Homer Simpson may not have worked out very well as the voice of the animated Poochie character, but plenty of other folks have lent their vocal talents to the long-running comedy The Simpsons to great effect. FOX recently announced the next batch of celebrities who will contribute even further to pop culture by starring as guest voices in the upcoming 19th season:
* In the Sept. 23 season premiere, “He Loves to Fly and He D’ohs,” Lionel Richie and Stephen Colbert guest star. It’s another wacky Homer adventure, as our dimwitted hero is serenaded by Richie with a customized version of “Say You, Say Me,” and hires a life coach (Colbert).
* Steve Buscemi guest stars in “I Don’t Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” on Sept. 30. Marge gets caught in a bank robbery and convinces the assailant, Dwight (Buscemi), to turn himself in with the promise that she will visit him in jail. Too scared to visit him, she may have to pay the price when Dwight escapes and comes looking for her.
* Any Simpsons episode featuring Comic Book Guy certainly can’t be the “worst … episode … ever,” and he appears here, in “Husband and Knives,” on Oct. 7. Much to the shock of Comic Book Guy, Coolsville Comics & Toys opens up directly across the street. Owned by friendly hipster Milo (guest voice Jack Black), Coolsville is the ultimate retro fabulous store, which even offers kids a chance to meet comic book creators like guest stars Alan Moore, Art Spiegleman and Dan Clowes.
Later in the season, Frasier stars Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce and John Mahoney are reunited, playing Sideshow Bob, his brother and his father. Other familiar voices heard in Springfield throughout this season: Jon Stewart, Matt Dillon, Maya Rudolph, Dan Rather, Placido Domingo, Kurt Loder, Weird Al Yankovic, Beverly D’Angelo and Topher Grace.