Simpsons Shorts: No. 8

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October 1, 1997
Volume 1, Number 8

WE'RE JUST ROLLING IN THE D'OH!
This is Issue No. 8 of Simpsons Shorts, our monthly newsletter-style page devoted to proving that old Simpsons collectors' bank accounts never die; they just slowly fade away. And, boy, was September a month for spending loose change. In terms of new Simpsons merchandise, there hasn't been a busier time in at least three years.

To read more about the videos, the software and other new stuff, be sure to check out back issues of Simpsons Shorts on our Lists & Interviews page.

As always, we're looking to hear from readers with tales about their Simpsons collection or efforts to track down merchandise. Keep those cards and letters coming to us at BartFan@aol.com.

A BRITISH WAVE HITS U.S. STORES
With U.S. manufacturers still slow to produce new Simpsons products, some stores in the states have begun selling Simpsons merchandise produced in the United Kingdom.

Media Play and Suncoast audio-video stores in September put on sale for about $35 the Bart talking alarm clock originally sold in England. Suncoast has also been selling at least three key rings with 1997 copyrights from Vivid Imaginations Lt. of Essex, U.K. One features a figure of Bart with "No way, man!" printed on his blue shirt. The second features Homer with his arm around Marge. The third (pictured above) shows Bart sticking out his tongue.

The green packaging on the key rings features head shots of the five family members in a design almost identical to the album cover of "The Simpsons Sing the Blues." The back of the key-ring packaging lists several others products "available in The Simpsons collection" -- bendable figures, magnets, soft-bodied dolls and pencil toppers. So far, we've seen none of these for sale in the U.S.

Our favorite of the British imports is an AM-FM clock radio from Wesco designed like the Simpson living room. Homer rests in his underwear on a sofa. Bart perches above, pouring a cup of liquid on Homer. Lisa and Marge peer through the doorway. A lamp on the radio doubles as the station dial. Suncoast has been selling the radio for about $50, as has the Bits and Pieces catalog (1-800-JIGSAWS).

A SIMPSONS BATTLE DOWN UNDER
An Australian snack food company is counting on "The Simpsons" to help it succeed now that the chips are down.

The Australian Associated Press reported Sept. 23 that Smith's Snackfood Co has begun using the Simpsons on the company's new corn chips called CC's. Smith's hopes our favorite cartoon family will give it more strength to compete with Frito Lay's Doritos, which has gained market share in part through promotional use of the Simpsons. CC's are aimed at 12-to-17 year olds, the main consumers of snack foods.

According to the AP report, CC's is the market leader in Australia for corn chips. However, Frito Lay's Doritos have been cutting into that market share since a 1996 re-launch using collectible inserts featuring "The Simpsons." Doritos subsequently suspended use of the Simpsons once Smith's obtained the license to use the characters.

"No one can accept losing market share and certainly promotional activity is a way of holding that in the short term," said Nick Dazic, Smith's general manager of grocery.

THE SOFT SELL FOR SIMPSONS CELS
An officially sanctioned Web site devoted to Simpsons cels has gone online. Bartworld at http://www.bartworld.com is so far a bare-bones site, featuring a few images of Simpsons cels and four trivia questions. Bartworld also offers a form to subscribe to an animation newsletter.

Unfortunately, the site contains little information about the cels, including prices. Instead of allowing visitors to order cels directly online, the site promotes a toll-free number "to find the participating gallery near you." Gee, does Fox need a whole Web site that does little more than give out a toll-free number? (It's 1-888-298-BART.)

To read more about Simpsons cels, check out our four-part report on animation art. Our Lots-O-Links page also has links to several online merchants selling Simpsons cels.

By the way, the new Simpsons home videos include a $25 discount on framing when you purchase "qualifying art from `The Simpsons'." Qualifying art apparently comes only from the participating galleries.

FOX STILL SITTING ON THE HOUSE
Fox has yet to announce the winner in the Simpsons house giveaway. As of last week, no one had come forward with the winning game piece with No. 9786065 on it.

Our uneducated guess is that no one will ever claim the house by the Oct. 31 deadline. More than likely, the winning game piece was stuck on a bottle that got tossed in the garbage. Only the most diligent Simpsons fan or contest groupie would bother trying to carefully peel the label to get at the game piece printed on the other side in faint type.

If no one does come forward with the winning game piece, Fox says, it will pick the winner from those who enter the Random Draw Sweepstakes. So send your labels in right away, as Fox won't accept any later than Oct. 15.

MAIL BAG I: SIMPSONS FEVER STRIKES
This tongue-in-cheek note comes from Patrick Langlois, who is pleased (we think) with our Collecting Simpsons! Web site.

Please help me, I have a terrible disease and it’s all your fault.

Since I found your page, I’ve started collecting Simpsons. I’ve always idolized the show but just now have I acquired great love for its toys. I keep looking at eBay (auction web site) and spending all my money.

Anyway I love it and I wanted to thank you for bringing back the love I had for Simpsons toys when I was young.

Patrick Langlois
lmenard@camitel.com

MAIL BAG II: THIS ITEM'S A HANG UP
Our second letter this month is a response to our mixed review of the Bart telephone.

I browsed my way to your collectible Simpsons site and got a chuckle out of your review of the Bart Simpson phone. I have one myself, and found it to be one of the most irritating pieces of machinery I’ve ever dealt with in my life.

Not only is it awkward ... to hold, but the ability to hear anyone is minimal unless you have the phone pressed so hard against your ear that it feels like the phone’s become a direct extension of your head. Having people hear you isn’t any easier, is it? If Bart were somehow magically turned into a real person while you were talking into the phone so people could actually hear you, well ... I won't go there.

The only redeeming factor (aside from the glowing eyes) is watching your friends try to use it. That’s a gas. But for now mine just sits in its box in my closet. I’ll break it out again if I feel like I don’t have enough irritation in my life.

Enjoy your day.
Andy M.
Diordna@aol.com

Copyright 1997, William LaRue.

Page added: 10/1/97