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.”
SOURCE: Boston.com