Fox have released two new promo cards. One for The Seemingly Never Ending Story (pictured in our schedule column) and the other for the long awaited episode Homer Simpson: This Is Your Wife. The picture shows Ricky Gervais' character in full color animated form which we've yet to have a glimpse of. Both episodes air this month, with The Seemingly Never Ending Story coming up next Sunday.

Actor Dennis Weaver, best known for his roles in US TV series Gunsmoke and McCloud, has died at the age of 81. "He was a wonderful man and a fine actor, and we will all miss him," said former Gunsmoke co-star Burt Reynolds. Born in Missouri in 1924, Weaver's 50-year career included roles in Spielberg's Duel and, more recently, TV cartoon hit The Simpsons where he starred as Buck McCoy in the Season 13 episode 'The Lastest Gun In The West'. The Emmy-winning actor died in Colorado from complications of cancer. He is survived by his wife and three sons.

In an apparent surprise to the industry, The Simpsons endorsed Maine spuds during an episode of Fox's "The Simpsons" that aired Sunday night. The gag, which lasted 4 seconds or so, showed various tattoo advertisements on Homer's ample body, including a message on one arm that read "Eat Maine Potatoes." Homer, who was in bed, told Marge that it was a reminder. He then reached into a bag of "Maine Potatoes" and started munching on one. When asked by the Portland Press Herald about why "The Simpsons" featured the plug for Maine potatoes, Fox spokeswoman Jill Hudson provided a quote from Executive Producer Al Jean: "All of the Simpsons writers are huge fans of Maine potatoes."

Maine Potato Board Executive Director Donald Flannery insisted that his promotional group had nothing to do with the animated plug. "No, no, nope. No -- it's nothing we paid for," Flannery said. "We never had anything to do with that. I guess I'm going to have to get a copy of it."

Comedian Ricky Gervais says writing and starring in an episode of the Simpsons was such a dream come true for him it was “ridiculous“. The man behind The Office and Extras has penned a plotline which sees Homer and Marge picked for a reality show where they swap partners with another couple, and Marge going to live with Gervais’ character. "It was like I’d won a competition," he told the New York Daily News. "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’." He added that he had been “in awe” of the show for at least 10 years. "When I first got into comedy, my ambition was to get a joke on The Simpsons," Gervais said. "So to write and star in one is ridiculous."

In his episode, which will be shown in the US in March, his character is so touched by Marge’s kindness and attention that he develops a crush on her and proceeds to write and perform the “most excruciating love song“.

- Airs Tonight!
The Simpsons open up their home to Groundskeeper Willie after Bart accidentally destroys his house. But soon after his arrival, Willie's poor manners become the focus of a bet between Bart and Lisa, as she takes on the challenge of turning him into a proper gentleman. Meanwhile, Homer rips his favorite blue pants and starts an ambitious advertising campaign to reestablish the discontinued garment

Following the release of Simpsons Comics #115 this week, Bart Simpson Comics #28 hits the stands this Wednesday.

In this month's plethora of pint-sized pranks and parodies, Bart is in over his head when he attempts to sneak into a horror film; Milhouse has a life-altering door-to-door sales experience; Groundskeeper Willie trains Lisa to be a "vampire croaker"; and Bart conjures up a brand new Angry Dad adventure!

The Simpsons Gallery has been given an excellent new design today. The five year old site is now in its tenth redesign, which bases itself on a Simpsons promo card. Gone is the purple/blue color scheme you've been used to; the site has gone green to fit the Springfield theme.

The staff of The Simpsons Channel would like to wish Simpsons creator Matt Groening a happy birthday. The cartoonist who first brought our favorite family to life in a series of Tracey Ullman Shorts in 1987 celebrates his 52nd birthday today. On behalf our visitors, we wish him all the best for today and in the future.

This Wednesday, Simpsons Comics #115 hits the stands. Krusty the Clown and Ned Flanders take center stage this month in two separate but equally funny stories. First, Krusty quits show biz for health reasons and ends up working at of all places…the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant! Then, Ned Flanders enters a Hitchcockian web of intrigue and suffers a bout of vertigo-areeno when he becomes obsessed with a woman who is a dead ringer for his dearly departed wife, Maude!

Domino's Pizza UK & IRL is set to launch a two-year licensing deal with the TV show, The Simpsons, which includes a heavy advertising campaign featuring characters from the show. According to a news release, the 30-second ads will air beginning Feb. 13 and run a total of five weeks on select channels. Viewers will see the Simpsons in a familiar mealtime scene, with Homer in pursuit of a slice of his favorite pizza, while Marge and the rest of the family tuck in. The ad will support Domino's new Ay Carumba Fajita pizza, a Mexican-style pizza on a thin crust with toppings of spicy chicken, cheese, fresh green peppers, onions and tomatoes.

"We're very excited about both the deal and the ad campaign, both of which are a natural extension of Domino's existing association with The Simpsons," said Robin Auld, marketing manager for 407-unit Domino’s Pizza UK & IRL. "We share many of the same values of irreverence and fun, and the enhanced partnership will place Domino's front of mind for pizza lovers."

Just in time for Valentines Day, The Simpsons: Kiss & Tell arrived in stores yesterday. This single-disc release comes with 4 love related episodes, all of which have yet to appear on the seasonal box sets:

• Natural Born Kissers
• Large Marge
• Three Gays Of The Condo
• The Way We Weren't

There are also extras in the form of an Animatic and a Multi-Angle Animation Showcase on this release, which runs 88 minutes.

The Simpsons has taken another Writers Guild Award in last night's ceremony, which saw the show nominated for six different episodes under the animation category. While the show was always going to receive an award, Michael Price was the lucky recipient for his episode Mommie Beerest. This episode won over The Father, Son & Holy Guest Star, The Girl Who Slept Too Little, See Homer Run, Thank God It's Doomsday, and There's Something About Marrying. This is The Simpsons' third WGA since the category was introduced three years ago, so it seems they have it in the bag for years to come.

While we just farewelled 2005, Harper Paperbacks have released preliminary cover art for their 2007 Simpsons Calendar series. Included again this year is a Wall Calendar, Trivia Calendar, and a Mini Calendar. The latter contains reused cover art from one of the last 90's wall calendars, but the others include all new art. Keep in mind that these early previews do tend to change closer to their release date, which is slated for June 1st this year. If you're keen you can order it now.

There's still a month's wait until the next new Simpsons material on Fox due to them holding back episodes while the Olympics take hold of the ratings. But Fox today have wet our appetites with a promotional image of My Fair Laddy, a Willie-focused episode which is set to air on February 26th. We'll give you details of the episode closer to its airing but for now here's the pic.

Get ready for three hours of irreverent animation with the Super SIMPSONS/FAMILY GUY Marathon Night Sunday, Feb. 5 (7:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). First up is last October’s annual dose of tricks, treats and Halloween freaks in “Treehouse of Horror XVI” (7:00PM) with guest voices Terry Bradshaw and Dennis Rodman. Next, it’s time for “Ho Ho Ho!” and “D’oh D’oh D’oh!” as the Simpsons deliver holiday cheer in Simpsons Christmas Stories (7:30). In the third episode (8:00), Sideshow Bob returns! After Mr. Burns crashes his Stutz Bearcat, he sends Homer and the family off to Italy to pick up a new fancy sports car in The Italian Bob. Followed by three Family Guy reruns, don't miss FOX's Super Bowl Sunday lineup.