THE SIMPSONS SWEEPS STUNT

The Simpsons are returning just in time for November sweeps with all new episodes and it all starts on November 5 with their annual Halloween "Treehouse of Horror XVII" trilogy that turns Homer into a rampaging blob. Dr. Phil McGraw, Richard Lewis (as legendary monster Golem) and Fran Dreschner guest star. The episode will include a spoof of "War of the Worlds".

Then the week after 24's Kiefer Sutherland will be the guest voice in the "GI (Annoyed Grunt)" episode in which Bart gets commitment to join the Army when he turns 18. After Homer tries to help him avoid the military service he ends up as prey to a couple of Army recruiters and lands himself in basic training. Expect references to the war in Iraq.

FOX has already started the promotion of these new episodes of "The Simpsons" via their website offering fans an opportunity to put together their own trailer of the Halloween episode by using video clips, sounds, transitions, music cues, title cards and text related to the episode and available online until 11:59pm, Monday October 30.

The web user who compiles the winning trailer can win all-expenses paid trip to the 400th episode party in Hollywood in May 2007 and their trailer may air on FOX.

FOX will also use the November episodes to promote the upcoming 2007 Simpsons Movie with the premiere of a special 30-second sneak peak.