or


[11.12.08 - 12:17 AM]
"THE SIMPSONS" TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Released by FOX
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

20 ACROSS: YELLOW ANIMATED FAMILY...

"THE SIMPSONS" TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16; MERL REAGLE AND WILL SHORTZ MAKE GUEST VOICE APPEARANCES IN SPECIAL EPISODE

Crossword puzzle creator Merl Reagle and The New York Times Crossword Puzzle editor Will Shortz make guest voice appearances in the all-new "Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words" episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Nov. 16 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Reagle and Shortz collaborated with SIMPSONS executive producer Tim Long to create a hidden SIMPSONS-related message integral to that night's episode that will appear in The New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle on Nov. 16.

In the episode, after Lisa discovers her amazing talent for solving crossword puzzles, she becomes an expert cruciverbalist and enters a citywide crossword puzzle tournament. Homer, short on cash, gets involved in an underground betting ring at the tournament, and in the ultimate betrayal, profits from betting against Lisa. When Homer and Lisa exchange cross words, Homer enlists the help of Shortz and Reagle to spell out his love for Lisa.

"One of the great things about working on THE SIMPSONS is that when we do a show on a particular subject be it politics, sports or music we do it right," Long notes. "In this case, we hired master constructor Merl Reagle (who guest-voices as himself) to design every single crossword puzzle visible throughout the episode. Conscientious or obsessive-compulsive? You be the judge!"

Long credits the documentary "Word Play," which chronicles the national crossword puzzle championships, as his inspiration for the episode. "The world it depicts is just so vivid and real, and Will Shortz has such an understated charisma about him. I understand that when Will makes public appearances, women throw their No. 2 pencils at him."

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.





  [november 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SIMPSONS, THE (FOX)




[11.20.09 - 12:42 PM]
LIFETIME AND THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY'S HIT SERIES RETURNS TO THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF NEW YORK FOR SEASON SEVEN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Plus: "Models of the Runway" will once again follow at 11:00/10:00c.
[11.20.09 - 12:41 PM]
SEASON SIX FINALE OF LIFETIME TELEVISION'S PROJECT RUNWAY IS SERIES' HIGHEST RATED EPISODE OF SEASON
Lifetime spins the numbers for Thursday, November 19.
[11.20.09 - 12:21 PM]
DOCTOR WHO FINAL TWO SPECIALS BEGIN DECEMBER 26 ON BBC AMERICA
"The End of Time, Part One" will premiere Saturday, December 26 at 9:00/8:00c.
[11.20.09 - 10:26 AM]
TLC TAPS INTO THE AFTERLIFE WITH "GHOST INTERVENTION"
The four-part series premieres Saturday, December 12 at 9:00/8:00c.
[11.20.09 - 10:17 AM]
"LATE SHOW" TOPS "THE TONIGHT SHOW" IN VIEWERS, ADULTS 25-54, AND IS TIED IN ADULTS 18-49
CBS spins the late-night numbers for the week of November 9-13.
[11.20.09 - 10:16 AM]
CBS WINS THURSDAY IN VIEWERS AND DEMOS
CBS spins the numbers for Thursday, November 19.
[11.20.09 - 09:38 AM]
ABC FINISHES A STRONG NO. 2 IN VIEWERS AND ADULTS 18-49
ABC spins the numbers for Thursday, November 19.
[11.20.09 - 09:33 AM]
TLC ORDERS NEW SERIES 'MALL COPS: MALL OF AMERICA'
12 half-hour episodes have been ordered based on the backdoor pilot special that aired earlier this year.
[11.20.09 - 09:18 AM]
WE TV'S POPULAR SERIES PLATINUM WEDDINGS RETURNS WITH NEW EPISODES SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD AT 9PM ET/PT
10 new half-hour episodes will roll out early next year.
[11.20.09 - 09:17 AM]
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS' STATEMENT REGARDING TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT BY OPRAH WINFREY
"There is no bigger brand in media than Oprah Winfrey. She has changed the broadcast landscape and how people consume television," said Discovery's David Zaslav.