THE SIMPSONS - THE SIMPSONS PLAN STAR STUDDED-SEASON

THE SIMPSONS is planning a star-studded 18th season by rounding up celebrities including NATALIE PORTMAN, KIEFER SUTHERLAND and THE WHITE STRIPES to voice character, often themselves, on the show. The premiere episode, THE MOOK, THE CHEF, HIS WIFE AND HIS HOMER features THE SOPRANOS veterans MICHAEL IMPERIOLI and JOE PANTOLIANO, as well as JOE MANTEGNA, who reprises his role as Springfield's mob boss. DR PHIL, FRAN DRESCHER and comedian RICHARD LEWIS are featured in the annual Halloween episode and Sutherland appears in the 12 November (06) episode which finds HOMER SIMPSON in basic training. Also appearing on the show this season are authors TOM WOLFE, GORE VIDAL, MICHAEL CHABON and JONATHAN FRANZEN. Other celebrity guests scheduled to appear include ERIC IDLE, HARRY HAMLIN and comedian JON LOVITZ.