The Simpsons Movie marketing just keeps coming...
Simpsons-related stories just keep coming with the movie opening in a few days. Over the weekend, the San Jose Mercury News did a story about pro athletes who have appeared on the show -- some 40 over 18 seasons.
For a fat, bald, lazy nuclear safety inspector, Homer Simpson has enjoyed an astonishing athletic career.He has bowled a perfect game, fought for the heavyweight title, played tennis with Andre Agassi, pinch hit for Darryl Strawberry, skateboarded with Tony Hawk, taught showboating to Tom Brady and talked soccer with Ronaldo.
All in all, a fairly ringing endorsement for the power of beer and doughnuts.
Starting Friday, Homer takes to the big screen as "The Simpsons Movie" hits theaters. There is no word about whether sports will be a plot element, but it seems a safe bet considering the show's history.
More than 40 athletes have provided guest voices over the 18 seasons of the animated TV series on Fox. And combining two of America's greatest loves - sports and "The Simpsons" - has been an ideal marriage.
The writer also talks to the animators at Glendale-based Rough Draft Studios (it's the storefront on Brand with the Futurama posters in the lobby, where groups of artists often take cigarette breaks by the door). They worked on the classic 3rd season ep Homer at Bat, and is doing some 3D animation for the upcoming movie.