season is just around the corner. The box art for the set has just been released and it's sporting a shiny red cover this time around. I think it looks great! Reminder that this set is scheduled to release in the USA and Canada on December 21st. And for all those doubters, Amazon.com have amended their previous date which showed the disk to be available in January. We'll continue to bring you details of the discs special features as they arrive, but all you can do for now is wait patiently.

Hank Azaria, voice of hundreds of regular characters on The Simpsons today spoke to the Chicago Sun Times regarding his new series "Huff". They took the time to ask him what his thoughts on Matt Groening's comments that the next year(s) of The Simpsons may be the last. He responded: "It's so funny, every year or two, Matt says something like that and everybody goes crazy and stirs things up. Several years ago, he said something like this and I must have received 30 calls from people asking me if it's true. Matt is a tremendous part of ''The Simpsons.'' He created it, he has remained involved, but he's not the guy that makes that call. I'd be shocked if we didn't do one more year -- besides the one we're working on now -- and I'd think we might go three or four more years." One thing's for sure, every time Groening does announce a possible end, the media has a field day so why wouldn't he want the free promotion?

The countdown begins today. In exactly one month, The Simpsons 16th Season will be kicking off, as usual with the annual Treehouse Of Horror special first up. Airing a week after Halloween on November 7th, Treehouse of Horror XV sees Lisa and Bart take on a Jack-the-Ripper style serial killer loose in Victorian London in an act titled "Four Beheadings and a Funeral." Meanwhile, baby Maggie is shrunk down into a pill and swallowed by Mr. Burns. The family tries to rescue her a la "Fantasic Voyage," but Homer gets trapped FOREVER inside his boss' belly. And in the third act titled "The Ned Zone," Ned Flanders gains the power to see people's deaths. No doubt the next month will be filled with promotional information for the first couple of eps, so stay tuned and we'll bring it to you.

The Simpsons - The Complete Fifth Season has been announced by Fox and we're here to tell you it's absolutely true. Fox is going to get Season 5's DVD set out in time for Christmas...roughly six months after the 4th Season's release. The exact date is December 21st, so be prepared to plunge into the midst of last-minute gift-shoppers to get your hands on it! In addition to including every Simpsons episode from Season 5, you'll find coolness such as deleted scenes, animatics, storyboards, sketches, Commericials, and intros by creator Matt Groening. And there's more in the way of bonus material yet to be revealed! Just as soon as Fox makes the complete list of contents available, we'll bring that right to you. Cover art isn't yet available but we'll keep you posted on that too.

Whittlesea council in Melbourne, Australia has been swamped by legions of Simpsons fans after a hoax spam email claimed the town had built a real-life replica of the cartoon family's home. Since the email appeared on the net, complete with colourful inside and outside snaps, people have been trying to find it. The email suggested that the replica was in South Morang and apparently some Simpson fans have been spending hours driving around Whittlesea's northern suburbs trying to find the double-storey house. In the TV series the family live at 742 Evergreen Tce, Springfield. South Morang has an Evergreen Drive. According to Whittlesea mayor, Lara Carli, council staff were a little bemused by the telephone calls and e-mail inquiries, yet remain sympathetic to the Simpsons fans who have to face the reality of an internet prank. According to the Herald Sun, an Evergreen Drive resident said while she hadn't heard the rumours, she had noticed cars driving by.

Rodney Dangerfield, the bug-eyed comic whose self-deprecating one-liners brought him stardom in clubs, television and movies and made his lament "I don't get no respect" a catchphrase, died Tuesday. He was 82. Dangerfield, who fell into a coma after undergoing heart surgery, died at 1:20 p.m., said publicist Kevin Sasaki. Dangerfield had a heart valve replaced August 25, suffered a small stroke after the operation and developed infectious and abdominal complications. But in the past week he had emerged from the coma, the publicist said." When Rodney emerged, he kissed me, squeezed my hand and smiled for his doctors," Dangerfield's wife, Joan, said. Dangerfield appeared on The Simpsons in the 1996 episode Burns, Baby Burns as Mr. Burns' long lost son Larry.

The upcoming Simpsons movie will either "kill the show or completely reinvigorate it," series creator Matt Groening says. While still in the earliest stages of production, a "Simpsons" movie is definitely on the way. "Everyone on the show this year seems really re-energized, and we're starting to throw out ideas for the movie and I think that will either kill the show or completely re-invigorate it," Groening says. "We're trying to tell a story that we wouldn't do on television and take advantage of a longer process and a more ambitious process for animation," he says. Groening also speaks more of the show's fate. "It's not a machine, It's a bunch of humans working really hard. It doesn't get any easier because we're still faced with the problem of having a history. We're trying not to repeat ourselves and we're also competing with people's memories of their favorite episode."

Talk about contradiction. Today's report from BBC (a quality, trusted source) overrides anything you read in yesterday's news post. "Matt Groening, the man behind 'The Simpsons' has revealed he's turned down a proposal to make a feature length episode starring real actors. He reckons fans of the show would hate the idea, but he is pledging to make an animated Simpsons movie. Despite rumours that it's coming to an end after sixteen years, Matt reckons as long as the creative talent is still flowing, 'The Simpsons' could be here to stay for a long time: "At this point I don't think there's any end in sight. I once said a few years ago that I thought I was closer to the end than the beginning, meaning that, we'd been on air for ten or twelve years at the time and I thought we'd be on another ten years." "So I don't want to give anybody the wrong idea. Of course the show will end eventually, but not for a long, long time."

Warning: Article from "The Sun" in the UK, who told us David Beckham was to appear on the show amongst other things. "Television's most dysfunctional family are to be axed froms screens before they get too boring. The man behind Springfield's favourite residents - The Simpsons - says it is becoming increasingly hard to develop new storylines. Matt Groening has signed a deal with the voices behind Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa and co taking them up to a 19th series in 2008. But he only hopes to do one more series after that in 2009. Matt, 50, told The Sun: "The Simpsons' success has been unbelievable. "But the show gets harder and harder every year because we are trying to keep surprising the audience, and trying to surprise ourselves. "I'd love to get to 365 episodes, so there's one for every day of the year with no repeats." He said the final five series would see some of the more peripheral characters, such as Bart's mate Milhouse, getting more prominent roles. "I think we'll see more and more stories about the other characters of Springfield," he said.