If you don’t want to know which Simpsons character is set to come out of the closet – stop reading now. And for those who thought it was Smithers – you’re wrong! According to reports in the US, the gay character will be Marge’s sister, Patty. A source on the show said: ‘Patty confesses to Marge that she is a lesbian and she has decided to marry her lesbian partner. Her girlfriend is someone Patty has known for a long time but has yet to be introduced to viewers. ‘But before the girls can wed, Springfield has to pass an ordinance allowing same-sex marriages. Marge throws herself into the campaign to change the law so her sister can marry – and pulls it off!’ At first, Homer finds it difficult to accept his sister-in-law is gay – but ends up walking her down the aisle.
Marge Vs Queen At Christmas
Marge Simpson will go head-to-head with the Queen by delivering this year’s alternative Christmas message, Channel 4 said today. The blue-haired cartoon character will address the nation from her home in Springfield. Marge is expected to spread a message of family harmony learned from years as the long-suffering wife of Homer and mum of Bart, Lisa and Maggie. Dysfunctional they may be but The Simpsons have been praised for promoting family values. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is a fan and said the show represents “sense, humility & virtue”. Marge’s 10-minute message will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day, the same time as the Queen delivers her seasonal message. The alternative speech has previously been given by the likes of Ali G and Sharon Osbourne. Read More >>>
Groening Speaks To EW
More from Matt Groening on the demise of Futurama — In an extended online version of his Enterainment Weekly interview, the ”Simpsons” creator reflects on his ill-fated sci-fi cartoon. “Matt Groening’s ”Futurama” was like a shooting star: It was very bright, but you had to really look for it. Fox hid the cartoon sci-fi comedy on Sunday nights at 7 p.m., rarely promoted it, and so often pre-empted it that fans didn’t know where to find it. But now, with its final episodes just released on DVD (”Futurama: Volume Four”), we asked Groening to reflect on his creation, the funniest show of the 31st century.” Read Interview >>>
Alternate Christmas 2 Cover Art
A second cover for the upcoming Simpsons Christmas 2 release has been revealled by TVShowsOnDVD.com. As far as we can tell, the cover art we showed you a week ago is for the United Kingdom release, while the one on the left will be released in the United States and Canada as well as in European countries, as the cover has been seen with foreign titles. Going by past releases (The Simpsons Gone Wild), Australia has also taken the US Cover art so it’s likely this one will be more widely distributed. More details on this set if and when they come.
Cartoons Aren’t Just For Kids
Animated hits The Simpsons and Family Guy remain TV staples while redefining family. Not too long ago, the TV version of the perfect American nuclear family functioned under the premise of support, understanding and an unconditional love that defied every obstacle. Few could go wrong with a manly head of the house, an efficient wife and a couple of bright eyed children. Each family had their share of minor dysfunctions but still possessed an ultimate American wholesomeness that made these shows success stories of the 1980s. All of a sudden, the viewing public grew increasingly tired of perfection. We began to crave a world undefined by table manners and the Olsen twins making googly eyes. Enter America’s favorite TV family of the present day: an overweight middle-aged husband with limited intelligence, a levelheaded wife and a couple of disillusioned children. Read More >>>
The New Simpsons Folder
The Simpsons Folder has been redesigned again. The new look keeps the same kind of theme and simplicity as the previous two designs, though there’s no animated train station focus with this version. Clean, crisp, original, and does the job. The site remains one of the oldest and most informative Simpsons sites on the net.
Simpsons Make Water Cool
Health authorities believe the message that we all need to drink two litres of water a day is slowly getting through. But let’s face it, constant reminders to do so are boring. Drinking water just isn’t fun. And if we aren’t enthused by the prospect, how do we motivate ourselves to get into the healthy habit? Well, thanks to the Simpsons and their love of ‘Duff’ products, people of all ages can now enjoy chilled water whenever they want from a funky new mini-fridge and water cooler. And the good news is that they hold beer and wine too! Launching the new electrically-cooled water dispensers and mini fridges, shaped like bright orange and gold Duff beer cans, WESCO Ltd, the innovative character gifts and gadget manufacturer is extending its Simpsons range to over 200 products and cementing its position as the world’s longest running Simpsons licensee. Read More >>>
No Emmy For The Simpsons
The Simpsons walked away from this year’s Creative Arts Emmys without an award. After being nominated in three categories, the show was beaten by various rivals. In the Outstanding Animated Program category, ‘The Way We Weren’t’ lost to an episode of Cartoon Network’s Samurai Jack. Alf Clausen’s composition in Treehouse Of Horror XIV lost to Ray Bunch for Star Trek Enterprise in the Outstanding Music Composition category. Clausen lucked out again in the Outstanding Music and Lyrics nomination where the “Vote For A Winner” song from ‘The President Wore Pearls’ lost to “Because You Are Beautiful” from Lifetime program ‘Until The Violence Stops’. It wasn’t all bad news for The Simpsons, with Dan Castellaneta late last month earning an Emmy for his voice work on the show. An edited presentation of the Creative Arts Emmys will air on E! on September 18, at 8 PM.
“Christmas 2” Cover Art & Features
Last month we talked about a new feature release, “The Simpsons Christmas 2”. Following on from last year’s special DVD, this set includes four more holiday related episodes (they couldn’t possibly make a third now). Amazon UK have provided the cover art for this set (pictured) while reader Jan Nielsen has found details of two features that will possibly take the place of the regular ‘featurette’ of these discs. Released in UK on October 25 and the US on November 2, the disc contains Homer Vs. Dignity, Skinner’s Sense Of Snow, Dude, Where’s My Ranch, and ‘Tis The Fifteenth Season. Features include a multi-angle showcase and animatic for ‘Tis The Fifteenth Season. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes.
More Futurama On The Way?
Clearly there’s nothing happening in Simpsons news, so here’s something at least, to get you talking and possibly excited. The word around the campfire is that due to increasingly good sales on the Futurama DVD sets and Video Game, Fox may be firing up the grill on another season of Matt Groening’s show. The series, which was on air for four seasons, never reached the heights of popularity achieved by The Simpsons, but was applauded by critics & fans everywhere. At the time the show was pulled indefinitely, the rumour was that at least another season of the show was in the early to 50% complete stage of production, and may be revisited further down the road. Well, according to a couple of sources, they may just have gotten a little further down the road, so hopefully for fans of the show, there will be more Fry, Bender, Leela and Dr. Zoidberg on the way this time next year!
Betting: Gay Simpsons Character
Forget about taking your earnings to the racetrack, readaBet.com have just released betting odds for who they think the gay Simpsons character, to be revealled in the sixteenth season, will be. In as favourite is Mr Smithers at 5/2. This is hardly surprising considering his well known admiration for Mr Burns, but we consider it to be too obvious. Patty and Selma are joint second favourites, although given their love for Macguiver, it would be unfair to cite either of the sisters. Quoted at 10/1 are the beer guzzling characters – Moe, Carl and Lenny. Further down the list, Willy the groundsman can be found at 20/1, while Homer is least favourable along with Bumblebee Man at 66/1. For those looking for a couple of fun bets on this market, the advice is to go with Smithers and Willy. Read More >>>
Dan Speaks Out On Simpsons
Dan Castellaneta has responded to Harry Shearer’s comments about The Simpsons earlier this month. Shearer said he was unhappy with the show’s quality compared to years past. “In a nutshell, I don’t agree,” Castellaneta said. But he acknowledges the series has changed over the years. There’s slightly less running time and more characters to accommodate, Castellaneta said. “Instead of just being in the Simpson’s world, it’s expanded out to Springfield,” he said, and the reality envelope, such as it is with a family that’s bright yellow, has been pushed a bit more. “I think Harry’s issue is that the show isn’t as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons, that it’s gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.” The Simpsons remains funny and surprising, he said, adding: “I believe the show still breaks the mold in terms of storytelling.” Read More >>>