"The Simpsons Movie" Premieres in LA

"The Simpsons Movie" which is opening across the nation on Friday, July 27 premiered in Hollywood last night. Voice cast Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yardley Smith (Lisa) and Hanz Azaria (Chief Wiggum) attended the event while Homer Simpson "appeared" on NBC's Jay Leno to promote the FOX movie.


FOX's toon character indulged in a hilarious NBC-bashing monologue and said NBC stands for "Never Been Crappier." He added that "GE [NBC's parent company] makes a lot of other bad things. According to my daughter Lisa, GE fills the air with more dangerous hydrocarbon emissions than Rosie O'Donnell".



After a few more jokes, Homer was led out by NBC security guards while a Simpsonized Leno watched. Later, the real Jay took over the show and said, "I want to thank Homer Simpson for filling in. We had Lindsay Logan but turns out she was already booked." Lohan was originally supposed to appear on the show before her scandalous arrest.

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7-11 Turns Into "Kwik E-Mart"

As announced earlier this year, 7-Eleven Inc. turned a dozen of its stores in selected locations across the country into Kwik-E-Marts, the fictional but iconic convenience stores from 'The Simpsons', in one of the coolest movie marketing campaigns ever.

The stores are also selling a number exclusive Simpsons-inspired products including Krusty'O cereal and Buzz Cola. Even the Slurpee machine is made into the Squishee machine. Actor Brandon Molale took part in one of the campaign photo calls.

The movie opens July 27 in the US.

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VIDEO: New Simpsons Movie Trailer

The Simpsons theatrical is opening on July 27 in the US (in some foreign markets the movie will be seen as early as July 25, as part of a global release) and here to promote the highly anticipated feature is yet another trailer.

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400th "Simpsons" Goes "24"

Can you believe it has been 18 years already? As yet another season of FOX's "The Simpsons" ends with a one hour finale tomorrow night (Kiefer Sutherland makes another voice cameo in a "24" spoof called "24 Minutes") some feel compelled to ask - how long can the show go on?

The animated series premiered in 1989 having started as short segments on "The Tracy Ullman Show." Being able to appeal to masses, it quickly grew into a 5 billion dollar business for the News Corp. Co. which own FOX Broadcasting.

The producers believe their success in unbelievable in today's climate of reduced ratings as more and more viewers find alternative entertainment on DVD, The Internet and other platforms.

Although the show has reached the point when it no longer needs to produce new shows and if it were to go off air it would continue to make a lot of money for decades to come, it appears "The Simpsons" may eventually exceed "Gunsmoke" (20 years, 633 episodes) as the longest running scripted series of all time.

Despite the fact the show ratings have now gone down to an average of 8,7 million viewers this year, with The Simpsons Movie opening July 27, a video game due later this year and a Simpsons theme park ride, the franchise won't be going away any time soon.


In tomorrow night's episode: Principal Skinner ushers the students of Springfield Elementary into a new era of sneaking, snooping and snitching with the opening of the school's CTU Counter Truancy Unit with Lisa heading up the operation.

Homer is sent on a mission to dispose of a container of yogurt so far past its freshness date that it could be toxic, but the reeking yogurt falls into the wrong hands.

With the help of Jack Bauer (guest voice Kiefer Sutherland) and Chloe O'Brian (guest voice Mary Lynn Rajskub), Bart and Lisa must stop bullies Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo from releasing the ultimate stink bomb at the school's annual bake sale.

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7-Eleven Teams Up With FOX on "Simpsons" Promo Stunt

Today's climate of advertising clutter doesn't make it too easy for one's message to stand out. That is why 20th Century FOX has teamed up with 7-Eleven stores to bring to life a truly exceptional marketing idea.

Variety reports FOX will turn several of the chain's stores into Kwik-E-Marts, the famous convenience store on "The Simpsons" to help promote FOX's upcoming big screen version of the series.

The fronts of about a dozen stores would be transformed to look like Kwik-E-Marts, and shoppers will be able to pick up everything from Krusty-Os cereal and Buzz Cola to Slurpees dressed up in cups that say Squishee.

"The Simpsons" treats will be available at the chain's other stores.

20th Century FOX is releasing "The Simpsons Movie" on July 27.

The whole range of "notable" Simpsons actors and characters are expected to appear in the movie.

Creator Matt Groening has revealed that he had been offered the chance to make a live-action Simpsons movie, but turned it down as it would have likely ruined the franchise and angered fans.

The writers of the show began working on the movie script in 2001.

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The Simpsons' New Year's Resolutions

FOX has issued the cutest press release today announcing New Year's resolutions of their Simpson family for 2007.

Here is how the Springfieldians have vowed to change their ways next year:

HOMER: I resolve to lose 10 pounds, and then gain it back by Valentine's Day.

MARGE: I resolve to finally learn how to make pancakes that don't stick to the pan. Bart helped me come up with that one.

KRUSTY: In 2007, I promise not to keep using the same old jokes I've been telling since 1961.

CHIEF WIGGUM: In the coming year, I resolve to learn how to work the safety on my gun.

COMIC BOOK GUY: In 2007, I resolve to boldly go where I have never gone before out on a date with a woman.

BARNEY: I resolve to quit drinking coffee. It leaves less room for beer.

NED FLANDERS: I resolve to be pious and kind and gentle and yippee, skippee I already am! Happy 2007, everybody!

The Simpsons return with an all-new episode "The Wife Aquatic" on Sunday, January 7 at 8pm and here is how FOX describes the episode:

While watching a home movie, Marge becomes depressed as she is reminded of memorable childhood vacations spent at Barnacle Bay.

Hating to see Marge sad, Homer and the kids take her on a surprise trip to the bay, only to discover that it has turned into a rundown mess due to the absence of fish.

Homer and the kids lovingly give the boardwalk a whole new makeover for Marge.

But when Homer accidentally lights the renovated carousal on fire, stirring up an angry mob of townspeople, more than just waves come crashing down.

"Ugly Betty" Returns January 4
Alma Hodge Crashes Bree's Party on "Desperate Housewives"
Meredith's Father Returns on "Grey's Anatomy"
Love Triangle Sizzles on "Brothers & Sisters"
Kate and Sawyer Run on "LOST" February 7

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FOX Desperate For "American Idol" and "24"

FOX's prime-time schedule is falling apart. The new shows premiered with poor ratings and then they were gone as baseball took over. Now the baseball is gone and the new shows are back doing even worse. And to add insult to injury, the baseball coverage did not do too well either.


As previously reported, the 4th season premiere of teen soap "The O.C." did so badly last week (a little over 3 million people tuned in), the network decided to air two episodes this week, trying the drama out in its old Wednesday at 9pm slot.

If the show does better (and it could hardly do worse) it may actually stay there. Since the network ordered only 16 episodes this season, it may end up burning those off while "Lost" is off air.

The new reality show "The Rich List" was yanked after only 1 airing as was the Thursday night sitcom "Happy Hour". This is the second hiatus for the latter, so it is safe to assume the comedy no one ever loved and all critics hated will never be back.

The network had already given up on the mystery thriller "Vanished" when it made a decision to move it to TV graveyard known as Friday night. Last week's anemic ratings for the show's return (a little over 3 million, down 50% from the last October episode) only proved it may be gone before we actually find out who and why abducted the senator's wife. If anyone cares, that is.

Then there are freshman dramas "Standoff" and "Justice" that keep on bleeding. They are now both down to about 6 million and the new comedy "Till Death", that FOX is for now forced to stick with, is doing even worse.

But, there is hope. "House", "The Simpsons" and "Prison Break" still have their loyal following. And the network has already started heavy promotion of their megahits "American Idol" (last year's unbelievable January average of over 35 million viewers) and "24" (the counter-terrorist drama clocked in almost 15 million viewers last season) that once again may end up saving the network.

If only January was tomorrow.

More stories:
The O.C. Moves To Wednesday
The O.C. Premiere D.O.A.
Showdown on 'Prison Break'
A New Day For Bearded Jack Bauer
The Simpsons November Highlights

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.

THE SIMPSONS BACK
WITH A BANG

The 18th season of "The Simpsons" premiered last Sunday on FOX to an audience of 11,6 million viewers in the US (5.3 rating and 14 share in the 18-49 demo). These healthy numbers were reached with the support of a strong promotional campaign across various platforms.

FOX posted the first seven minutes of the episode across a number of its online properties including MySpace.com, IGN.com and FOX.com generating 1,4 million impressions. Also, the site AskMen.com featured Homer Simpson as its Man of the Day and FoxSports.com on MSN featured Homer's picks for the weekend's NFL games.

The president of FOX's parent company News Corp. Peter Chermin also announced the purchase of a mobile content developer Jamba whose team is already working on exclusive content related to the hit cartoon. Mr. Chermin added the content would be available in the US later this year.

Finally, The Simpons Movie is scheduled for release in movie theaters nationwide on July 27, 2007.

Catch an all-new episode of "The Simpsons" entitled "Jazzy and the Pussycats" featuring the guest voices and musical performance of Jack and Meg White of "The White Stripes" on Sunday, September 17 at 8/7c on FOX.